I’m not the type of person to believe in “fate” as I have often found that my luck is made by hard work. The problem with that approach for me is that 25 years later I found myself physically tired, emotionally exhausted, and lacking the “spark” that has propelled me for the majority of my life. On the advice of my business coach and loved ones; I searched for a quick break that I hoped would allow me to recharge. 

 After searching for nearly 2 months for a solution; I found myself looking for a trip that would allow me to detach from my daily routine but also provide a “deliverable” that allowed me to feel like I came away with something that I could integrate into my daily life. Oddly enough; the google bunnyhole of research put me on the information page for the Sea Level retreat.  

 I cannot say that I wasn’t nervous, apprehensive, and slightly uncomfortable with being disconnected from my company and family for an extended period of time; but more importantly, I also had the same feeling about being thrown into a group of “strangers” for 5 days as well. Being surrounded by nature and natural setting was exciting, while the idea of being out of control was absolutely nerve wracking (but also very necessary). 

 Without a doubt, my experience at Sea Level is one of the most jarring and important steps I have taken in a very long time. I found that the comradery of my peers, the accommodations,  and the facilitation of the program to be the perfect mix. I came away from the retreat with a new focus and energy that I have not had in the nearly 18 months prior. I also can honestly say that I found friendships in my fellow attendees that will linger on for the rest of my life. 

 I would recommend (and already have) the retreat to any other guy looking to break up the mental blocks and physical fatigue that many of us feel in our day to day lives. Jeff and his team have mastered the art of being professional and approachable when it comes to coaching/self improvement.

It’s hard to describe Sea Level. But the work and experiences I had during the retreat gave me the understanding and the voice to do it. This transformational and intensive long weekend left me open, loving, more creative and more connected. It is not an easy and relaxing weekend; you will go through deep work, you may cry, you will scream at the jungle, you will get frustrated and you will doubt. Do the work, on the other side of what you fear is what you are looking for. Sit with your silence and your truth; and be entrusted to sit with the truth of your brothers. It’s a truly surprising and amazing experience to be able to connect, identify and support your fellow brothers which days ago were nothing more than strangers. Your leadership will flourish, as will your deeply rooted strengths’ which are given space and encouragement to come into the light again. Disconnect from the grind and be with yourself, raw unadulterated nature and a community of doers and creators. It goes fast and slow all at the same time. During practice, I unlocked deep emotions and cried like a f*&%ing baby. Then I began to heal, and I’ve never felt more like a man as I do right now. This retreat gives you the opportunity to connect and reveal your highest self that the world deserves. Sign up, show up, do the work and reap the rewards.

Sea Level gave me the experience I needed and the community I wanted. Jeff established a beautiful and remote environment in Costa Rica that allowed me to be truly immersed in nature, enveloped in the energy of the group, and dive into the proudest and scariest depths of myself. I instantly felt a connection to the brothers in this group. Everyone embraced their vulnerabilities, their strengths, the ability to be generous and supportive, and the growth that lay ahead of them. While the journey was uncomfortable at points, I learned an incredible amount about myself in just a few short days. I have a better sense of identity and I uncovered epiphanies that will lead me to opportunities that I did not fathom previously possible. I cannot more highly recommend this overwhelming, intense, and enlightening trip for the man who is looking for himself and wants to develop a community of like minded men to lift him to his highest self.

Going to Costa Rica with Jeff and the brothers I made along the way was a truly inspiring wake up call. What a gift it is to be in a jungle paradise diving deeply into yourself and seeing aspects of yourself in so many others. This experience emboldened my sense of self, my priorities, my innate strengths and shed light on patterns and tendencies that no longer serve me. In order to attain the present and future I desire (and am more than capable of), I have to shed – and that is what Jeff and co allowed for me to do in their presence. I am forever grateful for the empowerment, vulnerability, illumination and poetry of the experience – and for being pushed beyond what I thought were my limits to discover how much further I can go. And then go even farther. I look forward to integrating more of my discoveries with Jeff into my life, living with ever greater fulfillment, intention and love.

