Founder Wellness Retreat
Startup life isn’t a sprint, it's a marathon (granted, one with quite a few sprints sprinkled in). In the age of AI, the pace has grown even more frenetic, and it's increasingly difficult to find time to pause and reflect. How can we ensure that we derive value from new technologies without allowing them to warp our sense of self-worth and agency?
Fatigue is an inevitable part of the journey, and it's essential to find time to recharge. To that end, we've partnered with Sky Yoga, 43 North, and Space on Seneca to bring you a day of R&R, intermixed with some guided sessions and conversations focused on work-life balance and the ways in which AI is transforming our ways of working.
AGENDA
10:00am – Arrival & Light Refreshments
Informal arrival and coffee; an opportunity to connect with fellow founders, investors, and operators.
10:15am – Opening Session: Slowing Down
Led by Sky, this session combines light grounding techniques with a short talk on building intentionality and clarity amidst the day-to-day intensity of startup life.
11:00am – Breakout Tracks: Two Paths to Recharge
Choose from one of the following sessions, designed to meet different modes of reflection:
Track 1: Restoring the Body — guided movement with Colleen Heidinger (no yoga experience needed)
Track 2: Sharpening the Mind — a guided discussion on founder identity, self-awareness, and performance psychology led by Kristen Fox, a leadership coach at TalentRise
11:45am – Lunch & Roundtable Conversations
A locally sourced meal served alongside guided discussion prompts focused on leadership resilience and founder wellbeing.
12:15pm — Coaching Conversation: Exploring Our Relationship With Artificial Intelligence
12:45pm – Integration Sessions: Applying What We’ve Learned
Two options to synthesize the morning sessions into practical takeaways:
Track 1: Embodied Focus — an active session with Sky or Colleen designed to recharge attention and regulate stress.
Track 2: Leadership Resilience Lab — led by Kristen Fox, a founder-focused conversation on sustaining performance and navigating burnout.
1:30pm – Restorative Practice With Sound Journey
A short, accessible practice to integrate the day’s learning and reset your cognitive state.
2:00pm – Wrap Up at Mandana Barn
3:00pm — Optional Kayaking Expedition