Dynamic Embodied Men’s Work & Breath Retreat on the West Coast
Step Into True Integration
Have you ever felt like you’re brimming with knowledge yet still unable to fully live out your insights? The Not Done Yet men’s gathering at Spirit Camp from January 16–20, 2025 is a chance to break free from mere intellectual understanding and enter the realm of Embodied Men’s Work. Hosted by dedicated coach Travis Streb, this transformative retreat on the West Coast fuses potent breath-based practices, men’s circles, and body-centered leadership exercises to ignite lasting transformation.
If you’ve been seeking a men’s embodiment workshop that helps you integrate wisdom on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level, consider this immersive experience in Northern California. Over the course of four nights and five days, you’ll dive headlong into breathwork for men in California, guided movement sessions, and candid brotherhood circles that stir the core of who you are. By the end, you’ll walk away with not just new knowledge, but an enlivened, embodied approach to every facet of your life.
A Frontier of Full-Body Awareness and Deep Brotherhood
Unlike many men’s programs that only scratch the surface, Not Done Yet invites you to live out your truth at every level—thought, word, and action. Imagine starting each morning with breathwork tailored to open the body, soothe the mind, and awaken emotional presence. This daily practice sets the stage for open-hearted conversations in a West Coast men’s circle, where vulnerability isn’t just welcomed; it’s integral to meaningful growth. Through interactive exercises, participants learn how to lead from a place of embodiment, forging connections that don’t dissolve when the retreat ends.
For men who sense that “book knowledge” alone isn’t enough, this men’s holistic transformation retreat can catalyze real behavioral shifts. Guided by Travis’s decade-plus experience in leadership development, the program’s design ensures every tool—be it breath, brotherhood, or movement—anchors your growth deep into your nervous system.
The Ancient & Modern Roots of Breathwork
A Global Tapestry of Breathing Traditions
From India’s pranayama practices to Taoist breathing methods in ancient China, breathwork has underpinned spiritual and healing traditions worldwide for millennia. Early Christian mystics also harnessed the power of intentional breathing to cultivate stillness, self-reflection, and devotion. Across cultures, breath has always been seen as a gateway to spiritual realms and a conduit for emotional release.
Over time, these varied practices found resonance in modern techniques like Holotropic Breathwork (developed by Stanislav Grof) and rebirthing breathwork, which gained popularity in the 1970s. More recent integrative forms incorporate elements of psychotherapy, neuroscience, and body-based awareness to address everything from trauma to creative blocks. Such practices often emphasize prolonged or altered breathing patterns that trigger shifts in consciousness and access to suppressed memories, sensations, and emotions. Learn more.
The “Why” Behind Combining Breathwork & Embodied Men’s Work
In a world saturated with digital distractions, many men yearn for deeper emotional intelligence and authentic connection. While talk therapy or academic study can offer insights, breath is a direct channel to the nervous system, allowing men to bypass the mind’s usual defenses. By focusing on controlled inhalations and exhalations, participants gently stir the body’s energetic layers, revealing vulnerabilities and emotional truths long buried under daily stress.
This immediacy is precisely why breathwork complements body-based leadership training so effectively. When you learn to regulate your breath, you learn to regulate your reactions. Rather than defaulting to anger, avoidance, or denial, you gain the ability to pause, feel, and respond in ways aligned with your deeper values. During a men’s circle, breathwork can amplify honesty, create shared empathic resonance, and enhance group trust. Men can let go of facades and sink into genuine presence with one another. Learn more.
Meet the Facilitator: Travis Streb
From Athlete to Embodiment Coach
For Travis Streb, coaching is more than a vocation—it’s a calling he’s answered since high school, where teammates dubbed him “Coach” for his ability to inspire collective performance. Moving into the business world, he found success in executive coaching but realized traditional approaches often lacked the staying power to create genuine, embodied shifts.
Driven by curiosity, Travis immersed himself in diverse disciplines—breath, movement, shadow work, and men’s relational training with mentors like John Wineland and David Deida. He discovered how bridging physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions created lasting, tangible change in men’s lives. Having guided thousands of hours of leadership sessions, Travis now zeros in on integrating new traits into the nervous system rather than simply discussing them. His approach blends accountability, compassion, and experiential exercises that push men beyond old limitations.
Embodied Guidance for Deep Transformation
In the West Coast men’s circle setting, Travis is both gentle and firm, challenging participants to strip away egoic defenses and show up authentically. Each day, he weaves breath-based interventions into group sessions, using the body’s signals as a compass for deeper emotional exploration. The result is a container where men confront limiting narratives and install fresh ways of leading, loving, and living.
Beyond the retreat, Travis offers continued support through a year-long container of virtual gatherings and community check-ins, ensuring the breakthroughs you experience aren’t just fleeting memories but catalysts for meaningful life changes.
The Spirit Camp Experience: A Fusion of Camp Charm & Transformational Depth
Morning Sessions: Guided Breathwork & Embodied Movement
Set amid towering redwoods in Mendocino County, Spirit Camp is more than a picturesque backdrop—it’s a living partner in your journey. Each morning, the crisp forest air energizes your breath-based practice, while the ancient Redwood energy invites you to slow down and drop into presence. The day might start in the open meadow or in the cozy Redwood Lodge, with the sound of rustling trees and distant ocean breezes grounding you for what’s ahead.
