What prompted you to do the Hoffman Summer Retreat?
A combination of things. It was a couple of years since my original Process, where I had an amazing time and left with such positivity that I wanted to reconnect with that feeling. However, I didn’t feel like I was using all the tools and techniques to their full advantage. I could also feel the volume of my inner critic gradually turning up, and I wanted to knock that on the head.
Going back to the seven-day Process, what was going on for you at that time?
Like so many others, my life looked OK from the outside but inside I was feeling very lost and wasn’t sure where I was going. I wasn’t happy in my job and could feel myself overworking – which I now recognise as coming from an old pattern of people-pleasing. I was feeling very stressed and close to burnout when a friend pointed me in the direction of Hoffman. When I found myself being offered redundancy from my role, I jumped at it – and booked myself on the Process a day later.
What do you recall about your Process week?
I recall how anxious I felt when I arrived. Would I get on with anyone? How much would I have to share? It didn’t take me long to break through that pattern of worrying. I realised very early on how exhausting it would be to spend a week second-guessing what others would think of me. I remember being surprised and relieved at the time how quickly I was able to feel safe enough to drop that way of thinking.
The group experience was amazing on so many levels. Listening to other peoples’ stories really made me realise that we are all the same really, deep down. The work on shame was hugely healing for me and felt very freeing. We did do some silent work – and I found that had a profound impact on me, helping me to process what we were learning, and effectively letting it land in my mind and body.
The course was also joyful in parts and allowed space for fun and laughter. This really hit home for me and with that came the realisation that I often forget to be playful in life. One of the surprises of the week was how much I loved not having access to my phone. It was such a relief that I genuinely didn’t want it back at the end of the retreat!
So, you’d had experience of Hoffman. How did it feel going back for a second residential retreat?
I was far less anxious this time, both about the course and who might be on it. I was really looking forward to the retreat and reconnecting with the tools and techniques I’d learnt the first time around. With the best will in the world, I’d tried to practice some of them, but I was very aware that some of the learnings weren’t fresh in my mind.
I knew I’d be in good hands and in good company to allow me to show up as my true self, so I was actually looking forward to being open and vulnerable; ironic really, as that was one of my biggest fears, first time around. There was a sense of safety doing Hoffman a second time around. Even though I knew I’d have different facilitators, I had a sense of knowing what I was getting into, so there was almost no stress around that. Appreciating that I would be with other Hoffman graduates who shared a common language and understanding made it so much easier.
How did you find the week?
Overall, I would describe the week as Hoffman-on-holiday. The French Retreat had a more relaxed feel than the original Process. Plus, we had the added bonus of having the afternoons off which I used to explore the area, swim, walk and spend time on myself, reflecting and journaling. The course is a mixture of the things I’d learnt on the Process plus exposure to some new tools. The work I did really helped me reconnect with the tools and deepen my experience of them. It’s like you’re adding another layer of Hoffman to your mind and body.
Like the Process, it was a mixed group of ages, nationalities and backgrounds. We all bonded quickly and by the end of the week it felt like we’d known each other for years.
How did you experience the venue and facilities?
The French Retreat is in a beautiful setting in the countryside, and the lack of noise and the dark at night encouraged me to wind down. I opted to share a room in the barn building (though there are some single rooms available too). Sharing a room helped me develop a close bond with the person I was paired with.
Food is an integral part of the whole experience and ambience at the French Retreat. They had a chef who produced delicious, nutritious meals and it was a real treat to eat outside with the group. The place has a magical feel about it and the star gazing at night is second to none.
What impact did attending the Summer Retreat have on you?
It’s really helped me motivate myself again on lots of levels. Before attending, I was aware that my dark-side-volume was being dialled up again, and the retreat really helped me reduce that.
The exercises that we did encouraged me to connect with my playful side again and reinforced the power of moving the body. My body has definitely upped its ‘presence’ in my life since doing the Process and the Summer Retreat. I’m doing a triathlon in two weeks (my fourth!), and I’m training with a renewed appreciation and respect for my body. My sleep is better too and I’m drinking less alcohol. I was ‘numbing’ my feelings before – now I want to feel them and welcome them.
The work I did on recognising that I’m not solely responsible for other peoples’ feelings means my relationships with others have improved. I’ve moved from being a chameleon, where I’d change to suit others, to a person who’s listening to myself and what I want. Overall, I’d say that I’m more content, grateful and appreciative of what I have in my life – and that’s in major part thanks to Hoffman.
Thanks to Ed for sharing his experience with the Hoffman community. Our 2026 Summer Retreat with Serena and Emma Pruen will take place from Friday 12 – Wednesday 17 June. For more details, click here, or for bookings, call Emma on +44 7508 920583 or email emma@retreat.fr
