LUCK IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY

Last August, I was sitting on the tarmac at LAX after arriving from Indianapolis for a birthday weekend of fun in the sun. As I reignited my phone, I saw MTV’s The Challenge post on Instagram—they were hosting a Season 40 event that weekend at the LA Coliseum. I begrudgingly dragged my sister, our bestie, and my brother-in-law out for the event, and later to a club where I rang in my 33rd birthday with old friends and new faces. I ended up watching all of Season 40, and like the rest of us, I saw Emily go home way too early.

Not long after, she launched Challenge Retreats—and cue the drooling. She was advertising Challenge-style competition paired with farm-to-table meals, meditation, and breathwork. I barely looked into it because I figured, yeah right, there’s no way I could afford it or carve out the time in my personal or professional life. So every time she posted about it, I’d swipe past immediately, thinking it was totally out of my realm.

Then in February, I saw that Tori Deal was also going to be there and thought, mhmm… maybe it wouldn’t hurt to just see what’s up with this retreat after all. I had trigger fingers and went straight to Emily’s website—only to find out the all women’s retreat was sold out. But, there was a waitlist. Waitlists are free… so I signed right up!

Four weeks before the retreat, I got the email: someone dropped out—do you want to go? I nearly threw my phone at my very supportive husband, who didn’t hesitate: “Yup. You have to go.” Thanks to a little encouragement from him, support from my brother and a crystal-clear personal and work calendar (funny how that works), I booked my flights and committed.

I sent Emily a screenshot of my confirmation, and she had no idea I made it off the waitlist and onto the trip. Cue a flood of excited emojis between us—and just like that, it was California dreamin’ for the next three weeks.

I remembered Emily had advertised this retreat with a strength training program and highly advised participants show up trained. Lucky for me, I’d been working my ass off at F45 since November, and since January, I’d been finishing one brain puzzle a week… not everything is a sign, but everything is a sign.

When I landed in SFO, I was buzzing—excited, anxious, all of it. Before greeting the other participants, I took a moment to settle my nerves with one of my favorite grounding activities: yoga. (Pro tip: SFO has a fabulous yoga room—check it out next time you’re there.) After 30 peaceful minutes, I grabbed my bags and headed out to meet the 39 other participants representing 22 states, plus Mexico and Canada.

There were hardcore Challenge fans, folks who’d never even seen the show or heard of Emily or Tori, moms, non-moms, CrossFitters, runners, and people who didn’t necessarily love to train at all—ranging in age from 22 to their late 40s. Strangers turned to fast friends as we waited together for the two-hour shuttle to our final destination: Teravana.

On our gorgeous ride north, we were blessed with that signature California sunshine and a crystal-clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge as we crossed it, leaving the city behind and heading deep into the redwoods of Cazadero.

After what honestly felt like a miracle—watching our bus climb foot after foot of wild elevation—we finally arrived at the property. We had a rough agenda going into this trip, but in true Challenge fashion, most of it was still a mystery.

We stepped off the bus and were greeted with warm smiles from the local participants, Emily, Tori, KellyAnne, and the rest of the facilitators. Tori and Emily as your camp counselors? Swag bags with EmPacks, Maui Teas, Laka matcha, and more? I mean… it does not get better than that.

We spent the next few days completely immersed—in challenges, in connection, in conversations that cracked us open and pieced us back together. There were moments that tested me physically and others that hit me straight in the heart. I laughed so hard, I had theeee most fun and of course, shed a tear here and there.

Somehow, in the middle of all the sweat, breathwork, and epic obstacle courses, I found a version of myself I hadn’t met in a while, if ever—strong, grounded, and wide open.

I went into this retreat thinking it was out of my realm. Turns out, it was exactly where I was meant to be.

So yeah… this was day one. Stayed tuned for the next four.

All photos by the lovely Lia of Oh, Honestly, a photography service.