July 25, 2025 • 27 mins
What happens when women step away from their everyday roles and responsibilities… and step into deep rest, reflection, and real connection?
In this special episode, Ashley is joined by sound healing practitioner and Reiki master Genevieve Deely, her co-facilitator for the upcoming Restore Retreat, happening this September just outside of Chicago. Together, they share a heartfelt conversation about the power of retreat spaces, what it really means to be held, and why this work matters – especially for mothers, working women, and anyone navigating grief, burnout, or major life transitions.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- What makes retreats so transformative
- How sound healing, Reiki, and nature help us return to ourselves
- The difference between taking a break and truly being witnessed
- What to expect from the Restore Retreat (and who it’s for)
… and so much more!
Learn more about the Restore Retreat at https://ashleydlogan.com/retreat
Connect with Genevieve:
Instagram @gendeely
Website https://channelofyourpeace.com/
Connect with Ashley:
Instagram @ashleydlogan
Website https://ashleydlogan.com/
Have a topic or guest you’d love to see featured on the Unapologetically Yours podcast? Send us an email: podcast@unapologeticallyyours.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
It was so healing for me and I came away feeling like uh I've been seen and I'm safe andit's okay.
There was no judgment.
It was a sacred holding and that you can't find in just, you you might have a chat with afriend if you're having a hard go at something, but there's something so profound about
(00:21):
being around a fire in that circle with that energy.
Hello and welcome to the Unapologetically Yours podcast.
I'm your host Ashley Logan and I'm so happy to have you here today.
Unapologetically Yours is a podcast where we go deep on everything from spirituality tobusiness and connection to relationships and everything in between.
(00:47):
Because in a world when we've been told to play by the rules, it's time to liveunapologetically.
And that's exactly what I've been doing with my life to great results.
questioning belief systems, questioning modalities, exploring new parts of myself.
And it has been such an expansive journey.
(01:07):
And today we're gonna talk a little bit about how to lean in to the knowing inside of youthat you're ready for something more and some tools and offerings that help support that
in the forum specifically of retreats.
I am here today with Genevieve Daly.
She is a Reiki master and sound practitioner and I have the absolute
(01:29):
honor of co-facilitating with her during the Restore retreat that we're hosting coming upSeptember 12th through the 14th here just a couple hours outside of Chicago.
Genevieve, thank you so much for being here.
You are so welcome.
It is such an honor.
I was so excited when you asked me to join.
uh I want to say, I, feels like we have parallel lives at the moment because I completelyresonate with everything around
(01:58):
you know, deeper questioning, looking down deep below and wondering, is this exactly whatuh others are telling me to do?
this what I want to do?
So I, I'm so fully on board with all that.
Just to introduce myself a little bit.
um I am a Reiki master and sound healing practitioner.
And I came into this extremely healing and profound journey about 10 years ago when Ifirst lost my first daughter and she
(02:28):
cracks me open.
it just, of course I went on a very deep grief journey, but what I can say today is thatit was the greatest gift of my life.
um It just blossomed me into who I really am.
And of course that's a continual journey, but um I really started to wonder what was downdeeper.
(02:51):
Who am I?
What is my purpose here?
And all of these, you know, sort of profound questions.
And it's been such a insightful, very deep, quite painful journey coming to this pointtoday.
So sound healing and Reiki discovered me along the way, and it was a calling.
just, never even knew what it was.
(03:13):
Crystal singing bowls, Reiki, energy work, completely living in tunnel vision life.
And to keep uh a long story short, those tools and that
um energy found me and then I started to really fall into it and love just the idea oflike playing for myself and my own healing and realizing that sound healing bypasses the
(03:42):
chattered mind, the constant dwelling, all of that patterning.
It goes straight to the cells and just works with
you know, the synapses, things that we're the trauma, we're the joy, where everything isin your body.
I just found that and just then continued to ah find myself in group spaces and like, Iwant to do this for others.
(04:10):
it's been, yeah, it's me.
It's just more of me, really.
Well, I mean, it's so amazing how the synchronicities of life bring people together andthose little knowings and following the breadcrumbs.
And first of all, I just want to acknowledge the loss of your daughter.
(04:30):
It's every parent's worst nightmare.
And the way that you alchemize that grief into something that becomes a gift to otherpeople to alchemize.
their grief and what they're holding in their cells uh is truly such a gift.
And Genevieve and I first met uh under the most interesting of circumstances.
(04:55):
we have mutual friends and they were hosting a retreat in Chicago and they needed toborrow my crystal singing bowls.
So I came and dropped them off at a friend's house and Genevieve was there.
Dr.
Laura Berman was also there and
All of a sudden we like break out into this totally impromptu sound healing session wherewe're like, we're playing the bulls, Genevieve starts singing and we've got drumming.
(05:25):
was just like, it was so incredible.
