The Power of Pause Retreat Recap

Happy Earth Day!

I just wrapped up my (SOLD OUT!) Power of Pause Retreat and I'm still soaking in the after glow of this magical experience with amazing humans, horses and nature.

For three days, a group of incredible humans came together to slow down, thaw out from the noise of the world, and reconnect—with themselves, with nature, and with a few wise four-legged teachers.

There was one moment that had us all wide-eyed. I was guiding the group through a sensory experience, inviting them to open to smell, sound, sight. The moment I said “Notice what you smell,” a skunk scent drifted in on the breeze. Then I invited everyone to tune into sound—and as if on cue, the wind suddenly picked up and the barn door began to rattle. You just can’t make this stuff up!

I find that the natural world is always in conversation with us—if we slow down enough to listen.

And then there were moments like this one:

One participant was drawn to a horse named Bailey. No matter what she did, Bailey wouldn’t connect, seemingly more interested in eating grass. She tried multiple times, and still—nothing. As she stepped out of the round pen she realized she'd been feeling anxiety in her body, and exclaimed “This has been the story of my relationships! I always go after the ones who are emotionally unavailable, doing all the work, holding it all together. Bailey showed me exactly what I needed to see!”

And right then, as soon as she acknowledged this pattern, the anxiety left her body and Bailey walked directly over to her to connect. 

Old patterns releasing and space opening up for a new way of connecting - just part of the magic from opening to the wisdom of horse medicine.

Horses see us. Without judgment. Without bias.

They don’t care about your job title or your story. They respond to your energy, nervous system and breath in that moment. They reflect what’s under the surface—and show us how we relate to the world around us.

Each person who stepped into the round pen had an experience that offered them insight and clarity that was 100% unique to them. #magical

And the group? Incredibly warm, grounded, real peeps. They held space for each other, recognized themselves in each other’s stories, and a couple finally got to meet in person after knowing each other virtually for years. One participant said, “I love the people that come to your retreats.” I couldn’t agree more—it felt like we’d all known each other a long time - an intimate little herd of humans. 💙

We also got to witness something most didn’t expect: the moment when a horse chooses to “join up”—to follow a person freely - without rope, pressure or being 'made to perform'. That simple act carries a profound teaching about trust, presence, and what it feels like to have a 1,000 pound being choose to connect with you (in the work I do, the horses always get to choose what they're available for or not).

This is exactly the kind of wisdom I’m deepening right now through the Master Herder Apprenticeship —a leadership program rooted in nature-based, herd dynamics. It translates the way horses lead, collaborate, and care for their communities into powerful lessons for how we show up to lead ourselves and how we show up in our families, organizations, and teams.

It’s all about cultivating socially intelligent leadership—where presence, clarity, and connection guide the way, not dominance or force. Can't wait to share more about it with you - I head to the desert south of Tucson, Arizona in a few weeks for part 2!

And in case you’re still wondering:

Why horses?

Because they’re magical.

Because they’re wired for emotional intelligence and connection.

Because they reflect back exactly how we’re showing up—without the stories, the filters, or the ego.

And because again and again, I watch people walk away from these experiences changed.

Thank you for being part of this community - I can’t wait to share as I keep learning from the herd—and bringing that wisdom back to you!

P.S. I believe that retreat and pausing are radical acts of self-care - just the medicine many of us need right now. Join the waitlist for the next Rebel Sage Retreat here