The Ascend Retreat Series is a private, invitation-only gathering designed for entrepreneurs, executives, founders, and curious minds who want to step out of the noise of daily life and reconnect with what matters most. Held over three days and two nights at the Renaissance Austin Arboretum in Austin, Texas, each cohort is intentionally limited to eight guests, creating the intimacy and trust required for honest conversation, real reflection, and lasting change.
The experience is co-led by Stephan and Spencer Schwab, who guide every cohort in person. Together they curate a rhythm that balances structured facilitation with unstructured freedom: morning movement and breathwork, guided sessions on clarity and leadership, private dinners at Austin's best tables, and unhurried evenings on the rooftop. The goal is not a conference or a course, but a hosted experience, from the moment you arrive to the moment you return home.
The curriculum is built around three pillars: clarity, the practice of seeing your own patterns honestly; mastery, the deliberate cultivation of craft and habit; and kinship, the rare privilege of spending time with peers who share your ambition and your values. Sessions are intimate by design, never more than eight participants, and every guest leaves with a personal framework they can apply the Monday after they return.
The Renaissance Austin Arboretum serves as both residence and backdrop, placing guests steps from world-class dining, the Arboretum's shaded trails, and the city's most distinctive neighborhoods. Accommodations, meals, sessions, and curated nightlife are included in a single all-inclusive investment of $2,995 per person. The October 9 through 11, 2026 cohort is sold out. Registration is now open for the next retreat, and applications are reviewed personally.