Stop waiting for someday. Live your next chapter today.
Dear Current and Future Friends,
Life has a way of surprising us, often when we least expect it. A few years ago, I found myself navigating the profound loss of my wife to cancer. Simultaneously, I was grappling with professional burnout and the daunting task of raising my children alone. At 52, the path ahead seemed uncertain, and the weight of these challenges felt overwhelming.
In the midst of this so-called midlife crisis, I discovered an unexpected evolution—a second harvest. I began to see midlife not as a end but as the beginning of my best years. Instead of seeing my life in decline, I saw a chance to leverage the accumulated mistakes, wisdom, networks, and resilience to cultivate a purposeful life.
This retreat in the serene landscapes of Austria is designed for individuals experiencing significant life transitions—be it the loss of a loved one, big career changes, divorce, or exiting a business. Here, we're creating a community of close-knit individuals who, through adventure and shared experiences, can support and inspire one another on their second, and most impactful, act.
Devon and I invite you to join us, to embark on your own second harvest, and to discover the profound growth and connection that awaits.
Your hosts,
Richard & Devon
Meet your hosts
Richard Banfield
Entrepreneur, author, and artist. Richard is a recovering CEO who has built companies, launched 100's of products, helped teams find purpose, and now helps people design the second act of their lives with intention and creativity.
Devon McDonald
Venture capitalist turned catalyst for connection, clarity, and courageous living. Devon brings grace, energy, and a gift for creating space where real transformation can happen. She’s raising three kids and building a life rooted in authenticity.
Together, they bring real-life experience, warmth, and wisdom to every part of this retreat. As Richard says, "Our approach is to create a classroom where everyone is the student. No gurus, nor masters, just curious minds that are open to possibility."
This isn't a fleeting escape, it's a system of support.
Clarity
Understand what you've cultivated and what seeds to plant for the future
Purpose
Design a creative, fulfilling next chapter with a supportive community
Action
Leave with actionable steps to integrate into life immediately
Renewal
Reconnect with yourself, nature, friends and your potential
What participants have experienced
This retreat is for:
The Purpose Seeker
Individuals navigating a major life shift, whether personal or professional (or both), who are ready to leverage their experiences, wisdom, and resources to create a life of deeper meaning, fulfillment, and alignment.
The Resilient Riser
Those emerging from grief, loss, or a challenging season in life, seeking connection, renewal, and the inspiration to build a new life that is both meaningful and aligned with their true selves.
The Burnt-Out Achiever
High performers who feel stuck in the grind and are searching for a fresh opportunity to create alignment, balance, and creativity while still being engaged with their life’s work.
Day 1: Arrival & Setting Intentions
Theme: Meet and reflect
Throughout the Day: Arrivals and check-in (optional helicopter and classic car transfers)
6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
- Informal introductions, retreat overview, getting to know the venue, and setting intentions for personal and professional transformation
- Guided reflection: “What chapter are you closing, and what do you hope to begin?”
Day 2: Grounding & Exploration
Theme: Solidifying Your Foundations
8:00 AM: Morning walk, yoga or guided meditation (optional)
9:00 AM: Breakfast together
10:30 AM: Workshop: “Taking Stock of Your First Harvest”
- Reflect on the wisdom, skills, and experiences you've cultivated so far
- Projecting forward exercise
- Rewriting our stories
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Guided nature walk, hunting, or fishing
3:30 PM: Fireside Workshop: “Reframing Challenges as Opportunities”
6:00 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Wine Tasting & Fireside Chat
Day 3: Designing What's Next
Theme: Planting New Seeds
8:00 AM: Walk, yoga or meditation session (optional)
9:00 AM: Breakfast together
10:30 AM: Workshop: “Design Thinking for Life”
- Explore possibilities for your next chapter using creative problem-solving tools
- Practical ways to design your life and live your plan
12:00 PM: Scenic picnic lunch (Land Rover transfer to a special location)
1:30 PM: Workshop: “Experimentation: Designing Small, Actionable Steps”
- Craft “thin-slice experiments” to test your ideas for the future
4:00 PM: Leisure Activities (choose one):
- Paragliding, archery, or walking in the forest
6:00 PM: Cooking Workshop & Communal Dinner
8:00 PM: Fireside Discussion: “What Does Purpose Look Like Now?”
Day 4: Reclaiming Creativity & Purpose
Theme: Fueling Renewal
8:00 AM: Morning hike or foraging in the countryside
9:00 AM: Breakfast together
10:30 AM: Workshop: “Creativity as a Tool for Renewal”
- Build your Creative Blueprint for integrating growth, purpose, and action
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Off-road and classic car driving experience
4:30 PM: Group Reflection Session: “Harvesting Insights”
6:00 PM: Farewell Dinner at a local venue with live music
8:30 PM: Celebration: Reflect, connect, and celebrate your next steps
Day 5: Integration & Departure
Theme: Bringing It All Home
8:00 AM: Final coffee and breakfast
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Departures and transfers to the airport
- Option to extend your stay at I AM ESCAPE or explore nearby cultural activities.
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
— Joel Arthur Barker Ratcliffe
Spaces are limited due the intimate setting and exclusive activities. After applying, we’ll set up a call and make sure the event aligns with your goals.
FAQs
This isn’t just a retreat—it’s the start of a life you don’t need a vacation from. Many of us signed up for the life-plan that was go to school, get a good job, have a family, make millions and, finally, retire to live your dreams. You busted your ass and invested time and effort to make this plan work, only to discover that somewhere along the way status, money, or a sports car isn't enough. Life is not what you thought it would be. Maybe a spouse passed away, or your marriage dissolved, or maybe the market didn't deliver on it's promises. Life took a turn and now you don't have the support, love or money you expected. You realized that planning for retirement is a procrastination of life. But now you're at some midpoint in your life and you're tired of waiting. You’ve given your best years to careers, responsibilities, and expectations. But what about you? If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or like life has been happening to you instead of for you, Second Harvest is your turning point. This isn’t a fleeting escape—it’s the beginning of a clear and purposeful plan, a lifelong system of support, and a future that feels deeply, undeniably yours.
A select group of fascinating humans—think successful professionals, creative powerhouses, and resilient souls in search of what’s next. We spend a lot of time curating the groups and making sure everyone there is showing up for the best reasons. If you’re hoping for trust-falls and firewalking with a crowd of corporate suits or midlife crisis clichés, you’re in the wrong place.
We don’t mind a little weather—it’s part of the experience. But if Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum (think hurricanes, blizzards, or apocalyptic hailstorms), we’ll adjust the schedule or reschedule the retreat. Safety first, transformation and fun second.
If you’re asking that, you probably need this more than anyone. The people who attend aren’t the ones with extra time—they’re the ones who finally decided to prioritize themselves. Life will always be busy. The real question is: Are you ready to make space for what actually matters?