Laughs and Blisters
Hi Everyone. I hope you a had great weekend. I did. It was a little exhausting but lots of fun nonetheless. Our first MBE program is done and dusted and we had a total blast with plenty of breakthroughs, a few tears, lots of laughs, some sore muscles, constant light bulb moments and a bunch of new friendships in the making.
The Group
This was the smallest group I’ve worked with for years (about thirty five people). This came about because we could only secure limited places at the time of booking. Far from being a negative, I actually loved working with fewer people. It gave me a chance to spend lots of quality time with people individually. As usual, we had lots of girls and very few blokes (four) attend. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions as to why men seem to avoid programs such as this. ;) The group was indeed diverse in terms of age, fitness levels (physical, emotional and psychological fitness), reasons for attending and personalities. Many people had flown from interstate to be there.
The Program
This weekend was, without doubt, the most laid-back, informal and freestyle program I’ve ever facilitated. I wore army shorts, sneakers and a flannel shirt the whole time! While there was plenty of learning, listening, discussing and exploring (natch), we intentionally had a heavy emphasis on the social and fun components (which were mostly the same thing). Sometimes, less structure is what works.
My Approach
I went into this program with a very vague ‘to-do’ list. While I wanted to cover certain subject matter, create some connection, push a few buttons, stimulate some minds, help create certain experiences and achieve a few desirable outcomes, I didn’t have a set plan or structured format. At all. Over the course of the weekend, people would often walk up and ask me “what are we doing next” and I’d say “I don’t know, let’s just turn up at (designated time) and see what happens.” And we did.
On Saturday night, it was my intention to run a coaching session. During dinner it became apparent to me that the level of connection, enjoyment, social harmony and fun was not something that needed to be interfered with by me. Instead of a post-dinner coaching session, we played team trivia and the fun vibe continued on through the night (waaaay through the night).
What I Learned
The older I get and the more I present, teach, coach, facilitate, observe and listen, the more I understand that, for me, following a fixed (inflexible, non-negotiable) program or presentation is quite disadvantageous and limiting. It often gets in the way of those instinctive moments, those organic connections and those magical breakthroughs. Of course, this ‘style’ (or is it lack of style?) won’t work for all presenters and coaches but it works for me. While I still have a way to go and much to learn, I feel that I have recently gone to a new level when it comes to reading audiences and providing what’s most appropriate, relevant and valuable in that moment. Even when I’m teaching, I’m learning. I love that.
The Venue, the Area, the Weather
The venue was ace. It was a basic lodge with bunk beds (four or six to a room), a great kitchen, hanging-out area, dining area, acceptable bathrooms and most importantly, it was heated! The area itself (Wilson’s Promontory) is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. Spending time at the Prom is healing, relaxing and mildly addictive. It’s like a gentle massage for your brain, heart and soul. 
If you’ve never been, you’re missing out.
The weather was… abundant. 
We had everything from rain, hail, thunder and lighting to blue skies and brilliant sunshine. On Saturday we bushwalked for hours (and hours) in the rain and it was awesome. For some reason, nature seems to smell even better when it’s wet. To me anyway. Despite our less-than-perfect hiking conditions, we had not one complaint, not one bad attitude and not one (serious) injury. All in all, it was a great weekend.
Big love to all my MBE(ers); it was great to meet you and hang out with you.
PS. I’ll post some pics this week.
Love this article? Sign up for my FREE Email Newsletter today to receive more articles like this, and my FREE Ebook!
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
{ 11 trackbacks }
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Craig and Co.,
I just want to thank you all for the MBE. My wife went along and came back motivated, inspired and determined to build on what she discovered/achieved over the weekend. This is more than I could have wished for.
I can see that – with a bit of nuturing and support at home – this can be the turning point she needed, and that I can also use it as a catalyst for my own transformation genesis.
Thanks again,
M@
Hi GUYS, THANK YOU, for sharing, pushing me, making me uncomfortable, self realisation, development, challenging me, listening, supporting me generally, for supporting me when I had “my moment” Thank you for the hugs.
YOU ARE BEUTIFUL PEOPLE
Thanks Johnny for being a rock when I was on the beach.
YES Craig, I am a freak I was up at 5.15 at went for my swim
I did my 100 laps (2.5K) today.
See you all on face book
I have just had a weekend that I don’t think I will ever forget. I got the opportunity the spend a weekend with some pretty amazing very cool people. For each of us there were highs and there were lows, there were laughs (lots of them) and there were tears and we were all there for each other and it was just ace.
