The solar beams down on us as we talk about our nomadic life and fervour tasks. One second, we’re doing burpees on the seashore and the following, we’re sharing our expertise and experience in a enterprise mastermind session. That is only a typical morning at one of many world’s coolest enterprise and mindset retreats, hosted by The Nomad Escape.
I just lately spent two weeks with The Nomad Escape in Madeira, Portugal. The primary week was the Degree Up Enterprise Retreat, an intimate group expertise geared in 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. Every retreat supplied loads of alternatives to community, study new issues, and soak within the lovely 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, function, and enjoyable. I’m completely satisfied to report that we skilled all of the above and a lot extra.
In the event you’re a digital nomad seeking to take your corporation to the following degree, The Nomad Escape is looking your title. And even for those who’re not a distant employee simply but, you possibly can nonetheless come alongside for the journey. You’ll depart the expertise feeling impressed to take motion on no matter journey is true and genuine to you.
Primarily 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 possibly can count on on a retreat with them.
What’s The Nomad Escape?
Earlier than 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 group builder, this group hosts retreats and occasions for digital nomads all around the world. Their group additionally consists of entrepreneurs and creatives who aren’t location impartial, however are open to dwelling a extra nomadic life-style. The principle focus is to assist members study new expertise, degree up their companies, and join with like-minded individuals — all in unique areas across the globe.
But it surely’s not all work and no play at The Nomad Escape. These retreats provide loads of alternatives to calm down and have enjoyable, with actions like yoga, karaoke, and sightseeing constructed into the schedule. Plus, with a give attention to constructing a way of group and supporting each other, you’ll come away from the retreat feeling not solely extra productive and profitable in your corporation, but in addition extra linked and impressed by the opposite digital nomads you’ll meet.
With out additional ado, listed below are some key takeaways from my current retreats with The Nomad Escape.
Degree Up Enterprise Membership Retreat
One month in the past, I arrived in Madeira for the Degree Up Enterprise 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 bunch of 15 like-minded entrepreneurs and digital nomads from across the globe. Collectively, we shared concepts and expertise from our private {and professional} lives – all whereas taking within the lovely landscapes of this unique island. Right here have been a few of my favourite elements of the expertise:
Masterminding periods and workshops
I used to be completely blown away by the masterminding periods and workshops, which impressed me to make essential modifications in my life and add extra worth to the world as a journey blogger.
For individuals who aren’t acquainted: a mastermind is a bunch of like-minded people who come collectively to share concepts, help each other, and push one another to better heights of success. Consider it as a high-level assume tank, the place everybody is targeted on attaining their targets and serving to each other do the identical.
Throughout these periods, every of us shared some ache factors in our enterprise lives. From there, we obtained suggestions from our friends. For me, this was a strong train. Having 14 different individuals with completely completely different life experiences and views weighing in on my state of affairs was tremendous worthwhile. The train additionally alerted me to some blindspots and new concepts that I hadn’t thought of earlier than.
Past the masterminding, I additionally actually loved the skill-sharing periods, the place every of us obtained 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 or not you’re seeking to degree up your corporation, enhance your private growth, or simply need to encompass your self with pushed, profitable people, these mastermind periods and workshops have been a key a part of the general expertise.
Morning exercise
For me, this was one other spotlight of the Degree Up Enterprise Retreat. Every morning, we did a exercise on the seashore – together with yoga and excessive depth interval coaching (HIIT). Some exercises have been led by Luis Calado from Madeira Associates, 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 beautiful locals from Madeira island. Such an effective way to begin the day!
Some studying this may occasionally dread the considered a morning exercise as a part of a enterprise retreat, however hear me out. While you prioritize bodily exercise, you’re not solely caring for your well being, however you’re additionally setting your self up for achievement in different areas of your life. Discovering your bodily edge in a exercise has constructive results in your bodily and psychological well being, and finally offers you extra power and confidence to sort out some other challenges that you just’ll face in the course of the day.
There are many different retreats on the market the place bodily exercise just isn’t on the menu. So, I appreciated that they included this into the every day schedule.
Connection Actions
Every night time earlier than dinner, we spent an hour doing heart-centered actions as a bunch. This included the Connection Card Recreation, the place we’d 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 seashore and one other doing karaoke and dancing. Every of those connection-focused actions introduced us all nearer collectively.
Incredible facilitators at The Nomad Escape
Such a collaborative and supportive group setting wouldn’t have been doable 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 proper facilitator for this expertise. Tiago was born on Madeira; his ardour for the island and private {and professional} growth was really contagious.
Along with Tiago, Michelle (the Founding father 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. However as soon as I noticed her take the reins and information the group by means of some actions…that’s after I absolutely realized why The Nomad Escape is the smashing success that it’s.
The breathtaking location on Madeira Island
The Degree Up Enterprise Retreat was an unbelievable expertise in its personal proper. Nevertheless, when bearing in mind the serene location within the coronary heart of Madeira, the retreat was really distinctive.
Madeira is a tropical paradise that can transport you to a land of infinite journey and leisure. 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 proper retreat location.
I totally 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 important style of island life. Throughout each The Degree 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
Past the windswept coast and gorgeous views of mountains and palm timber, I additionally loved the accommodations we stayed at. We spent the primary week on the Enotel Sundown Bay and through Nomad Island Fest, we stayed on the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol. The primary resort had an indoor pool and sauna, whereas the second had an out of doors infinity pool and spa space.
Every lodging supplied staggering views of Madeira’s sun-kissed shoreline and nice facilities for a weeklong keep.
The Nomad Escape is aware of the best way to have enjoyable
As talked about above, there’s a great stability of labor and play at The Nomad Escape. Considered 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 achievement for any retreat.
