About this Retreat
Jeff is the founder of breathARMY and the lightFORCE Collective - Leadership, Breathwork and Cold Exposure Facilitator Training Academy. His mission is to educate, inspire and empower people to live to their true potential. Jeff uses a variety of different tools including breathwork, movement, meditation, cold, heat and psychedelics to help people break through the structures that hold us back from living and expressing our true potential in the world.
Jeff has walked through some of the darkest shadows of trauma, addiction and mental illness to emerge with profound wisdom and light which he humbly carries to activate the light and potential in others. He has a unique ability to weave a deep understanding of scientific principles with timeless philosophical and spiritual wisdom in an easy to understand, light, yet incredibly powerful and enjoyable way.
Jeff has had the opportunity and privilege to learn and train with some of the world’s leading experts and lineages of breath, cold, somatics, movement, thought and plant medicine. He has uniquely woven these teachings into a one of a kind, heartfelt and impactful offering that has deeply touched thousands of people through the workshops, retreats, courses and trainings he has offered.
Jeff has been teaching spiritual practices for over 15 years, has trained and practiced as a psychedelic therapist in both clinical and ceremonial settings, consulted for various psychedelic therapy start ups, is an international best-selling author, retired paramedic and currently travels full time sharing his passion and purpose with the world.
You can contact Jeff at jeff@breatharmy.com or @breatharmy on Instagram
“Jeff is one of those rare people who chose to take his experiences and learn from them while simultaneously not attaching himself to those experiences. His story is mind-boggling, and yet he remains unattached and lives closer to freedom than most will ever allow themselves to.”
Brian Mackenzie - Founder & Creative Director of SHIFT, Co-Founder and President of The Health and Human Performance Foundation
Richard Kay brings 25 years of experience in the medicine world to his work, having been certified as a medicine guide for the past seven years. His deep commitment to transformational practices and community building has established him as a respected figure in both ceremonial and therapeutic circles. Featured in Netflix's "Field Trip" series, Richard's work has gained international recognition, highlighting the growing acceptance and understanding of traditional medicine practices in modern contexts. His contributions to "Clive's Words of the Day" have further showcased his ability to weave wisdom and insight into everyday reflection. As the author of the forthcoming book "Presence: A State of Being" and co-producer of the "Declaration of Unity and Healing of All Nations," Richard bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding.
A co-founder of The Sentinel and founding member of the Psychedelic Association of Canada (PAC), Richard has been instrumental in developing ethical frameworks and community standards in the emerging field of psychedelic therapy. His role as chef during the Great Peace March demonstrated his ability to nurture both body and spirit while building community. Throughout his career, he has maintained strong ties to humanitarian causes, including being a significant supporter of the Vancouver Food Bank.
Richard's dedication to men's community work spans a quarter century, during which he has been an active member of a men's team—a connection he considers among his most valued. His approach to facilitation and guidance is deeply informed by this long-standing commitment to men's emotional and spiritual development. His personal philosophy, often expressed through sayings like "stay in your heart" and "remember who you are," reflects his emphasis on authentic self-expression and heart-centered awareness.
Married for 31 years and father to two adult children, Richard embodies the integration of personal growth work with family life. His extensive experience in ceremonial practices, combined with his commitment to community service, has made him a trusted guide for those seeking transformation and authentic connection. Through his various roles as author, guide, and community leader, Richard continues to support others in their journeys toward greater presence and self-realization.
Tony Tacan, a respected elder from the Wahpeton Dakota Nation near Prince Rupert, Saskatchewan, serves as the lead facilitator for the sweat lodge ceremonies at the Sentinel. Drawing from generations of traditional knowledge, Tony guides participants through this sacred purification ritual with quiet wisdom and profound respect for Dakota spiritual practices.
The sweat lodge ceremony, known as "Inipi" in Dakota tradition, is conducted under Tony's careful stewardship. His approach honors ancestral ways while creating a welcoming space for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants seeking healing, clarity, and connection.
