Shannon Jamail is a retreat leader, business mentor, and owner of a stunning 46-acre retreat center. Her journey began over 15 years ago, blending her expertise as a mental health therapist with her passion for creating spaces where people can find peace, balance, and transformation. Through hosting her own retreats and teaching others how to design their own, Shannon has built a thriving, purpose-driven business that inspires and empowers. Humans of Fuzia is honored to feature her story to inspire our 5 million-strong community, as we continue to champion the values of He for She and She for She.
Q: How did your journey with MindBody begin?
Shannon: I started over 15 years ago, primarily working with women through wellness retreats and programs that focused on mind and body. My background is as a mental health therapist, so I was addressing mental wellness alongside physical and emotional well-being. Over time, my work evolved into primarily retreats—hosting them, helping others learn how to host, and managing my own 46-acre retreat venue.
Q: Who are the people you usually work with?
Shannon: I actually have two main audiences. The first is women who attend my retreats—those who are stressed, overwhelmed, and looking for tools to feel better and bring more balance into their daily lives. The second is small business owners, coaches, and wellness professionals who want to add retreats to their business model.
Q: What benefits have your clients experienced from your retreats?
Shannon: For attendees, retreats give them tools to reduce stress, find more peace, joy, and connection, and take those lessons home. For those learning to host retreats, it’s about building a profitable, sustainable retreat business that integrates with what they already do.
Q: Have you ever faced imposter syndrome?
Shannon: I think most people do at some point. For me, the best way to avoid it is to focus on what you’re delivering and stop comparing yourself to others. No one else has your exact voice, energy, or experience. Keep your head down, keep getting better, and stay focused on your own “why.” That’s your North Star.
Q: Knowing what you know now, would you have done anything differently when starting out?
Shannon: Honestly, I don’t believe in mistakes as something to regret. Every mistake or failure I’ve had has strengthened me, taught me lessons, and given me empathy. Those moments shape how you grow and how you help others.
Q: What challenges do you see in the retreat industry?
Shannon: The biggest challenge is that in the wellness and spirituality space, there’s often a negative mindset around money. Some believe retreats should be free or low-cost without considering sustainability. I believe in profit—not for greed, but so you can hire people, give scholarships, reinvest in the community, and take care of yourself and your family. If you’re a good human, make a lot of money and do a lot of good with it.
Q: How do you define success?
Shannon: For me, success is freedom—yes, financial freedom, but also the freedom to create, to learn, to spend time with family, to prioritize health, and to live according to your values. Success looks different for everyone and changes with life’s seasons.
Q: Is there something exciting coming up for you?
Shannon: Yes! I’m hosting a one-day workshop on October 10th at the Waldorf Hilton in London for anyone in the retreat industry—leaders, coordinators, photographers, branding experts, anyone connected to retreats. It’s about learning, collaborating, and surrounding yourself with motivated, supportive people. The energy in spaces like that is pure magic.
“Focus on your own path, keep improving, and tune out the noise—no one can do what you do in exactly the way you do it.” — Shannon Jamail
Connect with Shannon Jamail:
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mindbodycomplete/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/mindandbodycomplete/
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