Before I found Shawn, I kept finding myself in the same place over and over, a place I didn’t want to be. Working with her has given me clarity, new perspectives, and tools to move forward. Being at the retreat was an incredible experience—safe, supportive, and transformative. I was able to honestly explore my challenges and gain awareness in a way that felt empowering. I leave with a deep appreciation for my family, new insights, and a renewed sense of self. The food, the beautiful surroundings, and the amazing people made this a joyfully blessed experience.

I came to Chesapeake Paradise not knowing Shawn or what she did, but by the time I left, I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for. I needed a coach to help me through my divorce, and Shawn invited me to her retreat. I booked it that week. It’s been absolutely amazing—the stories, laughter, deep work, and the incredible women I met. I’m leaving with so much to think about and tools to help me find myself again. Chesapeake Paradise is beautiful, serene, and healing. This retreat was exactly what I needed.

With my first retreat with Shawn, I was absolutely blown away by what I learned—about myself, my family, and how I see conflicts. I found healing for things I thought would never be healed. The retreat offered safety, comfort, accountability, and total love while challenging my thinking in life-changing ways. It felt like the family I didn’t know I had. It's absolutely transformational—worth every penny and every minute spent.

This might be my fourth or fifth retreat, and every time it's different and the same. It's the same because there's almost this instant camaraderie that happens among everyone who's there, and it's different because every time I've been, it's been a different set of people. Maybe two or three or four people that were there last time and then a whole other batch of new people. And sometimes they were people that had been years ago and come back, and sometimes they're people that are brand new to the work. Or they know the work from somewhere else and they've done a little bit, or they're just completely brand new to the whole concept. And it's amazing because Shawn can kind of find a way to make it safe for just about anybody to start to dig into these inquiries in what feel like very sensitive areas of a person's life.

There are no words to tell you how thankful I am for having spent this weekend with you. The emotional support for my physical condition and the help I received was amazing. She does The Work with us, but there is so much more. Her years of study and knowledge of areas like Transactional Analysis, codependency, and spirituality provide a safe space at her retreats as she shares her wisdom with us. Her spirit of play, vulnerability, generosity, and joyous self-acceptance made this weekend as much fun as it was helpful. I loved the swimming and dancing! Thank you Shawn, and thank you all, for this life-changing experience. Love, Christy

The retreat offered sisterhood in a circle of women, all working on themselves, clearing their own ways and “being the change they want to see” in their own lives. I felt enormously nurtured and at greater peace with being seen and being heard. I left feeling supported, feeling like I can’t keep on being smaller than I am, feeling like I am free to be who I am and take up my space. Thank you

It was a really big blow when my dad died. But a Shawn-shaped love-tornado spun my way. The thing about Shawn’s retreats is that people tell the truth. It felt alive and clean and clear and a little bit exhausting. It felt like a huge Q-tip had gone into my brain and removed all the worry. I fell into the whirl of Shawn's gift of love, always right here, right now, fiercely loving life, helping people change by not trying to change them.

I came to the 2025 late fall retreat knowing that something had to change.  I was going to therapy, but nothing was happening to influence my behavior, my thinking, or how I reacted to those around me, and I was deeply unhappy.  

The peaceful, warm. welcoming setting of the retreat was the first thing I noticed.  The property is lovely.  The second thing that struck me was how open to connections Shawn, her helpers, and the retreat goers were.  As a socially reserved person, I was unsure about going into a group like this, but I felt supported to be who I am, to share or not share as felt right for me.  

Shawn teaches the tools from The Work by Byron Katie during the retreat, and also her Wheel of Self Forgiveness and Self-Solidarity concepts.  There is a lot of material to absorb and consider, a lot to process.   There is also a lot to be learned from the women who are willing to share situations that triggered them, find turnarounds, and look at things from a different point of view.  Shawn is very good at asking insightful questions and prompting you to really look at your thoughts, without being judgmental.      

The retreat accommodations were very clean and comfortable, and the food was good, with plenty of  healthy options.  

I came away from the retreat feeling that I had found something that could really help me, but thought that I needed more support to be able to apply the tools and methods that had been presented.  I joined the Master Mind program, and have been thrilled with the progress (and friends) that I have made.  I’m very thankful that I found this retreat with Shawn Mashie online!

I attended Shawn’s September retreat after beginning private coaching and joining her Mastermind a couple months prior. Even with that foundation, I was extremely nervous. I’m not naturally social, and I tend to avoid group settings altogether. Part of me was convinced I wouldn’t fit in — or that I would somehow do it “wrong.”

From the moment I arrived at Chesapeake Paradise, I felt at ease. The setting itself is breathtaking — the water views, the quiet mornings, the way the light hits the Bay at sunset. It created a sense of calm before we even began. The meals were nourishing and thoughtfully prepared, which made it easier to settle in and simply be present.

The retreat was clearly organized, with an intentional flow to each day. There was structure, but never rigidity. I always knew what to expect, yet there was space for real, human moments. Nothing felt chaotic or uncontained. Shawn is an exceptional facilitator. She holds the room with steadiness and care, even when conversations become vulnerable or emotional.

I have spent decades in therapy without feeling fully comfortable opening up. During this retreat, I felt supported — not exposed. She made time for each of us individually, listening deeply and asking thoughtful questions that helped untangle things I’ve struggled with for years. I never felt dismissed, rushed, or too much.

What surprised me most was the connection between the women. Different ages, different life paths — and yet we could see ourselves in one another. There was authenticity, compassion, and a noticeable absence of judgment. For someone who has often felt like an outsider, I felt welcomed exactly as I was.

I left feeling lighter and steadier. More confident in my voice. More accepting of myself. For someone who has spent decades believing I needed to fix myself before belonging, this experience felt profoundly different.

I am deeply grateful I said yes despite my fear. I’m looking forward to continuing my work in the Mastermind and private coaching, and I would absolutely attend another retreat. This has been a meaningful part of my growth, and I’m excited to see where this work continues to lead me.

I’ve been working with Shawn for a year. I have gained a tremendous amount of confidence to take action in many areas of my life. I just came back from the February 2026 retreat and it was an amazing experience. Having the personal face-to-face experience with other amazing women left me wanting more. I will definitely keep working with Shawn.