There is a powerful shift happening - and it's centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize their well-being, and step into a new chapter of life with clarity and confidence. Together, they explore: The unique needs of midlife women The role of retreats in holistic healing and transformation The challenges of building a retreat business from the ground up The unexpected rewards and growth that come from hosting retreats This conversation is honest, grounded, and inspiring - whether you're a retreat leader, thinking about starting a retreat business, or simply someone who believes in the power of community and connection. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why midlife women are seeking retreats and community more than ever • How holistic retreats support mental, emotional, and physical well-being • The real challenges of building a retreat business • The unexpected rewards of hosting retreats • How retreats create lasting connection and transformation Key Takeaways Midlife Women Are Seeking Something Deeper This stage of life often brings reflection, transition, and a desire for more alignment. Retreats provide a space for women to pause, reconnect, and redefine what's next. Retreats Are More Than a Getaway Holistic retreats offer: community connection healing self-discovery They create experiences that go far beyond relaxation. Building a Retreat Business Isn't Easy - But It's Worth It The founders of SOL Women share the real side of building a retreat business: the challenges the learning curve the unexpected growth And also the rewards that make it all worthwhile. The Power of Community One of the most impactful aspects of retreats is the connection created between participants. Women leave feeling: seen supported understood And that ripple effect continues long after the retreat ends. About SOL Women & Lauren & Nandita SOL Women creates holistic retreat experiences designed specifically for midlife women. Their retreats focus on supporting women through life transitions with a blend of wellness practices, community connection, and personal growth. Nandita Mahadevan is a multi-industry business leader, Functional Medicine enthusiast, and Certified Health & Hormone Coach with a deep passion for women's health. After two decades climbing the corporate ladder in the health and wellness industry, she found herself burned out—her adrenals depleted, her health suffering. This wake-up call led her on a profound journey of self-discovery, pushing her to rethink wellness beyond just the clinical approach. Her passion for women's health peaked during her own transition into perimenopause when she struggled to find the support she needed. While her background in Functional Medicine helped her understand the physical changes, the emotional and spiritual upheaval was something she had to navigate alone. This experience sparked the creation of Sol Women—a space dedicated to guiding women through all stages of womanhood, from hormones and health to emotional and spiritual well-being. Nandita lives in Bee Cave, Austin, with her two children, ages 13 and 8. Lauren Colletti, FNP, is a Nurse Practitioner and Board-Certified Functional Medicine expert with a deep passion for women's health. With nearly 20 years in healthcare, she has helped thousands of women navigate hormonal shifts, thyroid and digestive issues, autoimmunity, fertility, menopause, and more. Trained by leading experts in women's health, genomics, peptides, and longevity medicine, Lauren is dedicated to simplifying the health journey and helping women feel confident in their bodies at every stage of life—without the overwhelm. Her personalized, root-cause approach focuses on building a strong foundation while using cutting-edge therapies to create lasting wellness. She believes women deserve more than one-size-fits-all solutions—they deserve to feel heard, understood, and empowered. As a wife and mother to three beautiful children—Hazel, Harrison, and Holland—Lauren is continually inspired by her patients and community. She is on her own journey to thrive through every phase of life and is passionate about helping others do the same. Learn more: https://www.solwomen.com Special offer: $200 off our one day medical retreat in Austin - includes a female biomarker panel and lab review with a Functional Medicine provider ($1,200 in value). Just mention this show! 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 Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum 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! Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify ------- TIMESTAMPS Guest Introductions (00:01:38) Lauren Coletti and Nandita introduce themselves, their backgrounds, and their focus on supporting women in midlife. The Gap in Women's Health Support (00:03:38) Discussion about the lack of holistic support for women in midlife and the importance of retreats and mindset. Personal Experiences with Perimenopause (00:04:59) Nandita shares her transition into perimenopause and the need for mindset and community support. The Power of Vulnerability and Connection (00:06:18) How vulnerability and retreats foster deep connections among high-achieving women. Origins of Soul Women on Retreat (00:06:43) Lauren and Nandita recount meeting on a Costa Rica retreat and the birth of their business idea. The Gender Gap in Medical Research (00:07:13) Discussion on how most medical research is based on men and the implications for women's health. Women's Empowerment and Cyclical Strength (00:08:23) Exploring women's hormonal cycles as a superpower and the need for empowerment. Importance of Female Connection (00:10:35) The unique need for women to connect with other women and the impact of retreats. Retreats as Safe Spaces for Vulnerability (00:13:57) How retreats create safe environments for women to open up and accelerate healing. Talking Openly About Midlife Transitions (00:14:38) The importance of discussing perimenopause, menopause, and emotional changes in community. Transformation and Joy Through Letting Go (00:16:12) Letting go of emotional burdens at retreats leads to joy and lightness. Rediscovering Playfulness in Midlife (00:16:26) Embracing a carefree, playful attitude during menopause and setting boundaries. Boundaries and Self-Protection (00:17:27) Learning to set boundaries joyfully and protect personal peace during midlife. Awareness and Support During Change (00:18:18) The need for awareness, support, and new tools as women navigate biological and mental shifts. The Mental and Emotional Side of Menopause (00:19:32) Highlighting the mental challenges of menopause and the value of open discussion. Structure of Soul Women Retreats (00:20:13) Overview of their one-day and three-day retreats, including functional medicine, mindset, and community. The Power of Less Structure (00:21:18) Realization that less programming and more connection time enhances retreat experiences. Deeper Connections in Multi-Day Retreats (00:22:33) Three-day retreats foster deeper bonds and ongoing community among participants. Lasting Impact of Retreat Friendships (00:23:18) Retreats create lifelong friendships and support networks that are hard to quantify. Vulnerability as the Root of Connection (00:24:20) Bonding through shared vulnerability, described as "joy bonding" rather than trauma bonding. Overcoming Barriers to Attending Retreats (00:25:20) Addressing women's hesitations about investing in themselves and sharing vulnerably. Intimacy and Size of Retreats (00:25:41) Smaller, curated retreats (10–15 women) foster deeper, more meaningful connections. Meeting Women Where They Are (00:26:42) Retreats accommodate all comfort levels, allowing women to open up at their own pace. The Need for In-Person Connection (00:27:03) Emphasizing the irreplaceable healing power of in-person gatherings in a digital world. Human Connection and Community (00:28:05) Comparing human need for connection to herd animals and predicting the growing importance of retreats. Upcoming Retreat Dates (00:28:29) Announcement of their next one-day and three-day retreats in Austin, Texas. Unexpected Lessons from Hosting Retreats (00:28:58) Hosts share that less structure and more connection lead to better experiences and stronger bonds. Letting Go of the Agenda (00:29:51) Learning to be present and allow organic connection rather than sticking rigidly to a schedule. Processing Time and Brain Energy (00:31:01) Participants need downtime to process, as retreats are mentally and emotionally intensive. Selling the Feeling, Not the Schedule (00:32:28) Encouragement to market retreats based on outcomes and feelings, not packed agendas. Quality Over Quantity and Pricing Insights (00:33:33) Higher-priced, smaller retreats yield better experiences and conversions than larger, cheaper ones. The Value of Transformation and Investment (00:34:34) Charging appropriately for retreats ensures energetic balance and attracts committed participants.
