GBTQ+ MEN'S RETREAT
A Somatic Retreat for Queer Men
April 17th-20th, Upstate New York
From Numbness and Isolation to Connection and Empowerment
Discover a Transformative Weekend for GBTQ+ Men to Heal, Grow, and Embrace Their Authentic Selves.
Join our GTBQ+ Men’s Retreat
Are you ready to take your emotional and social life skills to the next level while connecting deeply with other gay, bi, trans, and queer men? The GBTQ+ Men’s Retreat is designed to help you embrace your authentic self, heal your body, and gain valuable tools to live a fuller, more intentional life.
Why Attend?
Cultivate Personal Strength and Confidence
Break through limiting beliefs and step into a more empowered version of yourself.
Build Genuine Connections
Surround yourself with a community of like-minded GBTQ+ men committed to growth and healing.
Strengthen Your Somatic and Emotional Intelligence
Develop your sense of Self through your body and emotions.
Take Home New Skills
Leave equipped with practical strategies to enhance all your relationships.
The truth is men’s work has been a movement dedicated for every man, but GBTQ+ men are underrepresented. Let’s change that. Join other GBTQ+ men to experience the joy that naturally comes from being in an emotionally safe environment and doing “the work” together.
Raise your hand if you can relate to any of these statements…
Overwhelmed by stress and numbness?
It’s easy to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to soothe stress, but we know that quick fixes only mask the pain. Learn healthier ways to handle stress and overwhelm.
Feeling disconnected or lonely?
You crave connection, but something holds you back. At this retreat, we explore how to break free from isolation and embrace authentic relationships.
Carrying secrets that weigh you down?
From hiding parts of yourself to dealing with trust issues, the burden of secrets can be heavy. Here, you’ll find a space to share and release what no longer serves you.
Stuck in cycles of shame?
Shame is a common thread among queer men, affecting relationships, self-worth, and mental health. We provide tools to break free from shame and step into self-acceptance.
Caught in the Peter Pan Syndrome?
It’s easy to get stuck in patterns that keep us from growing. This retreat encourages growth, responsibility, and true fulfillment.
Have an addiction, but I don’t know how to solve it?
You’ve realized that you have a behavior that’s addictive, not serving you, and it’s impacting the people around you. Whether it’s turning to your phone in moments of stillness or grabbing a couple drinks midday, this behavior is slowly taking over your ability to be present with the things you care about.
If any of these resonate with you, you’re not alone. The GBTQ+ Men’s Retreat is a weekend of connection, growth, and healing. It’s a chance to break old patterns and embrace new ways of being.
Hey there, we’re Cator and Mike
Over the past few years, we’ve facilitated dozens of men’s retreats and noticed an underrepresentation of GBTQ+ men in these spaces. Our mission is to change that. This retreat is specifically designed to address the unique challenges and lived experiences of queer men, providing a brave and intentional space for healing, growth, and connection.
The GBTQ+ Men’s Retreat emerges as a leader in the GBTQ+ men’s workspace, offering a sanctuary for GBTQ+ men to shed the weight of their pasts. It's a place where new neural pathways can flourish, paving the way for a life liberated from the shadows of old beliefs and behaviors. This retreat is more than an event; it's a transformative journey towards healing, inner strength, and connection with fellow men. It empowers GBTQ+ men to heal their traumas and embrace a future of freedom and fulfillment.
The Challenge We Face
Coming out is both a privilege and a journey that comes with its own set of baggage. From navigating trauma to grappling with shame, addiction, and loneliness, queer men face unique challenges that often go unaddressed. But you don’t have to carry that weight alone. We believe in the power of healing through community and connection.
Pillars of the GBTQ+ Retreat
The pillars of the GBTQ+ Retreat reflect our innate ability to heal, change, and transform. The pride we feel in our community also reflects the pride we have in ourselves. P.R.I.D.E. is a commitment to our healing journey and it represents how we show up for each other with each other.
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"Presence" speaks to the importance of being fully engaged in the moment, embracing mindfulness, and embodying our experiences. It’s about being present with our emotions, our physical sensations, and the environment around us.
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Given the journey of healing and growth, resilience is a cornerstone value. It reflects the strength and perseverance required to navigate personal traumas and the ongoing process of healing. Resilience honors the journey we are on, recognizing the courage it takes to face and heal from past wounds.
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Intimacy goes beyond physical closeness to include emotional and spiritual intimacy. It involves opening up to deep, vulnerable connections with oneself and with others. This value speaks to the importance of fostering supportive, empathetic relationships within the retreat space, allowing for genuine connections and shared healing experiences.
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This pillar is about the journey of self-exploration and personal growth. Discovery encompasses learning new ways to navigate emotions, understand the body's signals, and uncover deeper truths about ourselves. It’s about embracing the journey of healing as an ongoing process of uncovering, learning, and growing.
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Empowerment is the culmination of the retreat's values, aiming to instill a sense of strength, autonomy, and self-efficacy. It’s about equipping each man with the tools and confidence to take ownership of their healing journey, make empowering choices, and live authentically.