As a Sundance Chief, Tony brings additional depth to his leadership role. The Sundance represents one of the most significant ceremonies in Plains Indigenous traditions, and Tony's experience in this sacred responsibility informs his gentle yet powerful presence in the lodge.
Those who have participated in Tony's ceremonies often speak of his ability to create an atmosphere of both reverence and accessibility, helping people connect with traditional teachings in meaningful ways while ensuring protocols are properly observed.
Details of this retreat
We invite you to join us on a raw and powerful journey into the heart.
Over these four days together, you will be held within a sacred container where you can fully explore and express your deepest emotions and reconnect to your true nature.
As men, we've often learned to suppress our grief, sadness, guilt, shame, anger, and fear. These buried emotions become heavy anchors, blocking our natural capacity for joy, connection, and peace. Even when life appears perfect on the outside, these unprocessed feelings can leave us feeling empty & disconnected from our true selves.
This unconscious suppression often projects into our most intimate relationships, affecting not only ourselves but those closest to us. Through ancient wisdom practices, ceremonial healing, and the support of brotherhood, this retreat offers you the an opportunity to:
Release emotional burdens in a safe, confidential space
Reclaim parts of yourself lost to grief and trauma
Transform your relationship with difficult emotions
Learn practical tools for emotional awareness
Connect with other men walking a similar path
Return to your life with renewed clarity and purpose
What to Bring
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for movement & ceremonies
- Swimwear for cold immersion hot tub and sauna
- Flip flops
- Journal & pen
- Water bottle
- Personal items for overnight stay
- Any sacred objects you wish to bring for the Mesa
- Additional detailed packing list provided upon registration
Come join us for this sacred journey | Release what no longer serves you
Rediscover who you truly are | Live the life you were meant to live
Daily Schedule:
Day 1 – Thursday, May 22
3:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in
4:30 PM - Opening Circle with Breath and Movement & Introduction to Sacred Space
7:30 PM - Dinner
8:30 PM - Free Time
Day 2 - Friday, May 23
7:00 AM - Morning Movement, Breath & Meditation
8:30 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - Medicine Circle Discussion
12:30 PM - Lunch
2:00 PM - Cold Immersion/Sauna
4:30 PM - Sacred Forest Cacao and Breath Ceremony
7:30 PM - Dinner
10:00 PM - Close
Day 3 - Saturday, May 24
7:00 AM - Morning Movement, Breath & Meditation
8:30 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - Sweat Lodge Ceremony with Elder Tony Tacan
12:30 PM - Lunch
2:00 PM - Free Time (Journaling, Cold/Sauna, Reflection)
3:30 PM - Introduction to Medicine Circle
4:00 PM - Forest Cacao Deep Dive and Rapé Ceremony
9:00 PM - Light dinner (Soup, Bread, Salad, Nuts & Fruit Plate)
Day 4 - Sunday, May 25
7:30 AM Optional Morning Movement, Breath & Meditation
9:00 AM - Breakfast
10:30 AM - Closing Circle & Integration
12:30 PM - Departure
Special Notes
-You will be asked to fill out a medical and family history and a waiver
- Please let us know of any food restrictions - note there are always choices on the Sentinel menu.
- Schedule may adjust slightly based on group needs and weather
- Silent periods: Mornings until after breakfast and after lunch on Saturday
- Early registration is recommended
This is more than just a retreat - it's a gathering of brothers ready to dive deep into their journey. Together, we'll combine physical practices that ground us, emotional exploration that heals us, and ancient wisdom that guides us. We've witnessed countless men transform through this work, and we're honored to walk this path with you.
All ceremonies and practices are offered with respect to their traditional origins and adapted for our contemporary healing journey.*
We have created "The Djentle Bear Scholarship" in honour of a dear brother Brendan Hamilton that was a part of the Annual Men's Retreats at The Sentinel.
Their are Scholarships still available, please complete the Djentle Bear Application form HERE: https://forms.gle/vc4HceD7g9iZddFd9
For registration and accommodation details, please contact info@sentinelbc.ca
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