What happens when passion meets structure, and the right niche changes everything?

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Matthew Brandt, founder of Tactical Retreats, retired law enforcement officer, Navy veteran, and retreat leader creating life-changing experiences for veterans and first responders.

Matthew shares his real, behind-the-scenes journey of launching retreats with heart, and learning (sometimes the hard way) how clarity, positioning, and niching down create momentum.

You'll hear how:
▪️ His first retreat barely filled, then a single shift led to 75 women on a waitlist in one week
▪️ Niching within a niche unlocked demand, confidence, and sustainability
▪️ Trauma-informed retreat design is not optional, it's essential
▪️ Listening to your audience can radically transform your business
▪️ A small, boutique retreat model can scale into international retreats and property ownership

Matthew also shares deeply human stories from the retreat space, from women arriving terrified and ready to leave… to sitting around the fire hours later saying, "I don't want to go home."

We talk about leadership, safety, trust, resilience, and why passion alone is not enough, systems are what allow your mission to grow.

This episode is a must-listen for retreat leaders who:
▪️ Feel called to do meaningful work
▪️ Want proof that strategy and heart can coexist
▪️ Are ready to refine their niche and scale responsibly
▪️ Believe retreats should heal, not create more trauma

👀 How to Connect With Today's Guest
▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalretreatunplugged/
▪️ Website: http://www.tacticalretreat.org

⬛️ Book: Footsteps of the Soul: A Veteran's Quest for Healing and Purpose Along the Camino de Santiago https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/footsteps-of-the-soul-matthew-g-brandt/1147720207

🎧 If you loved this episode, share it & leave a rating, it helps more retreat leaders find this work. 🖤

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Selling your retreat shouldn't feel pushy, awkward, or "icky." In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I'm sharing a powerful segment from the Sold Out & Profitable Retreats Masterclass featuring Christi Kendall on how to sell like a woman — with presence, confidence, connection, and zero pressure.

Inside, you'll learn:
▪️ The 5 feminine sales shifts that make selling feel natural
▪️ Why price is a leadership moment (not something to explain)
▪️ The 3 sales archetypes — Visionary, Magnetic Storyteller, Radiant Authority — and how to sell from your superpower
▪️ How to enroll premium clients without chasing, convincing, or burnout

❕ Next Steps
💭 Join the Sold Out & Profitable Masterclass: https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

💭 Sell Like a Woman™ Activation: https://sell.christikendall.com/archetype-activation-97-717567
Code: RETREATS

👀 If you loved this episode, share it & leave a rating. 🖤

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Content shouldn't drain you, it should grow your retreat business.

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with Louis Swart, founder of Ironbrij, to talk about how retreat leaders and coaches can create content that converts using AI, without burnout or inconsistency.

We break down why most people are overwhelmed by content, how AI can support (not replace) your voice, and why being specific, consistent, and delegated is the real growth advantage, especially if you want to scale retreats like a business.

▪️ Why your audience forgets you if you're not consistently visible
▪️ How AI helps you sound more like yourself, not less
▪️ The difference between generic content and content that attracts buyers
▪️ What to delegate first so you can focus on revenue-driving work
▪️ How to get 6 months of content created in 1 hour

🖤 If content has felt heavy, confusing, or time-consuming, this episode will change how you approach it.

👀 https://www.facebook.com/louistswart

💭 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yYO2xfmm2lS6IyAy-GASdhpJC6O4SZKD/view?usp=sharing

💬 https://casual.ironbrij.com.au/optin?am_id=lenicavazos8401

🗯️ https://vip.ironbrij.com.au/content-launch-kit?am_id=lenicavazos7966

🎧 https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

⬜️ If this resonates, give the episode a listen, share it, and let me know what stood out.

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

What if your retreat wasn't just a beautiful experience… but a business asset that prints profit every single year?
In this high-impact solo episode, Leni Cavazos — retreat strategist and founder of The Six-Figure Retreat System — breaks down the exact framework she uses to help coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs transform their retreats into repeatable revenue.

Here's what you'll walk away with:

▪️ The real reason 80% of retreats don't make money
◾️ Why picking your dream venue first might be costing you thousands
⬛️ The difference between hosting a retreat and building a retreat business
✒️ How to price your retreat using a formula (not just "angel numbers" 🙃)
🖤 Why profit is a necessity, not a bonus — and how to plan for it from day one

You'll also learn Leni's 3-part Profit-First System:

1. Design for Profit (before booking a single room)

2. Price for Profit (including your Profit Floor and capacity strategy)

3. Sell for Profit (using leadership, not hype)
   
   

Whether you're dreaming of your first retreat 🪽 or already hosted one that didn't hit the numbers… this episode will change the way you think about retreats forever.

💬 If you love the show, share it and leave us a review — it means the world.
👀 Want to join the next free retreat planning masterclass?
📲 Visit theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos is joined by Nyrie Roos, co-founder of Explosion Marketing, for a value-packed conversation on two key growth levers for retreat leaders and online entrepreneurs: client-generating webinars and strategic JV partnerships.

With over $20M in revenue supported and experience leading teams of 100+, Nyrie brings proven insights into how to use summits, live events, and high-converting marketing systems to create repeatable success in your business — even if you're not a tech wizard.

