April 2–5, 2026 and October 8-11, 2026 | Milfontes, West Coast Portugal
8 men. Real presence. No masks.
THE INVITATION
This is not a return to the wild.
It’s an arrival into the present.
Into your breath. Into your body.
Into the man you already are — beneath the weight of what you’ve carried.
If you’ve been holding everything alone, performing, pushing, suppressing — this is a space to soften.
To feel. To remember that you’re not broken.
You’re just tired of performing.
A NOTE FROM JOÃO
If you’re anything like the men I’ve worked with, there’s a part of you that is quietly exhausted. Exhausted from competing and performing. From trying to hold it all together.
This retreat was born from a different vision of masculinity. Not one rooted in the past, or in some mythical warrior fantasy — but in the now. In the breath, the nervous system, the raw voice. In the quiet courage of saying: I want to feel more alive than this.
This is a therapeutic, embodied experience — with real tools, safe process, and deep human connection. No masks. No roles. Just presence.
I will bring over 15 years of experience in psychology, group facilitation, creative leadership, and gender studies — grounded in clinical work, international retreats, and corporate well-being programs.
I’ll be there. Fully. And I invite you to be, too.
IS THIS FOR YOU ?
This retreat is for you if:
You’re ready to feel more and numb less.
You’re navigating a transition (loss, change, burnout).
You crave connection with other men — without competition.
You’re longing for clarity, rest, or just a safe space to be.
You want something you can feel empowered — not just a weekend high.
You're tired of performing a role and want to reconnect with who you really are.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Body reconnection through breath, movement, cold plunge, sauna, and rest
Emotional sharing in a safe, non-performative group — speaking is always by choice
Tools to regulate your nervous system and stay present in daily life
Honest connection between men — no masks, no roles, no pressure
Embodiment practices and rituals that are symbolic, simple, and grounded
Dynamic body activation, nature walks, creative space and silent pauses
Nourishing meals, slow time, and the permission to simply be
WHAT THIS IS NOT
contrary to other men’s retreats
Scream into a forest
Wrestle for your worth
Perform masculinity
WHAT THIS IS
We will invite you to
Be honest
Listen inward
Let yourself be met
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL & OPENING GROUND
Welcome. Slow down. Land in your body.
Arrival & orientation
Embodied movement to shake off the outside world
Nature walk - immerse yourself with nature
Fire gathering & open-hearted introductions and setting intentions
DAY 2 — THE BODY AS TRUTH
From tension to trust. From doing to sensing.
Morning dynamic body activation
Guided mindfulness walk by the sea
Surf class (optional)
Cold plunge + Sauna for release and grounding
Journaling & embodiment practice
Evening fire circle: “What My Body Has Never Said”
DAY 3 — EMOTION, CREATIVITY & CONNECTION
Listen deeper. Speak truth. Touch awareness.
Morning meditation & embodiment movement
Nature-based solo inquiry (with guidance)
Group creative brainstorm & dynamics: “The Man I’m Becoming”
Optional 1:1 therapeutic sessions
Evening fire circle: honest “check-in”
DAY 4 — INTEGRATION & THE RETURN
We prepare to reintegration — not to forget, but to self-empowerment.
Sunrise yoga or ocean meditation
Final embodiment practice: The Possible Man
Group closing ritual
Journaling for reintegration
Departure
PRICING AND ACCOMODATION
Transparent, fair, and human.
We know what it means to invest in yourself — and we honour that by being fully transparent with our pricing.
This is not a just another retreat.
It’s a real space, held by real people, with real costs — and a deep commitment to care.
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in simple but comfortable agro-tourism hosted by our local neighbors — 5 minutes walking distance from the Mind And Gap house, where all activities will happen.
Shared rooms with single beds
Bed linen and towels included
Limited private rooms available (+€40)
Swimming pool at the rooms compound
Superior Luxury Comfort is also available at walking distance - see agro-tourism “Monte da Corça” and “Naturarte Rio”. Enquire upon reservation for availability.
