Hold yourself. Don't hold yourself back. What a simple yet profound agreement. When given the invitation to trust ourselves with our own capacity and boundaries, we can really show ourselves that we are held. Whether it is tending to our needs, giving ourselves a little extra care, honoring our "no" or our "yes" more fully, or listening to our own inner voices before abdicating our power outside of ourselves- holding ourselves creates sovereignty. Walking in that truth, we also choose not to hold ourselves back- leaning into edges of discomfort, allowing challenges from trusted support systems, humbly not knowing what we don't know, leaping into the unknown, suspending doubt, and encouraging inner growth. This kind of sacred containment allows ourselves to outgrow our patterns without leaving ourselves behind to pursue our goals. What a worthy practice.
The Alchemy of Us retreat I've been holding in my heart for over a year with Alex Terranova, Bob Conlin, and Chelsea Cotton, has come to a beautiful close after our time together in Tubac, AZ. Supported by Mark Hunter and Evin Rose, we built a beautiful experience for generous and genuine people who came together and really created a community. The gifts everyone shared amplified our curriculum to become an unimaginable success.
For now, I will share pieces that I imagine will support us all. I will be sharing more of my own insights and details at Tea Time this coming month, so please join me there for more. Until then, here is a bit of what I gathered:
-When we belong to ourselves, we can choose more fully to belong with others
-Ceremony (intentional space) enriches connection and invites a power unseen to move us in ways we may not empower without that support
-Leading with people who revere themselves, each other, and the work is essential
-Movement is as transformational as conversation
-The balance of the masculine and feminine within teaches, heals, and amplifies
-Trust is the greatest teacher
-Deep listening is a bow to someone's inner wisdom
-Speaking truth is a bow to our own
-Fire changes everything
-Being fed nourishes much more than the body
-Dancing in the moment, whether energetically or physically, transforms us
-Visualization is a fast track to creation
-Love takes many shapes
-Integration is a non-negotiable
-It takes immense courage to go in and get yourself
-People have more room to see you when you put down what is heavy
-I thrive when leading from my intuition and humility
-Generosity shifts way more than control
-Witnessing union is a form of alchemy
-Playing is essential
More where that came from! The conversation will be right on time for this month's theme: Gratitude + Grief. This is a come as you are, join as you can, free or donation offering. Join Tea Time with Mel on the first Friday of the month usually at noon (November 7 @ 12:30 pacific this time).
I am also starting a survey/application for a group coaching program that will begin early 2026 for those who thrive in community or also want an accessible entry point to our work together. Your survey will aid in the creation of this space. If you have worked with me or have interest, filling this out can bring some clarity for you and this future group. (Filling it out is not an agreement that you will join.)
I always get such gold in a retreat afterglow, and one thing is clear. I will be creating more in-person spaces in 2026. This survey is an invitation to influence some of the choices I'll make in creating my next retreats. If you've attended any of mine or have curiosity or interest, please make your voice heard in the beginning stages of the creation process. (Filling it out is not an agreement that you will attend.)
My calendar is open for more intimate space for a complimentary 1:1 conversation as well- whether you are considering coaching, are interested in a collaboration, have questions about what I'm up to, or really want to come say hi.
I led my first retreat in my late teens in college. There was something so magical about inviting people to gather in a new way with designed intentionality for the goal of deepening connection. I found that the best parts of humanity could be found in these spaces and that it made a difference for the way people walked in their lives after that. I have always felt most useful, most me, most alive, when holding or being in spaces where people are invited to reflect and grow. The gift of making this my profession continues to be profound, and my gratitude only grows. From leading for in tact teams like The C-Suite Collective to designing a jungle getaway with Jess at Imiloa, partnering with these leaders has been among my greatest joys in my in-person work. And this time, we spent this last year dreaming together, learning from each other, gathering collaborators and attendees, editing ideas as we grew and learned, shaping each other's leadership into a seamless container that would go on to hold all of the power in this group, and walking each other home to the desert in Tubac where we brought every element together for profound transformation.
The transformation, playfulness, and courage moves me, and I will bring this reinvigorated power into my work from here. It's a great time to join me in any way you're called.