And I was so drawn to the authenticity of your voice and the vulnerability that just kindof permeates through yourselves and your genuine kind nature that I knew that a
collaboration was in our future.
And so
Enter the restore retreat.
And so one, I want to talk about lots of different avenues here, but first of all,retreats are one of those experiences that can absolutely change your life and grief and
(05:59):
transition and all of those things.
They can crack us open and without the right support system at the right, but without astrong support system, without tools, grief,
can un-mortgue and trauma can un-mortgue.
And what I found for me in part of my healing journey, because similar, the samples foundme.
(06:22):
I was on a retreat in Tulum.
It was such a profound experience.
I'm going to share a little bit more about that.
But it suddenly just clicked.
Like all of the things that I've been taught about music, all of the things I've beentaught about expression, none of it included this modality that could offer
so much healing and grounding just by playing them and then playing for myself and playingfor others.
(06:48):
And it was like something cracked open.
What are all of the other things that I don't know about that I could be bringing todifferent people and bringing back to my community?
And that's sort of how my Reiki sound healing journey started.
So we're so similar in that regard.
my gosh, so beautiful.
Yes, I just love the idea of uh
(07:10):
that the energy finding us like it does take a certain awareness to be like I'm going tobe open to receiving and sometimes when we do feel that call we sort of or not now like
the rational logic mind gets in not now I can't afford I shouldn't yeah I'm too guilty toleave the house the home and I went through all of that and it took quite a time to come
(07:37):
into full confidence of going
away on these type of retreats and going, no, this is what I need for myself.
I can't give from an empty glass.
I need to fill it first.
And then when I come back to my children and my family, I really do feel like, oh, I missyou.
Oh, let's sit down.
I want to hear your nonsense talk for 10 minutes.
(07:59):
Like, you know, it's like you actually, I do feel more genuinely like I'm present.
I'm available.
I have so much more space for what is.
here in the day.
So I've learned that it's a necessity for me.
My own personal space is a necessity for me in order to be more present.
(08:20):
So yeah.
I feel that too.
The first retreat that I went on was 2022 and it was hosted by my friend and mentor MegSylvester and it was in Tulum and I couldn't explain the calling.
But I just, decided to lean into it.
(08:40):
And what came from that retreat was learning one, how to just release, releasing thethings that I was carrying in a space where people weren't expecting anything from me.
So I didn't have to provide for anyone.
I didn't have to tend to anyone else's needs, but my own.
And the way that, especially for mothers, our society is structured that we are always oncall.
(09:03):
We're always available.
And
always tending to others.
And I don't think that that's really how our brains are designed and where it soundscounterintuitive and even self-indulgent to take the time away, the rewards from that, I
can directly point to I'm a better mother, I'm a more present mother, I am more aligned,I'm more myself, which gives my kids permission to be more aligned and more themselves.
(09:31):
And every area of my life became more.
from listening to that voice inside and many, many retreats and certifications there.
It cracked open a whole path of change and that has really transformed my life and my wayof thinking.
Yeah, you are such a powerhouse.
so it's like if your soul is so smart, it's like the minute it's like, oh, this works.
(09:54):
It's like, let me let me keep going on this bandwagon, you know, and it just feels likeit's completely blossomed your life into like
more authenticity and that is the highest vibe, you know?
I just feel like truth begets truth.
Like there's something so rewarding on such an energetic level, a spiritual, soulfullevel, when you can go, I'm going to face the truth of what I need and I'm going to take
(10:23):
care of myself.
And it might mean that somebody else is upset or I need to pull from this to afford thator whatever it is.
but the reward is thousand time fold.
Tell me about a retreat experience, something that changed your life.
So recently I went on a retreat.
(10:45):
It was probably about a couple of months ago and it was out in this beautiful countrysideand it was probably about eight to 10 people.
can't remember, but the medicine of just being witnessed, I had a lot of grief come upunexpected.
I was like, I'm ready to do this, let's go.
(11:06):
And then we sat by the fire and it all came out and I was not prepared for this.
But the witness from every single person, know, speechless, like it's not able to put inwords, it's an alchemy that happens when you think so what, somebody heard you cry and
(11:26):
shit, but it was so healing for me.
And I came away feeling like uh I've been seen and I'm safe and it's okay.
There was no judgment.
It was a sacred holding and that you can't find in just, you you might have a chat with afriend if you're having a hard go at something, but there's something so profound about
(11:49):
being around a fire in that circle uh with that energy.
And it's sacred.
What always strikes me about retreats
is that the alchemy of the participants, every single person brings that unique medicine.
Every single person is supposed to be there.
And the way that people show up for each other while also it's this beautiful balance ofbeing seen and seeing others.
(12:15):
And in a space where there's that expectation, that safe container around, we have ashared uh goal to connect.
We have a shared goal to
to ourselves and the full freedom to take the time to go walk by yourself or do somethingby yourself and that no one is going to be in judgment of that is such a beautiful thing
(12:39):
because you're right.