Afternoons: Men’s Circle Intensives
Come afternoon, you’ll gather for integrative Northern California men’s intensives where Travis guides deeper explorations into integrity, brotherhood, and purpose. Expect a mix of group coaching, movement-based leadership drills, and reflective exercises that stretch your comfort zone. Conversations can be raw, direct, and liberating, as each man learns to speak his truth while holding space for others.
Evenings: Fireside Reflections & Shared Meals
After dinner—typically a hearty, plant-forward spread that nourishes rather than weighs you down—participants convene around a fire pit or in the Magic Meadow. Whether it’s storytelling, sharing breakthroughs, or diving into personal shadows, the flickering firelight cradles these intimate moments. On some nights, the mood might shift to playful camaraderie with music or spontaneous dance, a reminder that healing and joy often arise hand in hand.
Balancing Serious Inner Work with Camp-Like Camaraderie
Spirit Camp weaves “camp vibes” into a setting of spiritual depth. Picture comfortable bunkhouses, glamping tents in warmer months, or private cabins if you crave solitude. The bathhouse facilities maintain a nostalgic nod to childhood summer camps while remaining impeccably clean. During downtime, you might wander to the Sanctuary for quiet contemplation or lounge on the Redwood Lodge’s deck with fellow participants, forging connections that resonate long after the retreat wraps up.
Why the West Coast Is Ideal for Embodied Men’s Work
There’s something in the air along the West Coast—a willingness to explore new frontiers, challenge the status quo, and embrace open-hearted growth. Nestled in Northern California near Highway 1, Spirit Camp is less than three hours from the bustling San Francisco Bay Area yet feels worlds apart in tranquility.
Driving along scenic roads through tall forests and passing Sonoma or Marin counties, you’ll sense a subtle shift from city pace to Redwood hush. The location’s proximity to ocean cliffs means you can also explore coastal trails and beaches if you arrive early or linger after the retreat. This balance between Redwood stillness and Pacific expansiveness sets the stage for the introspection and rebirth that Embodied Men’s Work demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
“What level of fitness is required for daily breathwork?”
Breathwork sessions are adaptable to all fitness levels, requiring no previous experience or extraordinary athletic ability. You’ll be guided through various breathing rhythms, with breaks to ensure safety and comfort.“Will dietary preferences (vegan, gluten-free) be accommodated?”
Yes. Spirit Camp meals often feature plant-based, locally sourced food—naturally aligned with vegan or vegetarian diets. If you have specific allergies or preferences, just let the retreat facilitator know ahead of time.“Is there a structured follow-up after the retreat?”
Absolutely. Not Done Yet is more than a single event; it’s a year-long program. You’ll have access to virtual sessions and ongoing community support, allowing you to sustain the momentum of your breakthroughs and deepen connections formed at the retreat.
Explore the Local Scene in Northern California
Spending four nights in this body-based leadership training intensive might inspire you to extend your stay and experience the diverse landscape of Mendocino County. If you’re looking to integrate your retreat insights with extra adventure, consider these options:
Beach Picnic at Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
A quick drive up the coastline leads you to Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, known for its unique geological terraces and dramatic ocean vistas. This spot is perfect for a reflective picnic as you watch waves crash against the cliffs. The area’s tidepools teem with marine life, offering a chance to witness the ocean’s own rhythms and cycles. As you stroll along the trails, let the sea breeze remind you of the spaciousness and renewal you felt during your men’s embodiment workshop sessions.
Hiking the Redwoods in Jackson Demonstration State Forest
If you yearn for a deeper communion with the forest, head inland to Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Home to miles of serene, uncrowded trails, this vast woodland allows you to explore old logging roads, witness diverse flora, and even catch glimpses of local wildlife. The hush of these towering giants can enhance your post-retreat reflections, making each step a meditative experience. Hiking here is a wonderful way to integrate new emotional insights through gentle, mindful movement.
Wine Tasting in Anderson Valley
For those who have extra days before or after the retreat, Anderson Valley—located just a bit inland—offers rolling hills, vineyards, and small-town charm. While the men’s holistic transformation retreat itself maintains a sober environment, some participants opt to explore local wineries once the intensive has concluded. Whether you partake in the tasting or simply appreciate the scenic drive, the region’s pastoral beauty is a peaceful contrast to the Redwood canopy.
A Final Invitation
Embodied Men’s Work is the frontier where intellectual insight meets lived experience—where breath, brotherhood, and integrated leadership converge. If you feel a pull to embody your knowledge, stretch your emotional edges, and deepen your ties with other men forging a similar path, the Not Done Yet retreat awaits.
From daily breathwork for men in California to fireside conversations under ancient Redwoods, each day unfolds a new layer of self-discovery, trust, and compassion. Don’t let another year pass by without stepping into your full potential. Learn more about the Not Done Yet men’s retreat here and claim your place in a community of men ready to do the work. For those seeking more explorations that complement or deepen this journey, see all similar themed retreats at Spirit Camp and find the experience that calls you.
TOPICS:
Embodied Men’s Workmen’s embodiment workshop, breathwork for men in California, West Coast men’s circle, men’s holistic transformation retreat, body-based leadership training, Northern California men’s intensives, West Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Mendocino County.