
A 2-Day immersive experience designed to help you clarify who you are, what you stand for, and how you intentionally and impactfully lead your life, both personally and professionally.
You set the same goals every January, by February, they’re forgotten or abandoned.
You buy the planner. Download the app. Read the book, still—nothing changes.
You know exactly what you should do but can’t seem to follow through.
Most people blame a lack of motivation, support, resources or time, but those aren’t the real problem.
What’s missing is a system that works—and people who help you stay committed to it.
This retreat is different.
You won’t just learn a framework—you’ll apply it. In real time. On your actual goals. With coaching, feedback, and accountability while you build.
You won’t simply leave inspired, you will leave with a plan that’s already in motion.
Over two powerful days, you’ll engage in high-impact workshops built around Mike’s Four Areas of Fitness—Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Mental (ESPM)—combined with guided reflection, live hot seat coaching, and meaningful connection with others who are just as committed to making excellence their average as you are.
It challenged me to push beyond my limits and helps me grow into the best version of myself. I'm more motivated, focused, and inspired than ever to continue my journey of personal growth.
- Tracy Hendron
Mike takes you on a step-by-step journey to restructure your mindset, priorities, and behaviors. Mastering these principles will give valuable insight into leading others down a similar path.
- John Preston
We can surprise ourselves sometimes. It's about continuing to challenge our mindset and limiting beliefs. Thank you, Mike, for this excellent program.
- Jennifer Franke
This retreat is for people who are tired of saying “someday” or “Once I….”.
You know you’re capable of more personally and professionally. You have goals you’ve been putting off – losing weight, starting a business, writing a book, getting a certification, making a career change, improving your fitness, relationships, etc. But the same things continue to get in the way; fear, lack of clear direction or purpose, failure to commit on paper on purpose, no plan to execute to success, perceived lack of time, etc.
If you’re ready to stop talking about what you want and start building a path to get there, this retreat is your next step.
The Journey In Excellence Retreat is ideal for individuals who:
Have goals in their heads but nothing written down
Feel busy but unproductive—to much activity without productivity
Know what they should do but struggle with execution and follow through
Want more than motivation, want structure, accountability and a proven framework
Embrace the concept of continuing to grow and get better every single day
Are ready to do the actual work and embrace excellence as their average
Proven Goal-Setting Framework
Learn Mike Oster's approach to setting goals that stick—going beyond the basics to include significance, written commitment, and tracking systems that dramatically increase your likelihood of success.
Your 90-Day Action Plan
Leave with more than just a goal. You'll break it down into actionable steps, set benchmarks, and identify exactly what needs to happen when AND make your first move before you leave.
Live Hot Seat Coaching
Real-time feedback on your specific goals and challenges. Watch coaching demonstrations, then participate in small group sessions where you're in the chair receiving personalized guidance.
Powerful Networking
Build lasting relationships with a curated group of driven, like-minded individuals who are on a similar journey in excellence.
Day One - The Journey Begins - Clarity
Friday, April 10, 2026 | 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Day One is about slowing down long enough to see clearly—your patterns, your purpose, and the path forward.
We begin by creating connection and trust within the room, setting the tone for honest reflection and meaningful work. Next, you’ll be introduced to the Journey In Excellence Four Areas of Fitness framework—Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Mental (ESPM) as the foundation for leading yourself well.
The thought patterns and beliefs that are shaping your current results
How mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness influence how you show up under pressure
Reconnecting with your deeper sense of purpose
Clarifying what truly matters to you—not what’s expected of you
Morning Focus Areas:
Welcome to the Journey & Networking
Mental Fitness
Emotional & Spiritual Fitness
Personal purpose discovery
We’ll break for a delicious catered lunch (on us), giving you time to connect, reflect, and recharge.
The afternoon shifts from insight to action.
This is where clarity becomes practical. You’ll work through a complete framework for turning vision into reality, learning how to translate purpose into meaningful goals that align with who you are and how you want to live.
You’ll leave Day One with:
A clear sense of purpose
A deeper understanding of how you’re currently leading yourself
Defined direction for where you want to go next
Afternoon Focus Areas:
Turning Vision into Reality
Goal-setting that actually leads to execution
Hot Seats in Action (real-time coaching and application)
Day Two - The Journey Continues - Commitment
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Day Two is about making your transformation last.
Clarity is powerful—but commitment is what changes lives. This day focuses on building the systems, habits, and support structures that turn insight into sustained action.
We’ll begin the day by reinforcing mental and emotional fitness, addressing what gets in the way of consistency and follow-through when life gets busy or uncomfortable.
Morning Focus Areas:
Reconnection & Networking
Mental Fitness for consistency and resilience
Emotional Fitness and self-awareness
Designing your environment for success
Identifying accountability partners and support structures
After refueling with lunch together, we move into the most important work of the weekend.
