In this powerful episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail welcomes trauma therapist and retreat coach Lesley Martin for a raw and insightful conversation about the emotional resilience and energetic boundaries required to lead transformational retreats.

Lesley and Shannon dive deep into the often overlooked emotional toll retreat leaders face, especially when carrying their own unhealed trauma or managing the weight of participants’ needs. They discuss how coaching and self-reflection can help retreat leaders grow beyond the therapy room, create healthier emotional boundaries, and avoid the path to burnout.

You’ll also get an inside look at Lesley’s upcoming Morocco retreat for burned-out entrepreneurs, designed to help participants reset through cultural immersion, desert meditation, and intentional stillness in the Sahara.

Episode Highlights:

• Why retreat leaders must address their own trauma to serve powerfully
• Energetic boundaries and grounding practices to prevent burnout
• Behind the scenes of Lesley’s Morocco retreat: A transformational journey for service-based pros
• Coaching vs. therapy: When it’s time to level up your personal growth
• Tools like Lesley’s new digital workbook to reimagine what’s possible
• Special offers for podcast listeners including a $200 discount on Lesley’s upcoming retreat

Whether you're navigating your own healing or simply want to hold space more effectively, this episode is filled with heartfelt wisdom, practical tools, and real talk about what it takes to lead (and live) with intention.

About Leslie

Lesley is the coach, guide, and mentor for entrepreneurs and professionals who’ve been through trauma or adversity and now want to feel better and live more authentic and fulfilling lives. She helps empower people to change their lives for the better. Lesley brings over 20 years of knowledge and training as a holistic psychotherapist into her work to benefit her clients. Her approach is holistic, and she incorporates psychological, meditative, intuitive, and spiritual practices to help her clients heal, deepen their connection, and thrive.

She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Contemplative World Religions from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, and her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College. In 2021, Lesley completed a certification program in Life Coaching through The Life Coach School. Lesley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State and is the founder of WNY Holistic Counseling, A Whole-Person Approach to Therapy. She is also the founder of Blue Lotus Soul Coaching, where she utilizes Life Coaching to help her clients live unencumbered, whole-hearted lives. She offers Akashic Records Readings, Trauma Clearing Sessions, Oracle Card Spreads, Psychotherapy Sessions, 1:1 Coaching Packages and unique Retreat Experiences.

Connect with Leslie

https://lesleymartincoaching.com/

Free Gifts:

$200 discount off the Sahara Soul Awakening Retreat if the participant mentions this episode: https://sahara-soul-awakening.myflodesk.com/

Possibility Pie workbook: https://sahara-soul-awakening.myflodesk.com/possibilitypie

The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:

• Learn to Host Retreats
• Join our private Facebook Group
• Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide
• Free Top 11 Tips for Building an Email List
• Get your legal docs for retreats

Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let’s create a vibrant retreat community together!

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