YEARLY BIRD - 1 MONTH BEFORE START
€520
/person
Optional Private Room Upgrade: +€40 (only 4 available)
FULL PRICE
€630
/person
Optional Private Room Upgrade: +€40 (only 4 available)
Support Another Man
Support Ticket
Includes your full retreat
Contributes €70 toward the support fund
€590 / person
Full Ally Ticket
Includes your full retreat
Covers the full cost of one man’s Early Bird place (when matched with another Ally)
1150€ / person
All supporter contributions go directly into a transparent scholarship pool managed by the retreat host. If unused, they are reinvested into future men’s events.
You can also sponsor a space anonymously or contribute to the fund directly.
NEED FINANCIAL HELP ?
If you're in a period of financial challenge but feel genuinely called to be here, you can apply for a partial support.
Just let us know through the registration form or contact page.
We’ll do our best to meet you.
This is how we begin to shift the story. Together.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
We believe in conscious business.
Here’s how your investment is used:
Accommodation, Retreat space & equipment: €210 per person
Home-cooked meals: €120 per person
Facilitator & coordination team: compensated evenly if any money left after covering all costs
10% contingency buffer: to cover what life may bring
This retreat only happens if we are at least 4 men.
We welcome up to 8 men, and offer 4 private room upgrades. This is meant to be a small intimate group.
“I’ve done intense retreats before. But this was different — calmer, smarter. The body work, the talks, the space to just breathe… It was the first time I didn’t feel I had to prove anything.”
Michal
34
“The way João holds the space is beyond words. Gentle, sharp, human. I felt seen and challenged — not through rituals or archetypes, but through presence and real conversation.”
John
38
“What surprised me most was the realness. No one needed to be loud. No masks, no pressure. Just men being honest — and learning how to live better in their actual lives.”
Oscar
47
“For the first time, I said I’m not okay — and no one tried to fix me. Just presence. Just men, listening.I left knowing I’m not alone.”
David (monthly men's gatherings participant)
47
FAQ - Need help?
Don't worry, we got you. Here are some answers for your questions.
This is a therapeutic, embodied experience — not a spiritual ceremony or clinical intervention.
It’s a grounded space where men come together to rest, reflect, and reconnect.
We work with body, emotion, presence and group process — not with dogma, diagnoses or performance.
No. You don’t need to have done anything like this before.
All you need is the willingness to show up, to be honest with yourself, and to respect the space we co-create.
Everything else — we guide gently.
Never by force.
You are always invited, never obligated.
Some men speak on the first day, others only on the last — some choose silence.
All forms of presence are respected.
Yes. We offer flexible payment plans to support your participation.
Simply let us know in the registration form, or you can email us directly to set up what works for you.
The retreat ends — but the work continues.
You’ll be offered a free online integration circle a few weeks after we close, as well as resources for ongoing practice.
Many men also stay connected through the Mind And Gap network, joining future circles and forming lasting bonds.
Yes. While the core of this retreat is collective, there will be space for optional 1:1 sessions if you feel the need for deeper personal support.
These are not included in the retreat fee and will be available by pre-booking or request during the retreat.
They offer a more intimate moment to explore something specific — emotional, relational, or embodied — in direct dialogue with João.
Spots are limited, and priority goes to those who express interest early.
You don't need to roar. You just need to show up. You will be met - as you are.
João Vaz
Founder, Mind And Gap
CONTACT
STILL UNSURE?
Let’s talk. If you feel called to join but finances are a challenge, or you’re not sure if it’s the right fit, we’re open to dialogue.
Send us your email below so that we reach out to book a 1:1 call or simply exchange messages.
This space is for you — not for a version of you that has it all figured out.
Lisbon & Milfontes
Portugal
Want to reserve your spot ?
Fill out the form, we'll be in touch soon!
The Book
A groundbreaking and deeply personal book exploring new masculinities, emotional presence, and the courage to live without masks. Available now.
The Web APP
A pocket-sized companion for daily check-ins, journaling, embodiment prompts, and mindful reminders. Designed to keep the retreat’s impact alive — wherever you are.
The Courses (soon!)
A series of online programs guiding men through embodiment, emotional intelligence, and relational depth. Built from the ground up, with science, soul, and practice.
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