I didn’t know what to expect when I joined a week-long retreat in Japan with 10 other entrepreneurs I’d never met — but I left with more clarity, confidence, and community than I thought possible.

The Spark That Led Me Back to the Road

It all started almost three months ago when I decided to commit to doing the creativity, healing, and expansion activities from Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way with my clients in Club Phoenix as part of our Creativity Core Module. I had heard about Julia Cameron’s work through Tim Ferriss’s book Tools of Titans, and I felt compelled to see what would happen (like if I would unlock any crazy artist superpowers — and maybe learn how to play the piano).

I had never enjoyed journaling before, and The Artist’s Way requires a daily morning brain dump of three whole pages, referred to as the morning pages. However, I took on the challenge and diligently pushed through three pages each morning. What transpired after several weeks of the morning pages deserves its own post, but suffice it to say that it managed to open a whole new realm of possibilities. Then one day in March, I happened to see an ad on Facebook for the Nomad Escape’s entrepreneur retreat in Japan, I felt just compelled enough to click through and see what it was about.

Fast forward a couple of days later: I attend an online webinar, have a conversation with CEO Michelle Maree, buy my ticket to the retreat, and suddenly I’m on my way to join a retreat across the world with a bunch of nomadic business owners I’ve never met.

Doing this was a stretch for me — but much needed. While I spent most of my twenties exploring the world, meeting new people, and bearing the badge of global citizen, most of my thirties were spent trying to heal my inner wounds. Somewhere in that process, the nomadic instinct and global values that once guided me got lost in the rat race of survival in the States.

Going on this retreat meant putting myself in a new space with people far more successful than me — and renewing the global mindset I had once embraced so deeply. It was time to reclaim a part of myself and my personal mission that I had inadvertently forgotten in the unfortunate quest of "adulting."

What Happens When You’re Finally in the Right Room

I remember walking into the retreat room on Day 1 — lively music playing in the background, everyone introducing themselves with hugs, smiles, and excitement, even though we were just meeting.

I felt an instant familiarity and comfort in being around these people in a way I honestly haven’t felt in a long time.

What surprised me most was how humble and down-to-earth everyone seemed. Coming from Los Angeles, it was incredibly refreshing to see that no one was trying to outshine or outperform anyone else. I felt like I could just be myself.

One of the first activities we did was to tell our life stories in three minutes. Everyone opened up instantly about their personal challenges, their struggles, and how those experiences shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. I felt safe to be vulnerable about mine, too.

I also loved that we started each day with some kind of physical activation — contact improv, yoga, and even a morning run through the bamboo forest one day. Throughout the day, we’d bounce around business ideas and spark opportunities for collaboration. Even when we were out having fun, we were constantly scheming up new possibilities. The energy of the group was magnetic, fun-loving, and forward-thinking in the best way.

But we also made space for real friendship. One of my favorite memories was going out salsa dancing and singing karaoke in Kyoto city. We celebrated one of our member’s birthdays by singing “Happy Birthday” in different languages.

By the end of the retreat, I knew I had found lifelong friends — people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and histories. Friends who also want to connect deeply, succeed in business, and make the world better.

Win. Win. Win.

Integration Is the Real Work (and I’m Not Doing It Alone)

It always happens after an impactful retreat or personal growth intensive — that dip in energy and motivation when you’re no longer in the high-vibe environment.

And I knew this time I couldn’t afford to drop off into the ether and let all of that growth go to waste.

At the end of the retreat, I told the group that my biggest takeaway was this:

“The tribe that vibes exists.”

I had been waiting for people to show up in my life who would inspire me to keep going for my dreams.

So I made the big decision to join Nomad Escape’s Island Fest this December on Madeira Island in Portugal — to keep the momentum going while I build toward our next meeting point.

Doing the Level Up Club retreat in Japan with the Nomad Escape has shifted the way I look at myself and my business. I’m no longer afraid to lean into the big dreams I once told myself I wasn’t worthy of. I’m no longer embarrassed or ashamed to own my vision for the future.

And I no longer feel like I need to dim my light for people who feel threatened by my ambition.

The Next Right Yes

That week in Japan reminded me how powerful it is to be in a room with people who get it.

To be surrounded by people who say yes unapologetically to themselves — knowing that doing so helps them make a difference in other people’s lives too.

That’s why I’ve already said yes to the next one — to make sure the story I write for myself continues in the realm of expansion and authentic connection.

Want to Come With Me?

If you’re craving a reset, new connections, or just want to remember what it feels like to be lit up by your work again — check out Nomad Island Fest.

I’ll be there.
And if you’re ready to catapult your life to the next level, I’d love to see you there too.

If you’re serious about joining me in Madeira this December, leave a comment below — and I’ll send you my personal discount code 💫

Because life moves differently when you say yes to rooms that stretch you.
Maybe this is your yes moment.