Yes, it's rejuvenating to go have a dinner with girlfriends, but inevitably someone has tocancel because the babysitter didn't show up or this or this or that.
But showing up in a space like this where you can let your guard down and really just tunein to yourself and to other people and
in the spirit of reciprocity of giving and of healing is incredible.
(13:03):
I think at the foundation of it is connection.
I think that's what we really just as human beings were wired for connection.
And it's a space where it's unavoidable.
just, everyone who is meant to be there will be there.
And that the essence that each person brings, it just sort of
(13:26):
completes a beautiful puzzle of connection.
It's so true.
And I think about all of the people who are listening right now who maybe saw some of theretreat promotions come out or saw something on social media and have questions and felt
maybe that little, that little, huh, nudge inside of them.
Is this for me?
Should I go?
Should I do this?
(13:47):
Is, should I pick this over the girls weekend?
And I have to say that that is the nudge from
the universe.
is the nudge from your conscious.
That's the nudge from inside to say that knowing that yes, you need something more.
And it's funny because I've had some friends who are like, uh, so like, if I go on thisretreat, what am going to have to look at that I'm avoiding?
(14:12):
And the truth is, is that you go as deep as you want to go in a gentle space.
And let's stop for a second and talk about the restore retreat so that we can share alittle bit more about what we're
what we're creating here.
So to start, Genevieve and I will be co-facilitating a retreat September 12th through14th, just about three hours outside of Chicago.
(14:35):
So totally accessible.
We have shared rides, other things for people to get there.
So all you have to do is get there.
And then once there, the retreat sits on 165 acres of just land.
There's old growth forest.
There's no river, the Mississippi River, there's a little lake, there's a pool.
(14:56):
And what we want to build is a container for women who are feeling burnt out, who arefeeling like maybe they need to reset, who are going through a transition, who just
haven't taken that time ever maybe to focus inward on themselves and to hold.
(15:19):
to hold them in a space where they don't have to make a decision about what they're gonnaeat.
We've got food that accommodates all dietary restrictions, all home cooked meals,intentional time in nature.
We have Jettamee who will be leading sound healing and oh my gosh, she is so magical thatthat in herself just being in your presence.
(15:44):
I'm sure everyone who's watching this can feel just what a calming rounded.
spirit you are.
then also play.
So yes, it's going deep.
Yes, it's offering that space to tend to your own needs.
And it's also about that sisterhood and that connection and the shared experience that canreally make people walk away feeling seen whole and restored so they can go back to their
(16:13):
lives and feel that have some tools to navigate.
the world with a little bit more peace, a little bit more clarity, a little more agencyaround how you're structuring your time.
And also feeling more connected to yourself so that you can parent and show up in yourrelationships, whether as a mother, as uh a coworker, as a partner, all of those things
(16:37):
that impacts and permeates into all aspects of.
of life.
So we're so excited to offer this to you.
And we've got still have a few spaces available with private rooms and shared rooms toaccommodate a bunch of different price points.
be amazing.
know.
I can't wait.
I'm so excited.
before you committed to your first retreat, what were some of the worries that you hadabout about joining?
(17:03):
Me personally, I tend to get overwhelmed in group space.
So
I was concerned, how would I feel around a lot of energy?
Everyone being oh on and wanting to connect.
And what if I was more in a inside quiet space and needed to just be on my own?
(17:27):
And the responsibility of like, but you've got to be a good girl.
You've got to be nice.
You've got to be polite.
You've got to show up.
And so that's sort of a...
a wound of mine that I've been moving through and seeing I'm not responsible for otherpeople's feelings.
So that's something that was completely blasted when I got there.
(17:49):
was like no big deal whatsoever because no one has the expectation of how you should orshouldn't be.
You just come as yourself.
And I think that is another aspect of just come as you are.
You don't have to be anything for anyone.
I love that too.
For me, I was so nervous.
Like, okay, am I gonna like everyone?
(18:09):
Are they gonna like me?
then also wondering like, am I gonna understand what's going on?
Am I spiritual enough?
Am I enough in all of these things?
I had never done breath work.
I had never done some of the things that were on the agenda for the retreat.
And so I was going in, flying so blind and I just...
(18:32):
honestly, I just surrendered and said, whatever it be, will be entrusted that thefacilitators would accommodate whatever my needs were.
And they did.
And every retreat that I've gone to since, and there's many, whether from like facilitatortrainings and other sort of more like healing based retreats, it's all been amazing to see
(18:53):
how the facilitators hold that sacred space and allow you to just show up exactly as youare.
without expectations, without judgment, with nothing but total pure love and connection.
And that's the part that sticks.
Those relationships become sacred.
Those relationships become something that you can lean on over time.
(19:14):
And it's really a wonderful and beautiful and almost indescribable thing until youexperience that.
