Men’s Medicine Retreat
Good food. Mountain air. Real conversations. Deep rest.
July 17-20, 2026 | Leavenworth, WA
What is it:
This is a few days off the grid with a small group of men who want to slow down, laugh, eat well, and get honest — without hype, posturing, or forced vulnerability.
We’ll spend time together in the mountains, unplugged and unrushed, with space to hang out, move our bodies, and actually talk. One afternoon includes a guided heart opening medicine session, held intentionally and supported with real preparation and integration.
No fixing.
No performance.
No pretending to be someone you’re not.
Why this weekend exists:
Most men don’t need another productivity hack or self-improvement framework. They need:
time away from responsibility
space where they’re not “on”
being in the company of men they don’t need to impress
nervous systems that can finally come down a notch
conversations that don’t stay on the surface
containment that honors their presence
This weekend creates those conditions — simply and deliberately.
Not by pushing. Not by breaking people open. But by intentionally slowing things down enough for honesty to emerge on its own.
Who is this for?
This weekend is for men who:
Are doing well on paper but feel stretched thin
Carry a lot of responsibility
Don’t want a guru, coach, or motivational speech
Value honesty over hype
Are comfortable enough with themselves to be real
You don’t need prior medicine experience.
You do need self-responsibility, curiosity, and respect for the container.
What this is (and isn’t):
This isn’t a motivational weekend.
It isn’t individual or group therapy.
It isn’t a party.
And it isn’t a silent monastery.
It’s a long weekend with:
Nutritious and delicious food prepared by a professional chef
Unstructured time outside to reconnect with nature
Movement that feels grounding, not punishing
Long conversations and long silences
Laughter, swearing, and real presence
Ritual and ceremonial elements to support connection
Support before and after so nothing is rushed or sloppy
This is a somatic, experiential retreat that invites connection with your body, mind, and soul.
You won’t be asked to share more than you want.
You won’t be pushed toward catharsis.
You won’t be diagnosed.
You won’t be told who to become.
You’ll be treated like an adult.
What will you take home with you?
A grounded, more connected nervous system.
Stories about opening up and encountering your soul-ful self.
A strong sense of kinship with other men.
A deeper trust in your belonging to life.
The gift of your presence to all you love and care for.
Can you imagine?
About the Medicine Session:
One afternoon includes a guided heart opening practice.
This session is:
intentionally prepared
consent-based
facilitated by trained professionals
focused on emotional openness, clarity, and connection
Intentionally stepping into heart centered practices can soften defenses without overwhelming the system. It allows for honesty without collapse and connection without pressure.
It is an invitation to vulnerability with support.
That’s why we bring intention to every element of the retreat, including preparation and integration, so you can trust your experience will be held with dignity and respect.
More information about this part of the retreat will be discussed in the initial phone call.
The Rhythm of the Weekend
We keep the structure loose but intentional.
You can expect:
shared meals
time outside
unstructured hang time
light movement and grounding practices
dedicated heart opening practices
integration through conversation and rest
ritual and ceremonial practices to build and hold our container
Example Schedule:
Friday July 17
3:00-5:00 pm - Arrive
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Welcome, opening circle, breathwork
7:00 - 8:00 - Dinner
8:00 Onward - Hang time
Saturday July 18
8:00 am - Morning Yoga Flow
9:00 - 10:00 - Breakfast
10:00 - 11:00 - Journey prep
11:00 - 5:00 - Heart Opening Practice
5:00 - 6:30 - Free time
6:30 - 7:30 - Dinner
7:30 - 8:30 - Story telling
8:30 onward - Hang time
Sunday July 19
8:00 am - Morning Yoga Flow
9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast
10:00 - 12:00 - Integration
12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 - Closing Circle
2:00 - Option to depart anytime following
2:00 - 6:00 - Outside time
6:30 - 7:30 - Dinner
7:30 onward - Hang time
Monday July 20
8:00 - 10:00 am - Breakfast
10:00 - Depart
What’s the next step?
This is an application-based weekend to ensure fit and group coherence.
If this resonates, we invite you to apply.
We’ll have a short, straightforward call to confirm alignment.
No pressure. No sales script.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens before the retreat?
Preparation is part of the experience. You’ll receive one 90-minute group Zoom one week before arrival. We’ll cover expectations, logistics, safety, intentions, and orientation so you arrive grounded.
Additionally, you’ll receive one 30-minute individual Zoom with a facilitator before arrival. This is a personal readiness check-in and space to ask questions.
What happens after the retreat?
