How One Conversation Turned Into a Deeply Aligned Retreat Experience
Written By Elizabeth Robb
Published on: 1/9/2026
A few months ago, I hosted a small networking meetup. Nothing flashy. No pressure. Just a room full of people showing up exactly as they were.
I didn’t know that night would quietly plant the seed for one of the most aligned experiences I’ve helped create.
That night, I met Ann.
When Connection Feels Effortless
From our very first conversation, something clicked. We talked about wellness, community, and the longing so many of us feel for spaces that aren’t rushed or transactional. Spaces where people can soften, be seen, and actually connect.
Ann shared that she owns a beautiful Airbnb in the Coudersport area and had been feeling called to host retreats. She had the space and the vision—but wanted support bringing it to life in a way that felt intentional, grounded, and meaningful.
Without overthinking it, I knew this was exactly the kind of work I love.
Why This Felt So Familiar to Me
If you’ve ever attended a Greater Wellness Holistics Expo, you’ve probably heard it—or felt it yourself:
“It feels like family.”
“I felt like I belonged.”
“I didn’t feel rushed or judged.”
That feeling isn’t accidental.
It’s created when people gather with intention instead of agenda. When connection matters more than performance. When community comes before competition.
That’s the energy Ann and I wanted to create with this retreat.
Creating a Retreat Rooted in Presence, Not Pressure
From the beginning, we agreed on one thing: this retreat wasn’t about over-scheduling or forcing transformation.
Instead, we focused on presence over productivity and flow over rigid plans.
I invited a small group of wellness-centered women—each bringing something unique. Practitioners, creatives, nurturers. Women who understand that healing doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
Together, we created a weekend that included massage, reiki, red light therapy, energetic facelifts, intention oil-making, nourishing homemade meals, and—just as importantly—space to rest, talk, laugh, and simply be.
Every detail was thoughtfully considered. The structure was light, the expectations were clear, and choice was always honored.
The priority was never doing it all.
The priority was connection.
The Kind of Shift You Can’t Quite Put Into Words
By the end of the weekend, something had shifted.
Not in a dramatic, life-overhaul way—but in the quiet, embodied way that lingers long after you leave.
People felt lighter. More grounded. More connected to themselves and to each other.
There was laughter, vulnerability, and the kind of conversations that only happen when people feel safe.
Standing there, watching it unfold, I felt the same thing I feel at every Greater Wellness Holistics event:
This is why we gather.
This is why community matters.
Why This Experience Matters to Me
This retreat reminded me exactly why I started Greater Wellness Holistics.
I believe deeply in bringing the right people together. In honoring individual gifts. In creating spaces that feel supportive rather than performative.
When the right people come together in the right environment, healing doesn’t need to be forced. It unfolds naturally.
That’s true in retreats.
It’s true at our expos.
It’s true in community.
Looking Ahead to April 2026
This experience affirmed something I already know in my bones: intentional gatherings are not a luxury—they’re necessary.
That’s exactly what we’re continuing to build with the Greater Wellness Holistics Expo in April 2026. Each year, it becomes less like an event and more like a reunion. A place where people reconnect—with themselves, with each other, and with what wellness really means.
If this story resonates with you, I would love for you to be part of what we’re creating next.
✨ Early Bird tickets for the April 2026 Greater Wellness Holistics Expo are now available.
They’re the most affordable way to join us—and they help us continue building heart-centered, community-driven spaces.
Be one of the first to secure your spot at the Greater Wellness Holistics Expo 2026 for just $7.77! 🌿
This Early Bird Ticket includes:
Full-day access to the Expo (speakers, vendors, kids’ corner & more).
Free tote bag if you’re among the first 100 guests through the door.
A chance to connect with our community of wellness seekers, healers, and conscious businesses.
🎟️ Only 75 tickets available at this price — once they’re gone, tickets increase to $10. Grab yours now and save!