If you had any advice for someone who's thinking about joining us in September, whatadvice would that be?
Well, I would say
to sit quietly with yourself and try to just give some space from all the shoulds, Ishould or I shouldn't.
(19:37):
Just go a little deeper than that and feel into your heart space.
If it's a yes or a no, you know if this is right for you or not.
And it takes quiet stillness to get to that answer.
We're not here to force anyone.
We're just holding space, welcoming the energy that wants to come into this place andspace.
(20:02):
So if that feels like a yes to you, then do whatever you can to honor it.
It's my advice.
I love that.
And even knowing what a yes feels like in your body and that's that aliveness, that'sexcitement.
And sure, it might come with a little bit of fear, but it's definitely not that closedsensation that
(20:26):
retraction.
And I love that advice.
It's so true.
Sitting with it and thinking about picturing yourself, seeing the pictures after the eventand wondering what it would have been like to be there thinking about how you'll feel
after also wondering about the things that maybe you've been putting off and knowing thatit's a safe space to just be your full self, whatever, whatever that might
(20:53):
What are your thoughts on the importance of women, working women, especially mothers?
What do you think is the importance of carving out this time for yourself?
So I think it's vital that us women, mothers, caretakers, partners, whatever role you'rein, fundamentally, it's vital to make space and time for yourself.
(21:17):
And it just more and more feels like
that gets taken away, not necessarily in a malicious intentional way.
It's just life is so fast.
uh It moves so quickly and it really takes discipline to stop and slow down and check inwith yourself.
(21:38):
Fundamentally, without that slowing down and without that space for yourself, how do youeven know what you're doing in a day or why you're even doing what you're doing?
you just end up in autopilot and that's no life to live.
know, these sort of spaces that we're creating are plugging your battery back into theoutlet of life force energy and you go back illuminated.
(22:07):
And it might again, sometimes these retreats do ask you to open up a bit more and youmight face something you weren't prepared to or like for me, but even coming out of that
retreat,
I felt more complete.
I balled my eyes out, but I felt more complete and more joyful in the integration periodafterwards.
(22:28):
So um there is a bit of an integration after a retreat, but it's an important time and Ican feel myself go on a tangent.
So I'll stop there.
that's my answer.
Yeah.
Well, integration is something we'll definitely address during the retreat too and how tosupport you.
as you're moving through life with new levels of awareness.
(22:50):
And at the end of the day, I think that you hit the nail on the head.
It's about giving yourself space to allow yourself to be seen, allow yourself tounderstand why you're doing certain things, why you're making decisions.
Is it based on should or is it based on your authentic self?
And when we as women see each other in our full authenticity, that's how we change theworld because we're
(23:15):
Heating old stories that are outdated, where we're telling the truth.
And by giving ourselves a space to do that, peace, the joy, the alignment is next level.
And I'll say one more thing about grief and transition and all of those things.
That even if you haven't had major life events, we all carry grief.
(23:37):
Even things like navigating the pandemic and the decisions you had to make and if you'venever given yourself space to really grieve that time.
And we carry it in our bodies.
And we can only experience joy to the level that we're willing to experience our grief.
(23:57):
And when you go and face your grief, it unlocks new levels of joy.
Just like you said, that release that you experience with the tears and unlocking thingsthat you didn't necessarily expect to, and then seeing how that unlocks new levels of joy,
bliss, so that you can live a life that feels more complete, more aligned, and that's areally beautiful thing.
(24:22):
So with that, let's do a quick invitation for those who want to come and picturing at thisretreat that we have just a houseful
of women who are all showing up for each other in love, in acceptance, without judgment,without competition, there to see each other.
Walking out into the old growth forest that's on the property, I see laughter, I see fire,I see music, singing, and it is so, so, so beautiful.
(24:55):
I see it with you.
I feel the joy of it already in my body.
So if attending our retreat in September is on your heart, feel free to one, reach outwith any questions.
Either Genevieve or myself are available to answer any questions, to share moreexperiences about our own retreats that we've attended over the years, and to share more
(25:19):
about what you can expect from the experience.
But we'd love to have you.
And if you feel that calling.
It's because your medicine, what you bring is part of the alchemy of this retreat.
And not only are you wanted there, but you're needed.
So that's it from us today.
(25:39):
Thank you so much for tuning in as we share more about retreats what you can expect fromthe restore retreat coming up in September.
We would love to have you.
We'd be honored to hold that space so you can go and just be the beautiful
layered, deep, multifaceted woman that you are in our presence and it'll just be ourbiggest honor.
(26:04):
Anything that you want to add, dear?
No, I just so, I just feel such an alignment and I just feel like, yeah, that is perfectlyput.
Anyone who feels the call, it's because you're wanted and you're welcomed and you aremeant to be there.
Thank you.
(26:26):
Thank you for asking me.
I feel so excited.
I just, I felt that instant connection with you.