You will establish your goals and build your personal 90-day roadmap, complete with:
Clear priorities
Actionable steps
Realistic milestones
Built-in accountability
This is not theoretical planning. It’s practical, personal, and immediately applicable.
Afternoon Focus Areas:
The Journey Forward
Personal commitments
Celebrations and closure
You won’t leave with notes and good intentions. You’ll leave with clarity, commitment, and a plan to move forward.
That evening, you’re invited to join us for a group dinner, on us, to further connect, reflect, and celebrate the life of excellence ahead of you.
Two full days designed to get your goals out of your head and into action.
A proven goal-setting framework
Two days of focus, impactful and distraction free personal growth
A personal strategic plan aligned with your personal and professional life
A written personal mission, vision and established values
Your personalized 90-day action plan
Accountability partner matching
Live coaching and Hot Seat experience
Plus, we'll keep you fed.
Morning coffee and snacks
Catered lunches both days
Saturday group dinner
Registration closes March 31, 2026.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Mike Oster is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, leadership consultant, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of It Starts With Attitude. For more than 20 years, he has helped individuals and organizations strengthen leadership, culture, and performance by focusing on what matters most—how we show up.
Mike’s perspective is shaped by over 30 years of leadership experience in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. A combat veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, including serving as a Battalion Commander in Afghanistan. His career culminated serving as the Deputy Commanding General for Mobilization at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Assistant Adjutant General for the South Dakota Army National Guard. Throughout his career, he led people through uncertainty and change, where clarity, trust, and attitude made the difference between success and failure. His highest military awards include the Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal.
Beyond the military, Mike owns and operates multiple successful seven-figure businesses, serves on various advisory boards and councils, and works closely with nonprofit organizations across the country. His work resonates across industries because it is practical, relatable, and grounded in real-world experience.
Known for his high energy, humor, and authenticity, Mike doesn’t teach theory—he facilitates transformation. His work, based on the premise of “when we become better at who we are we become better in all we do”, challenges people to lead themselves with intention and build lives where excellence becomes the standard.
“I have been the fortunate beneficiary of Mike’s wisdom, inspiration, and coaching for over a decade! His ability to help me and others shift our thinking toward the positive and possibilities when it is really difficult is remarkable. The best part is he does it with incredible wit and humor, leaving the recipient both changed and entertained! A unique and inspiring quality!"
"Mike is very genuine and his commonsense approach to thinking positively reminded me how much control I have over how I approach my job, my coworkers, my family and my friends each day. "
- Sheila Mennenga
Mike didn’t just speak to us, he spoke with us, making the experience feel personal and interactive. His message was clear, impactful and delivered with the right mix of energy and authenticity.
- Ralph Peterson
Mike has consistently made an impact on our participants’ leadership development and personal growth. He brings a level of energy and engagement we rarely see and he has truly been an inspiration to our members.
- Jennifer Henrie
Mike delivered a powerful message that resonated with our team. His challenge to push back on the status quo and operate in a place where excellence becomes our average was impactful and resonated with all who had the pleasure of experiencing his message. Our attendees described Mike’s message as energetic, motivational and inspiring.
- Gary Brennan
The retreat will be held at Ignite sparked by BBB in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Each day will begin at 9:30 AM and include a catered lunch.
Friday will close at 5PM, while Saturday will end at 3PM.
A Saturday 6 PM group dinner is also included in your registration.
For $997, the retreat includes access to both in-person days, catered lunches, snacks and refreshments, workbook materials, and your 90-day accountability plan. Saturday group dinner is also on us.
The short answer: Yes, 100%.
When you grow as an individual, every area of your life grows too. Your relationships improve. Your productivity increases. Your confidence builds. Research shows that people who write down goals with accountability structures are 40-60% more likely to achieve them. If that's not an incredible return on investment, we don't know what is.
Most people spend months planning vacations but almost no time intentionally planning their lives. This retreat changes that. In two focused days, you'll gain clarity on your purpose, build a 90-day action plan using a proven framework, and receive live coaching on your specific challenges—not generic advice you could find in a book.
Registration closes on March 31, 2026. We have limited seating, so don't wait!
Just yourself and an open mind. We'll provide all workbook materials. Dress comfortably. Business casual works, but jeans are fine too.
Yes! We will have morning coffee, snacks, and lunch provided each day. On Saturday, we encourage you to join us for dinner.
If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know after registration.
You don't have to. But you'll want to.
Some of the most meaningful connections happen when the formal sessions end and real conversation begins. The group dinner is where breakthroughs get celebrated, accountability partners become friends, and the people you just met become part of your long-term support system.
You've invested two days in your growth. The dinner is where that investment turns into lasting relationships. Don't skip it.
Ignite sparked by BBB in Phoenix, Arizona (1010 E. Missouri Avenue).
Lodging and travel. We're happy to recommend nearby hotels upon registration.
Cancellation requests can be sent to Mike's team and must be received by March 31, 2026 for a refund (less processing fees).
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