Only the Brave
Retreats
UMAMI - Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
What is it?
Only the Brave is a weekend retreat built around one difficult question:
“What do I want to do with my one wild and precious life?”
Most of us are busy, responsible and probably capable. We keep fighting the good fight, solving problems, meeting expectations and doing what needs to be done.
But somewhere in the craziness, we tend to lose touch with the deeper question of what we actually want.
This creates space to step out of the usual rhythm, take a breath, listen to your life, and begin finding your way again.
It is not a wellness weekend or a temporary escape. It is closer to what Epictetus called a hospital rather than a spa: a place to reflect honestly, face what is challenging, and work with the questions that matter.
It’s not about more knowledge, it’s about taking action and starting to build the life you want.
The Retreats are hosted at the beautiful UMAMI Retreat Centre in Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa.
Over the weekend we will explore how to implement the four movements of the Only the Brave framework:
Identity.
Desire.
Discernment.
Bravery.
The idea is not to solve your whole life in a weekend (if only).
It is to leave with greater clarity, renewed courage, and a brave next step.
Who is it for?
Founders, freelancers, creators, leaders; and anyone in a season of change.
It is for anyone who:
Feels stuck between options.
Needs to make an important decision.
Has been moving too fast to think clearly.
Wants to reconnect with what matters.
Is ready to stop drifting and start choosing.
You do not need to arrive with the answer. You only need to arrive willing to listen to your life.
2026 retreats are fully booked.
2027 dates will be released soon.
At UMAMI Mountain Retreat, Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
The Retreat starts 6pm sharp on Friday with dinner and will conclude before noon on Sunday.
Dates
The Flow of the Weekend
Three days, one question at a time.
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Evening Arrival from 4pm, dinner at 6pm and an opening session introducing the central question:
What do I want to do?
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MORNING — IDENTITY
Yoga and breakfast, followed by a session on identity.
BEFORE LUNCH — DESIRE
A second session focused on desire.
EVENING
Dinner, followed by a ceremony around the fire.
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MORNING — DISCERNMENT & BRAVERY
Yoga and breakfast, followed by the final sessions. The retreat concludes by helping you identify the next step you want to take.
THE RETREAT CENTRE
UMAMI, Franschhoek.
Accommodation
Shared pod
Two guests per pod. Choose your own pod partner, or we'll allocate by gender where no preference is given.
Private pod
A maximum of two available, at an additional cost. First-paid, first-confirmed.
A retreat centre in the mountains outside Franschhoek, designed to take you out of your normal rhythm for a few days.
You will stay in simple, comfortable pods with good beds and good bedding. The ablutions are shared, and there is no electricity in the pods.
Phones and other technology will not be used during the retreat. You will have time to disconnect, slow down and pay attention without being pulled back into messages, work and the rest of the world every few minutes. Your emails will be there on Monday, I promise.
The property is surrounded by mountains, with hiking trails, open space and a dam for swimming. The food will be fresh, healthy, generous and carefully prepared, and shared around the table.
This is not a luxury hotel experience. It is retreat- style accommodation: simple, beautiful and comfortable; designed to help you step away from the craziness, settle into a different rhythm and be fully present for the work of the weekend.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
(Everything is taken care of.)
Two nights' accommodation
All meals
Facilitated sessions
Solo reflection time
Yoga on Saturday and Sunday morning
A notebook and pen
A gift
A follow-up group call after the retreat
SECURE YOUR PLACE
The Investment
Prices for 2027 retreats will be released soon. There’s be a first release (early bird) option and a standard option for both shared and private pods, with parity pricing for South Africans.
Sign up to the priority list to be notified first.
"What will you do, with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver
Private Retreats
Want to bring Only the Brave to your team, leadership group, EO or YPO chapter?
I also facilitate private Only the Brave retreats for small groups and teams.
We’ll shape the retreat around your group and the time you have together, while keeping the heart of the Only the Brave journey: Identity, Desire, Discernment and Bravery.
We can host it at a location anywhere in the world that works for you, or use UMAMI in Franschhoek if you want the full retreat setting.
A little teaching. A lot of conversation. Time to think, reflect and figure out what comes next.
Get in touch if you’d like to explore a private retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Only the Brave Retreat 2027 dates will be released soon. Sign up to be notified first.
The retreats will be hosted at UMAMI, a retreat centre in the Franschhoek Valley.
Final arrival and departure times, directions and practical details will be sent to confirmed participants before the retreat.
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Shared pod:
2027 prices will be released soon, we’re working hard to make the retreat more accessible.
(2026 prices ranged from R12 950 to R21 950) -
The retreat is for people who feel that something in their life or work needs attention.
You may be facing a decision, entering a new season, questioning your current direction or simply needing enough space to hear yourself think again.
You do not need to be a leader, founder or business owner. You only need to be willing to engage honestly with the question:
What do I want to do with my one wild and precious life?
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This is not for people looking for a wellness retreat, an adventure activity based weekend, or a big social weekend away with friends.