And so I knew it was meant to be.
And I've learned enough over the last couple of years to trust that because that those arelittle winks from the universe to help us live our most beautiful, sensational aligned
(26:48):
lives.
So, yeah, great.
Thank you, love.
Thank you all so much for tuning in.
I'm Ashley.
This is Genevieve.
You can find out more about the retreat at AshleyDLogan.com.
That's where all the registration pricing information is up there.
We offer scholarships and flexible payment plans for anyone who is interested.
(27:08):
until then, I'm Ashley.
This is Genevieve, and we are unapologetically yours.
It was so healing for me and I came away feeling like uh I've been seen and I'm safe andit's okay.
There was no judgment.
It was a sacred holding and that you can't find in just, you you might have a chat with afriend if you're having a hard go at something, but there's something so profound about
(00:21):
being around a fire in that circle with that energy.
Hello and welcome to the Unapologetically Yours podcast.
I'm your host Ashley Logan and I'm so happy to have you here today.
Unapologetically Yours is a podcast where we go deep on everything from spirituality tobusiness and connection to relationships and everything in between.
(00:47):
Because in a world when we've been told to play by the rules, it's time to liveunapologetically.
And that's exactly what I've been doing with my life to great results.
questioning belief systems, questioning modalities, exploring new parts of myself.
And it has been such an expansive journey.
(01:07):
And today we're gonna talk a little bit about how to lean in to the knowing inside of youthat you're ready for something more and some tools and offerings that help support that
in the forum specifically of retreats.
I am here today with Genevieve Daly.
She is a Reiki master and sound practitioner and I have the absolute
(01:29):
honor of co-facilitating with her during the Restore retreat that we're hosting coming upSeptember 12th through the 14th here just a couple hours outside of Chicago.
Genevieve, thank you so much for being here.
You are so welcome.
It is such an honor.
I was so excited when you asked me to join.
uh I want to say, I, feels like we have parallel lives at the moment because I completelyresonate with everything around
(01:58):
you know, deeper questioning, looking down deep below and wondering, is this exactly whatuh others are telling me to do?
this what I want to do?
So I, I'm so fully on board with all that.
Just to introduce myself a little bit.
um I am a Reiki master and sound healing practitioner.
And I came into this extremely healing and profound journey about 10 years ago when Ifirst lost my first daughter and she
(02:28):
cracks me open.
it just, of course I went on a very deep grief journey, but what I can say today is thatit was the greatest gift of my life.
um It just blossomed me into who I really am.
And of course that's a continual journey, but um I really started to wonder what was downdeeper.
(02:51):
Who am I?
What is my purpose here?
And all of these, you know, sort of profound questions.
And it's been such a insightful, very deep, quite painful journey coming to this pointtoday.
So sound healing and Reiki discovered me along the way, and it was a calling.
just, never even knew what it was.
(03:13):
Crystal singing bowls, Reiki, energy work, completely living in tunnel vision life.
And to keep uh a long story short, those tools and that
um energy found me and then I started to really fall into it and love just the idea oflike playing for myself and my own healing and realizing that sound healing bypasses the
(03:42):
chattered mind, the constant dwelling, all of that patterning.
It goes straight to the cells and just works with
you know, the synapses, things that we're the trauma, we're the joy, where everything isin your body.
I just found that and just then continued to ah find myself in group spaces and like, Iwant to do this for others.
(04:10):
it's been, yeah, it's me.
It's just more of me, really.
Well, I mean, it's so amazing how the synchronicities of life bring people together andthose little knowings and following the breadcrumbs.
And first of all, I just want to acknowledge the loss of your daughter.
(04:30):
It's every parent's worst nightmare.
And the way that you alchemize that grief into something that becomes a gift to otherpeople to alchemize.
their grief and what they're holding in their cells uh is truly such a gift.
And Genevieve and I first met uh under the most interesting of circumstances.
(04:55):
we have mutual friends and they were hosting a retreat in Chicago and they needed toborrow my crystal singing bowls.
So I came and dropped them off at a friend's house and Genevieve was there.
Dr.
Laura Berman was also there and
All of a sudden we like break out into this totally impromptu sound healing session wherewe're like, we're playing the bulls, Genevieve starts singing and we've got drumming.
(05:25):
was just like, it was so incredible.
And I was so drawn to the authenticity of your voice and the vulnerability that just kindof permeates through yourselves and your genuine kind nature that I knew that a
collaboration was in our future.
And so
Enter the restore retreat.
And so one, I want to talk about lots of different avenues here, but first of all,retreats are one of those experiences that can absolutely change your life and grief and
(05:59):
transition and all of those things.
They can crack us open and without the right support system at the right, but without astrong support system, without tools, grief,
can un-mortgue and trauma can un-mortgue.
And what I found for me in part of my healing journey, because similar, the samples foundme.
(06:22):
I was on a retreat in Tulum.