However past the early 2000s throwbacks, it was additionally good taking part in video games in between workshops, together with a Rock Paper Scissors match. 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 trying to recall one another’s names and poses, the sport went precisely as you’ll count on…it was a shit present in the easiest way doable, bringing loads of smiles and laughs to the night time.
Evidently, my internal youngster beloved all of the enjoyable and foolish actions all through this retreat.
The superb individuals at The Nomad Escape
Touring is all in regards to the individuals, and I actually beloved attending to know every of the members and facilitators on this retreat.
With such a small and intimate group, we shared so many enjoyable recollections collectively. Throughout these 7 days, we realized, laughed, and grew collectively. We obtained to know one another on a private {and professional} degree – studying in regards to the wins, the losses, and every little thing else that units our hearts ablaze.
I left the retreat feeling tremendous grateful for all of the superb instances spent collectively. It’s at all times unhappy to say goodbye, however I’ve little question many people will see one another once more actual quickly.
Ultimate ideas on the Degree Up retreat
General, the Degree Up retreat was an excellent enjoyable, insightful, and grounding expertise for me. Not like different retreats, which have a extra non secular and free-flowing aspect to them, I felt that The Nomad Escape offered a lot real-world worth that you may begin making use of at dwelling instantly. One way or the other I realized a lot extra sensible information in a single week right here than I did in a semester at enterprise college.
On the finish of the day, studying ideas and instruments are nice, but it surely’s the mushy expertise and enterprise experiences that matter most. By the tip of the week at The Degree Up retreat, I gained a lot readability about my distinctive strengths, pursuits, and passions that can undoubtedly make me profitable in something I set my thoughts to in life. I do know the others within the group felt the identical approach.
Nomad Island Fest
My second week in Madeira was spent at Nomad Island Fest. As you possibly can in all probability infer by the title, this was principally a one-week celebration for digital nomads, paired with private {and professional} growth. Although the vibe was excessive and upbeat always, we realized a heck of quite a bit throughout that week.
Whereas the Degree Up retreat was small and intimate, Nomad Island Fest was something however. There was near 100 individuals there – together with nomads, vacationers, and inventive spirits from all corners of the globe. It was fairly the adjustment going from such a small gathering to a giant one. Nevertheless, it was an important alternative to let unfastened and have enjoyable.
Beneath are a few of the distinctive qualities of this retreat in addition to the important thing takeaways. I received’t be discussing the placement, 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:
Excessive vibes throughout
From the second Derek Smith, the Grasp 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 incredible quantity of power 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. All through 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 whenever 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 largest 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 worthwhile a part of the retreat.
All through the week, audio system offered worth to the viewers on a wide range of subjects, together with entrepreneurship, private development, gross sales, sustainability, and different area of interest areas pertaining to enterprise. Considered one of my favorites speeches was by Jimmy Naraine, titled “the best way to create your bestselling on-line course.” I hadn’t actually considered making a web based course till that lecture, and now I’m tremendous impressed to begin one.
Different audio system mentioned subjects like the best way to construct a 7-figure enterprise, the best way to scale your corporation, and the best way to construct a killer gross sales staff. General, I discovered the content material to be very sensible, tangible, and one thing you might start making use of instantly whenever you get dwelling (effectively…no matter “dwelling” could be for a digital nomad, anyway).
The occasion areas at Nomad Island Fest
From the Estalagem glass home and sundeck to the John Passos Cultural Heart, the venues for the workshops and actions have been completely excellent. All of the open areas at Nomad Island Fest offered 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 wonderful oceanfront location – studying about new and thrilling issues whereas taking in views of palm timber and watching the waves as they crashed towards the shore.
Island exploration
Each retreats had a devoted day for exploring the island, which was positively a spotlight of the expertise. In any case, whenever you’re in a vacation spot as lovely as Madeira, it’s important to exit and see it!
As talked about above, in the course of the Degree Up retreat, we obtained to discover the island on an open air bus – seeing the uncooked and unspoiled nature up shut whereas doing a little karaoke.
Throughout Nomad Island Fest, we spent a day touring the island in a jeep. We visited some extremely gorgeous locations, together with Fanal forest and São Vicente. Sadly, it was wet and foggy for a lot of the drive – making it troublesome to see the encompassing landscapes. Seems {that a} sunny day in Ponta do Sol doesn’t at all times translate to solar up within the mountains. Madeira has 4 completely different local weather areas at various elevations, so at all times be ready with a swimsuit and a jacket!
Group dinners have been an effective way to finish the day
After a protracted day of enterprise mindset and private growth actions, it was so good to calm down and luxuriate in dinner collectively.
Every night time of the retreat, we obtained to take pleasure in a three-course meal on the Estalagem Da Ponta Do Sol Restaurant. Although there was a set menu every night time, there was positively sufficient selection to maintain vegans and carnivores alike completely satisfied. However in fact, the most effective half was attending to know others and sharing how our days went.
Ultimate ideas on Nomad Island Fest
Jam-packed with workshops, actions, and networking occasions, Nomad Island Fest was a dash and a marathon on the identical 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 power than the extra intimate Degree Up Retreat expertise. Nevertheless, it was definitely no chillier, inviting, and impactful.
In any article the place I evaluation a journey expertise, I additionally like to offer alternatives for enhancement. In any case, no retreat is ideal and there’s at all times one thing to work on. If I might provide only one approach 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.
Certain, the jeep tour was an important alternative to do some exploring. And naturally, some individuals got here to Madeira early (or stayed later) — giving them ample time to see the island on their very own. Nevertheless, 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 every little thing they’ve realized. Given the fast-paced tempo of the retreat, I really feel that a little bit additional exploration would’ve been good. In fact, for those who have been to skip an exercise on the schedule, there could be no laborious emotions both. Simply 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 group, The Nomad Escape is actually the absolute best foray into this realm of chance.
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