When:
September 3–8, 2027 &
March 10-15, 2028
Where:
Topia Boutique Retreat Center
El Pescadero, Mexico
From numb and shut down to grounded and alive.
You may be good at keeping things moving.
You show up. You handle what needs to be handled. You take care of the people around you.
But underneath all of that, you may feel tired. Disconnected. Anxious. Numb. Or like you’ve lost touch with a part of yourself that used to feel more alive.
I created SHIFT to give men a place to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and experience what it feels like to be supported by other men.
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You Don’t Have to Keep Carrying Everything Alone
Many of us learned to push through what we were feeling.
We learned to work harder, stay busy, solve the problem, or shut down when life became too much.
Those ways of protecting ourselves aren’t wrong. They often helped us get through difficult moments.
But sometimes the things that once protected us begin to keep us away from ourselves. We have a harder time knowing what we feel, asking for what we need, or staying connected when a relationship becomes uncomfortable.
SHIFT offers you a place to slow down and become curious about what your body has been holding.
Nothing needs to be forced.
You don’t need experience with somatic work, men’s work, yoga, or breathwork. You don’t need to arrive ready to share your deepest story.
You can come as you are.
We Don’t Force Change
SHIFT isn’t built around urgency, emotional intensity, or pushing men toward a breakthrough.
Our work focuses on helping you build more capacity in your body to be with stress, emotion, and sensation without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down. We create spaciousness, move at the pace of the nervous system, and trust that the body will show us what it is ready for.
Underneath everything we’ve learned about who we’re supposed to be, we are still animals. We need movement, nourishing food, rest, time in nature, and connection with others. When we create the right conditions, the body has an incredible capacity to move toward healing.
We don’t try to break through your armor. That armor developed for a reason.
Instead, we create a space where it may no longer have to work so hard—where it can soften, little by little, and allow more of your heart to be felt.
What We’ll Do Together
Over six days, we’ll work with somatic practices, movement, breathwork, facilitated men’s circles, time in nature, rest, and honest connection.
You’ll have opportunities to:
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Learn practical ways to calm and regulate your nervous system
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Notice what happens in your body when you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or disconnected
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Understand the protective patterns that have helped you survive
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Practice staying connected to yourself when emotions arise
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Experience more honest and supportive relationships with other men
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Make room for rest, laughter, play, and aliveness
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Bring what you learn back into your relationships and daily life
Some moments may feel challenging. Others may feel quiet, spacious, or joyful.
You’ll be invited to find your edge without being pushed past it. You will always have choice in how you participate.
A Different Experience With Men
This isn’t an Ordinary Men’s Wellness Retreat
For some men, walking into a men’s retreat brings up uncertainty.
Will I be expected to prove myself? Share something I’m not ready to share? Become a different kind of man?
That isn’t what we’re creating at SHIFT.
There is no single way to be a man here. Straight and queer men sit alongside one another. Different backgrounds, personalities, and expressions of masculinity are welcomed.
You won’t be asked to perform, posture, or pretend that you have everything figured out.
You’ll have opportunities to be witnessed and supported. You’ll also have time to rest, reflect, laugh, share meals, swim, spend time outside, and be alone when you need space.
Some of the most meaningful moments at SHIFT happen outside the formal sessions—in a conversation over dinner, during a walk, or when you realize that you can relax around other men and still be fully yourself.
SHIFT May Be for You If…
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You feel stressed, burned out, anxious, or emotionally depleted
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You feel disconnected from your body or have difficulty knowing what you feel
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You want more honesty and connection in your relationships
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You’re moving through a transition and want space to listen for what comes next
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You long for meaningful friendships with other men
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You’ve done therapy, coaching, or other personal work and want to include your body in that process
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You want to feel more present, grounded, and alive in your daily life
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You don’t need to know exactly what you want from the retreat.
Curiosity is enough.
What the guys are saying...
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![A man in his 40's shares about vulnerability, joy, love, and play at SHIFT Men's Retreat -- a Somatic Men's Retreat in Mexico.]()
“The retreat was life changing. Again. After attending SHIFT Men's Retreat last year, the changes in me were so profound that people could hardly recognize me."
Tim G., Austin
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![A man in his 60s at a somatic retreat for men in Baja California Mexico smiles at the camera.]()
“I am forever changed as a result of this experience and am filled with gratitude, compassion, and hope that more men needing this healing find their way to Mike.”
Cameron N, Washington
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![A young man sharing his creativity at Shift Men's Retreat, a somatic retreat for men.]()
“After a year plagued by anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm, I left feeling such a strong hopefulness that I have not been able to touch in myself in a very long time. Something dormant is alive in me and, because of this retreat, I trust myself more that I can see it through.”
