Mastering Retreat Logistics: Building Profitable and Impactful Experiences

In a recent episode of the Be Create Inspire podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kelly Tolliday, a seasoned retreat manager and host of the Transform with Travel podcast. Kelly is an expert at turning the dream of hosting retreats into a profitable and transformative reality. With her wealth of experience, Kelly shared invaluable insights into creating retreats that not only impact attendees but also support the growth of your wellness business.

The Journey to Seamless Retreat Planning

Kelly’s passion for retreats began with her love for travel and personal transformation. Over the years, she’s honed her skills to help wellness professionals overcome the logistical challenges of planning retreats, so they can focus on creating memorable, meaningful experiences for their clients.

As Kelly said, “Retreats are about creating a sacred container for connection, growth, and healing. When done right, they leave a ripple effect of transformation that extends beyond the event itself.”

Lessons in Retreat Management

During our conversation, Kelly shared key insights for wellness entrepreneurs looking to step into the retreat space:

•Start Small: Your first retreat doesn’t need to be a large-scale production. Focus on quality over quantity to build confidence and a strong foundation.

•Be Intentional: Every detail, from the location to the schedule, should align with your values and your audience’s needs.

•Plan for Profitability: Kelly emphasizes the importance of creating a budget that supports both the attendee experience and your financial goals.

Practical Takeaways for Wellness Entrepreneurs

If you’ve ever thought about hosting a retreat but felt overwhelmed by the process, Kelly’s advice is a game-changer:

1.Map Out the Basics: Define your retreat’s purpose, audience, and goals before diving into the details.

2.Leverage Local Partnerships: Build relationships with local vendors and venues to streamline logistics and enhance the attendee experience.

3.Prioritize Marketing: A well-planned retreat won’t be successful without attendees. Create a clear marketing strategy to promote your event and build excitement.

A Full Circle Moment

Having Kelly on the podcast and sharing her expertise feels like a full-circle moment for me. Retreats were a pivotal part of my journey in the wellness industry, and hearing Kelly’s insights reaffirmed the power of these experiences to transform lives and businesses alike.

Watch and Listen

Kelly’s wisdom and passion for retreats will inspire you to take action. Watch the full podcast episode here and follow Kelly on Instagram @kelly.tolliday for more tips and inspiration.

A Note of Gratitude

To all the wellness entrepreneurs dreaming of creating transformative retreats: your vision matters. By stepping into the retreat space, you’re offering your clients something truly special—an opportunity for connection, growth, and renewal. Let’s embrace 2025 with clarity, intention, and the courage to create experiences that change lives.

Awaken Your Voice: Visibility, Credibility, and Transformative Content with David Trotter

In the latest episode of the Be Create Inspire podcast, I had the honor of hosting David Trotter, a dynamic force in the world of publishing, personal development, and conscious entrepreneurship. David, co-founder of Awakened Magazine, shared his remarkable journey from being a church planter to becoming a champion of visibility and credibility for wellness entrepreneurs.

The Journey of Transformation

David’s story is one of reinvention and discovery. From his early days as a photographer and pastor, to creating powerful documentaries on humanitarian issues, his path led him to an awakening—both personal and professional. Today, through Awakened Magazine, David amplifies the voices of healers, yoga teachers, and conscious leaders by helping them build credibility and showcase their transformative work.

As David shares, “Our world desperately needs what you have to offer. If you’re a messenger of love, light, and healing, it’s your responsibility to let people know you exist. Visibility isn’t about ego—it’s about service.”

Lessons in Visibility and Credibility

David provided powerful insights into why visibility matters and how to approach it in a way that aligns with your values. Some of his key points include:

•Know Your Audience and Their Needs: Visibility begins with understanding the unique challenges and aspirations of your ideal clients.

•Content as a Service: Shift from a performance mindset to a service mindset. When you see content creation as an act of service, stress and perfectionism take a backseat.

•Consistency Over Flash: Building credibility isn’t about one viral post; it’s about showing up consistently with meaningful, aligned content.

Practical Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

David also broke down the steps to creating a killer article or podcast appearance:

1.Start with the Problem or Goal: Understand your audience’s pain points or aspirations and craft your content around them.

2.Offer a Solution: Align your solution with your unique modalities, whether it’s coaching, yoga, or energy work.

3.Call to Action: Don’t let your content end with inspiration—invite your audience to take the next step, like joining a newsletter or exploring a lead magnet.

A Full Circle Moment

Hosting David on the podcast and partnering with him for The Yoga Expo 2025 is deeply meaningful to me. His work resonates with our mission to bring wellness professionals to the forefront. David will join us in Los Angeles for live podcast recordings and to share his expertise on amplifying voices in the wellness space.

Watch and Listen

David’s journey and insights are truly transformational. Watch the full podcast episode here and follow David on Instagram @jdavidtrotter.

A Note of Gratitude

To every wellness entrepreneur reading this: your work matters. Your voice has the power to heal, inspire, and create lasting change. Let’s step into 2025 with purpose, visibility, and a commitment to service.

Purpose, Faith, and Community: Lessons from Yoga Faith

When it comes to weaving spirituality into physical practice, Michelle Thielen, founder of Yoga Faith, has paved a powerful path. On a recent episode of the Be. Create. Inspire. podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Michelle about her journey, the foundation of Yoga Faith, and the profound impact of merging faith and yoga.

From personal struggles to international influence, Michelle’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and unwavering belief. Her work with Yoga Faith has empowered countless individuals to embrace healing, deepen their connection to spirituality, and integrate faith into every facet of life.

The Transformative Power of Yoga Faith

Michelle shared her deeply personal journey of discovering Yoga Faith after a dark season in her life. It was during this time that she heard a divine calling to create a Christian yoga school. Though the road was challenging, Michelle’s consistency and belief led Yoga Faith to flourish. Today, it stands as the only Christian yoga school accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), offering over 30 courses to a global community.

Her story is a testament to how faith can guide us through adversity and inspire incredible transformation. For Michelle, yoga is more than movement—it’s worship, prayer, and connection to God in every breath and posture.

Integrating Faith and Movement

Yoga Faith uniquely blends traditional yoga practices with Christian principles. Michelle emphasizes the integration of mind, body, spirit, and soul—an approach that resonates deeply with those seeking a faith-based yoga experience. In our conversation, she highlighted how Yoga Faith classes invite the Holy Spirit into practice, making the experience both sacred and transformative.

Michelle’s advice for wellness professionals? Stay aligned with your purpose and let faith guide your path. Whether it’s through teaching, mentoring, or building your business, she encourages others to be intentional about their mission and the communities they serve.

Lessons in Leadership and Purpose

As a fellow entrepreneur and wellness advocate, I found Michelle’s insights on leadership and perseverance particularly inspiring. From teaching her first class to leading an international yoga movement, she reminded us of the importance of showing up consistently, even when the journey feels daunting.

Her journey also underscores the significance of community. Whether she’s leading a class or collaborating with other leaders in the wellness space, Michelle’s work is a reflection of her belief in the power of connection and shared purpose.

Watch the Full Episode

Michelle’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of transformation. Whether you’re a wellness professional, yoga enthusiast, or someone seeking deeper connection in your life, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Watch the full conversation with Michelle Thielen here.

You can also follow Michelle on Instagram for more inspiration: @yogafaith.