I'm sitting with a lot of fear right now.

I just spent the weekend in Aspen at my 4th retreat this year.

Yes 4th!! They compound every single time.

Every next level of my life requires a new version of me, and I'm committed to becoming her.

I've been living in Portugal the last 6 weeks, embracing a season of slowness for the first time ever. I ended my trip early to fly across the world to a retreat center in Colorado with 0 cell service and limited wifi.

I had no choice but to slow down even more. To disconnect from the demands of every day and reconnect with myself and my community. I was lucky enough to stay in a log cabin with 2 of my newfound closest friends, giggling late into the night and playing in the surprise snow like kids on Christmas morning.

I make space in my life for these immersive weekends because they always crack me open in the best way. I enter with an intention, and always leave with a breakthrough I didn't know I needed.

This time, my teachers mirrored back to me the places I still need to heal and celebrated how much I've already grown this year.

During one of the sessions, I raised my hand to share.

I went up to the front and asked the group, "Who just wants to be seen as their most authentic self?"

Every hand shot up.

I then said, "Keep your hand up if you're also terrified of being fully seen."

The hands stayed raised.

Ahh, we're all the same.

I said, "Me too. I desire to be seen for my MOST authentic truth... and also still have a deep rooted fear of being seen for it. Because when you're truly seen, you can be rejected for who you truly are.

And that's terrifying."

This fear comes up all the time when you're trying to build an energizing career and permissionless life that lights you up, not what you think you should do. It requires honesty about who you are and the willingness to risk rejection to be seen as that version of you.

I also shared how badly I desire to "have it all figured out". How much a part of me craves certainty even though I live in the messy middle every. single. day.

I was reminded again that my power comes not from having it all figured out, but from admitting that I don't.

There is so much strength in vulnerability — in being seen for who you truly are — even when you're in the messy middle of finding your way (aren't we all?!).

As we wrapped up, one of my teachers reflected to me:

"Katy, I feel so much fear in your field. And I also know that you do things scared. The world has been changed by the people who do it scared. You're extremely brave and that's your superpower."

It cut deep. He's right. I am scared all the time, and also choose to move forward with courage.

I can be both terrified to step into my next level, and also take action with my fear along for the ride.

If I'm fully honest, I'm afraid to host my first retreat in <4 weeks... AND I am ready.

I'm ready to create this kind of transformational experience for my community.

Because ready is a decision, not a feeling.

I know that it's going to be absolutely life changing for the leaders who choose to attend because I've committed to making it so (and the leaders coming are truly incredible humans ready to play full out).

Slowing down is how you speed up. There is immense power that comes from stillness, from listening to your inner voice by quieting the outside noise.

Through meditations, transformational breathwork, yoga and sound healing, time in nature, small group conversations by the fire, and large group sessions, I'm creating a container that gives my community the opportunity to slow down to reconnect with themselves and with others on a similar growth journey.

From that place, clarity emerges. It becomes possible to commit to becoming the version of yourself who lives out that vision. You can more authentically connect with others as your true self and live a life in alignment with who you truly are, not who you think you should be.

Authentic alignment is worth prioritizing.

When you know you're Meant for More than an average life, it's imperative.

Now, it's your turn to reflect...

• Do you want to be fully seen but still spend most of your time hiding?
• Are you letting fear keep you small vs. using it as fuel to propel you forward?
• Are you too busy to slow down, and also know you can't keep up this pace?
• What would be possible if you had true clarity on your north star?

Be honest with yourself.

From my experience, there are 2 types of people:

1. Those who say "I'm committed to my growth" but they let fear hold them back. They keep repeating the same patterns, stories, and behaviors, and wait for a magical time in the future when they'll feel more ready to change.
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2. Those who decide "I've had enough. It's time to show up differently"... and then they actually do. They lean into spaces that call them forward, hold them accountable, and help them grow. They play full out, with fear along for the ride, because living a meaningful life is worth it.

Which camp are you in? Do you want to stay there?

P.S. There are only 3 spots left for my retreat in November. If you know you're meant for more than an average life, and you're ready to bust through all the blocks holding you back from fully claiming it → Join me in Asheville, North Carolina Nov 7-9th for a transformational weekend.

If you feel a desire to slow down, to reconnect with yourself, to get clarity & step into 2026 with a powerful vision that lights you up... you're meant to be there.

When Sarah joined my Meant for More Retreat, she said: "I'm scared, and I know that's the green light that means I need to do this."

I don't know when I'll host another retreat, so if you are planning to catch the next one, change your plans. DM me "RETREAT" on LinkedIn for more details & we'll chat to see if it's the right fit for you.