Six Years in the Making: Our First KickStart Retreat
Some dreams take time.
And sometimes, when they finally happen, they end up becoming even more meaningful than you imagined.
Back in 2025, one of the biggest milestones in our KickStart journey finally became reality: our very first KickStart Your Health Retreat in partnership with Rustic Mama Retreats at Camp Riverview.
For six years, we had talked about wanting to bring KickStart beyond screens, Zoom chats, trackers, and social media posts. We dreamed about creating a space where people could connect in person, move together, laugh together, learn together, and truly experience the heart of KickStart face-to-face.
And this weekend finally made that dream real.
From the moment everyone arrived at camp, the energy was something special.
Friday Night: Welcoming Everyone to Camp
Friday evening was all about settling in, getting comfortable, and helping everyone connect right from the start.
After check-in, we gathered everyone together for a fun “Mix & Mingle” icebreaker game where participants had to find their matching partner using cards with sayings and pictures. It didn’t take long before the room was filled with laughter, conversations, and people stepping outside their comfort zones.
One of the things we hoped most for during this retreat was creating an environment where people felt welcomed, included, and supported — and within the very first evening, it already felt like that was happening naturally.
Dinner that night was a comforting meal of balsamic glazed chicken, rice pilaf, vegetables, and salad before we moved into one of our favourite traditions of the entire weekend: the Healthy Snacks Social.
Anyone who knows us knows that Jean-Luc and Nick LOVE snacks, so sharing some of our favourite healthier snack ideas became such a fun and interactive way to kick off the retreat.
The evening continued with lighthearted games, conversations, and eventually a peaceful campfire under the stars.
There was something incredibly special about sitting around the fire knowing that this dream we had talked about for years was finally happening.
Saturday Morning: Movement, Learning & Connection
Saturday morning started bright and early with fresh air and movement — exactly the kind of energy we hoped this retreat would bring.
We kicked off the day with a hike around the beautiful Camp Riverview grounds, surrounded by nature, conversation, and the calmness that only camp weekends seem to provide.
After breakfast, things picked up quickly with a fun and energizing Step class that had everyone moving, sweating, laughing, and cheering each other on.
One of the best parts of the retreat was seeing women of different ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels all encouraging one another without judgment. It truly captured what KickStart has always been about: progress, support, and community over perfection.
Later that morning, we officially introduced everyone to the heart of the KickStart program through one of our workshops focused on commitments, tracking, routines, and accountability.
It was amazing seeing participants asking questions, sharing experiences, and connecting with one another over challenges and goals that so many people have in common.
Lunch that afternoon became another hands-on experience with our “Build Your Own Healthy Lunch” workshop.
Participants were able to create balanced meals using fresh salads, quinoa, wraps, buns, and healthy sides while we discussed how meal prep, planning, and keeping healthy staples nearby can make wellness feel much more manageable in everyday life.
And honestly? The food was delicious.
Saturday Afternoon & Evening: Inspiration, Snacks & Campfire Conversations
The afternoon continued with an incredible session led by Tracy Frankland from TransformMe Coaching.
Her workshop focused on hormones, vitamins, nutrition, food labels, and overall wellness in a way that felt practical, empowering, and approachable. Watching everyone engaged, taking notes, and asking questions reminded us exactly why we wanted to create this retreat in the first place.
Afterward, we shifted back into something fun and interactive with our DIY healthy snack session featuring homemade gummy bears and protein balls.
Simple moments like these ended up becoming some of our favourites because they showed that healthy living doesn’t have to feel restrictive or overwhelming. It can be creative, enjoyable, and social too.
The afternoon also included some downtime where participants explored the beautiful campgrounds, relaxed by the water, and visited the adorable farm animals around Camp Riverview.
Dinner that evening featured pork roast, roasted squash, potatoes, and salad before one of the most memorable sessions of the weekend began.
We were joined by the incredible Richard Cole who entertained and inspired everyone with a session focused on mindset, confidence, motivation, and believing in yourself.
By the end of the evening, the room was filled with laughter, emotion, encouragement, and a sense of connection that honestly exceeded anything we imagined when planning this retreat.
And of course, no camp retreat would be complete without ending the night gathered around the campfire once again.
Some of the best conversations of the entire weekend happened sitting around those fires.
Sunday Morning: Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Weekend
Sunday morning arrived much too quickly.
After a weekend filled with movement, workshops, games, campfires, learning, dancing, and connection, nobody really seemed ready for it to end.
We started the day with a delicious eggs Benedict breakfast before gathering everyone together for group photos to capture the memories we had created over the weekend.
Before everyone headed home, we hosted one final session walking participants through the KickStart Dashboard and website so they could continue building on what they learned throughout the retreat long after the weekend ended.
As the retreat came to a close, we felt overwhelmed with gratitude.
Grateful for every single person who trusted us enough to attend.
Grateful for the laughter, vulnerability, encouragement, and positivity shared throughout the weekend.
And grateful to Rustic Mama Retreats, Jen, Brent, Camp Riverview, and everyone behind the scenes who helped bring this dream to life.
Looking Ahead to Fall 2026
The most incredible part?
This was only the beginning.
After seeing the friendships formed, the confidence built, and the energy created throughout the weekend, we knew immediately that we wanted to continue growing these retreats and creating more opportunities for people to connect in person.
And we’re so excited that our next retreat is already on the calendar.
🍂 Join us for the Fall 2026 KickStart Retreat
📅 September 18–20, 2026
📍 Camp Riverview
This fall retreat will focus on helping participants reflect, reset, and build momentum heading into the busy season ahead — all surrounded by cozy autumn camp vibes, workshops, movement, connection, and community.
If this first retreat taught us anything, it’s that there’s something truly powerful about bringing people together in real life.
And honestly? We can’t wait to do it again. 💚
Comments