Together, Leni and Nyrie unpack:
▪️ Why most retreat businesses need a 12-month client acquisition plan — and how to build one
◾️ The difference between JV partners and affiliates (and why it matters)
⬛️ How to create win-win collaborations without being taken advantage of
✒️ Why warming up your list BEFORE your webinar will make or break your results
◼️ The biggest mistakes solopreneurs make when trying to scale — and how to avoid burnout and wasted budget

Plus, you'll hear how one of Nyrie's retreat clients is filling events months in advance using a simple but powerful system.

If you've ever wondered how to grow your retreat business without chasing clients on Instagram, this is the episode you've been waiting for.

Website: https://explosionmarketing.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyrieroosleads/
📞 Book a free clarity call with Nyrie: https://link.explosionmarketing.com.au/widget/bookings/claritycallwithnyrie

🎧 Join Leni's free masterclass:
Sold Out & Profitable Retreats → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Welcome back to How to Run Profitable Retreats. I'm your host, Leni Cavazos, and today we're diving into something no one's talking about in the retreat world—what kind of retreat are you actually running?

Most people assume retreats have to be yoga, detox, or wellness. But that's just one tiny slice of what's possible. In this episode, we're unpacking:

◾️ The wide variety of retreat types—from finance, trauma, and divorce to transformation, healing, and beyond
◼️ Why being more specific makes your retreat easier to sell
⬛️ The harsh truth: if your offer could be written by ChatGPT, it's too generic
🖤 How to stop being a "retreat dreamer" and become a retreat CEO
💭 Why niching doesn't exclude people—it magnetizes the right ones

Plus, I'll walk you through how I personally stand out from other retreat coaches (hint: I'm not one)—and how you can, too. Because when only 30% of people care what you do, you better be unforgettable to them.

⚪️ Your retreat is a business.
◻️ Your uniqueness is the asset.
⬜️ And your success depends on your willingness to own both.

Ready to stop leaving money on the table?

🕑 Book a call with me: theretreatplanner.com/call
✒️ If you liked this episode, share it & give us a rating to help more leaders run profitable, purposeful retreats.

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, host Leni Cavazos sits down with publishing expert and Kingdom Launchpad founder Timothy Flemming Jr. for a powerful conversation that every author, coach, and retreat leader needs to hear.

Timothy has spent over a decade helping hundreds of authors publish their books — but what he discovered is the truth most writers never hear:

The book is not the business.
It's the doorway into the business.

In this eye‑opening episode, Timothy and Leni break down:
▪️ Why most authors don't struggle with writing — they struggle with what comes next
◼️ How your book becomes a gateway into coaching programs, retreats, events, and long‑term client relationships
◾️ The ONE THING every profitable entrepreneur does (and why trying to help everyone keeps you broke and burned out)
✒️ How Timothy and his wife turned one book into a coaching program, a signature event, and a retreat that attracts attendees from all over the world
⬛️ The mindset shift every expert must make to turn their message into a scalable business
▫️ The #1 mistake that keeps authors overwhelmed, underpaid, and hidden

Leni and Timothy also dive into niching, messaging, transformation‑based offers, and the real reason "casting a wide net" kills your momentum.

If you've ever wondered how to turn your book or expertise into a profitable retreat, coaching program, or transformational ecosystem — this episode is your blueprint.

How to Reach Today's Guest:
Facebook: The Official Timothy
YouTube: TheOfficialTimothyFlemmingJr
Website: timothyflemmingjr.com/

Join Timothy

Free Masterclass → Package. Position. Promote: How To Turn Your Expertise Into A Profitable Coaching Business

Kingdom Launchpad System (90‑Day Business Buildout) →

Join Leni:
Join my upcoming masterclass

If you love this episode, please share it & leave a rating 🖤

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner

Ready for a reset? In this episode of How to Run Profitable Retreats, I sit down with the powerhouse behind over 250 global transformational retreats and experiences — Marisa Wong, CEO & Founder of MW Experiences.

Marisa has designed experiences for Fortune 100 brands, elite executives, global leaders, and high‑performing teams… but what makes her work extraordinary is her philosophy: people don't need to retreat from their lives — they need experiences that help them return to life more aligned, energized, and alive.

In this conversation, we dive into:

▪️ Why "experiences" outperform traditional retreats — and how language shapes transformation
▪️ The real difference between B2C and B2B retreat models (and why you must choose one)
▪️ What it actually means to refill your own cup as a retreat leader or experience creator
▪️ Her Reset Formula for avoiding burnout and reconnecting with your purpose, vision, and joy

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you create, deliver, and sell transformational containers — and inspire you to build experiences your audience will remember for a lifetime.

Connect with Marisa:

🐦‍⬛ Instagram: @experiencewithmarisa
⬛ Website: MWExperiences.com
◼️ Upcoming Experiences: Join her next transformative experiences starting January 2026.

If you enjoyed this episode share it with a friend, post it on social media, and leave us a rating ❕ It helps more retreat leaders discover conversations that transform how they do business.

💭 Want to design retreats that are profitable, transformational, and sold out?
Join my upcoming masterclass:
http://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Plan a Profitable Retreat

Start here to get the tools, support, and strategy you need:

Book a free consult → https://theretreatplanner.com/go

Download the Profit E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/profitebook

Download the Loyalty Marketing E-book → https://theretreatplanner.com/loyaltyebook

Join the Sold Out & Profitable Intensive → https://theretreatplanner.com/challenge

Attend the Live Workshop → https://theretreatplanner.com/live

Follow on Instagram → https://instagram.com/theretreatplanner