Old Man River Nature Retreat

10/21/2026

🧠😂 Well, That Was Mind-Blowing!

This past weekend, I was fortunate to attend the Hypnosis World Mid-America Conference in Chicago, and what an eye-opening experience!

I witnessed several different approaches to hypnosis, saw some incredible stage hypnotists and mentalists in action, and even experienced hypnosis myself!

Yep… yours truly volunteered! 😂

John Launius with Shihan Wellness invited me to participate in a demonstration of the hypnosis technique he uses with Veteran operators—including some who are pretty outspoken about their skepticism and are there because their command sent them! 😂

I'll admit, being my first time, I was a little nervous. Naturally, I had to ask John to promise he wouldn't make me bark like a dog. 🐕🤣

The experience was fascinating. I felt like I was in a deep meditative state, yet I remained conscious, aware, and felt in control. I even remembered my session afterward! It gave me a whole new perspective on hypnosis and the power of focused attention and suggestion and I feel great.

I also witnessed a moving session with Randi Light that reminded me how important it can be to explore the unresolved emotional experiences we carry with us. Stress, grief, trauma, and loss can affect our well-being in many ways, and finding the right support to work through that can make a real difference.

Here's my takeaway: There are so many ways to explore personal growth and support our well-being. Hypnosis, meditation, breath-work, yoga, sound, and other approaches may not be for everyone, but you won't know what resonates with you until you're willing to explore.

No single method is right for everyone, finding a caring practitioner and an approach that works for you can be a meaningful step toward personal growth and well-being.

So keep asking questions. Keep exploring. And don't be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone.

I'm grateful I did! ❤️

Picture below is of John, Matt Dickson - Hypno Yogi, and Myself. Matt is an amazing and fun person too and can be found here https://www.mattdicksonhypnosis.com

09/21/2026

A little look at my simple setup for my class at the Grunt Style Foundation / Irreverent Warriors Integration event this weekend.

This year was a different experience for me being on the presenter side, and I have to say… this event continues to amaze me. I thank all of you who took the time to attend my class. 🙏❤️

The people, the openness, and the willingness to explore different paths toward healing are pretty special. Bringing Veterans, First Responders, families, practitioners, and good people together in nature creates a pretty powerful environment to connect, learn, reflect, and heal.

I sure wish there were more opportunities for people to step away from everyday life and experience something like this. Sometimes giving yourself a little space is all it takes to discover something new.

Unfortunately, I was dealing with some heat sensitivity this weekend, and remembering my promise to my daughter for her wedding next weekend—and to take care of myself—meant I had to play it a little safe. 😂

So I didn’t get nearly as many pictures or wander around as much as I normally would. But I was there when I could be, and definitely there in spirit when I couldn’t.

Apparently, Dad has been reminded that he needs to follow orders once in a while. 😂❤️

So incredibly grateful to have been part of Integration 2026. 🙏

Thank you to everyone who made this weekend what it was.

And a special thanks to my Lakota Brothers Jaylin and Travis for lending me the buffalo drum because I forgot mine. Aho!!

Integration - STL

09/10/2026

🥁 Ever wanted to make your own Native American drum or rattle?

Here’s your chance at the Grunt Style Integration event!

I’ve done this myself at a previous gathering, and it’s a really cool process and experience. There’s something special about creating your own instrument and then putting it to use.

Drumming is good for the soul. ❤️🥁

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, check out the Integration lineup and see what speaks to you!

🌿 September 18–20 • Cuivre River State Park

09/03/2026

The Grunt Style team put together this real of a video we sent them describing the retreat and class. We are very grateful!!

Hope you enjoy ❤️🙏🏾

09/02/2026

🌿 INTEGRATION 2026 — FACILITATOR GUIDE IS UPDATED! 🌿

September 18–20 • Cuivre River State Park • Troy, MO

The Grunt Style Foundation team has updated the Facilitator Guide with all the practitioners, classes, ceremonies, and experiences being offered this year.

This is the 3rd annual Integration — a unique Midwest gathering focused on holistic healing and wellness for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. There are a LOT of different experiences and practitioners to choose from, all set in the beautiful surroundings of Cuivre River State Park.

I’m honored to be one of the facilitators offering Cleansing and Protection Training. And yes… my mug even made it onto the facilitator page! 😂

Check out the guide and see what speaks to you. You might find something you didn’t even know you needed.

👉 Integration 2026 Facilitator Guide: https://gruntstylefoundation.org/integration

👉 Registration link:
https://gruntstylefoundation-bloom.kindful.com/e/grunt-style-foundation-integration-weekend

08/25/2026

Honored to Be Selected as a Facilitator at This Year’s Grunt Style Integration Event

I’m both humbled and proud to share that I’ve been selected to serve as a facilitator at this year’s GruntStyle Integration Event.

