The solar beams down on us as we focus on our nomadic existence and fervour tasks. One second, we’re doing burpees on the seaside and the following, we’re sharing our expertise and experience in a enterprise mastermind session. This is only a typical morning at one of many world’s coolest enterprise and mindset retreats, hosted by The Nomad Escape.
I lately spent two weeks with The Nomad Escape in Madeira, Portugal. The first week was the Level Up Business Retreat, an intimate group expertise geared in the direction of enterprise and private development. And the second week was Nomad Island Fest, which is precisely prefer it sounds – a festive celebration of all issues digital nomad. Each retreat provided loads of alternatives to community, be taught new issues, and soak within the stunning island of Madeira.
For our group — starting from on-line coaches and digital entrepreneurs to content material creators and software program builders — all of us got here to Madeira for 3 issues: individuals, goal, and enjoyable. I’m glad to report that we skilled all of the above and a lot extra.
If you’re a digital nomad seeking to take your online business to the following degree, The Nomad Escape is looking your title. And even for those who’re not a distant employee simply but, you may nonetheless come alongside for the trip. You’ll go away the expertise feeling impressed to take motion on no matter journey is true and genuine to you.
Based on my two weeks with The Nomad Escape as each a participant and speaker, right here’s a evaluation of my expertise and what you may anticipate on a retreat with them.
What is The Nomad Escape?
Before leaping into my experiences at these retreats, let’s first cowl what The Nomad Escape is all about.
Led by Michelle Maree, a passionate visionary and neighborhood builder, this group hosts retreats and occasions for digital nomads everywhere in the world. Their neighborhood additionally consists of entrepreneurs and creatives who aren’t location unbiased, however are open to residing a extra nomadic way of life. The fundamental focus is to assist individuals be taught new expertise, degree up their companies, and join with like-minded individuals — all in unique places across the globe.
But it’s not all work and no play at The Nomad Escape. These retreats supply loads of alternatives to chill out and have enjoyable, with actions like yoga, karaoke, and sightseeing constructed into the schedule. Plus, with a give attention to constructing a way of neighborhood and supporting each other, you’ll come away from the retreat feeling not solely extra productive and profitable in your online business, but in addition extra linked and impressed by the opposite digital nomads you’ll meet.
Without additional ado, listed here are some key takeaways from my latest retreats with The Nomad Escape.
Level Up Business Club Retreat
One month in the past, I arrived in Madeira for the Level Up Business Retreat. I went there craving new concepts and expertise to assist me degree up my enterprise, and left with all of the above and a lot extra.
I spent the week with a gaggle of 15 like-minded entrepreneurs and digital nomads from across the globe. Together, we shared concepts and expertise from our private {and professional} lives – all whereas taking within the stunning landscapes of this unique island. Here have been a few of my favourite components of the expertise:
Masterminding classes and workshops
I used to be completely blown away by the masterminding classes and workshops, which impressed me to make vital modifications in my life and add extra worth to the world as a journey blogger.
For those that aren’t acquainted: a mastermind is a gaggle of like-minded people who come collectively to share concepts, assist each other, and push one another to better heights of success. Think of it as a high-level suppose tank, the place everybody is concentrated on reaching their targets and serving to each other do the identical.
During these classes, every of us shared some ache factors in our enterprise lives. From there, we acquired suggestions from our friends. For me, this was a robust train. Having 14 different individuals with completely completely different life experiences and views weighing in on my scenario was tremendous useful. The train additionally alerted me to some blindspots and new concepts that I hadn’t thought of earlier than.
Beyond the masterminding, I additionally actually loved the skill-sharing classes, the place every of us bought to current our space of experience to the group. I did a 15-minute presentation on private branding, which I felt landed with many within the viewers. With so many group actions and workshops, there have been many alternatives to work on public talking.
Whether you’re seeking to degree up your online business, enhance your private growth, or simply wish to encompass your self with pushed, profitable people, these mastermind classes and workshops have been a key a part of the general expertise.