Hear what past participants have to say…
"I went with the intention of wanting to feel more fulfilled and I was able to tap into deeper emotions that had been hidden. I left feeling ecstatically alive. It was a hard process, but by the end, it was worth it. I was amazed how much we shared experience we have as gay men. I feel deeply connected to all the people who went, like we created a new friend group. I look forward to the next one." — Luke, 2024 GBTQ+ Participant
“I believe I've uncovered some of my deepest secrets, particularly concerning my fear of intimacy and vulnerability. This retreat, devoid of the usual distractions like sex, drugs, or alcohol, left us all exposed - it was like being on a nude beach for our emotions. The first time I visited a nude beach was also the first time I experienced being naked in a non-sexual environment as an adult. Similarly, this retreat marked the first occasion where I felt emotionally naked among GBTQ Men without any undertones of sexualization or fetishes. Sharing my experiences without judgment felt incredibly liberating. It was comforting to have others truly listen and hold a space of understanding and love. The presence of coaches encouraged us to delve deeper into ourselves and reach our core truths. Hearing from other men and recognizing aspects of myself in their stories was profoundly validating. As gay men, we share much more than just our sexual experiences - this retreat served as a powerful reminder of our inherent worth.”
— Jaun, 2024 GBTQ+ Participant
“It's extremely difficult to attempt to briefly summarize my incredible experience at the GBTQ+ Wimberley Retreat last summer. I remain incredibly grateful that I jumped out of my comfort zone and showed up halfway across the country, knowing no one, somewhat shut down, self-conscious and candidly a little scared. I soon discovered that Cator and Mike have developed and curated skills, compassion and leadership abilities that quickly and gracefully moved me away from that closed-up mass of thoughts and numbness.
For any man that is considering joining this retreat experience, I highly recommend it if you desire to gain a new perspective about yourself and how you show up in this world. I allowed myself to be vulnerable, outraged, humorous, overjoyed, curious, despaired, shaken and 'awakened' more than I had ever been. You will realize that you're not alone or 'less-than' when, for one example, the most seemingly successful, attractive, charismatic man is standing in front of you admitting extreme anxiety regarding finances, sex, trust, addiction, loneliness, and inadequacy.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle..." Something shifts. Meet your shadow-self. Love and cherish your body. Be known, heard, seen. Be loved just as you are. I started something there in Wimberley. Happy to report that I'm still curious and still continuing the journey I started.” — Drew, 2023 GBTQ+ Participant
“The retreats Cator and Mike hold are safe places where I could stop the storytelling, get in touch and feel the emotions in my body, and take up space — unapologetically. Join them and step away from your life for a weekend and feel what it's like to turn your pain and hurt into love. Whether you are new to mens work or already on a path — don’t miss an opportunity. You will be supported by them along with everyone else. More importantly, if you show up (to do the work) — the trajectory of your life could change before you get home. It did for me in Austin.” — Ed, 2023 GBTQ+ Participant
Are You Ready to Transform?
Secure your spot today and join us for a weekend of self-discovery, connection, and growth. This is your opportunity to connect with a supportive community, gain new insights, and embark on a transformative journey toward a more fulfilled and authentic life.
Register Now
"My experience at the GBTQ+ men's retreat in Austin, TX with the leadership of Cator Sparks and Mike Sagun was an excellent experience! I made new strides in my own journey of self discovery and personal awareness. I had a meaningful encounter where I learned to trust myself and my feelings and to let go of my habitual inner voice to judge and shame myself. I found this to be freeing and empowering for which I am deeply grateful." — Jeff, 2023 GBTQ+ Participant
We can help.
CATOR SPARKS, ICF, CPCC
www.catorsparks.com
Cator is an ICF-certified CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) life coach for men, with a focus on the queer community. Helping men connect to their body through somatic healing, Cator encourages men to shake the beehive of life, set goals, mine for values, connect deeper to their authentic selves, and learn how to wrangle the saboteur that we all have telling us we aren’t good enough. You are enough. It’s time to retire the phrases, “Boys don’t cry,” “Grow a pair,” “Man up” and “Winners never quit,” and rethink what it’s like to be a modern man.
Besides having his own private practice, Cator facilitates the GBTQ+ men’s group for EVRYMAN, coaches executives for Boon Health, and recently completed Gabor Mate’s year long Compassionate Inquiry course focused on healing trauma.
When Cator isn’t coaching he loves morning meditation on his paddle board, kettlebell work outs with his crew, traveling to reconnect with close friends and hitting the dance floor any time he hears a DJ drop some House music hits.
He lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his partner Chris and two Scottish Terriers, Fergus & Gareth.
MIKE SAGUN, CPCC, SEP
www.mikesagun.com
Mike is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). He’s also a teacher, facilitator and co-founder of MELD (Men’s Emotional Leadership Development). His 18+ years of experience has brought him partnerships with some of the biggest companies in the world, including Kaiser Permanente, DropBox, LinkedIn, and Google X.
According to the ACEs study, Mike’s life should have taken a much darker route, but with the guidance of mentors and his own innate resilience, his wounds became his superpowers. As Dr. Peter Levine says, “Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.”
Mike helps men heal, feel, and get real. His approach to healing is soft and gentle with a dash of assertiveness.
