
DEFYING GRAVITY
A 3-day transformational event for coaches, experts, and entrepreneurs
who want to rise as industry leaders and change the world with thought leadership.
May 6-8, 2025 at The Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert CA
3 months of expansion in 3 days
Clarify Your Mission, Enter the Genius Zone & Be Seen as an Industry Leader

$1500 $697
EARLY REGISTRATION RATE
Join us for 3 days of inspiration, expansion & breakthroughs in the beautiful Palm Desert.
If you are a:
Coach
Expert
Entrepreneur
Course Creator
(Or are in the process of developing any of these paths)
& you want to use a book or thought leadership to scale, expand and exponentially grow your mission, business and revenue
This is your year. It’s time to DEFY GRAVITY & WRITE AND GROW RICH!
2025 is a year like no other!
If we listen to the outside world, the media, & many experts, we hear that trust is down, the economy is contracted, clients are reluctant to make decisions, and invest in new mentors and services, careers are being taken over by AI
Yet . . .
It’s been in exactly these kind of conditions that some of the GREATEST innovations, evolutions, and breakthroughs have occurred.
It is exactly in these conditions that certain leaders RISE!
But we won’t rise by doing the same things we’ve done in years past.
If you are a leader who is called this year to
A bigger stage
A bestselling book
A greater impact
A LEGACY
You’re going to need new tools, new strategies, and a new MINDSET to do it!
Many of the greatest thought leaders throughout time have been the ones to REFUSE to accept the limitations, the status quo, the beliefs about what’s possible.
It takes that one moment, that one decision to release yourself with everything that’s held you back up until now,
and the vortex which we’ll be entering at this event will break you out of old limitations
And catapult you to that next level,
the bigger stage, the greater impact,
a legacy of your unique vision,
solutions and ideas the world needs at this time, and we want to make sure that happens when we come together in person.
Breakthroughs will happen and sometimes even miracles take place.
So excited to have you join us for this transformational experience!
$1500 $697
EARLY REGISTRATION RATE
I’m sharing this with you because, after living the life I’ve lived, and working with the people I’ve worked with, I know that if you have the calling to write, to speak, and to share your mission…
Not only are you capable and worthy, but someone out there right now needs your message… the one only you can share.
Your calling isn’t there by coincidence.
It’s there because you’re meant to make a BIG IMPACT on the world and there are people out there right now, waiting on your message.

Past retreat participants have become:
- Bestselling Authors
- Media Experts
- Industry Leaders
- Movement Creators
- TEDx Speakers
- 6 & 7-Figure Coaches
They’ve also changed lives…both theirs, and the lives of people they are meant to serve!
So come join the upcoming Write & Grow Rich Retreat happening May 6-8th at The Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert CA, and over three powerful, interactive, and inspirational days together, my team and I will empower you to:
Clarify your thought leader vision
Gain confidence
Get clear on EXACTLY what you want to write or create
A roadmap to finish and publish your first (or next) bestseller
Build a passionate audience of people eager to change their lives with your help
Use your writing to book speaking, podcasts, media appearances
Be seen as a leader in your industry
Monetize your writing and mission
Inspiring ways to share your mission and message with the world


Your ticket includes:
-
- Sessions on writing, marketing, thought leader strategy & monetizing your thought leadership
- Live coaching
- Connection and networking with AMAZING passionate, heart centered leaders
- Mindset breakthroughs
- Opportunity to add a 1-1 consult with our strategy team
- Immersion in the Vortex of nature explore and inspire your creativity and vision
Then click the button below to apply to the May 6-8 Write & Grow Rich Retreat!
$1500 $697
EARLY REGISTRATION RATE

In case you don’t know me yet, my name is Sara Connell, and after a book saved my life 17 years ago, I used my second chance to make a contribution as a best-selling author.
Then I devoted my life to helping women and men with a story to share change- and even save- lives by becoming bestselling authors and speakers.
The vow I made all those years ago has created a magical life. It took me to Oprah, The New York Times, Forbes, the TEDx stage, and many other exciting places.
It also inspired me to open Thought Leader Academy, where I enjoy the gift of coaching thousands of amazing authors, entrepreneurs, experts, and leaders who are changing the lives of millions through their bestselling books and talks.
Here’s what’s happening with clients who used what you will learn at this retreat:









Your mission, message, and audience are waiting!


WHEN: May 6-8, 2025
WHERE: The Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert CA
NOTE: Conference investment includes all content, materials, supplies and meals. Travel, accommodation, and other expenses are not included.
FAQ’s
What does my retreat ticket include?
Your ticket includes access to three full days of workshops, masterclasses, strategies, coaching, mindset work, connection and networking with a community of like-minded writers, and all materials and supplies- what you need to share your story, mission, and message with the world and build a passionate audience of people only YOU can serve! (It does not include travel, meals or accommodations.)
Is this for me?
This retreat is for you if you are a: Coach, Expert, Entrepreneur, Course Creator, (Or are in the process of developing any of these paths), & you want to use a book or thought leadership to scale, expand and exponentially grow your mission, business and revenue this year.
Is there a virtual option?
We are offering a fully in-person experience this year, so you can completely immerse and get the best possible results in the shortest amount of time. Immersion is a proven way to fast-forward results, and in-person immersion is most effective!
What if I get a ticket and then can’t come? Will I be able to get a refund?
The Hotel Paseo requires room payments in advance and does not offer refunds.
What if I’ve never finished - or even started - a book? Or if I’m not sure if I event want to write- Is this retreat for me?
Yes! Even if you have no clue what your writing should be about, or if you want to write yet, we will help you decide! What matters most is that you know you have a message to share in some say, and you want to clarify it, share it, and monetize it.
What if I HAVE published a book? Is this retreat for me?
Yes! If you want to publish another book, you’ll get what you need to identify your next book topic and make progress on fleshing it out, sharing it, and using it to fulfill your mission. This retreat will train you to sell more books, get bigger results and monetize your mission, story or any existing books in news ways.

ABOUT SARA CONNELL
Sara Connell is a bestselling author and founder of Thought Leader Academy where she helps coaches, writers and entrepreneurs become successful, published authors and in-demand speakers.
She has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The View, FOX Chicago, TEDx, The Today Show, and Katie Couric. Her writing has appeared in: The New York Times, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and Parenting. She’s the author of five books and has been nominated for a national book award and ELLE magazine Book of the Year.