Fall Lakeside Brotherhood:
A Men’s Leadership Retreat to Reconnect and Renew
You, present.
The world needs you.
More than ever.
Not the version of you that's running on empty, grinding through, holding it all together with sheer will. The world needs men who are centered enough to listen before they act, strong enough to be tender, clear enough to lead with integrity instead of ego. The kind of man who coaches his kid's team and also asks hard questions at city hall. Who shows up fully — at the table, around the fire, at home.
That man doesn't emerge from hustle. He emerges from stillness, from honest reflection, from time in the earth and in the company of other men who are doing the same worthy work.
This is a small, invitation-only wilderness retreat for men of character — dads, brothers, civic leaders, educators, caretakers of community — who know that to care well for others, you first have to come back to yourself.
Five days in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: no phones, no performance, no pretending. Just forest, fire, deep conversation, and the kind of clarity that only comes when you slow down long enough to hear yourself think.
You don't need to be worn out to belong here. You just need to believe the world is worth showing up for — and that you're worth showing up as.
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 reconnection. A reset. A chance to strip away the BS and reconnect with the man you are and are 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.
If you’d like to read more about the experience, please read this article about a recent retreat.
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 maybe 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 14 - Oct 18, 2026 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Location: Porcupine Mountains, Michigan
The Hike: 4-mile walk-in to the cabin (pack light, bring heart)
Meals: All-inclusive (we 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.
$2100
with a limited sliding scale to $1500 at the lowest to make accessible.
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.
Invitation only
Invitations arrive by post.
To inquire about an invitation, please write to:
ryan@exceptionallygood.org
