Serenity, Strategy, and a Mountain Walk: My Life-Changing Retreat Experience

I Drove Up a Mountain and Walked Back Down: A Retreat That Changed Everything

A week ago, I travelled to Poland for a Serenity and Strategy retreat with my business coach, Paula. Now, Paula is someone I trust with my life. She’s taken me on other journeys before, and together we’ve been “peeling back the onion layers” of my business and myself. I’ve broken a crossbow arrow on my throat with her cheering me on (yes, really!), and even got my husband involved in the same wild adventure. We’ve grieved, we’ve grown, and even though she’s ahead of me on the learning curve (otherwise, what would I have to learn?), I’m firmly hanging on to her coat tails, soaking up everything she shares about business, tech, and motivation.

So when the retreat came up, booking it was a no-brainer. Serenity? That’s not really my thing. My brain is always on the go, never switches off, even overnight. I don’t usually overthink before doing something, but planning? Oh yes, that’s a different story, I’m contrary like that! I hadn’t thought much about how the “serenity” part would fit with my Christian beliefs until I arrived in Poland. I also wondered if I’d be able to quiet my mind enough to truly benefit.

And wow! So much happened.

Our days started with breakfast in the apartment, followed by meditation sessions with Layla. This was a revelation for me because my mind wanders constantly. But Layla had a way of gently keeping me “in the room,” giving me moments of clarity and insight that really moved me forward. We cried. We laughed. The meditations were deeply emotional. I felt God’s presence throughout, and any worries about how this fit with my faith melted away. During a solo meditation in a beautiful garden by a stream, I even saw my anger take shape, literally a wriggling worm slid across my yoga mat into the soil.

Not every moment was easy. Sitting still with my thoughts was uncomfortable at times. Old doubts and fears surfaced, and peeling back those heavy layers was sometimes painful. But as we spoke words of affirmation to one another, we ended up lifting ourselves up too. It was like peeling old wallpaper off a wall, slowly revealing something fresh underneath.

One morning, we drove up the mountain Paula lives on and then walked down through the forest. The views over Sucha Beskidzka were breathtaking, - the endless shades of green, the towering trees, the crisp fresh air. It was spectacular.

By the end of three days, I had a plan. I knew where to push forward, what to let go of, and what to park for later. I came home with a clear strategy and schedule to build the business I want, focusing on what truly fulfills me and discarding the rest.

If you have a busy mind, find it hard to switch off, or feel stuck in your business or life, this retreat might be exactly what you need. It’s for those who want clarity, peace, and practical steps to move forward, even when it feels uncomfortable.

I’ve already started acting on that plan, chipping away little by little each day, even while catching up on work I left behind. I’m building the business I dream of, ready to be in the right place so that I can return to the retreat in September 2026.

But you? You could go as soon as 15th September 2025. Here’s the links to find out more:

Full retreat details here

My affiliate link for booking

(Full transparency - using this link will earn me a commission.)