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The Sovereign Woman Overnight Retreat

Fri Sep 18 - Sun Sept 20

Canyon Lake. Texas

Embrace the midlife stage of your life with a

2-night, 3-day retreat designed to awaken your sovereignty. Through movement, art, ritual, and ceremony, you’ll integrate every sense—body, mind, and spirit—into a transformative experience.

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The mental load is real. It is invisible, relentless, and it is stealing your life — one unnoticed task, one swallowed feeling, one sleepless night at a time.

You didn't end up here because you're weak. You ended up here because you've been incredibly strong for a

very long time.

This retreat is your permission slip to put it down for a while.

It’s not just a retreat. It’s a Midlife Revolution.
A transformative experience for women.

A Midlife Revolution is a woman's decision to overthrow every rule that has kept her small — putting herself last, performing for approval, believing aging diminishes her, and carrying shame about her changing body.
It’s the moment she stops apologizing for who she is and starts reclaiming her power, her voice, and her pleasure as non‑negotiable.

Imagine this..

You wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and tea, knowing that someone has lovingly prepared your meals. All you have to do is show up—no planning, no stress, just presence.

You’re surrounded by women in your life stage, each open-hearted and ready to explore themselves more deeply. Together, you’ll share meals, stories, belly laughs, and breakthroughs. You’ll connect not just with others, but with parts of yourself you’ve been longing to honor.

This retreat isn’t about doing more—it’s about being held, nourished, and celebrated. It’s about stepping into sovereignty with a circle of sisters who see you, support you, and walk beside you.

women holding hands outside meditating
women holding hands in community

Why join?

As we continue to navigate a world that feels chaotic and downright terrifying at times, we are learning that a significant act of compassion for ourselves, our families, and our communities is to embrace the teaching that Self-CARE is not a luxury, it is a necessity. In fact, we are guided to call it Self-preservation. You are as effective as a partner, parent, colleague, neighbor, and friend as you are nurturing to yourSelf. The energy you direct to your own healing and awakening journey is a gift you give to yourSelf and to those you care about.

Join
Julie & Heather
for a Heartfelt Look Inside
Your Retreat Experience

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What Defines a Sovereign Woman?

A Sovereign Woman protects her energy and nurtures her work, her relationships, and her creative life. She makes decisions from her values — not from fear or the desire for approval. She holds a natural authority that doesn’t need to be loud. She sets boundaries from love, not from anger. She uplifts others from genuine abundance, not scarcity.

"The energy was high the moment I walked in. The hosts were so open and welcoming, and the entire workshop aligned perfectly with
where I am in my journey."

 

Retreat Weekend Flow*

✨ Friday

  • 4pm Arrival & Check In

  • 5pm Workshop: Unmasking the Sovereign Self Workshop & Art Activity

  • 7pm Dinner Served

  • 8pm Community Time 

✨ Saturday

  • 8am Breakfast Served

  • 9am: Workshop: Sovereign in My Skin

  • 11am Free Time

  • 12pm: Lunch Served

  • 1pm: Free Time  

  • 3pm: Sovereign Crown Making

  • 5pm Free Time

  • 6pm MuMu Dinner

  • 7pm Sovereign Woman Crowning Ceremony

  • 8pm Diva Dance & Pool Party

✨ Sunday

  • 8am Breakfast Served

  • 9am Free Time

  • 10am: Workshop: Sacred No, Sacred Yes: Agency & Boundaries 

  • 12pm: Lunch Served

  • 1pm Goodbyes & Check-Out

  • 3pm Late Check-Out

*The schedule is a  living experience that may shift to honor the group’s needs, timing, and the natural unfolding of the weekend.

“Heather’s gift as a healer as well as her natural ability to bring deep meaning into ritual and ceremony radiates from her heart. The vibrational state in the room is automatically elevated just to be in the presence of her magnificent, authentic energy as she holds space for intentionally developed events.
”                                                          --Kim Goyette, Founder of Meditation Mutha

Meet Your Guides

Your guides are all seasoned social workers with a wealth of experience, united by one heartfelt mission: to hold a sacred, playful, and deeply nurturing space where you feel seen, supported, and free to be fully yourself.

