About this Retreat
Corey Martin is a Yale-trained family physician driven to change the delivery of healthcare and improve the mental and physical health of our communities. He is a founder of
Innovations in Resilience and the
Bounce Back Project, a practicing private group physician, Bush Fellow, and a consultant to many healthcare and educational organizations in their response to clinician burnout. Driven to do this work by the loss of two colleagues and friends, Corey strives to create an environment of opportunity in which all of us can do the deep, heartfelt work of changing the way we show up and interact in each other’s lives.
One of the ways he does this is by facilitating resilience retreats across the United States and throughout the world. He is both a Certified Daring Way Facilitator and Center for Courage & Renewal Facilitator and facilitates workshops based on the work of Brené Brown and Parker Palmer. In his free time, he enjoys working on his farm which he has recently turned into an event center. He lives in Maple Lake, MN with his three daughters. He is a recovering perfectionist and an aspiring “good enoughist”.
Mark Greenawald, MD, is Professor and Chair of Family Medicine and Community Medicine at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTC) and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Well-being, and Professional Development at Carilion Clinic. He also serves as Medical Director for the Carilion Clinic Institute for Leadership Effectiveness (ILE). A former President of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians, he was named Virginia Family Physician of the Year in 2016.
Mark is committed to clinician leadership and well-being. He has chaired the AAFP Physician Health and Well-Being Conference since 2018 and is faculty for the AAFP Leading Physician Well-being program. He has directed the AAFP Chief Resident Leadership Development Program for 25 years. He co-chairs the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians Well-being Committee and the Virginia Task Force on Primary Care Clinician Retention and Well-being. A trained coach since 2002, he has taught at the Healthcare Coaching Institute since 2014.
In 2019, Mark launched PeerRxMed (www.PeerRxMed.org), a nationally recognized program supporting healthcare professionals in their journey toward thriving.
Mark and his wife, Joanne, an Adult and Child Psychiatrist, live in Roanoke, VA, where they raised three adult children. In his free time, he enjoys stand-up paddleboarding, writing poetry, blogging, singing, and learning to say, “No, thank you.”
Details of this retreat
Asheville & the Great Smoky Mountains: Reflection, Renewal and Re-creation
October 23-27, 2027
$2,399 Shared | $2,999 Single
30+ CME/CEUs Available
“Between your present self and emerging self, there is a gap, a sacred space of uncertainty. Do not rush to fill it. Pause, listen, and let it inform you. And it will…”
(Anonymous)
Are you ready for “something more” in your professional life, however you might define “more”? Perhaps it means being able to show up differently—as a better version of yourself, with greater clarity, courage, and intention, living a life you genuinely look forward to waking up to each day. Now imagine gathering with a small group of kindred spirits in a setting completely conducive to your ongoing personal and professional evolution—immersed in an experience that will both equip you and give you the time, space, support, and encouragement to “go deeper” and discover what that “something more” might be for you.
If this stirs something in you, this retreat may be exactly what you’ve been searching for.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Asheville, North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Great Smoky Mountains, our immersive time together is designed to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit while creating space to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you feel called to go next. Asheville provides a remarkable setting for this work; a place where mountains, creativity, history, and natural beauty come together. From the lush grounds of the Biltmore Estate and peaceful gardens of the North Carolina Arboretum to waterfalls, expansive mountain vistas, and hikes along portions of the Appalachian Trail, the landscape itself becomes part of the retreat experience. We’ll venture into the Great Smoky Mountains and experience the extraordinary views from Kuwohi, one of the highest points east of the Mississippi.
Through a powerful blend of guided self-exploration, interactive learning, meaningful conversation, and transformative outdoor experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to identify thoughts, emotions, patterns, and behaviors that may be holding you back and explore new practices for moving toward a more authentic, resilient, and wholehearted way of being and living.
Our work together draws from the Center for Courage & Renewal, Brené Brown’s Daring Way™, the surprisingly profound wisdom found in Ted Lasso, and contemporary thought leaders in wellbeing, leadership, resilience, and meaningful living.
A Foundational retreat is designed for anyone who wants to strengthen the essential practices that support a more aware, resilient, and connected life. These practices are not simply for beginners; whether you’re exploring them with fresh curiosity or returning with new life experience and perspective, you’ll find opportunities for meaningful insight and renewed growth. Through reflection, practical tools, honest conversation, and supportive community, we help one another deepen self-awareness, nurture emotional well-being, and build a foundation that can sustain us through every season of life.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Throughout the week, our sessions will include:
Guided reflections rooted in poetry, story, and metaphor
Open, honest dialogue grounded in trust and shared vulnerability
Individual and small-group inquiry into purpose, identity, values, and inner wisdom
Practical tools for resilience, authenticity, courageous leadership, and navigating life's transitions with greater integrity
You’ll explore how you show up as a leader, healer, helper, partner, parent, friend, and human being and consider how to be more fully present in those roles without losing yourself in the process. There will also be time each day for solo reflection, journaling, movement, adventure, laughter, and meaningful conversations with fellow travelers on the path. Some moments will challenge you. Others may simply invite you to become quiet enough to hear what has been there all along.