I actually signed up a little later than I intended—my daughter’s wedding is the following weekend, so I had to get the official clearance first… with a few boundaries attached. 😂❤️

I’m happy to have the opportunity to share my Cleansing and Protection Training with the GruntStyle community.

This will be an experiential workshop exploring practical cleansing, grounding, and protection practices using breath, intention, mindfulness, sound, and connection with nature.

Honored, excited, and yes… still making sure I’m home in time for my daughter’s wedding. 😉

🌿 Old Man River Nature Retreat

Facilitator Guide:
https://www.gruntstylefoundation.org/integration

08/22/2026

Cool New Gadget — Personal Testimonial!

In our efforts to help people explore natural ways to support their health and practice what we preach, we figured we’d share a little story from one of our recent experiences.

During one of our last big project pushes, The Dock, I pushed myself a little too hard—as I tend to do sometimes—and my body definitely let me know it! 😂

My hands became extremely sore, especially the knuckle on my dominant hand. It got to the point where even something as simple as using a fork was painful.

I had been researching red-light therapy devices and recently visited our friend, Dr. Maureen Hughes. She recommended this cool little device called the DNA Vibe Jazz Band Live Pro.

I decided to give it a try, and after just one 20-minute treatment, I was very happy to notice a measurable improvement in my hand the following day and am all better now.

Needless to say, I’m pretty impressed with this little gadget!

We have one here if you’d like to experience it for yourself.

If you’re dealing with sore or achy joints and would like to try a free 20-minute session, just let us know. We’d be happy to let you give it a try!

This is simply my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice or a guarantee of results.

06/18/2026

🎶 Exploring the Benefits of Sound Therapy 🎶

https://aanmc.org/natural-remedies/science-behind-sound-therapy/

There is growing interest and research into the benefits of sound and vibration-based therapies. This article from the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges does a great job explaining some of the science behind sound therapy and how it may help support relaxation, stress reduction, mood, meditation, and overall well-being. Research has also explored how sound may influence the nervous system, brainwave activity, and relaxation responses within the body.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Nikola Tesla:

"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration."

At Old Man River Nature Retreat, we find this area of study fascinating. We've attended training and incorporated sound into personal wellness sessions because we've seen firsthand how deeply relaxing and enjoyable the experience can be.

Whether you're looking to quiet the mind, reduce stress, deepen meditation, or simply try something new, I encourage you to explore sound therapy for yourself.

We currently offer a personal Energy Cleansing, Clearing, and Balancing Session that incorporates sound and other wellness practices here at the retreat. Free to Veterans\First Responders and $60 for the public, sessions are usually around an hour.

I'd also like to recognize two wonderful practitioners that we highly recommend:

🎵 Andrew Livengood – Veteran and Sound Practitioner
Andrew shared his talents with guests during our recent retreat and has upcoming events:

• June 19 | 7:30–8:30 PM | Revivelt Fitness – Troy, IL
• June 21 | 4:00–5:15 PM | Moonbird Yoga – Troy, IL

🎵 Pati Pellerito at Center of Sound
https://www.centerofsound.com
Andrew and I both received training from Patti. She is an incredible sound practitioner and teacher. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her sessions or trainings, we highly recommend it. The experience can be truly amazing.

Life is about exploring, learning, and experiencing new things. Step outside your comfort zone, keep an open mind, and maybe give sound therapy a try.

Pause • Reflect • Renew

Sound therapy benefits explained: how 40 Hz frequencies and music-based therapy support pain, sleep, and neurological health, from a naturopathic view.

05/25/2026

We extend our deepest appreciation and respect to all military personnel who have served, their families, and supporters, acknowledging their sacrifices with gratitude and love.

05/04/2026

What a beautiful, heart-opening weekend it was ✨

There was definitely some mind-clearing and vibration-raising happening out here… and we’re still feeling it.

It’s hard to fully put into words the gratitude we’re carrying after this experience. Sharing space with such genuine, kind, and open-hearted people made this event something truly special.

To everyone who showed up, participated, donated and contributed your energy—thank you. You helped create something that went far beyond what we imagined.

This was our first larger gathering, a bit of a “pilot” in many ways, and the love and support we felt made it unforgettable. We laughed, we connected, we learned… and we had a whole lot of fun doing it.

Take a moment to enjoy some highlights from the weekend—we hope you can feel even a piece of what was shared here.

Something tells us… this won’t be the last one 🤍

Shihan Wellness Special Operations Charity Network