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Julie Spears

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Heather Elizabeth

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Cherie Mills

Retreat Guide/Joy Curator

Julie Spears, founder of JoyFULL Connection, is a Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience working with women. She loves life and leads with playfulness and joy, creating spaces where women can gather, laugh, dance, cry, and reconnect through retreats, workshops, and celebrations. She believes real joy comes from being FULL — full of compassion, strength, community, and connection. JoyFULL Connection exists to help women fill back up so their light shines bright.

 

After witnessing the profound transformation that retreats brought into her own life, she felt called to offer this opportunity to other women.

Julie grew up in South Louisiana and found her way to Austin in 2001. She brings a “Laissez les bons temps rouler” attitude to her cowboy boots, infusing every gathering with warmth, ease, and a little sparkle of fun.

Retreat Guide/Ceremonalist

Heather Elizabeth is a Ceremonialist, Sacred Activist, Mystic, and Shamanic Practitioner . She is the Steward of the SHINE 13 Moon Council and the IMAGINE PEACE Promise Alliance.

 

With a background in Social Work, Heather Elizabeth holds a deep passion and dedication to the realization of human rights and social justice for all. By listening to the prompting of her Soul, Heather Elizabeth founded SHINE (Supporting Humanity In Navigating EVOLution) in 2015. Through the facilitation of interSPIRITual WISDOM practices that promote unity within diversity, SHINE serves as a sacred container for the alchemical process of the personal and planetary transformation at hand. The SHINE journey is designed to provide practical tools through individual healing sessions, mentorship programs, and beloved community building to discover one’s innate truth through cultivating meaning and connection-activating one's capacity to live an authentic and joyful life in service to all sentient beings.

Nourishment Guide

Cherie Mills has worked as a therapist since  1996, in Austin since 2017, and is originally from Louisiana. She works primarily with people approaching middle adulthood and older dealing with challenges common to these stages of life. She takes a somatic and interpersonal neurobiology approach to serving others in their healing journey. Cherie is committed to the work of undoing white supremacy within herself and within the spaces she helps shape.

 

In her free time she enjoys hiking, yoga, games, and cooking, enjoying a mostly plant-based approach to nourishing herself and others. 

"Julie can tap into meaning and healing while still being lighthearted and fun. She is curious and open to new ideas and information, which is so helpful with creating a safe and abundant space."

The Frida Kahlo Room

Retreat room with queen and single bed

The Rosa Parks Room

Retreat room with queen and single bed

The Maya Angelo Room

Retreat room with 2 king sized beds

The Jane Fonda Room

Retreat room with queen bunk beds

*Note on Participation for Current Therapy Clients of Julie and Cherie:  We hold deep respect for the integrity of our therapeutic relationship. To honor professional ethics and ensure emotional safety for all participants, current therapy clients are warmly invited to attend day retreats and workshops. However, overnight retreats are reserved for non-clients only, due to the potential for dual relationships in extended immersive settings. This boundary supports your healing and our roles as clinicians. If you have questions or want support finding aligned experiences, we are happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions 

🧳 Packing & What to Bring:

Do I need to bring bedding or towels? Bath towels and all bedding are provided. Please bring a pool towel and any personal comfort items you prefer for sleeping, such as an extra blanket or your favorite pillow. What should I pack? Bring a mumu or kaftan, makeup or glitter for the Goddess Dinner and Diva Dance Party, a swimsuit, pajamas, and comfortable clothing for workshops.

💫 Participant Limitations: 

Do I have to be in midlife to attend? No. All women are welcome. While this retreat is intentionally designe with women in midlife in mind--because thsi season of life comes with its own unique transitions, wisdom, and reclamations--the themes we explore are universal.

 

🏡 Rooms & Sleeping Arrangements:

Will I have a private or shared room? All rooms are shared. Beds are not shared unless you intentionally selected that option during sign‑up. Consider bringing eye shades and ear plugs for added comfort.

 

🍽 Meals, Snacks & Drinks:

Are meals included? Yes — you will enjoy delicious and nutritious meals and snacks throughout the retreat. We can accommodate dietary restrictions if you list them in your registration form. Will there be coffee and tea? Absolutely. Coffee and tea will be readily available all weekend.