Morning exercise
For me, this was one other spotlight of the Level Up Business Retreat. Each morning, we did a exercise on the seaside – together with yoga and excessive depth interval coaching (HIIT). Some exercises have been led by Luis Calado from Madeira Friends, a non-profit that organizes health and different community-oriented actions to digital nomads, expats, and locals on the island. On different mornings, we did yoga and sound healings with Cristiano and Anna, two pretty locals from Madeira island. Such an effective way to begin the day!
Some studying this may increasingly dread the considered a morning exercise as a part of a enterprise retreat, however hear me out. When you prioritize bodily exercise, you’re not solely caring for your well being, however you’re additionally setting your self up for fulfillment in different areas of your life. Finding your bodily edge in a exercise has constructive results in your bodily and psychological well being, and finally offers you extra vitality and confidence to sort out some other challenges that you just’ll face throughout the day.
There are many different retreats on the market the place bodily exercise shouldn’t be on the menu. So, I appreciated that they integrated this into the every day schedule.
Connection Activities
Each night time earlier than dinner, we spent an hour doing heart-centered actions as a gaggle. This included the Connection Card Game, the place we might every draw a card from a deck and reply no matter query was on it. The questions have been designed to get us a bit out of our consolation zones – encouraging us to share deep and significant ideas with the group.
We additionally spent a night watching the sundown on the seaside and one other doing karaoke and dancing. Each of those connection-focused actions introduced us all nearer collectively.
Fantastic facilitators at The Nomad Escape
Such a collaborative and supportive group surroundings wouldn’t have been potential with out the facilitators.
Tiago guided us by means of many of the actions and workout routines that week. Not solely is he a cool and personable man, however he additionally takes a real curiosity and curiosity in different individuals. Add to that his enjoyable and playful demeanor, and he was the right facilitator for this expertise. Tiago was born on Madeira; his ardour for the island and private {and professional} growth was actually contagious.
In addition to Tiago, Michelle (the Founder of the Nomad Escape) additionally led us by means of some workout routines and workshops that week. I met Michelle just about earlier than the retreat and was impressed by her ardour and drive. But as soon as I noticed her take the reins and information the group by means of some actions…that’s after I totally realized why The Nomad Escape is the smashing success that it’s.
The breathtaking location on Madeira Island
The Level Up Business Retreat was an unbelievable expertise in its personal proper. However, when bearing in mind the serene location within the coronary heart of Madeira, the retreat was actually distinctive.
Madeira is a tropical paradise that may transport you to a land of infinite journey and rest. Nestled within the Atlantic Ocean, not removed from the African coast, this island gem is bursting with vibrant tradition, breathtaking landscapes, and loads of alternatives to disconnect from the hustle of every day life. It’s no marvel, then, that this was the right retreat location.
I completely loved staying in Ponto do Sol, the sunniest a part of the island. It has an excellent low-key and relaxed vibe that provides you an ideal style of island life. During each The Level Up Retreat and Nomad Island Fest, the entire venues have been solely a brief 5-10 minute stroll from each other. So, it couldn’t have been a extra handy and idyllic place to host a retreat.
The lodging have been image excellent and handy
Beyond the windswept coast and beautiful views of mountains and palm timber, I additionally loved the accommodations we stayed at. We spent the primary week on the Enotel Sunset Bay and through Nomad Island Fest, we stayed on the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol. The first lodge had an indoor pool and sauna, whereas the second had an outside infinity pool and spa space.
Each lodging provided staggering views of Madeira’s sun-kissed shoreline and nice facilities for a weeklong keep.
The Nomad Escape is aware of tips on how to have enjoyable
As talked about above, there’s a very good steadiness of labor and play at The Nomad Escape. One of my fondest recollections of the retreat was exploring Madeira on an open-air bus, all whereas singing karaoke songs by Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys.