It was such a profound experience.
I'm going to share a little bit more about that.
But it suddenly just clicked.
Like all of the things that I've been taught about music, all of the things I've beentaught about expression, none of it included this modality that could offer
so much healing and grounding just by playing them and then playing for myself and playingfor others.
(06:48):
And it was like something cracked open.
What are all of the other things that I don't know about that I could be bringing todifferent people and bringing back to my community?
And that's sort of how my Reiki sound healing journey started.
So we're so similar in that regard.
my gosh, so beautiful.
Yes, I just love the idea of uh
(07:10):
that the energy finding us like it does take a certain awareness to be like I'm going tobe open to receiving and sometimes when we do feel that call we sort of or not now like
the rational logic mind gets in not now I can't afford I shouldn't yeah I'm too guilty toleave the house the home and I went through all of that and it took quite a time to come
(07:37):
into full confidence of going
away on these type of retreats and going, no, this is what I need for myself.
I can't give from an empty glass.
I need to fill it first.
And then when I come back to my children and my family, I really do feel like, oh, I missyou.
Oh, let's sit down.
I want to hear your nonsense talk for 10 minutes.
(07:59):
Like, you know, it's like you actually, I do feel more genuinely like I'm present.
I'm available.
I have so much more space for what is.
here in the day.
So I've learned that it's a necessity for me.
My own personal space is a necessity for me in order to be more present.
(08:20):
So yeah.
I feel that too.
The first retreat that I went on was 2022 and it was hosted by my friend and mentor MegSylvester and it was in Tulum and I couldn't explain the calling.
But I just, decided to lean into it.
(08:40):
And what came from that retreat was learning one, how to just release, releasing thethings that I was carrying in a space where people weren't expecting anything from me.
So I didn't have to provide for anyone.
I didn't have to tend to anyone else's needs, but my own.
And the way that, especially for mothers, our society is structured that we are always oncall.
(09:03):
We're always available.
And
always tending to others.
And I don't think that that's really how our brains are designed and where it soundscounterintuitive and even self-indulgent to take the time away, the rewards from that, I
can directly point to I'm a better mother, I'm a more present mother, I am more aligned,I'm more myself, which gives my kids permission to be more aligned and more themselves.
(09:31):
And every area of my life became more.
from listening to that voice inside and many, many retreats and certifications there.
It cracked open a whole path of change and that has really transformed my life and my wayof thinking.
Yeah, you are such a powerhouse.
so it's like if your soul is so smart, it's like the minute it's like, oh, this works.
(09:54):
It's like, let me let me keep going on this bandwagon, you know, and it just feels likeit's completely blossomed your life into like
more authenticity and that is the highest vibe, you know?
I just feel like truth begets truth.
Like there's something so rewarding on such an energetic level, a spiritual, soulfullevel, when you can go, I'm going to face the truth of what I need and I'm going to take
(10:23):
care of myself.
And it might mean that somebody else is upset or I need to pull from this to afford thator whatever it is.
but the reward is thousand time fold.
Tell me about a retreat experience, something that changed your life.
So recently I went on a retreat.
(10:45):
It was probably about a couple of months ago and it was out in this beautiful countrysideand it was probably about eight to 10 people.
can't remember, but the medicine of just being witnessed, I had a lot of grief come upunexpected.
I was like, I'm ready to do this, let's go.
(11:06):
And then we sat by the fire and it all came out and I was not prepared for this.
But the witness from every single person, know, speechless, like it's not able to put inwords, it's an alchemy that happens when you think so what, somebody heard you cry and
(11:26):
shit, but it was so healing for me.
And I came away feeling like uh I've been seen and I'm safe and it's okay.
There was no judgment.
It was a sacred holding and that you can't find in just, you you might have a chat with afriend if you're having a hard go at something, but there's something so profound about
(11:49):
being around a fire in that circle uh with that energy.
And it's sacred.
What always strikes me about retreats
is that the alchemy of the participants, every single person brings that unique medicine.
Every single person is supposed to be there.
And the way that people show up for each other while also it's this beautiful balance ofbeing seen and seeing others.
(12:15):
And in a space where there's that expectation, that safe container around, we have ashared uh goal to connect.
We have a shared goal to
to ourselves and the full freedom to take the time to go walk by yourself or do somethingby yourself and that no one is going to be in judgment of that is such a beautiful thing
(12:39):
because you're right.
Yes, it's rejuvenating to go have a dinner with girlfriends, but inevitably someone has tocancel because the babysitter didn't show up or this or this or that.
But showing up in a space like this where you can let your guard down and really just tunein to yourself and to other people and
in the spirit of reciprocity of giving and of healing is incredible.
(13:03):
I think at the foundation of it is connection.
I think that's what we really just as human beings were wired for connection.
And it's a space where it's unavoidable.
just, everyone who is meant to be there will be there.