 

🧘‍♀️ Participation & Schedule:

Is the schedule mandatory? We ask that everyone participate in all workshops and community gatherings to support group cohesion. There will be ample free time for rest and personal space. If you need to miss a workshop, please let one of the guides know.

 

🍷 Alcohol, Phones & Environment:

Will there be alcohol? No alcohol will be served. We are intentionally creating a space that supports calming the nervous system through gentle movement, breathwork, and time in nature. Can I use my phone? While we discourage phone use during workshops and encourage unplugging, you are welcome to stay connected with home as needed.

 

💬 Emotional Safety & Sharing:

Will it be safe to share? Am I required to share? We will create an emotionally safe circle upon arrival with clear agreements. Sharing is never required. All guides are trained and highly experienced in supporting emotional wellbeing.

 

💰 Payments & Policies:

What is the cancellation policy? Travel insurance is recommended, as there is a no‑refund policy. Are payment plans available? Yes — you may pay half as a deposit and the remaining balance later.

“Julie is full of humor and has a strong life force. She is attentive and present with others.

Robin, Texas

If You Are Still Feeling Hesitant... 

Concern 1: The Price Is Too High

When Women Ask About Cost… Here’s the Truth

Investing in yourself can feel big — especially when you’ve spent years putting everyone else first.

But this retreat isn’t a weekend away. It’s a transformative container designed to restore your body, your joy, your confidence, and your sense of belonging.

What’s Included (Over $2,000 of True Value)
  • Luxury Lodging for two nights

  • Six nourishing meals prepared with intention

  • Clinician‑led workshops

  • Shamanic ceremony + integration

  • Art therapy experience

  • Crown‑making ritual

  • Dance party + connection activities

  • Pool, hot tub, and nature access

  • All materials and supplies​

This is more value — and more transformation — than you could ever receive booking these experiences individually.

A Reframe That Matters

If your child or someone you love had the chance to experience something that could shift their confidence, their joy, their relationship with their body, their sense of belonging…

you wouldn’t hesitate. You’d find a way to support them because you know how much it would change their life.

Can you offer that same care to yourself?

You deserve experiences that nourish you, restore you, and reconnect you to your whole self.

Payment Plans Available

While scholarship spots are full, if you feel called to be here, we want to work with you.

Let’s explore payment plans and find a way to make this possible.

Concern 2. I Already Have Plans That Weekend

Life Is Full — And Women Carry So Much

It’s completely normal to already have plans on any given weekend.

You’re juggling family, work, commitments, and the invisible labor that never stops.

But here’s the deeper truth:

This Retreat Isn’t Just Another Event on the Calendar

It’s a transformative container designed to restore your body, your joy, your confidence, and your sense of belonging.

It’s not a brunch, not a birthday party, not a quick getaway — it’s a reset that reverberates through every part of your life.

If You Already Have Plans

Here’s what we invite you to consider:

Can your plans shift?  

  • Many women realize their existing plans are flexible once they understand the depth of the retreat experience.

Can you attend part of the retreat?  

  • If your conflict is small, we can explore creative solutions.

Would the next retreat serve you better?  

  • If this weekend truly can’t move, we’ll help you stay connected so you’re first to know about the next offering.
     

Your Time Is Sacred

And this retreat is designed to honor it.

If you feel called to be here, let’s talk through what’s possible.

Concern 3. How Can There Be a Transformation in a Weekend?

A Wise, Honest Question

Women in midlife are smart. They’ve lived enough life to know that deep change doesn’t come from a bubble bath, a journal prompt, or a cute weekend getaway.

So when someone asks, “How can a weekend actually change me?”  

It tells me they’re looking for real transformation, not inspiration that fades by Monday.

Here’s the Truth: Transformation Doesn’t Require Time — It Requires Conditions

A weekend can change you when the right elements come together:

  • Clinician‑held space

  • Ritual + ceremony

  • Embodiment practices

  • Art therapy + somatic work

  • Community + belonging

  • A nervous system that finally feels safe enough to soften

Transformation doesn’t come from time — it comes from intensity, intention, and safety.

Why a Weekend Works

For most women, daily life is full of interruptions, responsibilities, and emotional labor.