For years I have been looking for an experience that would deepen the connection with the men in my life and bring new like-minded men together to create new connections. I tend to find myself doing this in bars or businesses but that experience is rarely rooted in deep connection, healing, and adventure.

My experience at Sea Level one was one of a kind and unmatched. From the beginning, the intention that Jeff placed behind the experience was anchored in trust, exploration, and connection. This experience gave me the space and tools to reconnect with my feminine and masculine. Ultimately supporting me in doing shadow work to heal generational trauma and re-imagine the ways of my masculine.

I would 100% recommend this experience to every man on the planet. Sea Level is what is necessary for us to heal and reconnect with our oneness.

My friend Thomas asked me if I’d be interested in
participating in a men’s retreat. He had a hard time describing
the retreat’s objectives or Modus Operandi.
I got the part where I’d be sharing space and time with
8 cool people from different walks of life. That was enough
to get me interested, plus, Thomas is not one to set me
up for a bad trip.

I got the call done, met Jeff (the coach), answered my intro and the follow up.

Then, had a call with the guys, and a call with my mate.

That’s when I first got a hint that this would be more than an
interesting episode. I said to myself: I lucked out!
These guys seemed genuinely interesting and I saw huge opportunity
to share in a space where by design, all participants would be open
to communicate. I had so many questions.

The road trip was a test in itself. For us and the guys the
*getting there* was pivotal to achieving the detachment
we needed to get to the inner work.

We were tucked in a place that was far apart, Bio-Baroque,
beautiful, silent, humid. You may say we were in the earth’s vagina.

I also understood that I could not answer to anyone back home
even if I wanted to. Whatever I did prior to take off had to
work while I was away.

As we dug into the forest reserve lodge, we immediately went to labor.
I felt exhaustion on emotional muscles I don’t often use.
We were answering heavy questions, listening to monumental
answers, seeing ourselves in the other. Being born was a lot of work.

This ongoing work developed a sense of wonder in me.
Was I a child again?
We are in the infancy of awareness.
No longer scared to touch a brother’s heart, hold a brother who is in tears,
listen to a brother who desperately calls for forgiveness, only to hope he
can forgive himself.

Empathy, Compassion, Love.

I had heard of awakenings. Read them in various forms, by various authors. This was mine and ultimately it was so overwhelming that I understood it could
not be explained, and could only be shared through action.

Jeff is proof of action that sparks change. I wonder if he understands how much he helped me and us. I hope he does. I hope he feels the gratitude I have towards this experience which he envisioned and created for us. We all have a new floor to step on, thanks to him.

I didn’t get what I wanted out of this experience. I came to Sea Level searching for clarity in my career. I wanted some tangible professional goals I could reach for in the next few years. Before coming, I had success with life plans in the past and I wanted to find my next big mountain to climb. I wanted an answer to “What was my next big professional accomplishment? What do I need to do to be successful?” And I left without that answer, but not empty handed. Something I knew but didn’t want to admit to myself was that no matter how many things I had accomplished in the past, I was never happy — and I found out why at Sea Level. I caught a glimpse of myself. Not the reflection I had seen in the mirror every day, but actually who I was. And I realized I had been holding a deep resentment for myself, and would never fill that void in my chest with any number of accomplishments in my career or relationships. But through the unabashed support of the community I found at Sea Level, I started down the path of meeting myself and coming to terms with that. So what did I leave with? A love for myself that I didn’t have before and a family of brothers who would undoubtedly support me through anything, as I would do for them. Sea level started me on a path of living a whole life. I realized I had been living a half life of striving for contentment with more money, material goods, and career accomplishments but wasn’t content with myself. Sea Level started me on the path to find real contentment and joy through a new love of myself and love for my brothers. I didn’t leave with what I wanted, but what I needed and I’m forever grateful for that.