The Reckoning: A Men’s Leadership Retreat to Reclaim Strength
(Because Real Men Build, They Don’t Break)
you are weak sauce.
ok, ok, …You’re not weak.
But you’re sure as hell worn out.
You’re tired. You’re stressed. You’re stuck in a cycle that feels like it’s grinding you down—constantly fixing problems, holding it all together, trying to be "the rock." But here’s the thing:
Rocks crack under pressure. Men do, too.
The version of masculinity we’ve been sold? It’s broken. It tells us to be tough, to never show weakness, to dominate instead of connect. But real strength isn’t about control. It’s not about how much you can carry alone. Real men don’t need to hurt people—or themselves—to prove they’re strong.
If you’re ready to break that cycle, to redefine what it means to lead as a man, this retreat is for you.
What if strength looked different?
What if it meant knowing when to ask for help? Owning your mistakes? Leading with integrity instead of ego? What if you gave yourself the space to reflect, to learn, and to reconnect with the kind of man you actually want to be?
Welcome to the Reckoning.
Five days. Four nights. Deep in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains. No phones. No distractions. Just you and a small group of men ready to do the worthy work of becoming better leaders, better fathers, better partners—better men.
Because you’re not broken. You’re just overdue for an upgrade.
Here’s what you can expect:
Here’s What You Can Expect:
A 4-mile hike into the wilderness (don’t worry, just your gear, your grit, and maybe a buddy to share the load—because real men know when to say, "Hey, can you grab this?")
1:1 Leadership Coaching with Ryan Maxwell, who’s been in the trenches of social good leadership since the '90s.
Journal Prompts & Reflections to unpack the baggage you didn’t even know you were carrying.
Group Challenges & Walk-and-Talks with men who aren’t afraid to have real conversations—the kind that matter.
Siesta Time & solo - because rest isn’t lazy; it’s essential.
Bonfires under the Stars - where the masks come off and the real stories get told.
Good Food, Good Company, Real Talk. (We handle the meals. You handle showing up hungry.)
This isn’t a “retreat” in the soft, cozy sense. It’s a reckoning. A reset. A chance to strip away the BS and reconnect with the man you were meant to be.
No cell service. No distractions. No excuses.
Just you, your journal, and a handful of other men of character ready to lift each other up and get the work done — the right way.
your facilitator: Ryan Maxwell
Ryan’s spent decades leading in education, social justice, and non-profits. From teaching in Oakland to founding schools in Chicago to national leadership roles, he's seen it all. He’s also a former camp counselor, which means you’ll get leadership coaching mixed with campfire storytelling and probably some bad harmonica playing. Ryan hosts the "Exceptionally Good Podcast," where he dives deep with world-changers about what leadership really means.
Are You Ready to Show Up?
Not just for this retreat—for your life, your team, your people. The world doesn’t need more men pretending they’ve got it all together. It needs men who are brave enough to do the work.
Join us. Get uncomfortable. Get real. And get ready to lead in that way that has been just out of reach.
the details:
Dates: Oct 15 - Oct 19, 2025 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Location: Porcupine Mountains, Michigan
The Hike: 4-mile walk-in to the cabin (pack light, bring heart)
Meals: All-inclusive (we’ll feed you & you feed your soul)
Agenda: Leadership coaching, reflection, group work, hikes, bonfires, real talk
Your team, your family, and the world need the best version of you.
Stop stalling. Let’s go.
$2000
Sliding scale slides to $1200 at the lowest if you need.
Cost includes everything from airport pick up to airport drop off:
all transport, gear, food, lodging and light facilitation by Ryan Maxwell.
Spots are limited.
Really limited — 4-5 guys max.
Your team — and the world — needs the best version of you.
Only fools think they should carry it all themselves. Good luck with that.
You’re not helping anyone that way.
No one wants that, brother.
We got you.