I would never have thought that walking down a mountain in the pouring rain, conscious of not slipping and sliding the rest of the way down on my backside and taking out everyone in my way, would have such a profound effect on me. Nature most definitely does smell better in the rain. The unpredictable, unscheduled unplanned events of the weekend, made it just so much better. I’ll never forget the massive grin on my face coming back from the walk on Friday night, freezing, cold, sopping wet, but having loved every minute of it. Talking to people (quite often who we couldn’t even see it was that dark), who we had only just met hours before just seemed so normal.
To Craig, Johnny (Be good
) CJ, Christian, Merryn and Aaron, thanks again. To Ron and Mary…. honestly you already know… you guys rock.. and to Mary, I have finally found somebody that caters bigger than me 
To everyone one of you MBE’ers that I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend with, you are all amazing and beautiful people.
PS…. Non Negotiable # 1 – Day 1, – Check…… I didn’t hit the snooze button this morning.
I so wanted to go to that weekend, but there were too many previous commitments stopping me. NEXT TIME, and maybe in Spring or Summer (Being a Northern Territorian I would have complained about the weather). Glad to hear you had a wonderful time!
Glad to hear you all had so much fun, next time I want to be there but will need at least 6 months notice to get off work. Is that possible??
Ok, so this is my first situation; Its not a stuff up its a LEARNING
curve. So I spelt beautiful as beutiful ! what I really meant is
UUUZZZZ is all ACE !!!
“THAT” storm we forged our way through on Friday night. Given the chance I would do it again, and again. The mountain we climbed, we all climbed our own personal Everest. The burnt forest we touched and became part of for a while showed us what Resilience is. The questions to our answers came clear like the sun down on the beach of the last morning. The tree in the park showed us that not matter what happens to us, what direction we go in life we can still keep growing!
We reached for questions, we reached for answers, we reached for each other, and in it all we found ourselves,
our Minds, our Bodies and our Emotions. MBE
Hi All,
I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all on the MBE weekend. I came away feeling as though I had been at Wilson’s Prom for a week, not a weekend, I was so relaxed!
Who’d have thought that walking in the rain would be so pleasureable!
Thanks to Craig and his team for putting together such a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all and see you next time.
Lisetta
Awesome
The weekend had a bit of everything. The people, location, development opportunity and food all hit the mark. This morning I realised my butt hurt before I even opened my eyes but it was the best sleep I have had in a long time. I woke up feeling stronger and grounded. A sincere thank you for all the small moments of sharing and laughter and trust. It’s amazing what you learn by walking beside someone and just listening to their story. Wishing all my MBE buddies the fabulous week they deserve. Keep being you! Hugs from me.
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing weekend. Whenever I reflect on MBE I have a picture in my mind of your smiling faces and I can still hear your laughter.
I feel privileged to have spent a weekend with such incredible people. Your bravery in attending (many of you on your own) and your willingness to interact with and help others is a credit to you.
Thanks for making the first MBE so special. Big hugs for you all.
CJ xox
Thanks Craig and team for a great weekend, and especialy Mary & Ron, (the suppliers of great food).
What weather? Wouldn’t have been the same weekend if it was any different.
I am feeling a bit Prianka today, no quads, I needed a push to get up the stairs at work today but all is good.
I realy enjoyed the company, the comedy, the songs, the talks, the walks, the runs and Craigs non negotiable advice.
Looking forward to seeing some of the seven thousand pics.
Richard
Hi everyone
Hi 5′s to Craig and the Harper gang for an awesome inspiring weekend to experience.
Thank you Craig for changing my life. The wisdom, confidence and heart you have shown to me is inspiring. Your influence on my life is immeasurable. The breadth of the skills and lessons you have taught me will be amplified over my lifetime. Thanks again
A fantastic group of participants reinforcing that life is really good. To all my new MBE friends I look forward to staying in touch and growing together – with a few laughs and perhaps a little Zumba moves on the beach next time for stretching…….
Enjoy your week.
Fi XXX
THANKYOU.
Rather than thank anyone individually thanks to everyone who made it a really special weekend right from the very special welcome
(I won’t forget that one in a hurry!) to the hugs goodbye and the incredible drive home in the sunshine.
WOW. I don’t remember ever feeling so focused. It was a genuine workout of Mind, Body & Emotions. Although I didn’t quite crack it for a cry there were definitely some deep moments followed by some equally earth shattering realisations. The mix of learning, laughs, connecting and adventure was just right. And to think we pushed on through the best weather Victoria could throw at us.