When Mike isn’t coaching, teaching, or facilitating you might find him mostly naked tending to his huge vegetable garden or in the kitchen cooking a meal with his husband and pit-bull rescue. Originally from the SF Bay Area, Mike and his family now live in San Miguel de Allende, MX.
Easton Mountain
A community, retreat center, and sanctuary
Created by
gay men
Through workshops, programs, and events Easton Mountain provides opportunities to celebrate, heal, transform, and integrate body, mind, and spirit. We offer our land, rich in beauty and wisdom, as a home to a community that extends beyond the land. We are a worldwide fellowship of people enriched by our connection to Easton Mountain. This fellowship is a force for positive change in the world.
Facilitators
Facilitated by Certified Professional Somatic & Trauma Coach Mike Sagun, and Certified Professional Coactive Coach Cator Sparks, both out and proud gay men.
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Mike has over 15 years of experience as a coach, facilitator, and teacher. After graduating with a degree in education he became a teaching artist working with young people all over Northern California. In 2018, he became a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and started his own coaching practice. He is currently in his final year at Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing Professional Training program.
Mike is the co-founder of MELD and has worked with companies like LinkedIn, Kaiser Permanente, DropBox, EVRYMAN, and Google X.
If you really knew Mike, you’d know that coming out was the riskiest, most life-altering decision Mike has ever made. The 2nd riskiest, most life-altering decision: choosing to date his now husband.
When Mike isn’t coaching his clients, facilitating retreats, and teaching online programs, you might find him harvesting from his garden, practicing yoga, or in the kitchen cooking dinner with his husband.
Mike, Jerry, and their pitbull rescue Bert live in San Miguel de Allende, MX and they’ve been in a committed relationship for 12 years.
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Cator is an ICF-certified CPCC (Certified Professional Coactive Coach) life coach for men, with a focus on the queer community. Helping men connect to their body through somatic healing, Cator encourages men to shake the beehive of life, set goals, mine for values, connect deeper to their authentic selves, and learn how to wrangle the saboteur that we all have telling us we aren’t good enough. You are enough. It’s time to retire the phrases, “Boys don’t cry,” “Grow a pair,” “Man up” and “Winners never quit,” and rethink what it’s like to be a modern man.
Besides having his private practice, Cator facilitates the GBTQ+ men’s group for EVRYMAN, coaches executives for Boon Health, and recently completed Gabor Mate’s year-long Compassionate Inquiry course focused on healing trauma.
When Cator isn’t coaching he loves morning meditation on his paddle board, kettlebell workouts with his crew, traveling to reconnect with close friends, and hitting the dance floor any time he hears a DJ drop some House music hits.
He lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his partner Chris and two Scottish Terriers, Fergus & Gareth.
Schedule and Information
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*Note from the facilitators: This is a working schedule. The program times might be altered as we get closer to the retreat. However, expect us to start the program at 7:15pm on Friday. And expect to depart at 2pm on Sunday.
April 17th, Thursday
3pm: Registration opens at Easton Mountain
6pm: Dinner
7:15pm: Evening Session
April 18th, Friday
7am: Morning Movement
8am: Breakfast
9:15am: Morning Session
12pm: Lunch
1:15pm: Afternoon Session
3pm: Rest & Restore
6pm: Dinner
7:15pm: Evening Session
April 19th, Saturday
7am: Morning Movement
8am: Breakfast
9:15am: Morning Session
12pm: Lunch
1:15pm: Afternoon Session
3pm: Rest & Restore
6pm: Dinner
7:15pm: Evening Session
April 20th, Sunday
7am: Morning Movement
8am: Breakfast
9:15am: Morning Session
12pm: Lunch, Check out, & Departure
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Easton Mountain is a community, retreat center, and sanctuary created by gay men as a gift to the world.
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Getting to Easton Mountain
There are several options for getting to Easton Mountain:
Easton Mountain is located in the Hudson Valley approximately 30 miles North of Albany, New York and conveniently located within a three-hour drive of Boston, New York City, and Montreal.
To set up your GPS, use the following address: 391 Herrington Hill Road, Greenwich, NY 12834
You can fly into the Albany airport, take the Megabus or AMTRAK to Albany (Rensselaer Station), or take the Greyhound/Trailways to Albany.
If you need a ride from Albany, here are some options:
Uber
Lyft
Easton Mountain does not officially provide pickups, but we do try to help connect attendees to carpool. Contact Jay@eastonmountain.org. (This is not a guarantee of a ride. If Jay is unable to match you up with someone, you may still need to take an Uber or Lyft)
More information here.
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There are 4 private room options (limited availability).
Private room w/ private bathroom
Private room w/ shared bathroom
Private cottage w/ detached bathroom
Private room w/ detached bathroom
And plenty of semi-private room options (2 men each room w/ a shared bathroom).
More information on the registration page.
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Easton Mountain is catering our retreat. If you have any food allergies and/or restrictions, please let us know in the post-registration survey.
Schedule a Discovery Call
Not sure if this retreat is for you? Have questions? Or do you want to connect with one of the facilitators?
Schedule a free discovery call with Mike or Cator below.