And while we don’t promise breakthroughs on cue, we do something perhaps more important: We create the conditions in which they can emerge.
Come to Asheville ready to explore the mountains, reconnect with yourself and others, and make room for whatever might be waiting in that sacred space between who you have been and who you are becoming.
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
6:00am – 7:00am: Breakfast at the hotel
7:00am – 12:00pm: Transformational sessions focused on reflection, renewal, and creating what comes next. Through guided reflection, meaningful conversation, and experiential exercises, we’ll explore purpose, identity, resilience, authenticity, and how to show up more fully as a leader, healer, helper, and human being—without losing yourself in the process.
12:00pm – 5:00pm: Explore the extraordinary beauty of Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Great Smoky Mountains through hiking, waterfalls, gardens, mountain vistas, and time in nature. Afternoons may take us to places such as the Biltmore Estate, North Carolina Arboretum, Appalachian Trail, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
5:00pm – 6:30pm: Personal reflection time to rest, journal, recharge, or simply enjoy a little space of your own.
6:30pm – 8:00pm: Group dinner and time to connect, share stories, and enjoy Asheville’s vibrant food scene.
*Subject to change depending on weather, trail conditions, group needs, and spontaneous moments of magic along the way.
If you're longing for something more than just "fine"…If you're craving stillness, insight, adventure, and connection in equal measure…If you're ready to pause, listen deeply, and begin again with greater clarity…
This is your invitation.
DAILY ITINERARY
Saturday, October 23 | Arrival in Asheville, NC
Welcome to Asheville, North Carolina, where the creative energy of the city meets the timeless beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a fitting place to begin a week devoted to reflection, renewal, and discovering what might be waiting for you in the next chapter of your life. Arrive and take time to settle in. Explore Asheville’s vibrant arts and culture scene, wander downtown, enjoy one of the city’s renowned restaurants, take a walk along a nearby trail, or simply relax at the hotel. This day is yours to slow down, arrive fully, and ease into the rhythm of the week ahead. Our retreat officially begins at 4:00pm today by laying the foundation for the journey ahead, creating the brave and trustworthy space necessary for meaningful reflection and authentic connection. Overnight at Element Asheville Downtown.
Sunday, October 24: Laying the Foundation
Our first morning together begins with transformative educational sessions focused on gratitude, relationships, and mindset, the foundation for a more fulfilling life. This afternoon, we explore the iconic Biltmore Estate, the magnificent home created by George Vanderbilt and surrounded by gardens and grounds designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. We’ll have time to experience the estate, wander its gardens and grounds, sample wine, and explore its scenic walking trails. The combination of architecture, history, nature, and beauty provides an inspiring backdrop for our first day of reflection and discovery. Breakfast included.
Monday, October 25: Listening Within
Our morning sessions center on creating space in our busy lives; clarifying values, setting boundaries, and allowing new stories of meaning and purpose to emerge. Our afternoon unfolds in the tranquil setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, a beautiful public garden nestled within the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Its curated gardens, forested trails, and renowned bonsai collection provide the perfect environment to slow our pace and pay attention. As we walk, breathe, and reflect, we’ll consider what nature can teach us about stillness, surrender, resilience, and transformation. Breakfast included.
Tuesday, October 26: Releasing What No Longer Serves
Today’s morning sessions explore perfectionism, grief, forgiveness, courage, vulnerability, and authenticity, inviting us to examine the stories we carry and what we may be ready to release. This afternoon, we travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway before hiking a portion of North Carolina’s storied Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Winding through hardwood forests and mountain ridgelines, our trail leads toward the remnants of historic Rattlesnake Lodge, a once-grand mountain retreat slowly being reclaimed by the forest. Along the way, we’ll create space for conversation, solitude, and reflection. We finish our afternoon at Craggy Pinnacle, where sweeping views across the Blue Ridge Mountains invite us to step back and see our lives from a wider perspective. It is an afternoon not simply about hiking, but about perspective, release, and making room for what comes next. Breakfast included.
Wednesday, October 27: The Journey Toward Purpose
Our final morning of the Asheville retreat focuses on navigating transitions and crafting a vision for a life filled with greater meaning, purpose, connection, and joy. We’ll begin bringing together the lessons of the week and considering not simply what we have learned, but how we want to live differently when we return home. Through reflection and conversation, we’ll explore the transitions already underway in our lives, the places where we may be standing between what was and what comes next, and how we can move forward with greater intention and courage. At noon, our main Asheville retreat comes to a close. Participants may begin their journey home, while those joining the Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Extension will continue west with us into the mountains. Breakfast included.
