My Retreat 2024-25: The Power of Silence, Fasting, and Reflection

In December 2024, I embarked on what has become an annual tradition—a silent retreat. Over the past seven years, this practice has helped me gain clarity, reset my priorities, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. Previously, I shared my experience with a 2-day retreat, but this year, I raised the stakes: a 3-day silent, fasting retreat in nature. Even as a seasoned participant in this process, I found the idea both exhilarating and intimidating. But the results? Absolutely profound.

?Why Retreat?

Why would anyone choose to disconnect from the world, abstain from food, and embrace silence? For me, the answer lies in the incredible transformation I’ve experienced over the years. These retreats have been a catalyst for clarity, creativity, and courage.

To give you a sense of their impact:

• I’ve let go of alcohol completely for 7 years.
• I made the tough decision to end my marriage.
• I've ended other unproductive relationships
• I’ve maintained a 15kg weight loss for over a year and improved my VO2 max (as tracked by my Garmin) from the bottom 15% to the top 25% of my age group.
• Most importantly, I’ve consistently experienced “the best year of my life,” even in the face of challenges like divorce, the pandemic’s impact on my business, and personal health struggles.

While not every breakthrough came directly from my retreats, many of the most pivotal insights and decisions started there. These retreats are where the seeds of transformation were planted.

?The Methodology: How I Designed My 2024 Retreat

?This year, I followed a familiar framework but made several adjustments to deepen the experience:

• Silence: As in previous years, I abstained from talking, reading, consuming any media, or accessing the internet—completely embracing a digital blackout to focus solely on inner reflection.”
• Fasting: I went without food for the full three days, drinking only water with lemon and starting my mornings with a single cup of coffee. While the fasting element began as a symbolic gesture of commitment, I discovered its physiological benefits, including heightened mental clarity.
• Nature: I camped alone in a remote location, sleeping in a tent far from people and amenities. The quiet of the wilderness amplified the experience, offering space to think, feel, and process.
• Structure: I extended the retreat to three days, eliminating writing for the first two to fully focus on observing my thoughts and emotions. I also incorporated gentle movement with three daily 20-minute walks.

?These tweaks made the retreat more intense and transformative than ever before.

?Outcomes: Profound Insights and Clarity

?You’re probably wondering, “What was the result?” In a word: profound.

?The process of sitting with my thoughts—without the crutch of writing them down—was challenging. My mind pushed me to jot things down, solve problems, and give up when the silence became overwhelming. But by simply observing and letting go, I began to notice patterns in my thinking. My mind cycled through loops of problem-solving and struggle until I reached a pivotal realization: a “big lie” I had been telling myself for years.

?This “lie” had kept me stuck in a deficit mindset, and uncovering it was both shocking and liberating. At first, the weight of this revelation pulled me into self-criticism and even a sense of defeat. But instead of resisting these emotions, I allowed them to flow through me. For five hours, I sat (and sometimes curled up in a fetal position) with the discomfort, practicing self-compassion and curiosity. And then, on the third morning, something shifted.

?I woke up with an incredible sense of energy, clarity, and hope. My mindset transformed from pessimism to optimism, from defeat to determination. By my first silent session that morning, I felt compelled to write. Pages and pages flowed from my pen—insights, plans, and commitments for the year ahead. A clear vision emerged, along with actionable steps to bring it to life.

?The Power of Fasting

?One of the most surprising elements of the retreat was the impact of fasting. Having previously been an emotional eater, I was proud to go three full days without food. But beyond the symbolism of my commitment to the process, fasting offered unexpected mental benefits.

?After 18 hours of fasting, the body begins burning fat and clearing toxins, which can reduce brain fog and enhance mental clarity. After 36 hours your brain enters a metabolic shift that further improves focus, concentration, and mental clarity. ?By the second and third day, I felt sharper and more energized than ever. While fasting may not be for everyone, it’s worth considering—after consulting a doctor—for those seeking a deeper connection to their mind and body.

?An Invitation

?This year’s retreat inspired a bold new decision: to host a personal transformation workshop – a true Hero’s Journey - ?for my clients in 2026. This transformational experience will combine the most powerful insights from my 30 years of research, personal experimentation, and client work. Naturally, it will include elements of silence and retreat.

?If you’re curious about silent retreats or want to explore how this practice could transform your year, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or reach out to me directly. Let’s make 2025 a year of clarity, growth, and purpose.

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