We additionally spent a number of nights jamming out with a guitar and singing and dancing to our favourite songs. This gave every of us the chance to be enjoyable, foolish, and genuine – the recipe for fulfillment for any retreat.
But past the early 2000s throwbacks, it was additionally good taking part in video games in between workshops, together with a Rock Paper Scissors event. On the primary night time, we additionally performed a reputation sport, the place we launched ourselves and acted out sure actions that every member of the group needed to memorize. With 15 individuals all making an attempt to recall one another’s names and poses, the sport went precisely as you’ll anticipate…it was a shit present in one of the best ways potential, bringing a number of smiles and laughs to the night time.
Needless to say, my interior little one beloved all of the enjoyable and foolish actions all through this retreat.
The superb individuals at The Nomad Escape
Traveling is all in regards to the individuals, and I actually beloved attending to know every of the individuals and facilitators on this retreat.
With such a small and intimate group, we shared so many enjoyable recollections collectively. During these 7 days, we discovered, laughed, and grew collectively. We bought to know one another on a private {and professional} degree – studying in regards to the wins, the losses, and the whole lot else that units our hearts ablaze.
I left the retreat feeling tremendous grateful for all of the superb occasions spent collectively. It’s all the time unhappy to say goodbye, however I’ve little doubt many people will see one another once more actual quickly.
Final ideas on the Level Up retreat
Overall, the Level Up retreat was an excellent enjoyable, insightful, and grounding expertise for me. Unlike different retreats, which have a extra religious and free-flowing aspect to them, I felt that The Nomad Escape supplied a lot real-world worth that you would be able to begin making use of at house immediately. Somehow I discovered a lot extra sensible information in a single week right here than I did in a semester at enterprise faculty.
At the tip of the day, studying ideas and instruments are nice, nevertheless it’s the smooth expertise and enterprise experiences that matter most. By the tip of the week at The Level Up retreat, I gained a lot readability about my distinctive strengths, pursuits, and passions that may undoubtedly make me profitable in something I set my thoughts to in life. I do know the others within the group felt the identical means.
Nomad Island Fest
My second week in Madeira was spent at Nomad Island Fest. As you may in all probability infer by the title, this was mainly a one-week celebration for digital nomads, paired with private {and professional} growth. Though the vibe was excessive and upbeat always, we discovered a heck of so much throughout that week.
While the Level Up retreat was small and intimate, Nomad Island Fest was something however. There was near 100 individuals there – together with nomads, vacationers, and artistic spirits from all corners of the globe. It was fairly the adjustment going from such a small gathering to a giant one. However, it was an ideal alternative to let unfastened and have enjoyable.
Below are a number of the distinctive qualities of this retreat in addition to the important thing takeaways. I gained’t be discussing the situation, lodging, or the morning exercises right here, as they’re all described intimately within the sections above. Now, with out additional ado, right here’s what Nomad Island Fest was all about:
High vibes throughout
From the second Derek Smith, the Master of Ceremonies, walked on stage to kick off Nomad Island Fest 2022, I knew this was going to be a celebration. He and Michelle introduced an amazing quantity of vitality to this occasion, and it was a feast for the senses from the start.
We began the retreat with a pace networking session, which helped us get to know each other. From there, we have been led from one partaking exercise to the following – together with visitor speeches, workshops, and a lot extra. Throughout the week, there was such all kinds of actions and experiences that saved us entertained (and impressed). This saved the vibe excessive the entire time.
As they are saying, time flies if you’re having enjoyable. And let me inform you…this week completely flew by.
Knowledgable visitor audio system
At Nomad Island Fest, one of many greatest attracts was the lineup of visitor audio system. Okay, I could also be a bit biased as a result of I used to be considered one of them, however this was such a useful a part of the retreat.
