In a heartfelt collaboration between two mission-driven nonprofits, our Humble Warrior event co-hosted with Stride Ahead and brought together a powerful circle of women veterans for an afternoon of reflection, restoration, and connection. Set against the tranquil backdrop of a serene horse farm on Conyers, Georgia, this immersive Learn & Grow retreat invited attendees to explore the pillars of connection and holistic wellness through gentle yoga, reflective journaling, a shared meal, and a truly unique nature-based experience: equine learning.
Horses, known for their intuitive presence, helped foster emotional awareness and self-regulation - offering therapeutic insight. We extend a heartfelt gratitude to our valued partner, Bobbi Woolwine, Chair of Stride Ahead Inc., whose organization is dedicated to partnering with horses to support human growth and development. It was a truly special afternoon of healing and sisterhood.
On November 16th 2024, Humble Warrior gathered together 50 women veterans at Sweetwater Creek State Park, in Georgia. With the support of Sierra Club Military Outdoors, Humble Warrior provided a day filled with community and nature-based wellness. It was a time to connect with one another and with nature, to take time to reflect and practice gratitude in new ways. We were also joined by leaders from several women veteran support groups, we love when leaders come together for a cause!
We did some gentle stretching yoga poses to help us warm up before our Gratitude Hike. We hiked a gentle 3 mile hike through the beautiful state park, created mindful art based on the local flora we saw on the hike, and created an essential oil make and take. Each of these practices was rooted in wellness and how we can draw from nature to take care of our minds, bodies, and each other.
We also gathered for a picnic lunch to talk about our wellness journeys and to raise awareness and advocacy for legislation to be passed granting free state park entrance to all veterans. Our efforts our currently being addressed in state government.
It was the perfect fall day in Georgia to be outdoors and connecting with one another. We had such an amazing turnout and can't wait for the next adventure together!
Three veteran support organizations, Georgia Military Women (social group), Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga (nonprofit), and the She Served Initiative (nonprofit), collaborated and co-hosted the Radiant Warrior Retreat on picturesque Lake Oconee, Greensboro, GA. With over 93,000 women veterans living in the state of Georgie, women veterans are historically overlooked at veteran events and do not have as many opportunities to share about their service. Often they miss out on resources to support their transition to civilian life and may struggle with health, financial, and employability issues.
The Radiant Warrior Retreat was a unique opportunity designed to honor, connect, and rejuvenate leaders within the women veteran community.
One retired Army veteran participated because there was an opportunity to explore "health-based activities and unity with other like minded women." Participants engaged in a day filled with meaningful connections, wellness practices such as yoga and mindful art, and a professional photography session. These sessions captured and showcased the inspiring stories of twenty radiant women leaders who will be featured in a special edition of She Served Magazine, highlighting members of Georgia Military Women.
For more information on these incredible organizations visit:
Women veterans and first responders gathered at the Breakwater Cottage in the nautical town of Manitowoc, WI to explore a day of connection and wellness for the third year in a row! Third time's a charm (or should we say "chime") because this was Humble Warrior's first time offering a Sound Bath. During this calming wellness session participants experienced the deeply relaxing music of crystal sound bowls. sound Healer Gabi commented, "I love studying and practicing sound healing because it is a beautiful blend of science and spirit. The sound alone is beautiful, but the effects it has on my body and the bodies of those I play for is the real beauty."
Throughout the day we explored the many different possibilities for incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, ate a hearty plant-based lunch, and got creative doing a mindful art exploration. Participants left with a renewed sense of connection, eco-friendly sustainable resources for their personal use, and beautiful materials to practice time-blocking and energy tracking.
Call us official beachcombers! We held our final 2022 wellness retreat on Tybee Island, GA. amazing women gathered to explore wellness, climb 178 steps up a lighthouse, and cast blessings into the ocean. A BIG thank you to Suzy Willis, US Army Veteran and the President of the Savannah Holistic Chamber of Commerce for partnering with us. We truly appreciate the helping hands of Cheri G. our #1 Humble Warrior Volunteer and Yoga Teacher, and Jan M. who provided beautiful handcrafted artisan gifts for each participant.
We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Chef Aimee for joining us. She prepared an amazing variety of plant-based comfort foods that fueled our bodies and our hearts. She shared kitchen hacks to make meal prep easier and wellness more attainable, from tips to shopping for ingredients, planning, and cooking!
A heartwarming moment of our retreat was when our host, Suzy W. gave each attendee a flower (with a biodegradable ribbon). We ended the retreat with everyone saying a blessing or intention and tossing their flower into the ocean.
We are so excited about our growth with women veterans and first responders! We held our 2022 Georgia Alumni Retreat at a serene horse farm in Georgia. We showed extra appreciation and shared enhanced wellness practices with our awesome Humble Warrior Alumni!
Our Alumni were welcomed with a warm oatmeal build-a-bowl bar with plenty of fixings. Additionally, we explored various methods of grounding and centering for our mind, body, and breathing. Everyone took part in a full body chair yoga practice led by our incredible board member and yoga teacher, Claire. Continuing with the build-a-bowl theme, we made lunch and enjoyed a delicious robust plant-based chili bar. Next, our Humble Warrior mentor, Katie, explained how essential oils can enhance mood and wellness practices.
On a nature hike, the group expertly found wild watermelon, a deer stand with a trail camera, and figs. Slowing down and connecting with nature was well received. We gifted our alumni with amazing meal preparation containers, essential oils with a portable diffuser, a meditation cushion, and a few other wellness resources for personal use. Thanks for connecting with us!
For the third year in a row, we hosted a summer wellness retreat in Wisconsin! This year was extra special because we focused on "Gathering!" Gathering nurtures relationships, cultivates community, and provides a forum to teach one another. We did ALL of that in the beautiful, 152 year old "Breakwater Cottage" near the shores of Lake Michigan.
We enjoyed a robust plant-based barbecue. We taste tested various plant-based burgers and all agreed that the Impossible Burger was superior. We explored chair-yoga and practiced yoga for digestion. Then, we got our hands dirty and created concrete stepping stones with trinkets, stained glass, and fossilized rocks for our home gardens or peaceful spots.
Participants taught and shared knowledge and we all enjoyed frothed coffee, lollipop sliced watermelon, wonderful and nutritious plant-based food, and gentle movement that supported wellness. Everyone left feeling inspired, refreshed, and connected.
Women serve on the front lines supporting public safety. In October, Humble Warrior connected with an awesome group from the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS) to explore wellness together.
The GAWPS is a non-profit organization sponsored and administered by public safety practitioners. They provide professional growth opportunities for women who are employed in fire, law enforcement, and emergency communication services in the state of Georgia.
We met at Ron's Place, a rustic, well-loved cabin in Bishop, GA. With the sounds of a creek babbling over high shoals, we did yoga and mindfulness practices, focused on breath, and connected as women who serve. Inside the cabin, the group completed a Wheel of Life guided journaling session, and enjoyed plant-based cooking and, of curse, eating. Strong connections were made and the women went home with wellness practices and resources to incorporate into their own lifestyle routines.
To learn more about GAWPS and how you can support them, visit their GAWPS website.