Evan W., Philadelphia
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![A man in his early thirties smiles at the camera before a hike at a men's retreat in Baja California, Mexico.]()
“I left feeling grounded, challenged, and inspired, and I’m already looking forward to attending again.”
Evan B., Los Angeles
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![A young man hanging out in the pool at a men's retreat in Baja California.]()
"The space they created felt so safe and supportive that my defenses finally came down. It helped me connect with myself and other men on a deeper level than I ever thought possible. A truly healing and transformative experience.”
Ben H., San Diego
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![A young man smiles as he plays games with a friend at Shift Men's Retreat, a somatic wellness retreat for men.]()
“The SHIFT Somatic Experience Retreat was nothing short of a home run. I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone seeking more out of life.”
Dean G., Los Angeles
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![A millennial man looking pensive as a demonstration happens at a somatic retreat for men in Baja California.]()
“I hadn’t really done anything like these retreats before, but the program lets you work on mindfulness, get better at connecting with people, and become more self-aware.”
Erik W., Seattle
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![A man smiles as he shares his gifts and talents at a men's retreat in Baja, California.]()
“Mike Sagun and his team have created a unique space through the Shift men’s retreat… I could not have found a better place to work on building an emotional “home” and safety within myself, in a space free of toxic behaviors.”
S.H.
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![A client at SHIFT Men's Retreat, a somatic retreat for men, is having fun while playing somatic coordination games.]()
"This is such a great experience. Mike Sagun is a professional. The design and execution of SHIFT Men's Retreat is thoughtful, intentional, and based in real science and for anyone who wants to improve their daily lives and their connections with others. Really awesome experience 10/10. Highly recommend!"
Sean H., New York
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![A man in his mid-20s shares an infectious smile after attending SHIFT Men's Retreat, a somatic retreat.]()
"I wholeheartedly believe that every man should embark on the transformative journey of a men's retreat at least once in their lifetime, and if there's one choice that stands above the rest, it's Mike Sagun's SHIFT."
Johnny C., Ohio
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![A SHIFT Men's Retreat client smiles like he has a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.]()
"Great retreat. Mike is a master of his craft, and the location was off the charts."
Dan D., New York
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![A man in his 40's has fun playing somatic reflex games with his partner at SHIFT Men's Retreat. He is having fun and he is clearly relaxed.]()
"There is power in witnessing, and I can’t put into mere words the level of inspiration that I received from being in attendance."
Ceasar B., New York
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![A man in his 30's smiles at SHIFT Men's Retreat, a somatic retreat for men, and it is evident that he is enjoying his time.]()
"The focus on joy, fun and play during the retreat allowed me to remember what it's like to have fun without the everyday worries of life."
Matt G., New York
This isn’t just a retreat you attend. It’s an experience that stays with you, living in your body long after you’ve returned home.
Join the Waitlist
SHIFT is intentionally small so that each man can feel seen, supported, and connected to the group.
Joining the waitlist means you’ll receive:
Updates as the 2027 and 2028 retreats take shape
First notice when registration opens
Priority access to available spaces
Joining the waitlist does not register you for the retreat or commit you to attending. It simply lets me know you’re interested.
Meet the Team
At the heart of SHIFT Men’s Retreat, a Somatic Retreat for Men, is a team of compassionate, deeply experienced facilitators who create a safe and transformative space for healing.
Mike Sagun, the founder and lead teacher, brings over a decade of experience in men’s work, somatic experiencing, and coaching. He guides men back into their bodies, helping them reconnect with emotional truth and nervous system regulation.
Supporting him is Andrew Rivin, co-teacher and certified yoga instructor, who leads grounding yoga and movement practices. His sessions help participants reconnect with breath, body, and presence — core elements of a men’s yoga retreat.
Brandt Miller, assistant teacher and facilitator of holotropic breathwork, offers powerful sessions that unlock deep emotional release and integration. His work supports the healing focus of a men’s breathwork retreat within SHIFT’s larger program.
Ensuring everything flows seamlessly is Brent Boeckman, assistant teacher and logistical lead. Brent holds space behind the scenes so participants can fully immerse in their healing journey without distraction.
Together, this team embodies the heart of SHIFT Men’s Retreat, a somatic wellness retreat for men: safety, depth, embodiment, and brotherhood.
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Founder & Lead Teacher
Mike Sagun is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and men's work facilitator with over 19 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and trauma-informed group facilitation. Mike holds a BA in Liberal Arts: Preparation for Teaching from San Jose State University and is deeply committed to guiding men through nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and embodied transformation.