Throughout the week, audio system supplied worth to the viewers on a wide range of matters, together with entrepreneurship, private development, gross sales, sustainability, and different area of interest areas pertaining to enterprise. One of my favorites speeches was by Jimmy Naraine, titled “how to create your bestselling online course.” I hadn’t actually considered making a web based course till that lecture, and now I’m tremendous impressed to begin one.
Other audio system mentioned matters like tips on how to construct a 7-figure enterprise, tips on how to scale your online business, and tips on how to construct a killer gross sales staff. Overall, I discovered the content material to be very sensible, tangible, and one thing you might start making use of immediately if you get house (effectively…no matter “home” is perhaps for a digital nomad, anyway).
The occasion areas at Nomad Island Fest
From the Estalagem glass home and sundeck to the John Passos Cultural Center, the venues for the workshops and actions have been completely excellent. All the open areas at Nomad Island Fest supplied an excellent laid-back retreat expertise, which was fairly a distinct vibe than different enterprise conferences and retreats I’ve been to.
It was inspiring to be in such a good looking oceanfront location – studying about new and thrilling issues whereas taking in views of palm timber and watching the waves as they crashed in opposition to the shore.
Island exploration
Both retreats had a devoted day for exploring the island, which was undoubtedly a spotlight of the expertise. After all, if you’re in a vacation spot as stunning as Madeira, you need to exit and see it!
As talked about above, throughout the Level Up retreat, we bought to discover the island on an open air bus – seeing the uncooked and unspoiled nature up shut whereas doing a little karaoke.
During Nomad Island Fest, we spent a day touring the island in a jeep. We visited some extremely beautiful locations, together with Fanal forest and São Vicente. Unfortunately, it was wet and foggy for a lot of the drive – making it troublesome to see the encompassing landscapes. Turns out {that a} sunny day in Ponta do Sol doesn’t all the time translate to solar up within the mountains. Madeira has 4 completely different local weather areas at various elevations, so all the time be ready with a swimsuit and a jacket!
Group dinners have been an effective way to finish the day
After an extended day of enterprise mindset and private growth actions, it was so good to chill out and revel in dinner collectively.
Each night time of the retreat, we bought to take pleasure in a three-course meal on the Estalagem Da Ponta Do Sol Restaurant. Though there was a set menu every night time, there was undoubtedly sufficient selection to maintain vegans and carnivores alike glad. But after all, the very best half was attending to know others and sharing how our days went.
Final ideas on Nomad Island Fest
Jam-packed with workshops, actions, and networking occasions, Nomad Island Fest was a dash and a marathon on the similar time. The week completely flew by and left me feeling surprised by all that had simply occurred. With so many individuals right here, this retreat carried a really completely different vitality than the extra intimate Level Up Retreat expertise. However, it was actually no chillier, inviting, and impactful.
In any article the place I evaluation a journey expertise, I additionally like to supply alternatives for enhancement. After all, no retreat is ideal and there’s all the time one thing to work on. If I might supply only one means for The Nomad Escape to enhance this expertise going ahead, it will be to have a little bit additional free time to discover the island.
Sure, the jeep tour was an ideal alternative to do some exploring. And after all, some individuals got here to Madeira early (or stayed later) — giving them ample time to see the island on their very own. However, I imagine that just some additional hours of free time would have been useful – not solely to discover the island in additional depth, but in addition giving individuals extra time to combine the whole lot they’ve discovered. Given the fast-paced tempo of the retreat, I really feel that a little bit additional exploration would’ve been good. Of course, for those who have been to skip an exercise on the schedule, there can be no arduous emotions both. Just an thought!
The Nomad Escape: the bridge between the digital nomad & private growth worlds
After two weeks of retreats with The Nomad Escape, I felt tremendous impressed and empowered to combine these new expertise and experiences into my very own life. I might 10/10 suggest these retreats for anybody who’s both a digital nomad already or is contemplating making the leap into this world.
With its superb management, distinctive experiences, and close-knit neighborhood, The Nomad Escape is really the very best foray into this realm of risk.