OPTIONAL GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HIKING EXTENSION
$450 - $650
Wednesday, October 27 | The Road to Nowhere: Transitions, Unfinished Stories & What Comes Next
After the conclusion of our Asheville retreat, we leave the city behind and journey west into the quieter, wilder landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our first destination is one of the region’s most intriguing places: the historic Road to Nowhere near Bryson City. Today, the unfinished road and tunnel offer a compelling physical metaphor for unresolved stories, unexpected endings, and paths that don’t take us where we once thought they would. From there, we’ll travel deeper into Great Smoky Mountains National Park before setting out on an approximately three-mile riverside walk into Cherokee at sunset where you will see plenty of elk in their natural setting. Our walk follows the river through the forest and eventually carries us into Cherokee, where we’ll gather for dinner. Today marks a transition in the retreat itself; from the gardens and creative energy of Asheville into the quieter rhythms of the mountains. Natural beauty, movement, history, and the cultural richness of Cherokee provide a powerful setting for continuing the work we began together. Overnight in Sylva, North Carolina.
Thursday, October 28 | Walking With Purpose
Our journey continues with an exploration of meaning, purpose, and the life we are intentionally creating. We’ll consider what matters most, what deserves our energy, and how we begin aligning our choices with the person we want to become. Then we take that conversation onto the trail. Today, we travel into the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ascend Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome and the highest point in the Smokies. From its observation tower, extraordinary panoramic views stretch across layer after layer of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail crosses directly over Kuwohi, and from here we’ll set out to walk several miles along one of the most storied footpaths in America. The mountains become part of our classroom as we create opportunities for conversation, solitude, reflection, and the simple rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other. The trail offers a fitting metaphor for purpose: we rarely see the entire path from where we stand. We simply discern the next step and begin walking. Overnight in Sylva, North Carolina. Breakfast included.
Friday, October 29 | Closure & Continuation
Our final morning is devoted to bringing the journey together through reflection, intention-setting, and connection. We’ll look back at where we began, honor what emerged during our time together, and consider how to carry the insights and intentions of the week into the lives waiting for us at home. As with all meaningful journeys, the goal isn’t to leave with every question answered. Rather, we hope you leave with greater clarity about what matters, deeper trust in your own inner wisdom, and the courage to continue walking toward the life that is calling you forward. After our morning sessions we’ll begin our journey back to Asheville. Our Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Extension concludes at Asheville Regional Airport by approximately 12:00 PM, allowing you to begin your journey home or extend your stay and continue exploring Western North Carolina. Breakfast included.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Find our FAQ here
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Transportation to all activities during the retreat
4 nights lodging in Asheville
Daily breakfast, 1 dinner
Snacks and water for the daily drive
Entrance to the Biltmore, Arboretum and daily park and trail entrance fees
Expert facilitation of wellbeing and resilience topics
20+ CME/CEUs for healthcare professionals
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Round-trip airfare
Transportation from the airport to the hotel in Asheville
Lunches & dinners
Additional excursions or tours you choose
Travel insurance – Click here to get a quote
$50 learner plus membership to claim CME/CEUs
CANCELLATION DETAILS
Cancellations prior to August 23, 2027 are subject to a $500 cancellation fee
Non-refundable on or after August 23, 2027
A minimum of 12 participants are necessary or the retreat will be cancelled. This decision will be made at least 90 days before international retreats and 60 days before domestic retreat start dates.
If Bounce Travels cancels the retreat, you’ll receive a full refund of your registration fee or you may apply your balance plus $200 toward another Bounce Travels retreat through the end of the following calendar year.
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability, rain, festivals and spontaneous side trips. This is not an endurance race, nor a competition. Please be respectful of all the different paces and walks of life that come together on this group trip.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
To claim CME/CEU credits, participants are required to purchase a $50 annual Learner+ membership. This one-time registration provides unlimited access for one year to claim credits through reflective activities, both from this retreat and other eligible experiences. Learner+ is an accredited activity portal designed for busy healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists, social workers, athletic trainers, case managers, dietitians, chaplains, and more. It allows you to capture reflections at the point of learning or care and convert them into continuing education credits. Reflections based on session content may be eligible for up to 30+ AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per session. Learn more about CME/CEU eligibility for your specialty here.
DEPTH LEVEL
A Foundational retreat is designed for anyone who wants to strengthen the essential practices that support a more aware, resilient, and connected life. These practices are not simply for beginners; whether you’re exploring them with fresh curiosity or returning with new life experience and perspective, you’ll find opportunities for meaningful insight and renewed growth. Through reflection, practical tools, honest conversation, and supportive community, we help one another deepen self-awareness, nurture emotional well-being, and build a foundation that can sustain us through every season of life.
These levels are not steps, prerequisites, or measures of personal growth. You don’t need to complete one level before choosing another. You may prefer different depths at different times, return to the same level repeatedly, or choose a gentler experience after completing a more intensive one. Select the experience that best matches the depth, challenge, and support you desire right now.
Verified
1 Space Remaining