From Stuck to Seen: The Retreat Built for Women Who’ve Been Holding It All Together

20th May, 2025

For a lot of women, beyond 40 can feel like a crossroads, especially if you’ve spent decades taking care of everyone but yourself. That’s where Rachel and Lisa come in. These two women, from totally different backgrounds, are joining forces to host their first women’s retreat this June on the Sunshine Coast. And their stories are proof that it’s never too late to start over or chase something new.

Meet Rachel and Lisa

Rachel has spent most of her life welcoming people in, literally. She’s hosted everyone from neighborhood kids to international guests through her creative retreats and rental homes. Raised between Canada and New Zealand, she’s always had big dreams of running a permanent creative sanctuary by the beach. While the long-term version hasn’t happened yet, she’s making it real through smaller, powerful weekend retreats.

Lisa’s story is just as raw. Born in Papua New Guinea to missionary parents, she went through boarding school young and struggled to feel at home anywhere. Later, while homeschooling her kids in New Zealand, she hit a wall. Depression, unfulfilled dreams, and the sense that her talents were going unnoticed left her feeling stuck. But through missions trips, songwriting, and healing, she’s found her footingand now she wants to help other women do the same.

Different Paths, Same Purpose

While their journeys don’t look alike on paper, Rachel and Lisa share a common thread: a deep desire to create space for women to feel seen, heard, and restored. Both have lived through seasons of feeling stuck, small, or invisible, despite being full of talent, faith, and drive. Their friendship formed through shared creativity and pain, and now they’re turning that connection into something bigger: a retreat designed to help women reconnect with who they are and what they’re meant for.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Gifts of The Edge to hear Rachel and Lisa open up about faith, healing, creative calling, and why they believe this retreat matters.

Why a Retreat? Why Now?

The idea for the retreat started with Lisa wanting to try surfing—something she thought she was “too old” to do. Instead of shelving that dream, she brought it to Rachel. Together, they saw the potential to create a space for women who felt just like them: stuck, burnt out, or forgotten.

The real goal isn’t to fix anyone. It’s to create space—space to pause, be honest, and reset. Through conversations, creative workshops, shared meals, and a few small adventures, the hope is that every woman walks away feeling a little more grounded and a little more ready to take up space in her own life again.

As Rachel put it,

“We just want women to feel seen and safe enough to stop holding their breath.”

Join The Healing Adventure Retreat 

The Healing Adventure Retreat runs from June 20–22 on the Sunshine Coast. Spots are limited to around 20 women to keep it personal.

If you’re curious, visit their website to learn more, book a call with Rachel and Lisa, or save your spot while space is still available.

🎧 Special retreat guest speaker, Justin Pagoto was also recently featured on the 'Delving with Des' podcast - you can listen to his story here

Key Takeaways

This retreat is for women ready to face what’s been holding them back, whether it’s burnout, doubt, or just feeling like they’ve lost themselves. Rachel and Lisa are offering something grounded: a weekend built around real conversations, creative expression, and practical support.

So if you’re the kind of woman who’s been showing up for everyone else but quietly wondering when it’ll be your turn—this might be it.

A chance to pause, reflect, and finally make space for yourself without needing permission.

🎧 Learn more and listen to the latest episode as we explore what led to this retreat, what women can expect, and why it might be the right time to say yes.

LISTEN & FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY

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Reach out to Rachel and Lisa to join 'The Healing Adventure Retreat' or ask any questions. They’d love to hear your story and help you figure out if this retreat is right for you.

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