Fresh Air, Full Hearts: Recapping the Hudson Valley Retreat
Second Summit was born out of necessity.
Go ahead, laugh: "another retreat," the new trend, one more thing on a very crowded list of ways women are told to find themselves. I get it. But this isn't a trend. This is the new lifestyle of someone heading into the second half of her life, and it doesn't look like what you think.
Second Summit is not yoga, sound bowls, and Pilates. Nothing wrong with any of that; it's all amazing, and if that's your thing, go get it. But this is different. This is about adrenaline and adventure. This is about finding your energy again in the second half of your life, not just your calm.
Why Hudson Valley
When I started planning this, I wanted to stay close to home. That's where my following is, and building a new brand takes time, effort, and a little luck. You don't spend all three chasing a location you have to fly to. Hudson Valley, NY was the obvious answer. I have a beautiful friend who happens to be a hiking guide there, and it was within driving distance. Win-win.
The Farmhouse
I wanted this to be a fully taken care of experience. The kind where a woman shows up and doesn't have to think about a single logistical detail. Food, drinks, goodies, the rooms, all of it, handled. I found the most incredible farmhouse, built in 1880. The front porch alone could talk you into staying a week. Every turn of that house was a new discovery.
Arrival Day
When everyone arrived, we put out tapas and snacks, and that porch became the place where strangers turned into a group, and that group became friends. Relaxing on the hammock, chilling with a cold drink, and the quiet of the woods all made for a perfect welcome.
The Hike
Coffee in our Second Summit mugs, boots laced up, and we were off for our guided hike. We hiked a trail you're not legally allowed on without a guide, and once you're standing in it, you understand exactly why. We scrambled rocks, pushed through an unmaintained trail, and climbed into an ice cave. I've led a lot of physical training in my life. This was still something else entirely. Was it challenging? Yes. But the views, the people, the chats and support were like nothing I have experienced. It was truly special.
The Deep Dive
We came back, showered, had some downtime, and then the porch pulled us in again. This time for journals instead of coffee. We talked about what we're each looking for, what the second half of our lives is supposed to look like when nobody's handing you a script for it. There were tears. There was a lot of laughing. It was the kind of conversation you don't get on a normal girls' trip. Some went deep, some sat back and listened, but everyone took something away from these few hours.
At Second Summit, we spend a lot of time with the hard questions. The ones that actually move you.
Farm-to-Table Dinner
Dinner started around 7 pm, and of course it was on the porch. A catered farm-to-table dinner, and genuinely unbelievable. Good food, good drinks, and a table full of women who, twelve hours earlier, hadn't met. A few board games came out, and the laughs were intense. Another truly special moment.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Was It a Success?
I've actually stopped asking that question. "Success" is a metric, and this wasn't a metric; it was a beginning. 8 women showed up, not entirely sure what they were signing up for, and left as what I can only call the OG crew. This one will always hold a specific place in my heart.
If you read this and want to be a part of the next Second Summit, our arms are open!
The next retreat is already taking shape. Come find out what your Second Summit looks like.