I learned some things that weren’t listed in the brochure too…a bit about fibre and the party afterwards, people related quirky stuff, merkins (lol – do a wiki), how to make a seriously awesome lasagna, Az can ride a really long way and that a bunch of people with an awesome attitude, an open mind and an open heart can connect and do great things in no time at all….and the guy running the show wasn’t too bad either
Get a great bunch of people around you and you WILL do amazing.
Can’t wait for the MBE site and the pics and to catch up with some amazing new friends.
CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE.
W.
Ok Ok C2 – you got me. Let me know when the next one is and book me in.
I’ll be in ‘sunny’ Melb soon and hopefully you will actually be in the same state as me at the same time?? Congrats – clearly a good time had by all. Regards, C1
Hi Everyone,
Yes it was a fantasic weekend & the flight was a LOONG one home! Glad to have come over and although I don’t get over much to Melb. I’ll make an effort to let you know when I am over next and who knows, we might be able to do lunch!! Johnnie, you owe me a go in the boxing ring…and I’ll send you some of the pics I took this week, promise!
CJ, would like to say the WOMBAT was a highlight…you weren’t even looking for them at the time but gee that was funny. I’ll have to look up the song you were on about on itunes. Thanks to Craig & all the crew that helped pull the weekend off, Christian was deadly…Miriam wow what a voice! I must say I went into running this mornings 6am group class with 110% motivation and the group walked out cursing the motivation my weekend buddies gave me!!
I truely have felt that my perspective has changed, that I can always strive for a better version of me daily, to stop the over thinking and just get on with what I can control in life.
This weekend was priceless, thank you to all who attended xx
Hi All,
My experience of the MBE weekend was nothing but fantastic. I would like to say how honoured I feel to have been a part of this program.
I experienced a range of emotions, from one end of the spectrum to the other, from tears to snorting laughter. I am grateful to my fellow MBE’ers for their acceptance, encouragement, love and genuineness towards me.
To the facilitators! Craig, nothing but, thank you, thank you….! Johnny, Thursday’s will take on a new meaning in my household
Aaron, remember to take at least a spare pair of jocks wherever you go! CJ, my gorgeous roomie, keep the jokes coming! Christian, great legs mate! Merryn, what a woman & what a voice! And nothing but love for Ron & Mary!
I feel extremely privileged to have shared the MBE journey with such wonderful and inspiring people and look forward to staying in contact with you all.
Holly xx
Hi All,
My experience of the MBE weekend was nothing but fantastic. I would like to say how honoured I feel to have been a part of this program.
I experienced a range of emotions, from one end of the spectrum to the other, from tears to snorting laughter. I am grateful to my fellow MBE’ers for their acceptance, encouragement, love and genuineness towards me.
To the facilitators! Craig, nothing but, thank you, thank you….! Johnny, Thursday’s will take on a new meaning in my household
Aaron, remember to take at least a spare pair of jocks wherever you go & keep peddling! CJ my gorgeous roomie, keep the jokes coming! Christian, great legs mate! Merryn, what a woman & what a voice! And nothing but love for Ron & Mary!
I feel extremely privileged to have shared the MBE journey with such wonderful and inspiring people and look forward to staying in contact with you all.
Holly xx
MBE – Mind Blowing Epiphanies, well that is my version of the acronym for the MBE weekend.
I went from going there ‘shitting my pants’ (figuratively speaking) to literally having three poo-parties in one day. I think Craig’s words of wisdom, wit, and waffle
, (not necessarily in that order), may have fixed my constipation problem! And in the opposite direction those very same words were like a having a couple of imodium for the verbal diarrhoea (read negative self talk) going on in the brain. Quite a feat Craig. Thanks and big hugs 
Craig is not the only one I would like to thank.
There is the beautiful, caring, talented, and bloody hilarious CJ, love ya CJ xx Loved talking to you, thanks for the words of advice, hey you rock with trivia! BTW how is the head
.
