Lead from within. Scale beyond ego.
ON PURPOSE RETREAT.
next one: 17 - 21 April 2026, Portugal. New Moon. New Season.
A space for leaders who carry a lot,
and rarely get to put it down.
Step out of the noise. Reset your nervous system.
Observe what drives you. Reconnect with your force of life.
Return lighter, more present,
and with embodied trust in your future vision.
"
THIS IS FOR YOU.
As a leader, and a person, you hold space for others every day.
But rarely is there space where you don’t have to
be strong, decide, or carry the weight.
Over time, patterns form. Control tightens. Trust fades.
Not because something is wrong,
but because your ego tries to protect yourself.
This retreat is a space to interrupt that pattern.
Not to escape,
but to reconnect with the part of you
that leads without force.
On purpose.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW.
A consciously designed 5-day journey with daily 4hrs workshops.
DAY 1 Reflect honestly about how you feel & where you are today
DAY 2 Envision where you want to be? How you long to feel? (future self)
DAY 3 Acknowledge what is holding you back (inner child)
DAY 4 Rewire those old patterns of limiting beliefs (fears)
DAY 5 Embodiment & making a commitment to yourself
Supported by Transformational Breathwork, Sunrise practices (incl. Pilates, somatic stretches, meditation), Sunset workshops to deep sleep, and Ayurvedic food (mostly plant-based).
TESTIMONIALS.
ERIC TAK.
GLOBAL HEAD OF PAYMENTS AT ING
"The best way to achieve a full reset of your work and life ambitions and dreams. I benefitted greatly from being in a wonderful and inspiring setting - away from the normal distractions and was able to unlock insights that had eluded me for so long."
AARON CALVO.
FOUNDER OF FORAGE AI
“The On Purpose Retreat completely transformed how I lead—letting go of control, empowering my team, and finally lifting the weight I thought I had to carry alone.” "Attending the On Purpose Retreat was nothing short of life-changing. As an entrepreneur navigating a tough year, I arrived feeling overwhelmed, burdened, and as if I were the sole defender of my business. But what I experienced over those five days in the hills of southern Portugal completely shifted my perspective. Being immersed in nature, away from technology, and in an intimate, intentional group created an environment where time seemed to slow down. Each session was carefully designed to uncover deep insights—not just about my business, but about myself. Unlike any other retreat I’ve attended, this experience blended powerful techniques and unique practices that sparked a profound internal shift. I walked away with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. I realised that true leadership isn’t about carrying the entire burden alone—it’s about empowering my team, holding them accountable, and trusting them with both tasks and outcomes. This shift has had a lasting impact, transforming the way I lead and setting a new standard for my business. Even a year later, I still reflect on the powerful moments from this retreat. It wasn’t just a getaway—it was a recalibration of my mindset, my leadership, and my approach to life. If you're a founder or leader seeking real transformation, On Purpose Retreat is an experience you won’t want to miss."
THE WHY BEHIND OUR SETUP.
Weaving nature, modern science & ancient wisdom to create space for transformation.
TRANSFORMATIONAL BREATH-WORK.
We can easily get lost in our minds, going in loops and looking for answers. While dreams are in our hearts. Furthermore, healing limiting beliefs and patterns happens in our bodies, our fascia. How? Through the breath, we can access and process those stored or stuck emotions. Feeling them means healing them.
INTENTIONAL DOWNTIME.
It's so important to have time to reflect, let insights sink in, journal, walk, swim, nap. It all benefits the process of transformation. Stillness is healing. The doing gets more depth when there is time for doing nothing in between. Time to rest. Time to share with others informally. Time to be alone in nature.
THE MORNING PRACTICE.
Rising with the sun helps to reset your circadian rhythm. Movement in the morning helps to get out of the head and into the body. It helps to release tension built up from the limiting beliefs in our fascia. To create space to just observe our thoughts and not identify with them. To create the conditions to listen to your heart and inner wisdom. Through movement, meditation and breath-work we increase our consciousness. Thus a key habit to making bold dreams a reality in a healthy, and joyful way.
CONSCIOUS FOOD & DRINKS.
Food is our daily medicine and affects our health and mood significantly. Intermittent fasting (12-16hrs) increases our clarity of mind. Alcohol and weed numb our emotions, while transformation requires feeling. Coffee and sugars increase anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and spikes and drops in energy. The plant-based Ayurvedic food will nourish you. Some days the spices used with soothe you, ground you, and other days it will uplift and energise you. Designed to fit the program. You will feel lighter, not bloated after this retreat.
SILENCE & NATURE.
Being in nature lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and fosters creativity. It gives perspective, and the sun on our faces feeds feelings of gratitude and joy. Silence lowers our urge to impress others, to be heard, and validated by others. It shifts our focus from outward to inward. From being reactive to being reflective. When there is no noise (opinions, questions, stories of others), we can truly hear ourselves, and process our own thoughts, feelings, and insights. Answers to deep questions are rarely given by others & often found in silence.
FACILITATED BY.
ABOUT THE LOCATION.
An off-the-grid holistic retreat center on the wild South-Western coast of Portugal.
Monte Velho is a 34 hectare, unique sanctuary set in a remote and part of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, where the land meets the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs, expansive beaches, and aromatic pine forests. Winding trails lead through untouched terrain, offering direct access to scenic coastal viewpoints and forest trails.
Founded in 2001 by a Portuguese couple with a deep respect for the land, Monte Velho is one of the oldest and most renowned retreat centres in the region. They initiated a major reforestation project in 1997, planting approximately 10,000 trees to regenerate the abandoned, degraded land. Today it's flourishing.
Surrounded by vast horizons, silence, and the rhythm of nature, something shifts naturally.
Space to breathe, and reconnect with your inner wisdom.
The food is all locally sourced (also from their own garden) and prepared freshly 3x per day by top chefs.
It is delicious, deeply nourishing and fulfilling. It is seasonal, biological, and mostly plant-based.
GIFT IT TO YOURSELF.
Friday 17 April - Tuesday 21 April 2026
New Moon. New season: the beginning of Spring.
5 days, 4 nights at Monte Velho, South-West Algarve, Portugal.
Nearby airports: Faro (1,5hrs) or Lisbon (3,5hrs) or Sevilla (3,5hrs)
Costs €1740 - €2260 (incl. VAT) depending on room choice.
(incl. all workshops, accomm. and plant-based meals & snacks. And 2x 1-1 calls
with Carlijn (45min) before & 1 month after the retreat. Excl. flight tickets & transfer)
max. 10 guests p/retreat to keep it interactive, and personal.