Integration is built in. We host a 90-minute group integration Zoom one week after the retreat. This helps make sense of what came up and supports bringing it back into daily life in a grounded way. You won’t be left open without support.
What about food? Is there a chef?
Yes. We have a dedicated chef.
Meals are:
nourishing
balanced
supportive of energy and clarity
We can accommodate common dietary needs and food sensitivities (gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.) when communicated in advance.
You’ll be fed well without micromanagement.
Do I need experience with Men’s Work in Healing Spaces?
No. First-timers and experienced participants are welcome. Readiness matters more than experience.
Who this is not for?
This weekend is not a fit if you have:
a history of psychosis, bipolar I disorder, or schizophrenia
unmanaged PTSD or severe dissociation
active substance dependence
significant untreated mental health conditions
a need for acute psychiatric care
This isn’t a judgment — it’s about safety and appropriateness. Screening is part of the process.
How is this different from therapy?
Individual or group therapy brings clinical elements to create healing relationships that include a licensed professional, informed consent, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation, and often involves insurance.
This retreat is not designed to be therapy, though our time connecting intentionally with other men, nature, and yourself may be therapeutic in the original sense of the world (i.e. to be cared for.) Our container will be intentional and confidential, but not clinical.
Is alcohol included?
No. This weekend is about presence and clarity.
What’s the physical demand?
Low to moderate. Movement is optional and designed to feel grounding, not intense.
This weekend is not a good fit if you have:
+ A history of psychosis, bipolar I disorder, or schizophrenia
+ Unmanaged PTSD or severe dissociation
+ Active substance dependence
+ Significant untreated mental health conditions
+ A need for acute psychiatric care
This isn’t a judgment — it’s about safety and appropriateness.
Screening is part of the process.
The Facilitators
Andrew Ragan
Founder, Soul Centered Strength | soulcenteredstrength.com
Andrew works with high-functioning men who are outwardly successful and inwardly exhausted. His background integrates:
embodied strength and movement
nervous system regulation
trauma-informed coaching
preparation and integration for medicine work
His role is not to fix or impress — but to create clear, grounded conditions where honesty and presence can emerge naturally.
Matthew Smith, MA, LMHC
Psychotherapist | matthewasmithcounseling.com
Matthew is a licensed psychotherapist with years of experience supporting men through emotional processing and integration. He brings:
strong clinical grounding
clear boundaries
calm, regulated presence
ritual wisdom and guidance
steadiness when things get real
Together, we hold the experience without urgency, drama, or performance.
The Lodge:
We’ll be staying at Snowgrass Lodge, a quiet retreat lodge in the Washington Cascades designed for people to unplug and slow down.
This is not a resort and not a party house.
It’s simple, comfortable, and human.
Snowgrass sits in open mountain meadow land with forested trails, wide views, quiet nights, and limited cell service.
The environment naturally supports nervous system downshifting without trying to impress you.
More about the Lodge:
The Space and Sleeping:
Large shared common areas
A mix of private and shared rooms
Clean, comfortable beds
Shared bathrooms in some areas
Room options and pricing tiers are shared after acceptance.
Why this Place?
Snowgrass Lodge was chosen because it:
removes distraction without austerity
supports connection without performance
lets the weekend unfold naturally
The lodge isn’t the highlight.
It’s the container that makes everything else possible.
Making an Investment in You.
Investment
This retreat is intentionally small and highly curated.
Your investment covers the full container — lodging, all programming, facilitation, medicine support, chef-prepared meals, and integration before and after the retreat.
Investment ranges from $2,000–$4,000, depending on room selection.
This is not a “pay and show up” experience.
Participation is by application to ensure safety, alignment, and group cohesion.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive:
Available room options
Exact pricing
Payment details and next steps
What’s Included
4 days / 3 nights at a private mountain lodge
All guided group sessions and rituals
Heart Opening medicine day with preparation and facilitation
One 30-minute individual Zoom session prior to arrival
One 90-minute group Zoom call one week before the retreat
One 90-minute integration Zoom call one week after the retreat
Chef-prepared, nourishing meals (with accommodations for dietary needs)
Intentional space for rest, connection, and brotherhood
Payment & Logistics
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot
Remaining balance is due one week prior to arrival
Limited spots available to preserve the integrity of the container
A Note on Value
This retreat is for men who understand that the real work happens when you step out of routine, into presence, and into honest connection with yourself and others.
If that resonates, you’re in the right place
Final Word
This weekend isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about stepping out of your life for a few days, being around other men without bullshit, and letting your system reset.
If that lands, apply.