Meet Lauren

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lauren, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I’ve been told many times that I’m resilient, and for a long time, I didn’t fully believe it—because when you’re in the middle of navigating tough moments, it doesn’t always feel like resilience. But looking back, I know a big part of that strength came from my grandfather. He was a powerful example of perseverance and integrity, and he instilled in me a deep belief in never giving up. One of his messages that stuck with me was: When you know your purpose—your reason for being—you keep moving forward, no matter what.

That belief has carried me through countless challenges—whether in business deals that didn’t go as planned, partnerships that dissolved, or personal setbacks. I’ve learned that resilience doesn’t mean doing it all alone; it means being willing to ask for help, to resource yourself with the right people, and to keep finding a way forward. I may have stumbled at times, but I’ve never quit. And to me, that’s what resilience really is.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I wear a few hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a deep desire to help people reconnect—with themselves, with nature, and with what truly matters. I’m the founder of Rise Wellness Retreats, where we create transformative experiences that give people the space to unplug from the noise of daily life and plug back into their purpose. Our next retreat, Unplugged in Zion (Sept 18–22, 2025), is an immersive reset in the breathtaking landscapes of southern Utah. It’s designed to be equal parts adventure and stillness, blending wellness, connection, and nature in a powerful way.

Professionally, I focus on three key areas:

Business Consulting – I work with individuals and organizations who want to align more deeply with purpose and performance.

Retreat Leadership & Coaching – I help aspiring leaders plan, price, promote, and sell out their own retreats through my program, Retreat Launch Formula.

Product-Based Impact – I’m also the founder of Laleigh Coffee, a brand inspired by my grandfather, who taught me about grit, grace, and giving back. A portion of every bag sold supports the Parkinson’s Foundation in his honor.

What excites me most is seeing the ripple effect—when someone steps into clarity, alignment, or healing during a retreat or through coaching, that energy doesn’t stop with them. It spreads to their families, businesses, and communities.

Everything I do ties back to creating space for people to rise—whether through conversation, movement, unplugging, or good coffee shared with people you love.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
Understanding how I operate—my triggers, strengths, limitations, and patterns—has been a game changer. Self-awareness allows you to lead better, connect more deeply, and pivot faster when things don’t go as planned. My advice: spend time getting to know yourself. Journal, reflect, get quiet, and surround yourself with people who will lovingly challenge you to grow.

2. Adaptability & Resourcefulness
No matter how much you plan, life will throw curveballs—especially in entrepreneurship. From last-minute retreat changes to unexpected challenges in business partnerships, being able to stay calm, think creatively, and figure it out has been crucial. For anyone just starting, I’d say: start viewing problems as opportunities to innovate. The more challenges you face, the better you get at turning roadblocks into stepping stones.

3. Relationship-Building & Communication
I can trace almost every meaningful opportunity in my career back to a relationship. Whether it’s with clients, collaborators, or retreat guests, how you make people feel matters. Learn how to listen well, communicate clearly, and follow up with heart. If you’re early in your journey, focus on nurturing real relationships, not just growing your network.

At the end of the day, it’s not about having it all figured out—it’s about being willing to learn, evolve, and stay connected to your “why.”

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed—which, let’s be real, happens to all of us—I return to what I call my Unplugged practice. It’s my way of hitting reset before burnout takes over. That means ditching the devices, getting offline, and reconnecting with myself and the world around me. I’ll go for a run, sit outside with a journal, read something nourishing, or simply be in nature. These moments of stillness are where I realign and recharge.

This practice started years ago with something I created called Unplugged Mornings, a 9-step process designed to help people start their day with intention instead of reaction. It’s now become a core part of my retreats and personal routine. The mission behind Unplugged is simple but powerful: we must disconnect in order to truly reconnect—with our purpose, our people, and our peace.

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is to build in small, intentional pauses throughout your day. Even 5–10 minutes of tech-free time in the morning or stepping outside without your phone can make a huge difference. It’s not about escaping your responsibilities—it’s about creating enough clarity to come back to them with energy, focus, and perspective.

Overwhelm is often a sign that something needs to shift. When you unplug long enough to listen, the answers usually show up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laleighcoffee.com
• Instagram: @laurenldonahue