And that the essence that each person brings, it just sort of
(13:26):
completes a beautiful puzzle of connection.
It's so true.
And I think about all of the people who are listening right now who maybe saw some of theretreat promotions come out or saw something on social media and have questions and felt
maybe that little, that little, huh, nudge inside of them.
Is this for me?
Should I go?
Should I do this?
(13:47):
Is, should I pick this over the girls weekend?
And I have to say that that is the nudge from
the universe.
is the nudge from your conscious.
That's the nudge from inside to say that knowing that yes, you need something more.
And it's funny because I've had some friends who are like, uh, so like, if I go on thisretreat, what am going to have to look at that I'm avoiding?
(14:12):
And the truth is, is that you go as deep as you want to go in a gentle space.
And let's stop for a second and talk about the restore retreat so that we can share alittle bit more about what we're
what we're creating here.
So to start, Genevieve and I will be co-facilitating a retreat September 12th through14th, just about three hours outside of Chicago.
(14:35):
So totally accessible.
We have shared rides, other things for people to get there.
So all you have to do is get there.
And then once there, the retreat sits on 165 acres of just land.
There's old growth forest.
There's no river, the Mississippi River, there's a little lake, there's a pool.
(14:56):
And what we want to build is a container for women who are feeling burnt out, who arefeeling like maybe they need to reset, who are going through a transition, who just
haven't taken that time ever maybe to focus inward on themselves and to hold.
(15:19):
to hold them in a space where they don't have to make a decision about what they're gonnaeat.
We've got food that accommodates all dietary restrictions, all home cooked meals,intentional time in nature.
We have Jettamee who will be leading sound healing and oh my gosh, she is so magical thatthat in herself just being in your presence.
(15:44):
I'm sure everyone who's watching this can feel just what a calming rounded.
spirit you are.
then also play.
So yes, it's going deep.
Yes, it's offering that space to tend to your own needs.
And it's also about that sisterhood and that connection and the shared experience that canreally make people walk away feeling seen whole and restored so they can go back to their
(16:13):
lives and feel that have some tools to navigate.
the world with a little bit more peace, a little bit more clarity, a little more agencyaround how you're structuring your time.
And also feeling more connected to yourself so that you can parent and show up in yourrelationships, whether as a mother, as uh a coworker, as a partner, all of those things
(16:37):
that impacts and permeates into all aspects of.
of life.
So we're so excited to offer this to you.
And we've got still have a few spaces available with private rooms and shared rooms toaccommodate a bunch of different price points.
be amazing.
know.
I can't wait.
I'm so excited.
before you committed to your first retreat, what were some of the worries that you hadabout about joining?
(17:03):
Me personally, I tend to get overwhelmed in group space.
So
I was concerned, how would I feel around a lot of energy?
Everyone being oh on and wanting to connect.
And what if I was more in a inside quiet space and needed to just be on my own?
(17:27):
And the responsibility of like, but you've got to be a good girl.
You've got to be nice.
You've got to be polite.
You've got to show up.
And so that's sort of a...
a wound of mine that I've been moving through and seeing I'm not responsible for otherpeople's feelings.
So that's something that was completely blasted when I got there.
(17:49):
was like no big deal whatsoever because no one has the expectation of how you should orshouldn't be.
You just come as yourself.
And I think that is another aspect of just come as you are.
You don't have to be anything for anyone.
I love that too.
For me, I was so nervous.
Like, okay, am I gonna like everyone?
(18:09):
Are they gonna like me?
then also wondering like, am I gonna understand what's going on?
Am I spiritual enough?
Am I enough in all of these things?
I had never done breath work.
I had never done some of the things that were on the agenda for the retreat.
And so I was going in, flying so blind and I just...
(18:32):
honestly, I just surrendered and said, whatever it be, will be entrusted that thefacilitators would accommodate whatever my needs were.
And they did.
And every retreat that I've gone to since, and there's many, whether from like facilitatortrainings and other sort of more like healing based retreats, it's all been amazing to see
(18:53):
how the facilitators hold that sacred space and allow you to just show up exactly as youare.
without expectations, without judgment, with nothing but total pure love and connection.
And that's the part that sticks.
Those relationships become sacred.
Those relationships become something that you can lean on over time.
(19:14):
And it's really a wonderful and beautiful and almost indescribable thing until youexperience that.
If you had any advice for someone who's thinking about joining us in September, whatadvice would that be?
Well, I would say
to sit quietly with yourself and try to just give some space from all the shoulds, Ishould or I shouldn't.
(19:37):
Just go a little deeper than that and feel into your heart space.
If it's a yes or a no, you know if this is right for you or not.
And it takes quiet stillness to get to that answer.
We're not here to force anyone.
We're just holding space, welcoming the energy that wants to come into this place andspace.
(20:02):
So if that feels like a yes to you, then do whatever you can to honor it.
It's my advice.
I love that.