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The weekend is structured around the four parts of the Only the Brave framework:
Identity: Who am I?
Desire: What do I truly want?
Discernment: What is life showing me?
Bravery: What will I do next?
The framework begins with the conviction that who is always greater than what—that a meaningful decision begins with understanding who you are before deciding what you should do.
There will be four facilitated sessions, periods of personal reflection, time in nature, shared meals, a fire gathering and optional yoga.
We won’t force you to arrive at a dramatic life plan. The intention is to help you begin or deepen a decision and identify the next brave step.
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No.
The retreat draws from philosophy, psychology, literature and spiritual wisdom, but it is not designed to promote a particular religion or convert anyone.
People of all faiths, traditions and beliefs are welcome.
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Accommodation is in comfortable, rustic pods at UMAMI. The pods have proper beds and good-quality bedding.
Most pods are shared by two people. You may request to share with someone you know. Otherwise, participants will be allocated with someone of the same gender.
A limited number of private pods are available at an additional cost and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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There is no electricity inside the sleeping pods.
This is part of the simplicity of the experience. The pods have a battery powered lantern, but bring a torch or headlamp.
The main communal spaces have electricity.
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Item deYes. The ablution facilities are shared and include toilets and showers.
They are separate from the sleeping pods, so bring comfortable shoes and a small bag for carrying toiletries and clothing.scription
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The retreat is intended to create a clear, present and reflective environment. Alcohol will therefore not form part of the organised programme.
Further guidance will be included in the participant information sent before the retreat.
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The catering will be wholesome, generous and tasty vegetarian food.
Please share any allergies or important dietary requirements in the booking form. We will do our best to accommodate reasonable needs, but the kitchen may not be able to cater for every preference or highly specialised diet.cription
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No. The yoga sessions are optional and suitable for different levels of experience, but highly recommended as part of the process.
You do not need to be flexible, athletic or familiar with yoga.
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The retreat is not designed as a fitness event!
There will be some walking between the pods, ablutions and communal spaces, as well as optional movement and time outdoors. You should be comfortable walking on natural and sometimes uneven ground.
Please let us know about any mobility needs or physical limitations before booking so that we can determine whether the venue can accommodate you appropriately.
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No.
The Only the Brave Retreat is not a plant medicine or psychedelic retreat, and no plant medicine will be used during the weekend.
We respect the wisdom and traditions associated with those practices, but this retreat follows a different path. The work is grounded in facilitated conversation, philosophy, psychology, reflection, embodiment, time in nature and shared experience.
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You will be invited to participate, but you will never be forced to disclose anything you would prefer to keep private.
Some of the work will happen in conversation, and much of it will happen through personal reflection. You remain responsible for deciding what you share.
We ask everyone attending to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the group and take responsibility for their own level of sharing.
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Absolutely.
Many people will attend without knowing anyone else. The weekend is designed to create genuine connection without awkward networking or forced intimacy.
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Yes.
You may attend with a partner or friend, but each person should come prepared to do their own work. This is not specifically a couples retreat, and you will not necessarily spend every exercise or conversation together.
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A detailed packing list will be sent before the retreat. At minimum, plan to bring:
Comfortable clothing for warm and cool weather
Walking/Hiking shoes
Hat for hiking
Swimming attire
Swimming and bath towels.
A warm jacket
Sleepwear and toiletries
A torch or headlamp
A reusable water bottle
Any personal medication
An open mind and one honest question
A notebook will be provided.
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Two nights’ accommodation
All scheduled meals
Facilitated Only the Brave sessions
Personal reflection material
Optional yoga sessions
A retreat notebook, pen and gift
A follow-up group session after the retreat
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Participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from UMAMI.
Closer to the retreat, we may help participants connect with one another for optional lift-sharing, but transport cannot be guaranteed.
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Your place is only confirmed once the required booking information has been completed and payment has been received according to the terms shown on the booking page.
Spaces are limited, and shared or private accommodation preferences will be allocated according to availability.
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The cancellation terms will be clearly presented during the booking process.
Because venue, accommodation and catering commitments are made in advance, cancellations close to the retreat may not qualify for a refund. You may be permitted to transfer your place to another suitable participant, subject to approval and the final booking terms.
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Yes.
All participants will be asked to accept the retreat indemnity and participation terms as part of the booking process.
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The retreat includes a follow-up group conversation to help you reconnect with the decision, question or next step that emerged during the weekend.
The goal is not merely to have a meaningful experience. It is to return to your life and begin living differently.
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You will be required to surrender your phone when you arrive.
Phones will be stored safely and returned at the end of the retreat. This is not intended as a dramatic digital detox. It is a way of creating the conditions for you to be fully present, without the constant pull of messages, work, news and social media.
Before the retreat, you will receive an emergency contact number that you can share with your family. In the event of a genuine emergency, the retreat team will ensure that you can be reached.
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Yes, there are limited sponsorships available. Please book a call to learn more.