The Only the Brave Retreat takes place from Friday, 9 October to Sunday, 11 October 2026 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Absolutely.

Many people will attend without knowing anyone else. The weekend is designed to create genuine connection without awkward networking or forced intimacy.

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.

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.

• 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

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.

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.

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.

Yes.

All participants will be asked to accept the retreat indemnity and participation terms as part of the booking process.

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.

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.