And even knowing what a yes feels like in your body and that's that aliveness, that'sexcitement.
And sure, it might come with a little bit of fear, but it's definitely not that closedsensation that
(20:26):
retraction.
And I love that advice.
It's so true.
Sitting with it and thinking about picturing yourself, seeing the pictures after the eventand wondering what it would have been like to be there thinking about how you'll feel
after also wondering about the things that maybe you've been putting off and knowing thatit's a safe space to just be your full self, whatever, whatever that might
(20:53):
What are your thoughts on the importance of women, working women, especially mothers?
What do you think is the importance of carving out this time for yourself?
So I think it's vital that us women, mothers, caretakers, partners, whatever role you'rein, fundamentally, it's vital to make space and time for yourself.
(21:17):
And it just more and more feels like
that gets taken away, not necessarily in a malicious intentional way.
It's just life is so fast.
uh It moves so quickly and it really takes discipline to stop and slow down and check inwith yourself.
(21:38):
Fundamentally, without that slowing down and without that space for yourself, how do youeven know what you're doing in a day or why you're even doing what you're doing?
you just end up in autopilot and that's no life to live.
know, these sort of spaces that we're creating are plugging your battery back into theoutlet of life force energy and you go back illuminated.
(22:07):
And it might again, sometimes these retreats do ask you to open up a bit more and youmight face something you weren't prepared to or like for me, but even coming out of that
retreat,
I felt more complete.
I balled my eyes out, but I felt more complete and more joyful in the integration periodafterwards.
(22:28):
So um there is a bit of an integration after a retreat, but it's an important time and Ican feel myself go on a tangent.
So I'll stop there.
that's my answer.
Yeah.
Well, integration is something we'll definitely address during the retreat too and how tosupport you.
as you're moving through life with new levels of awareness.
(22:50):
And at the end of the day, I think that you hit the nail on the head.
It's about giving yourself space to allow yourself to be seen, allow yourself tounderstand why you're doing certain things, why you're making decisions.
Is it based on should or is it based on your authentic self?
And when we as women see each other in our full authenticity, that's how we change theworld because we're
(23:15):
Heating old stories that are outdated, where we're telling the truth.
And by giving ourselves a space to do that, peace, the joy, the alignment is next level.
And I'll say one more thing about grief and transition and all of those things.
That even if you haven't had major life events, we all carry grief.
(23:37):
Even things like navigating the pandemic and the decisions you had to make and if you'venever given yourself space to really grieve that time.
And we carry it in our bodies.
And we can only experience joy to the level that we're willing to experience our grief.
(23:57):
And when you go and face your grief, it unlocks new levels of joy.
Just like you said, that release that you experience with the tears and unlocking thingsthat you didn't necessarily expect to, and then seeing how that unlocks new levels of joy,
bliss, so that you can live a life that feels more complete, more aligned, and that's areally beautiful thing.
(24:22):
So with that, let's do a quick invitation for those who want to come and picturing at thisretreat that we have just a houseful
of women who are all showing up for each other in love, in acceptance, without judgment,without competition, there to see each other.
Walking out into the old growth forest that's on the property, I see laughter, I see fire,I see music, singing, and it is so, so, so beautiful.
(24:55):
I see it with you.
I feel the joy of it already in my body.
So if attending our retreat in September is on your heart, feel free to one, reach outwith any questions.
Either Genevieve or myself are available to answer any questions, to share moreexperiences about our own retreats that we've attended over the years, and to share more
(25:19):
about what you can expect from the experience.
But we'd love to have you.
And if you feel that calling.
It's because your medicine, what you bring is part of the alchemy of this retreat.
And not only are you wanted there, but you're needed.
So that's it from us today.
(25:39):
Thank you so much for tuning in as we share more about retreats what you can expect fromthe restore retreat coming up in September.
We would love to have you.
We'd be honored to hold that space so you can go and just be the beautiful
layered, deep, multifaceted woman that you are in our presence and it'll just be ourbiggest honor.
(26:04):
Anything that you want to add, dear?
No, I just so, I just feel such an alignment and I just feel like, yeah, that is perfectlyput.
Anyone who feels the call, it's because you're wanted and you're welcomed and you aremeant to be there.
Thank you.
(26:26):
Thank you for asking me.
I feel so excited.
I just, I felt that instant connection with you.
And so I knew it was meant to be.
And I've learned enough over the last couple of years to trust that because that those arelittle winks from the universe to help us live our most beautiful, sensational aligned
(26:48):
lives.
So, yeah, great.
Thank you, love.
Thank you all so much for tuning in.
I'm Ashley.
This is Genevieve.
You can find out more about the retreat at AshleyDLogan.com.
That's where all the registration pricing information is up there.
We offer scholarships and flexible payment plans for anyone who is interested.
(27:08):
until then, I'm Ashley.
This is Genevieve, and we are unapologetically yours.
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