As the founder of SHIFT Men’s Retreats and co-founder of MELD, Mike creates trauma-informed spaces where men can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience lasting change. His work blends Somatic Experiencing, movement, mindfulness, and authentic relating, offering both 1:1 coaching and immersive retreats. Whether leading a room of 40 men or sitting in quiet presence with one, Mike’s focus remains the same: to help men come home to their bodies and to a deeper sense of self-trust. He’s worked with companies like EVRYMAN, Google X, Men’s Health Magazine, LinkedIn, and Kaiser Permanente.
Originally from the SF Bay Area, Mike now lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with his husband and pitbull rescue.
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Co-Lead Teacher & Yoga
Andrew is a seasoned leadership coach, global retreat facilitator, and mindfulness teacher with a rich and varied path. He holds an MBA from Yale and a BA from the University of Texas. In his early 20s, he launched dozens of small businesses across Africa before founding an award-winning adventure travel company, once described by The New York Times as “the most respected in the field.” Overseeing expeditions across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and beyond, Andrew developed a deep fluency in cross-cultural dynamics, team leadership, and human connection. As he immersed himself in Eastern philosophy, yoga, and meditation in his 30s, he began weaving mindfulness and conscious communication into his work, transforming how teams and communities showed up together.
Today, Andrew brings over four decades of experience to his coaching and facilitation work with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startup founders across India and Southeast Asia. He holds the highest level of yoga teacher certification with Yoga Alliance and is a senior coach with the Asian Leadership Institute. Known for his light-hearted yet fearless approach, Andrew helps clients challenge limiting beliefs, lean into discomfort, and explore what it means to live fully. He continues to train his body, heart, and mind like an athlete—to stay present, curious, and grounded for his clients, his family, and his two beloved grandchildren.
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Assistant Teacher & Breathwork
Brandt Miller is a Breathwork Facilitator, Somatic Coach, and Transformational Guide who helps people reconnect with their bodies, breath, and inner vitality. With an MFA in Creative Writing and over a decade as a writer and producer in documentary television, nonprofits, and tech, Brandt has always been drawn to the deeper stories that shape our lives. His training includes Breathwork with David Elliott, Somatic Experiencing®, and ancestral and collective trauma facilitation with Thomas Hübl. Passionate about creating safe spaces for men, Brandt supports emotional healing and the reclamation of sensitivity and strength in a world that often limits how men are allowed to feel and express.
At SHIFT Men’s Retreat, Brandt offers a powerful breathwork experience that integrates somatic tools, patterned breathing, and guided journeying. His sessions support nervous system regulation, emotional release, and expanded states of awareness—helping men access their life force and connect more deeply to purpose. Outside of his facilitation work, Brandt finds inspiration in nature, writing, meditation, surfing, and the kind of aliveness sparked by adventure and inner exploration.
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Assistant Teacher & Man of Service
Brent Boeckman is a man, husband, and father who loves unconditionally. Brent has spent nearly 2 decades in the tech start up space leading leadership and organizational change at companies like Calm, Microsoft, and Malwarebytes where he worked to drive emotionally present leadership and growth. Brent has had the privilege of learning from and teaching alongside Mike Sagun for many years now and is honored to be returning to the SHIFT Men’s Retreat for another year.
Brent has healed through childhood sexual abuse, addiction and emotional isolation to repair a failing marriage, remain in his sons life, and heal the wounded parts of him that he unknowingly carried. He's proud of the connection, authenticity and growth that he's achieved in his lifetime and finds his life's purpose in walking that path with other men who struggle like he did. Brent believes that every man deserves a chance to rewrite their story like he did. He knows it's not easy, that the road is long, and filled with pitfalls, but he also knows it's easier to walk with the support of friends and a family of choice.
Still not sure if you’re ready for a men’s retreat?
Check out these articles.
FAQs
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Somatic coaching for men is a body-centered approach that helps individuals process emotions, stress, and trauma by paying attention to physical sensations in the body.
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Childhood trauma often leads to lifelong patterns of emotional suppression. Somatic coaching helps men break these patterns by reconnecting with their bodies, allowing them to process unresolved childhood wounds.
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If you’ve done personal development work, curious about a somatic men's retreat, and you have the courage to take some healthy risks, this retreat is right for you.
And if you’re not sure, schedule a free call with me.
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No experience is required. In fact, I encourage everyone to arrive with a beginner’s mindset—even if you’ve practiced yoga, breathwork, or men’s work before.
At SHIFT, we’ll explore:
Yoga: Anusara yoga, a heart-centered and alignment-based practice.
Breathwork: Holotropic breathwork, a powerful method for accessing deeper layers of healing.
