What I Witnessed at Katy’s First Embody Abundance Retreat
This week’s post is written by my husband, who got a front-row seat at my first-ever Embody Abundance Retreat this past weekend. I didn’t know he was planning to write this — and reading it made me cry.
What I Witnessed at Katy’s First Embody Abundance Retreat
Sept 29, 2025
This week’s post is a little different — it’s written by me, Katy’s husband. (She’s been writing this blog every single week for seven years, so I figured it was time for me to sneak one in!)
I wanted to share what I witnessed this past weekend at her first-ever Embody Abundance Retreat in Pasadena — because honestly, it was incredible.
Behind the Scenes
I’ve been helping Katy plan this retreat since January.
I helped find the event space, and locked in the restaurant for our Saturday group lunch — a lively dim sum meal that turned out to be the perfect cultural and emotional connector. (Katy’s from Taiwan, so this style of cuisine has always been close to her heart and her family roots.)
That meal was delicious, full of laughter, and really set the tone for the weekend: community, connection, and nourishment — on every level.
The Experience
Twenty participants showed up — men and women of all different ages, races, and backgrounds.
What Katy created for them wasn’t just a “wellness weekend.” It was a transformational experience. High performance coach, Tilita Lutterloh, lead the group in many hip opening exercises that got the group ready to open up their hearts.
Katy guided everyone through a series of carefully designed phases:
Opening up mentally and physically to get comfortable being vulnerable
Releasing obstacles that have been quietly shaping their lives
Having powerful conversations of discovery and collaboration
Finding clarity and purpose
Committing to take action toward a more abundant, aligned life
The first day of embodiment work ended with the best sound bath, conducted by DeAnna Carpenter….
The retreat ended with a joyful celebration — music, movement, and dance. A sense of rebirth filled the room. You could feel it in everyone’s faces and energy.
My Role
I wasn’t just a bystander. I took photos throughout the weekend and jumped in when Katy or the group needed a little extra support. Sometimes that meant helping participants who were processing something deep. Other times, it just meant holding space, quietly, so they could do the work they needed to do.
I simply followed Katy’s lead — and watched her run this event with power, empathy, and so much grace.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
There was one couple who made a big impression on me, a couple I’ll call J & R.
J had dreamed of coming to one of Katy’s events for years, and this was finally her chance. Her husband R joined her, but I could tell this wasn’t exactly his scene.
He's an East Coast utility worker — the kind of guy who’s worked sixteen-hour days for decades, carries a pocket knife, and embodies old-school values. The kind of guy who fixes things, provides, but keeps his feelings private.
But what I saw happen over those two days surprised me.
J faced and released a trauma that had held her back for decades, and her husband R, who came mainly to make her happy, opened up too.
He went there.
He shared.
He released.
He faced his own generational patterns and showed up for his wife in a completely new way. Watching the two of them transform was a very moving moment.
By the end, they (like everyone else) looked and felt like completely different people — lighter, freer, more alive.
The Energy in the Room
The energy this past weekend was something special.
The men brought a grounded, nurturing strength. The women held one another like sisters. Everyone was connected by this invisible thread of love, compassion, and shared growth.
And right in the center of it all was Katy.
Katy’s metaphorical wing stretched around the entire group — protecting, guiding, and holding everyone in safety as they went through their own emotional transformations.
It was beautiful to witness.
What Stood Out Most
Every participant left not only with a full heart, but with 30, 60, and 90-day accountability partners — so they can integrate what they learned into real life and continue the work together.
That’s what makes this retreat so different. It wasn’t just a weekend escape. It was a true launch point for lasting change.
My Reflection
Katy — watching you lead this retreat was like watching you step into your full power.
You held a room of twenty souls in your light, your wisdom, and your compassion.
You’ve always been the heart of our family, but this weekend, you became the heart of a community — a group of people who will walk away changed forever.
I couldn’t be prouder of you.
Love,
Michael