You do not have to run yourself ragged to host powerful, profitable retreats, and this episode is proof.

In this honest and hilarious conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Anna VanAgtmael, founder of Wandering Roots and host of 22 retreats since 2018, to explore how retreat leaders can ditch the pressure, drop the people-pleasing, and build a business that’s both meaningful and sustainable.

They dive into:

• The biggest mistakes new retreat leaders make (and how to avoid them)
• Pricing with confidence and energetic alignment
• Why less on the itinerary often leads to more transformation
• How to stop comparing your retreat to everyone else’s

Whether you're an aspiring host or a seasoned retreat pro, this conversation will give you the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: you don’t have to do it all to make it amazing.

Connect with Anna: https://www.yourwanderingroots.com/

Instagram: @yourwanderingroots

Special Offer: Build a profitable retreat in one minute per day: https://retreat.yourwanderingroots.com/

The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:

• Learn to Host Retreats
• Join our private Facebook Group
• Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide
• Get your legal docs for retreats
• Join Shannon in London
• Join our LinkedIn Group
• Apply to be a guest on our show

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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Timestamps:

Introduction & Host Welcome (00:00:02) Shannon introduces the podcast, its purpose, and encourages listeners to subscribe and leave reviews.

Guest Introduction: Anna’s Background (00:01:13) Anna is introduced; she shares her experience hosting retreats and helping others plan profitable ones.

Anna’s Journey to Retreats (00:02:23) Anna describes her transition from lab manager to retreat leader after a car accident and discovering yoga.

Current Retreat Structure & Ideal Guests (00:03:46) Anna explains her current retreat schedule, types of retreats, and the demographics of her typical guests.

Transitioning & Scaling Back Retreats (00:05:00) Discussion about scaling back the number of retreats to focus on quality and personal fulfillment.

Avoiding Burnout & Preserving Passion (00:06:04) Anna and Shannon discuss the importance of not overworking and maintaining excitement for each retreat.

Profitability Without Pressure (00:07:19) Exploring how retreats can be profitable without feeling pressured to do everything or mimic others.

Retreats: Business vs. Expensive Hobby (00:09:29) Emphasis on treating retreats as a business, not just a passion project or costly hobby.

Letting Go of People-Pleasing & Overstuffed Itineraries (00:11:03) Advice on avoiding over-scheduling and people-pleasing, and ensuring retreats have free time and focus.

Pricing, Money Beliefs, and Value (00:13:13) Discussion on pricing retreats, overcoming limiting beliefs about money, and ensuring energetic alignment with pricing.

Gender Differences in Pricing & Money Mindset (00:15:04) Comparison of how men and women price retreats, and the impact of cultural money beliefs.

Profit, Burnout, and Lifestyle Alignment (00:17:24) Importance of pricing for sustainability and creating a lifestyle you enjoy, not just covering costs.

Common Mistakes & Lessons Learned (00:18:34) Anna shares mistakes like trying to do everything alone, not arriving early, and the value of support staff.

Arriving Early & Staying After Retreats (00:20:15) Best practices for arriving before and staying after retreats to ensure smooth experiences and self-care.

Self-Care for Retreat Leaders (00:21:34) The importance of post-retreat downtime, rest, and self-care for leaders after guests depart.

How to Connect with Anna (00:22:40) Anna shares her websites for those interested in attending or planning retreats with her.