Mark:
Creating human connection has always been at the heart of our work with our clients, our community, and our family.
When we launched MetaMind at our first Soulful Leadership Retreat in 2020, our vision was simple: bring people together in meaningful ways. We planned to reunite that small but mighty first group six months later for an in-person retreat where everyone could deepen their relationships and celebrate growth.
Then, one month after that first retreat, the world shut down.
Like so many of you, we pivoted. We turned our “retreat” into a virtual gathering. What amazed us was how intimate it still felt. Even on Zoom, people showed up with open hearts. They led meditations, shared resources, and exchanged ideas about how to keep lifting each other as the chaos swirled around us.
We saw firsthand that human connection isn’t about the room you’re in, it’s about the container you create.
Renee:
Over time, those virtual gatherings became a lifeline. Still, we knew there would come a moment when it was time to be together again in person, heart to heart.
Even as the world began to reopen, especially here in Florida, travel was still limited for many. So, we kept hosting virtual retreats through 2022 and created our first hybrid MetaMind Retreat in 2023, a blend of in-person and online experiences that allowed everyone to feel part of it, no matter where they were in the world.
Then, in June 2024, we finally held our first MetaMind Retreat in Florida and our second that November. This year, we led one in June and just finished our second one in October. We rent two homes for about 25 members so we can create a space where connections and support run deep.
Our monthly mastermind sessions, “Insights & Integration” calls, and virtual retreats keep that spirit alive between the in-person gatherings. With our JV Directory partner, David Riklan, Mark has been leading two monthly networking sessions with over 100 entrepreneurs since January 2021, providing opportunities for collaboration, connection, and growth.
Mark:
During our MetaMind calls, we often talk about “the space between”, the time between group calls as an opportunity for one-to-one connection.
In a fast-paced digital world, it’s easy to treat relationships like a checklist. But friendships, partnerships, and community thrive in those quieter moments when you reach out, send a message, or hop on a quick call just to check in.
We carry that same philosophy into our private client work. Most sessions are on Zoom, but when a client is in Orlando, we make a point of meeting them in person. Sometimes it’s coffee. Sometimes it’s a walk. But always, it’s about deepening connection beyond the transaction.
Renee:
It’s also in the little things, like my birthday posts for our members inside the MetaMind Facebook group. Every time I share one, other members jump in with comments. It’s such a small gesture, but it sparks community warmth in a digital space.
Of all the efforts we make to deepen connection, the most important are the ones we make for each other and our kids. For us, 2025 has been a “concert era.” We’ve been taking turns going to shows with Eden and Xen. Big moments, yes, but what I love most are the smaller ones: car rides, bike rides, casual conversations about what excites them right now.
Mark:
And Renee and I have started dating again. When the kids were little and our business was still in its foundation stage, that was hard. Now, with Eden and Xen older and our team stronger, we’re reclaiming time for us. We still work hard, but we’re also celebrating with our clients, our community, our family, and each other.
Mark and Renee:
All of this, from that first virtual retreat to the concerts with our kids, has taught us the same lesson: technology can’t replace human connection. But it can support it, if we’re intentional.
In a world where AI and automation are moving at lightning speed, it’s the human touches that create trust, loyalty, and love.
Connection is what turns moments into memories and business into something that actually matters.
Whether it’s your clients, your team, your community, or your family, the real question is:
Where can you lean in to create deeper connections right now?
Is it a quick video call instead of an email? A handwritten note? A shared meal? Hiring support to free up more time for the people who matter most?
You get to decide what connection looks like for you, and you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to begin.