010-Ascend Retreat- Life Changing? - YES!

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This year, I decided to give myself a birthday gift. It wasn't just a gift; it was an investment in me; it was another step in my personal development journey. I signed up to go to Emily Reuschel's Ascend Retreat in Branson, MO. It was over my birthday weekend, this past March. I was pretty

nervous to go by myself where the only person that I knew was one of the coaches, Kiah Twisselman, aka Coach Kiah. Kiah and I serve on the California Beef Council together.

How did I find this retreat, you may be wondering.... I can't remember for sure, but I think I saw it shared on Coach Kiah's Instagram page. The first time I saw it, I thought to myself, that looks cool. And then I couldn't get the idea out of my head. I talked to Andy about it, and he was super supportive. He knew that I had been looking for *something* to give me some inspiration. I had been struggling with getting through some tough times in my business life. So I took a leap of faith, as they say, and signed up for the retreat.

One of my biggest fears was that all the other ladies there would be a LOT younger than me. As it turns out, I wasn't wrong. I turned 48 the weekend I was there and everyone else there was under 40. However, I felt like I was meant to attend this retreat for reasons other than just what I would *get* out of it. I felt like I had something to offer as someone who had older kids, had had multiple jobs, and been through quite a bit of business management training.

Ascend was held at this amazing lake house about an hour from the Branson/ Springfield airport. All our our meals were prepared by a wonderful professional chef, Andrea, who stayed on-site with us. We spent Thursday night, all day Friday and Saturday, and half of Sunday doing a variety of activities in the professional development realm. Some of the ladies came there with specific goals in mind and some didn't. My main goal when I started the weekend was to figure out how to enjoy, and bring joy into, my daily work life.

Our amazing coaches, Emily Reuschel, Kylie Epperson, and Kiah Twisselman, were accompanied by our very own professional photographer, Hannah Dorn. The retreat featured a carefully crafted itinerary, with a variety of activities designed to work on our own personal growth. We spent time in different small groups and got to know each other. We also had the opportunity to provide input, ask questions, and support our fellow group members. This definitely wasn't your average girls' weekend!

Workshops and discussions led by our coaches were a highlight of the retreat. All three ladies are life coach and motivational speakers. They shared wisdom and insights on topics such as self-discovery, resilience, and embracing one's true potential. They also asked really good questions that make you think. All three had the amazing ability to connect with each woman on a personal level that left a lasting impact, empowered attendees to face their fears, break free from limitations, and embrace a life of purpose.

Ascend Retreat emphasized the power of community and connection, even though we didn't know each other beforehand. There were 14 of us that chose to attend this retreat. We came from a variety of states (mostly from the midwest). But we all had common goals to do something for us- something to make our lives better. Attendees bonded through group activities, shared meals and accommodations, and late-night conversations around the table. I am willing to bet that lifelong friendships were forged over this weekend, as individuals discovered the support that comes from being part of a like-minded rural women community.

I said before that this was an investment in myself and my personal development journey. Amazing things happen when we invest in ourselves: we build deep connections with like minded rural women, we gain clarity around goals and priorities, and we walk away with actionable steps to bring our dream life into focus. Not to mention have some fun!

Besides connecting with the other women, the best thing that came out of the retreat was THIS BLOG. I was looking for something that would be bring me joy, give me a place to share my story, and allow me to connect with others. I am so happy to have this space to do that. Thank you for reading and helping me work on this part of my journey. The Ascend Retreat was an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and connection. I am proud of myself for attending by myself. I am also very proud of all the ladies that I met and connected with. There will be another Ascend Retreat next March in Gulf Shores, AL. Check it out and consider going. You will be so glad you did. Make yourself proud!