Why Your Body Might Be the Key to Your Healing: Inside the SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men
You Can’t Think Your Way Out of Numbness
If you’re like most men I work with, you’ve tried it all—books, podcasts, therapy. You’ve analyzed your trauma, worked on your mindset, even started meditating. But something still feels... stuck.
That stuckness? It’s not in your head—it’s in your body.
That’s where SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men comes in. This isn’t a retreat to talk about change. It’s a place where change happens—in your nervous system, in your muscles, in the way you breathe and connect. In this post, we’ll explore what makes SHIFT different and why somatic work may be the missing piece in your healing.
What Is Somatic Work—and Why Does It Matter for Men?
Somatic work is about coming home to your body.
Too many of us have been conditioned to override physical and emotional cues: push through pain, suppress tears, ignore tension. Somatic practices reverse that. They teach us to feel again—and to listen to what those feelings are trying to tell us.
At SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men, this means:
Learning to recognize when your body is stuck in fight, flight, or freeze
Using movement, breath, and touch to regulate your nervous system
Gaining the tools to stay grounded—even when life gets overwhelming
Men playing reflex games at SHIFT Men’s Retreat 2024
Beyond the Mind: What Really Happens at SHIFT
Unlike a typical men’s retreat, SHIFT isn’t built around lectures or motivational speeches. It’s built around experience. Every part of the SHIFT experience is designed with intention—from the way the day flows to the way the group holds each other.
ARRIVAL: Friday, 8/29/25
Registration starts at 3pm
SHIFT program begins with dinner at 6:30pm
DEPARTURE: Wednesday, 9/3/25
Shuttles pick us up at 11am
Here’s what a day at the retreat might include:
Mornings
Self directed morning ritual
Continental breakfast
Holotropic breathwork
Anusara yoga
Brunch
Afternoons
Embodiment Practices
Men’s work
Rest + Restore time
(massages, pool time, beach time, naps, etc)
Evenings
Dinner
Men’s work
Self directed evening ritual, fire pit, games, prepare for bed, etc.
Each moment is designed to take you out of “performance mode” and into embodied presence.
Who Comes to SHIFT—and Why
Men come to SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men when they’re done pretending. When they’re ready to drop the armor. They’re teachers, fathers, queer men, veterans, CEOs, and artists. Some are new to personal development. Others have been doing the work for years but have plateaued.
What they all share is the courage to get real.
SHIFT welcomes men who:
Feel emotionally numb or shut down
Struggle with anxiety, burnout, or chronic tension
Want to connect with other men in a real, non-competitive way
Are open to learning through the body, not just the mind
Meet Mike Sagun: Your Guide Through the SHIFT
As a queer Filipino-American man, Mike Sagun knows what it’s like to navigate identity, trauma, and masculinity. He also knows the power of somatic healing because it saved his life.
Mike brings a rare blend of presence, professional training, and lived wisdom to each retreat. As a certified professional co-active coach (CPCC) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), he guides men into deep inner work with grounded compassion and unshakable safety.
This Isn’t Just a Retreat—It’s a Nervous System Reset
We often think healing is about fixing something that’s broken. But what if nothing’s broken?
At SHIFT, we don’t fix men—we see them. We create a space where your body can finally exhale, your mind can rest, and your true self can emerge without judgment.
That’s what makes SHIFT more than just a retreat. It’s a reset.
What Past Participants Are Saying
“Join SHIFT and redefine your path to transformation with Mike Sagun—it's a journey that transcends therapy and somatic work.” - Johnny C.
“I left the retreat feeling rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. The SHIFT retreat with Mike Sagun is a life-changing experience.” - Francisco C.
“Mike helped me take off my Lone Wolf armor and discover a deeper, more connected version of myself—I haven’t felt this alive in years.” - Bob K.
Men often walk into SHIFT skeptical. They walk out different—more embodied, more connected, more whole.
Topia Boutique Retreat Center — SHIFT Men’s Retreat 2025 Location
Planning Your Journey: Logistics + What to Expect
Location: El Pescadero, Baja California Sur (nearest airport: Los Cabos International Airport, SJD)
Length: 6 days, 5 nights
Group Size: Intimate (10–14 men max) for personalized attention and safety
Includes:
SHIFT Men’s Retreat Program (value: $2,000)
Lodging for 5 nights at Topia Boutique Retreat Center (value: $2,000)
3 Home Cooked Meals a Day + Snacks (value: $500)
4 Anusara Yoga Classes (value: $80)
4 Holotropic Breathwork Sessions (value: $80)
1 60-minute Post-Retreat 1:1 Somatic Coaching Session with Mike (value: $250)
1 60-minute massage (value: $150)
Guided Hike & Lunch on the Beach ($100)
2 Pre-Retreat Group Calls (value: $50)
1 Post-Retreat Group Call (value: $25)
Shuttle to/from Topia Boutique Retreat Center (value: $230)
Access to pool and jacuzzi
A total value of $5,465
Price: $3,000 USD
What to Pack:
Passport if you’re traveling from outside Mexico
(make sure it isn’t expired)
Clothes to move and lounge in
Swim trunks
Footwear for the beach and sneakers for a light hike
Hat
Sunglasses
Reusable Water bottle
Journal + Pen
A book you've been wanting to read
Sunscreen
Medications you need
Ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper
Rash guard if you want to surf
*No pressure to do this, but some of us like to dress a little up for dinner. Nothing formal – think
beach-chic.*
SHIFT Retreat FAQ: What You’re Wondering About Most
Is it LGBTQ+ friendly?
Absolutely. SHIFT is intentionally inclusive, and all men are welcome. Mike is a proud gay man.
What if I’ve never done men’s work before?
You don’t need experience—just willingness. There will be other men whose first experience into men’s work is SHIFT Men’s Retreat.
Will I have to share in front of a group?
You’ll be invited, never forced. Everything is done with consent and care.
Can I come alone?
Most men do—and leave with deep friendships.
You’re Not Broken—You’re Ready
If you’ve read this far, your body is already telling you something: it’s time.
It’s time to pause. To feel. To shift.
SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men isn’t a magic bullet. But it is a space for real change—for reclaiming your body, your story, and your strength.
Take the Next Step
If something inside you feels ready—even if the rest of you is unsure—trust that. Your body knows. It’s time to come home to it.
SHIFT Men’s Retreat: A Somatic Retreat for Men is where numbness starts to thaw, isolation gives way to connection, and healing becomes a lived experience.
Here’s how to get started:
👉 Save your spot with a deposit
📞 Book a free consultation call
📥 Download the SHIFT Brochure
