Purposeful Pause
Ontario-based
Women’s Retreat
February 26 - March 1, 2026
Welcome to Beaver Valley
Join us Thursday, February 26 to Sunday March 1, 2026 at the June Motel, Beaver Valley.
A restorative, women-centered winter retreat, set in a cozy boutique motel nestled in the snowy hills of Beaver Valley. Surrounded by forest, charm, and quiet beauty, it’s a place where your nervous system exhales, your heart softens, and your whole self is welcomed.
Step away. Clear the noise. Make space for what matters.
The Purposeful Pause is a guided retreat for professional women ready to step back with intention, reconnect with purpose, and move forward with clarity and courage.
This experience brings together women from all stages of life and career, creating a rare opportunity to tap into collective intelligence and share the incredible wealth of wisdom in the room. When women gather, magic happens — new insights emerge, courage grows, and possibilities expand.
Whether you're navigating change, feeling stretched thin, or simply craving space to think deeply, this retreat offers a supportive environment to:
Reflect on your journey and the lessons that have shaped you.
Reconnect with what truly energizes and aligns you.
Release what no longer fits.
Reimagine your future with boldness and clarity.
Reintegrate — return ready to apply your insights with practical tools and renewed energy.
Through a blend of guided exercises, facilitated discussions, and nature-anchored experiences, you'll leave with:
A refreshed, actionable vision for forward momentum — professionally and personally.
Practical tools and frameworks to lead with intention and resilience.
Fresh inspiration and perspectives from an incredible group of women.
A deepened, more sustainable connection to yourself.
Many participants choose this retreat as a dedicated professional development investment — a chance to sharpen strategic thinking, strengthen leadership presence, and return to work with a clearer sense of direction and renewed capacity.
Our flagship retreat in Costa Rica has inspired many people. Now, we're bringing this same depth and transformative power to beautiful local settings in Ontario throughout the year.
Slow down to accelerate. Step away to return stronger.
Only one room left!
“Transformation feels like an understatement.
I left feeling clear, connected and grounded.”
Megan Dumais
Meredith Perez
“I returned home with a full heart, a clearer path, and a renewed sense of energy.”
“I can’t wait to go through these Purposeful Pause exercises again and again each year.”
Peggy Bell
Our Venue
Visit the The June Motel website for more images.
Recover. Reclaim. Realign.
The June Motel in Beaver Valley is a cozy winter retreat, designed for rest, reconnection, and a little bit of magic. Nestled in the heart of Grey County and backing onto the gently flowing river, the motel blends nostalgic charm with modern comfort—creating the perfect setting for a Purposeful Pause. Thoughtfully renovated rooms, cozy common spaces, and exclusive access to the property make it a welcoming home base for our group.
In the quiet of winter, this space invites you to slow down. Sip coffee by the fire, take a snowy stroll along the river, warm up in the beautiful cedar sauna, or strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the peaceful, snow-covered trails nearby. The charm of The June is in the details—from the vintage decor and curated playlists to the warmth that lives in every corner of the property.
All meals are provided by a local, family-owned caterer, offering fresh, seasonal dishes that nourish you from the inside out. You can expect simple, wholesome meals served with care—perfect for a weekend of grounding and renewal
It’s a setting designed to nourish you: mind, body, and spirit.
Our retreat brings together 8-10 women, each at their own stage of life and leadership. Whether you arrive solo or alongside a friend, you’ll be held in a space that encourages personal clarity, collective insight, and the kind of connection that lingers long after the retreat ends.
This is winter as it was meant to be: unhurried and deeply restorative.
Your Purposeful Pause includes:
Daily interactive and engaging events led by Sarah Nicole, a transformation guide to who blends solo reflection with intimate small group dialogues, and large-group supported connections
Three nourishing meals each day
Four days and three nights accommodation, with exclusive access to the property
A copy of Sarah’s book Purposeful Pause: A Guide to Clarity, Courage and Momentum
Enjoy activities such as:
Daily morning yoga practice
Cedar barrel sauna and river cold plunge
Snowshoeing (weather permitting)
Winter campfires and hiking
Virtual retreat preparation call to meet the group and set the stage for your experience
Shuttling from the Greater Toronto Area can be arranged on request. If you don’t see what you need here, please let us know! We can provide a number of add-ons and would love to customize this experience to your needs.