Men’s Work: Somatic men’s work, rooted in body awareness, emotional intelligence, and connection.
All you need is openness and curiosity. Everything else, we’ll guide you through step by step.
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Yes, absolutely. As a proud gay man myself, creating safe and affirming spaces for all men—regardless of sexual orientation or identity—is not just important to me, it’s personal.
SHIFT Men's Retreat is a place where you’re invited to bring your full self. No hiding. No code-switching. Just you.
Our retreats often attract a diverse group of men—straight, queer, bi, trans—and what connects us isn’t who we love, but how deeply we long to heal, grow, and feel more alive in our bodies. We come together in mutual respect, vulnerability, and brotherhood.
You’ll be met with warmth, care, and a trauma-informed space that honors difference and makes room for all of you.
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Most days will look something like this:
Morning - Light Breakfast, Morning Yoga, and Breathwork, Brunch
Afternoon - Afternoon Session, Snack, Reset and Restore Time
Evening - Dinner, Evening Session, Prepare for Bed
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For 5 nights and 6 days, the price ranges from $3,300 - $3,700 USD.
Use code EARLYBIRD200 for $200 off.
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Absolutely! Travel can come with many unforeseen events, from delays to cancellations. Purchasing travel insurance helps ease the stress by ensuring that unexpected costs are covered.
We recommend considering 'Cancel for Any Reason' (CFAR) travel insurance, as it provides the broadest coverage for delays, interruptions, or cancellations.
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Topia is an hour drive from the Los Cabos airport, an hour north of Cabo, and an hour southwest of La Paz.
There are direct flights to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) from most US cities, also mainland Mexico. The La Paz airport has direct flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara and Tijuana.
From the airport, you'll take a shuttle that we will organize for you to Topia Boutique Retreat Center.
I will send you more information when you register for the retreat.
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We will do our best to support you and help ensure you arrive at SHIFT Men's Retreat safely. While it may be possible for the shuttle to wait, this cannot be guaranteed.
If the shuttle cannot wait, please note that Topia Boutique Retreat Center and Mike Sagun are not responsible for rebooking your transportation.
This is another reason we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected delays.
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If you live outside of Mexico, yes.
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No. This is a dry retreat. Absolutely no alcohol is allowed during SHIFT.
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I'm a trained Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with almost 2 decades of facilitation, coaching, and teaching experience.
The topics I specialize in are:
Emotional Trauma
Physical Trauma
Sexual Trauma
Acute and Complex Trauma
PTSD and cPTSD
Stress and Burnout
Relationships/Marriage/Separation/Divorce
Lack of Confidence and Motivation
Behavior Modification and Habit Training
Somatic Embodiment
Emotional Awareness and Intelligence
Healthy Conflict and Communication
Movement
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All deposits and balance payments are non-refundable. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unexpected changes.
The remaining balance is due by July 30th, 2026.
If you need to withdraw from the retreat for any reason, you may transfer your spot to another person. You are responsible for finding a replacement participant. The new participant will reimburse you for any deposits and payments you've already made, and they will pay the remaining balance directly to Mike.
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Yes. At Topia Boutique Retreat Center, tips and gratuities are an important way to honor the staff who take such good care of us. Here are the recommended amounts:
Retreat center staff: $20 USD per day
Shuttle drivers: $5–$10 USD per ride
Massage therapists: $10 USD per session
These gestures go a long way in showing gratitude for the people who make your experience so seamless and supportive.
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Yes. Every faucet at Topia has filtered water that’s safe to drink.
That said—traveling to Mexico can bring its own set of adjustments. If you’re coming from outside the country, your gut microbiome may not be used to the local bacteria. Even with filtered water, it’s not uncommon for travelers to experience mild stomach upset.
To take care of yourself, I recommend carrying Pepto-Bismol or something similar. Research shows it can help reduce the effects of bacteria that sometimes cause GI issues. It’s a simple step that can make your trip a lot more comfortable.
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Although there will be about 3-4 hours of rest and restore time every day of the retreat, this may not be enough time to explore Todos Santos.
El Pescadero is a developing beach town south of Todos Santos. This is where Topia Retreat Center is located.
Cerritos Beach is a 25 minute walk away. And past participants enjoyed their daily ocean swim there.
I highly recommend adding a couple days to your trip if you want to explore more of Baja California Sur.
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No. The current at the beach is dangerous and it’s not recommended people swim in it. The closest swimmable beach is Cerritos Beach and it’s about a 25 minute walk from the resort.
However, there is direct beach access and the shore is a great the perfect place to hang, relax, or do a morning workout.