The most powerful transformations rarely happen by accident. Holly Porter believes retreats create the space where real change begins, but only when they're built with intention, community, and purpose. We explore how her near-death experience reshaped her life, why she's working to elevate the retreat industry through the International Retreat Association, and how meaningful experiences can continue transforming lives long after people return home. Along the way, Holly shares why lasting transformation isn't created during a single event, but through the relationships, support, and purpose that continue long after the retreat ends.
Keytakeaways:
- Why retreats accelerate transformation through human connection.
- The importance of creating community before, during, and after every retreat.
- How purpose often emerges through adversity rather than careful planning.
- Why collaboration strengthens the entire retreat industry.
- How retreats can naturally lead into premium coaching relationships.
- Why focusing on daily progress creates long-term impact.
About the Guest:
Holly Porter, Hon. Ph.D. is a serial entrepreneur, international speaker, retreat industry leader, Utah real estate broker, and 17-time best-selling author. As the founder and CEO of Retreat RnR and founder of the International Retreat Association, she is dedicated to helping retreat leaders, venues, and industry professionals build successful, purpose-driven businesses.
With more than 30 years of experience in business consulting, real estate, events, and leadership, Holly has launched 11 companies and spent decades creating opportunities, building communities, and helping others grow. She is also the founder of the Adventure Bucket Wish Foundation and host of the All Things Retreat Podcast.
In 2021, Holly survived a 70-day hospitalization with COVID-19, including multiple intubations, sepsis, and a profound near-death experience that transformed her perspective on life and purpose. That experience inspired her mission to help others lead with greater purpose, passion, and impact.
Today, Holly speaks internationally on entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, retreats, and personal transformation. Her message is simple: challenges can become catalysts for growth, and every setback can be transformed into a powerful new beginning.
Holly’s Website: hollyporter.com
Connect with Holly: https://linktr.ee/hollyporter
Free Gift: 2026 Retreat Industry Trends you should know about! https://internationalretreatassociation.org/
About Me:
Hi, I’m Mark Porteous; the Soul Connector.
My stand is for ALL people to recognize themselves as Divine Beings who have chosen the human experience for a reason and to live in alignment with that knowing, so they can THRIVE in their purpose of transforming lives.
I help mission driven entrepreneurs to make their Soul Connections so that they can impact and change the world, scale their businesses to six and seven figures, and enjoy thrilling Soul Success in every arena of their lives.
Connect with me at:
https://markporteous.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcporteous
https://www.instagram.com/mark.porteous1/
https://www.facebook.com/markcporteous/
Take the Soulful Leadership Assessment here: https://markporteous.com/#tve-jump-184964db927
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