What to Expect
This sample itinerary offers a glimpse of what’s possible — final details may shift slightly as we finalize the plan. Come as you are, and give yourself permission to truly pause.
✨ Everything is an invitation.
Join at your own pace, in the way that feels right for you.
✨ Ask for what you need.
Listen to yourself, and let me know how I can support you.
✨ Make it your own.
You shape this experience to serve you best.
✨ Full support, no questions asked.
Do what you need, when you need it.
✨ Digital detox encouraged.
We can help set this up so you can fully embrace the pause.
Sample Itinerary
Thursday
4:00 pm - Guest Arrival & Check-in
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm - Opening Circle
9:00 pm - Get a good night’s rest
Friday
7:30 am - Morning Yoga
9:00 am - Breakfast
10:00 am - Session #1
1:00 pm - Lunch
2:00 pm - The Pause is Yours
4:00 pm - Session #2
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm - Fireside Chats
9:00 pm - Get a good night’s rest
Saturday
7:30 am - Morning Yoga
9:00 am - Breakfast
10:00 am - Session #3
1:00 pm - Lunch
2:00 pm - The Pause is Yours
4:00 pm - Session #4
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm - Fireside Chats
9:00 pm - Get a good night’s rest
Sunday
7:30 am - Morning Yoga
9:00 am - Breakfast
10:00 am - Closing Circle
11:00 am - Guest Check-out
Workshop Descriptions
Session #1
Reflect on the Story & Connect to Purpose
Look back at past experiences to recognize patterns, lessons, and key moments of friction and flow. Reconnect with the deeper “why” behind your actions, ensuring alignment with your values and intentions.
Session #2
Identify Challenges & Needs
Step back to uncover the real barriers, questioning assumptions to ensure you’re solving what truly matters.
Session #3
Envision the Future & Commit to Courage
Move beyond limitations and design a bold, meaningful vision that feels fully aligned with who you are. Embrace uncertainty as part of the journey. It’s about building the capacity to take bold steps while staying grounded in purpose and clarity.
Session #4
Find the Paths & Build Momentum
Stay open to multiple ways forward. It’s about holding your vision firmly while remaining adaptable to new routes, waypoints, and unexpected opportunities along the journey. Turn intention into action. It’s about aligning people, systems, and mindset to create steady, purposeful movement toward your vision.
Free time is woven throughout the retreat for your own personal pause — and you’re always welcome to take even more. Every workshop also includes a self-guided option, so if you choose to skip a session, you won’t miss the content.
Your Investment Options:
$2,900 +hst
Double-occupancy
Coming with a friend and want to share a double occupancy?
Let us know!
$3,500 +hst
Single-occupancy
First come, first served. There are a limited number of single rooms.
All prices are listed in Canadian Dollars (CAD); insurance can also be purchased when you book your spot. Schedule a call with Sarah Nicole to learn more. Then if you’re excited to join, bookings will be made through our travel partner Wassermann Retreats, an affiliate of Direct Travel, 93 Main Street S, Georgetown, ON L7G 3E5, TEL 905.873.2000 ext. 1232, susan@wassermannretreats.com
Terms & Conditions
A 50% deposit is required at time of booking. 25% is refundable.
Final payment is due by January 25, 2026 and is 100% non-refundable from final payment date to retreat date.
Meet Sarah Nicole
I founded Optimal Affect with the belief that when individuals and teams pause with intention and reconnect to their purpose, they create lasting impact—not just in their organizations, but in their communities and beyond.
With a degree in Social Development Studies and over 15 years of experience in organizational development, I have helped hundreds of leaders and teams create clarity and alignment, resolve conflict (both within themselves and with others), and navigate complexity with confidence.
My work spans government, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and global institutions. Highlights include facilitating strategic working sessions with UNICEF Global and at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as designing and leading retreats and development programs for leaders across industries.
Through cultivating thoughtful leadership, aligning culture with strategy, and guiding people to realign with what matters most, I help unlock human potential. This work isn’t just about productivity—it’s about fostering resilience, well-being, and meaningful change that ripples outward. When we slow down to realign, we accelerate what matters most.
