MEN’S RETREAT
Sebastopol, CA | Sat May 10, 2025
What To Expect
Set in the tranquil Open Sky Retreat Center, this full day retreat is for any man interested in personal growth, self reflection, connection and discovery.
A combination of breathwork, guided meditation, group sharing, real food and real people will create a space to connect with other men, and invite in self-care in a way we often do not prioritize.
Your facilitators, Adam Christie and Ethan Schiff, have extensive experience leading men’s groups, wellness retreats, and facilitating in these spaces. They will not only be facilitators, but active participants along side you, too.
Schedule & What’s Included
10am: Welcome + Intros
10:30 - 11am: Breathwork & Guided Meditation
11 - 12pm: Men’s Work Talk + Group Share
12 - 12:30pm: Free Journaling / Break
12:30 - 1:30pm: Organic, Healthy Lunch
1:30 - 2pm: Gentle Movement / Qigong
2:00 - 3pm: Men’s Work Talk + Group Share
3 - 3:30pm: Guided Meditation + Free Journaling
3:30 - 4pm: Closing Circle
INCLUDED: All retreat facilities and sessions, journal, organic lunch
NOT INCLUDED: Transport to/from location, card transaction fees
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Adam’s journey has been one of profound healing, violence and loss. Following an Infantry combat tour in his 20's, he began a search for himself, spending long weekends meditating at a Zen Monastery in Upstate New York. While talk therapy was helpful, the deepest growth he discovered was in Men’s Work and communal healing.
With several certifications and years of facilitating men’s groups, his purpose is to create a safe and inspiring container for men to reclaim the life they deserve.
He employs somatic (of the body) practices in sessions like breathwork and QiGong to help participants go on an exploration to re-establish that connection to their source wisdom. He promises to hold you accountable to the life you deserve.
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Several years ago, Ethan’s 130-pound weight loss journey transformed his life priorities, causing him to dissolve a successful business he owned, transition from LA to Petaluma, and pursue a path of helping others unlock the abundant-but-dormant versions of themselves.
His Integrative Health Coaching background has been centered on the connection but our internal emotional worlds and their physical manifestations. Sometimes this dives into our relationship with food, fitness, alcohol, and stress, and sometimes it’s around areas like our identity, view of self, workaholism, and chronic pursuit of achievement.
He is the host of The True Health Podcast, with listeners in 40+ countries, and a trusted facilitator, retreat leader and group workshop host.
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Setting on eight acres of peaceful land, the quiet surroundings and beautiful facilities at Open Sky make for an ideal place for this retreat. A calm, minimal meditation room will host most of our day, alongside the gardens and serene grounds for contemplation, connection, healthy food, and community.
What To Expect & Guest Facilitators
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Open Sky Retreat Center
Move slowly, calm your mind, and disconnect from your daily routines, triggers, and responsibilities. Open Sky offers eight acres of beautiful gardens, a meditation/discussion room, outdoor patios, and space for a mix of group connection and private reflection.
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Breathwork
Gentle guided breathwork will help you get out of your head and drop into your body.
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Facilitator Talks + Group Sharing
Both Adam and Ethan will lead guided talks, including vulnerable shares from their own life reflections and experiences. These talks will be around topics central to Men’s Work, and create a safe container for us to share the parts of ourselves we often feel but don’t say.
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Healthy, Real Food
Pick from a menu of healthy, organic lunch options. Enjoy lunch as a group to break up time between talks, nature, and reflection.
*all dietary restrictions will be accommodated
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Journaling
Throughout the day there will be space for quiet journaling and reflection time.
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Community & Brotherhood
You will leave with a deep sense of being seen, heard, validated, and connected to new community.
FAQs
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This experience is for any man interested in personal growth and reflection, while also enjoying a day of self-care, nature, and the power in prioritizing yourself.
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The retreat is $150, which includes all costs, experiences. Sliding scale pricing is available for those in need. To ask for sliding scale pricing, please email ethan@optimizedhealthcoaching.com for details.
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INCLUDED:
All activities and lunch through the day
NOT INCLUDED:
Transport to/from property
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Please bring with you:
A comfortable, versatile outfit appropriate for breathwork, gentle movement and comfort for the day.
Journal
Water Bottle
Yoga Mat (please email us in advance if you do not have one)
Outdoor gear (hat, sunglasses, etc) as desired to your comfort and weather dependent
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Closer to the event date, you will receive an email with lunch options for you to pick from and modify as needed.
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Ethan Schiff:
ethan@optimizedhealthcoaching.com
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Refunds that take place 30 days prior to the event date will be honored. If you need a refund, just shoot us an email.