Shona Reflections 2026 by Lara Milward

The first Strive of 2026 was incredibly powerful and not in a way I expected.

22 of us, some new, some known, embraced the wilderness of an island in Scotland in January (we had sunshine the whole time!) to hike, swim, reflect and use breathwork to set intentions for the year and to reset.

Every morning started with a slient hike to the summit. I didn't know I could be silent and phone-less for an hour.

Two things really struck me.

1. The insights & ideas you can have when you allow your brain to wander

2. How close you can feel to people just by walking with them - the 'sound of silence' was huge.

What else struck me? The power of an undistracted conversation. No-one had phones pinging at us. When we had discussions, we were fully present. Time to think and time to listen - what a gift for personal growth alongside collective thinking about what positive impact we Strivers want to have in the world this year.

In the afternoon,our breathwork led by Rob Rea was nothing short of transformational.

I was a naysayer - holding back from fully embracing what felt a bit woo-woo and highly uncomfortable. By the second day, Rob's magic (he has power of biblical proportions in my view) removed my armour and I had a deep insight into a narrative and a behaviour that I had been holding onto and that was holding me back personally and professionally.

The transformation was in my energy - the next day I felt lighter, freer and full of positive energy for the next steps in life.

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by Lara Milward