Episode 268 - The Gift of Stepping Away: How Retreats Support Growth, Clarity, and Renewal

When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step away from the noise and create space to reconnect with yourself. In this episode, Mardi Winder sits down with Ellen Whiteside, owner of Sacred Grove Retreat Center and host of Mindset and Miracles, to explore the transformative power of retreats and why they can be especially valuable during times of change, loss, divorce, grief, or personal transition.

Ellen shares her journey from massage therapist to retreat center owner and discusses how a series of unexpected life events led her to create a sanctuary dedicated to healing, reflection, and personal growth. Mardi and Ellen talk about the importance of stepping away from daily responsibilities, disconnecting from constant distractions, and giving yourself permission to focus on your own needs for a change.

They also discuss the difference between group retreats and private retreats, the role of intentional practices such as journaling and meditation, and how rituals can help support personal transformation. Ellen explains how creating space for reflection can help people process major life changes and begin to envision what comes next.

The conversation also explores the power of mindset, personal responsibility, intuition, and the importance of choosing thoughts that support growth rather than limitation. Whether you are navigating divorce, grief, burnout, or simply feeling stuck, this episode offers valuable insights into creating the space needed for healing and renewal.

Mardi and Ellen discuss:

• Why retreats have become an increasingly popular tool for healing and self discovery

• The benefits of stepping away from daily responsibilities during major life transitions

• The difference between group retreats and private retreat experiences

• How journaling, reflection, and intentional practices support personal growth

• The connection between mindset and creating positive change in your life

• Why giving yourself permission to receive support is an important part of healing

• The value of creating time and space to reconnect with yourself and your future vision

• How small shifts in perspective can create powerful results

About the Guest:

Ellen Whiteside has been the owner of Sacred Grove Retreat Center, a sanctuary for transformation and soul-led living, for the past 20 years. She spent a year traveling through Europe, often hitchhiking, where she learned manifestation through trust, intuition, and receivership in real time. She is also a DreamBuilder coach through the Brave Thinking Institute and she hosts a radio show called Mindset & Miracles.