Merryn, again, beautiful, caring, talented and most gorgeous voice to boot. So kind and generous, loved the beautiful trilogy products. Thanks for the walk and chat, and sharing of yourself. xx
Christian , my fellow paper sniffer buddy, (and I thought I was the only one), thanks for the walks and guiding us through the beautiful wilderness of the Prom (geez if I don’t say that you are beautiful, caring and talented I’m in trouble so ditto as above). xx
The fabulous Johnny, Craig’s right hand man, the quiet achiever (or not) who keeps it all together and has his eyes and ears on the job and a helping hand for us when we had our moments. Oh yeh plus a naughty sense of humour helped along by a little of the nectar of the gods. And yep ditto as above, beautiful, caring, talented…. xx
Aaron, an amazing athlete with the ability to iron out all the kinks and give my body the best feeling of physical release/relaxation that I have had in ages. That was brillliant, I’m so glad I stayed back for your stretches. And your taste in music, what can I say but awesome, you must be an old soul, oh yeh and you’re beautiful, caring and talented etc. xx
Well Craig, I said love, I said pet, I said darl, (loved Magda in the Fast Forward series) you really are extraordinary, funny, switched on, beautiful, caring and talented
, gifted in relating to others amongst a myriad of other important things such as loving Get Smart and being an excellent trivia MC 
. Your words of wisdom and the magic of the prom have made a big difference to my perspective on life and going there was the best decision I have made in decades. Yep I’m that old (but feel really young).
To Mary & Ron, what can I say other than I have not felt so much genuine love, care and generosity from people whom I have never met before in a long, long time. You are truly special people and the ‘mum’ hug meant the world to me Mary, thanks so much. I absolutely adored the home cooking, it took me back a long way and for that alone I can’t thank you enough. Ron you are a truly outstanding husband and father, lots of men don’t show their caring nature but you wear your heart on your sleeve and to see you and Mary together getting things done in the kitchen together, going about it without expectations was beautiful. You both deserve massive hugs and appreciation. Everyone loved having you folks around. Craig is one lucky guy to have such lovely parents.
Well lastly there are the people I met, it truly was a gift and an inspiration to meet you all and share the experience. It has renewed my faith that there are good people in the world and also reminded me to be grateful for what I have. It was humbling (in a good way), energising, relaxing, and a truly joyous experience for me.
One last thing: BOG pardon the pun (Best on Ground) trivia fact goes to the word Merkin. OUTSTANDING and to quote Craig in his vernacular, ‘who knew’. I certainly didn’t. I must throw that into my conversation sometime.
I’m sure I have probably forgotten someone or something but it’s taken me this long to write the bloomin’ thing drop me a line or two and I’ll put in a few words of appreciation if you’re feeling left out.
THANKS HEAPS TO EVERYONE. LOVE YOU ALL XOXOXOX
P.S. Cassie if you are on the site I sincerely hope that you are ok, I have been thinking of you.
LOVE KIM xx
Hi All, It’s taken me a week to respond to Craig’s MBE post because I’ve been so busy creating change and getting uncomfortable ever since I got home from The Prom, but I figured better late than never
What an amazing weekend it was. In many ways it was when I got home that the magnitude of how much I have learned and experienced begun to dawn on me. I feel stronger, more confident and more empowered than I ever imagined I could from one weekend.
Among many other things, I learnt to stop over-thinking, enjoyed just getting to know people for the sake of it, and have stopped making excuses to avoid getting uncomfortable and make some scary changes I have needed to make for a long time. I also amazed myself by not only walking a bloody long way, but actually enjoying it!
It wasn’t just the fantastic crew Craig brought with him, who are all totally amazing but there were so many positive, inspiring and simply awesome people…you have all left a permanent impression on me and I can’t thank you enough.
Now…when can we do it all over again?
Hi Everyone. It was great to meet each and every one of you and it’s fantastic to read all the blurbs and see that everyone really enjoyed themselves. I have been travelling to the Prom since the age of 5, camping and hiking by myself, and taking groups of clients to all the remote places of the prom. Nobody is ever disappointed and everyone longs to return. I hope that we all get together again soon, and you all make it out to Sealers Cove. Whilst you were all sucking up the knowledge and wisdom from magnificent Craig, I managed to sneak off and book the last cabin available for the year, for a weekend for Merrin and myself! Ha Ha. See you all soon. Christian Race Stewart.
Hey everyone..I’m the one that had to leave early – sorry I missed out on getting to know more of you and particiapting in what a sounded a fantastic Saturday & Sunday! In the end I didn’t have to worry as I got all good news back at home, so a big relief for me! It’s been 2 weeks since the Prom and I haven’t missed a breakfast yet. For me, that’s a big breakthrough as I never/rarely ate breakfast in the morning. We’re off to Falls Creek tomorrow for a week of skiing…in my case tumbling down the mountain on my butt, but who cares? It’s fun! Take care xx