RETREATS

It is a place where anyone can speak their mind completely freely, and the others will simply listen.

Just as you listen — without commenting. Internally, you might agree or disagree, accept it or not, hold onto the thought or forget it instantly… but no one will judge you, and no one will ask 'why.' You are alone with yourself, yet never lonely, because you are surrounded by people who have become your friends over these days — people who looked deep into their fears, anxieties, and inner thoughts, and shared them with you.

We managed to synchronize our thoughts, emotions, and moods, creating a space where everyone is equal and where we could talk about things that never come up in daily life. We walked the entire path: from the very beginning — who we are, who 'I' am, what the world means to me, how we interact with it and with those around us, how we make choices, love, fear, deceive ourselves, and relate to money and power — all the way to the end, to death, which actually can and should be spoken about, and to what we leave behind. And that truly matters.

Notes from these past few days that I am taking with me:

The most important thing in life is to hear your inner voice.

I am what is created by my choices.

I am a spaceship, but I was never given an operating manual.

A person is not the sum of the years they’ve lived, but what I have done with my time.

The power of the world lies in love and death.

Simplicity speaks to the greatness of one's character.

We need to increase the number of quality minutes in our lives.

Love turns existence into life.

Live as if you will die tomorrow.

Fear is like fire. You can use it to warm your food, or you can burn your house down.

Love heals.

Answers are found in silence.

Don't look at where everyone else is going or how they are living; look at where you are going and how you are living.
Thank you, Edem, for a piece of paradise on Ukrainian soil.

Thank you, CEO Club Ukraine, for the profound insights.

Had the honor of participating in the philosophical retreat hosted by CEO Club Ukraine.

It was an incredible two and a half days filled with fresh perspectives, heartfelt conversations, and profound insights. A rare opportunity to look inward, re-evaluate what truly matters, and recharge for the journey ahead.

In such a short time, leaders and founders of the country’s top businesses became truly kindred spirits.

My sincere thanks to CEO Club and Serhii Haidaichuk for the seamless organization, Edem Resort Medical & Spa for the warm hospitality, and SKAI for “bringing the light” (literally and figuratively!).

An experience I’d repeat in a heartbeat!

Freedom, love, money, power, building relationships, self-deception, fear, death, legacy...

These were the themes that filled my weekend, spent in a magical circle of extraordinary people.

We talked. We listened. We reflected. We questioned. We discovered new depths— within ourselves and in one another.

I drove back feeling like a calm lake after a morning stillness. Peaceful. Clear. Grounded. And at the same time, filled with a powerful longing: to live more deeply, to feel more, to do more.

I left so deeply enriched by this listening. Once again, I was reminded that the most valuable gifts we can offer one another are our time, our presence, and honest conversation.

Thank you to everyone who was there, and special thanks to Serhiy and CEO CLUB Ukraine for curating this magic.

When was the last time you asked yourself what you’re living this life for? I have an answer — my own. Of course, it’s not the ultimate truth, which is why I return to this question from time to time. And to others closely connected to it: the line between good and evil, love and fear, death and legacy.

Together with fellow members of CEO Club Ukraine (and a few from Arta Club), we shared our reflections during an offsite retreat. Three days filled with meaningful conversations with thoughtful, mature, and deep people about timeless themes. I often spoke first, as I mentioned — I have my own answers. But my colleagues’ perspectives frequently made me reconsider these questions from new angles. More than once, I experienced moments of real insight.

I’m sincerely grateful to all my fellow members for a wonderful weekend—honest conversations, watching and discussing a film, a psychological game, and constant dialogue. Special thanks to the President of the CEO Club, Serhiy Haidaichuk, and the Club team for their facilitation and support.

A philosophical retreat is like a surf training session — after it, you understand a little better how to ride the waves of life.

The philosophical retreat became more than just an event for me — it was a space for genuine inner work. Among business leaders, we didn’t talk about tools, but about what lies deeper: meaning, fear, love, truth, death, responsibility.

It was a rare opportunity to step beyond my own transactional reality and honestly look at myself through others — not judging my choices, but trying to understand why they are what they are. For me, it was less about finding answers and more about searching for the deeper meanings behind forms and words. Through interaction, our sense of the world expands, the number of points of connection grows, and with that, even more questions arise — ones that call for deeper reflection and understanding. These are the kinds of dialogues that make leadership more mature, a person more whole, and the environment more conscious.

First of all, this is my second time at this retreat, and each time feels completely different. Why is it important to be here? Because you step outside your usual environment and interact with people you don’t have dependent relationships with.

Through this retreat, you develop a new way of communicating — expressing your thoughts clearly and focusing on what truly matters. You learn to be yourself without comparing to others, you shape your individuality, and you start speaking, moving, and acting in new ways.

The retreat gives you a push toward action and change. It’s a chance to be surrounded by like-minded people — and a powerful way to connect.

At first, it felt unusual, but then it became incredibly valuable.
Thank you so much for this experience 🤝

This book meant a lot to me — thank you! I’m really looking forward to your next one 🙌

An incredible book — thank you! A must-read!

I listened to this book in audio format.

What impressed me most were the stories and adventures from the author’s student years and his time in the UK.

The book feels cohesive and is built on clear, strong human values.

Highly recommended.

I read the first book a year ago, and as a professional communicator, I found it incredibly insightful — thank you! When can we expect your next book?

Could I have spent the weekend any better? No. Because this kind of synergy — when 1+1=3 — is about meaning, community, and depth, and it creates a completely different taste of life.

Thankyou for such a meaningful and enjoyable time with an amazing group of like-minded people.

I got so much joy from the meeting —from the conversations with like-minded people, and from the depth with which we explored timeless themes: love, time, death, fear…

Each of us carries our own perspective, but when you see these ideas reflected through your friends’ experiences, your world expand seven more.
Thank you, Serhii Haidaichuk! Join in and expand your own world!

It was an amazing experience to take part in this retreat! Once again, a big thank you — I highly recommend it to everyone!

Thank you for doing this with us. It’s through these simple questions we ask OURSELVES that the incredible luxury we call LIFE unfolds.

A great, honest book — I read it in one sitting.

I’m looking forward to your new book!

The Club is wonderful!