It’s nearly impossible to drop into deep work when you’re still in your everyday environment.

But in this retreat:

  • You step out of your routine--NO LAUNDRY, NO COOKING!

  • You’re held by trained clinicians

  • You’re surrounded by supportive women

  • You’re guided through structured experiences

  • You’re given space to integrate

  • You’re immersed in ritual, nature, and rest

This combination creates a threshold moment — a place where your system can finally shift.

What Actually Transforms

Women leave with:

  • A new relationship with their body

  • A reclaimed sense of joy

  • A reset nervous system

  • Clear boundaries

  • A deeper connection to their voice

  • A felt sense of belonging

  • A renewed identity

  • A ritual marking the beginning of a new chapter

These are not small changes.

They are the kinds of shifts that ripple outward for months.

Concern 4. I’m Nervous to Open Up — It Feels Vulnerable

A Tender, Human Truth

Almost every woman who attends feels this way at first.  Opening up — especially in midlife, especially after years of holding everything together — can feel scary.  You’re not alone in that feeling, and it’s actually a sign that you’re ready for something meaningful.

This Retreat Honors Your Pace, Your Boundaries, Your Nervous System

You will never be pushed to share more than you want to.

You will never be put on the spot.

You will never be asked to perform vulnerability.

 

Instead, the space is built to help you feel safe enough to soften naturally.

Here’s how we do that:

  • Clinician‑held workshops that guide you gently, not forcefully

  • Small‑group circles where you choose your level of sharing

  • Art therapy + embodiment work that lets you express without words

  • Rituals that create connection without pressure

  • A culture of kindness, softness, and consent

  • Integration breaks so your nervous system stays regulated

  • Optional participation — you decide what feels right for your body

  • OPTIONAL ADD ON: 50 Min Pre-retreat Intention Setting Session
     

This is not a retreat where you “spill your guts.” While the guides are trained clinicians, this will NOT be therapy. 

This is a retreat where you feel held enough to open in the ways that serve you.

Concern 5. My Weekends are For Relaxing--Won't I feel Exhausted? 

A Very Real Concern

So many women feel this way — they’re tired of retreats that cram the schedule, push constant activities, and leave them more drained than when they arrived.

If you’re craving rest, softness, and nervous‑system repair… you’re in the right place.

This Retreat Is Designed for Deep Rest, Not Hustle

Every part of the weekend is intentionally paced to support relaxation, restoration, and nervous‑system settling. There is no rushing. No over‑packed agenda. No “performing” healing.

Here’s what makes it truly restorative:

  • Slow mornings with gentle arrival and quiet time

  • Spacious scheduling so nothing feels rushed

  • Integration breaks between workshops

  • Pool + hot tub time built directly into the schedule

  • Nature access for grounding and solitude

  • Rest‑forward meals that nourish without heaviness

  • Optional activities — you choose what your body needs

  • Clinician‑held space that honors your pace, your energy, your boundaries

  • OPTIONAL ADD ON’s: Early Arrival/Late Check Out 

 

This is not a retreat where you’re “on” all day.

This is a retreat where you exhale.

 

Concern 6. I Don’t Know Anyone

A Tender Truth

Most women arrive at this retreat not knowing a single person — and that’s actually part of the magic.

This space was intentionally designed for women in midlife to show up exactly as they are, without needing a pre‑existing friend group or social circle.

You Don’t Have to Come With People To Belong Here

From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a guided, gentle, clinician‑held container where connection happens naturally — not forced, not awkward, not performative.

What Makes It Easy to Connect
  • Structured connection activities that dissolve the “I don’t know anyone” feeling within the first hour

  • Small‑group workshops where you meet women who are on the same journey

  • Crown‑making + art therapy that create instant bonding

  • Shared meals that feel like sitting around a family table

  • A culture of warmth, safety, and zero judgment
     

You won’t be left standing alone. You won’t be expected to “figure it out.”

Every part of the retreat is designed to help you feel held, welcomed, and woven into the group.

You Don’t Need to Know Anyone To Belong Here

You just need to feel the call — we take care of the rest.

If you would like to discuss these for other hesitations, please reach out.

We want to hear from you.

JoyFULL Connection by Julie Spears, LCSW

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