Article published in La Presse+ - Fall 2023
Exhausted by the hectic pace of life, the constant pressure to perform and the arrival of her fourth As a child, Madeleine Arcand one day felt the desire – or rather the need – to slow down.
In the personal journey that followed, the young woman quickly realized that she was not the only one who felt caught up in this kind of whirlwind. With Miracles, la Grande Retraite, she wanted to offer others the opportunity to stop for a weekend, reflect on the different facets of their daily lives and readjust their aim in order to "(re)fall in love with their life". Nothing less.
Madeleine Arcand worked in the media industry for a long time. She remembers the moment when she reached a point of no return: "I wanted to take back control of my life and my schedule, to be more present for my children, to become my own boss." Determined to listen to herself, she trained in yoga, meditation and Buddhist teachings with the greatest, then went into business for herself.
Wellness fashion entrepreneur
In 2016, she co-founded Rose Buddha, an eco-responsible and ethical clothing company, and finally lived in accordance with her values. At the end of 2022, she sold her thriving business and took stock: “I asked myself what I wanted to do for the second part of my professional life. I had led meditation retreats, and I systematically met women who were out of breath, fighting symptoms of depression or overwork. They left feeling soothed, transformed, and it shook me every time. It gave me hope in what I had to offer.”
A clear mission
Wanting to find a way to help more people at the same time, Madeleine co-founded Miracles, la Grande Retraite, and organized its inaugural event in June 2023. For the occasion, she invited about twenty specialists who covered all topics related to well-being: meditation, psychology, intuitive eating, reiki, self-hypnosis, hormone therapy, conscious breathing, sexuality, microdosing, mantra chants, life as a couple and much more. Nearly 300 people gathered at this first annual “Quebec Wanderlust” at the Fairmont Tremblant.
Time for yourself
No need to be an insider to participate. “It’s above all a way to take a break, to disconnect from the outside world to reconnect with yourself and do a big clean-up to redefine your priorities,” explains Madeleine. “We don’t really claim to perform “miracles,” in fact, but the strength we get from sharing these moments together, with the same goal, is impressive.” The transformative power of these three days is also one of the observations made by those who took part.
A tailor-made stay
Miracles, la Grande Retraite offers different packages, including one that includes accommodation at the Fairmont Tremblant hotel as well as pesco-vegetarian meals made with fresh, local products. The 2024 event will take place from May 31 to June 2, and 500 people are expected, in addition to the 20 specialists who will give the conferences and workshops. Online registration has begun; you can already personalize your experience by selecting the activities you want to participate in. “Create the ‘you are the hero’ retreat,” recommends Madeleine.
Reflection… and laughter
With 20 renowned specialists, including Dr. Lyne Desautels who will give a lecture on the power of hormones, host Chantal Lacroix who will talk about choosing yourself, and nutritionist Isabelle Huot who will address the topic of nutrition to the rescue of mental health, this Great Retreat will help you rethink all aspects of your life. Time will also be allocated to relaxation and outdoor activities so that participants can build deep and lasting connections.
DISCOVER the virtual workshops offered by Madeleine here