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Slow down and notice
Guided practices to notice tension, breath and emotion, and how you respond under pressure.
CORECONNECT™ · COREMEN × MELD · SYDNEY · 5–8 MARCH 2027
Step out of the noise. Come back more present.
A four-day somatic men's retreat with Mike Sagun and Owen Marcus.
For men carrying work, family and responsibility who want to feel grounded and connected again. COREMEN in collaboration with MELD.
Sydney · 5–8 March 2027 · 20 places. Free to join the waitlist — no payment, no commitment.
AN HONEST PAUSE
You can look like you are holding it together and still feel far from yourself.
Work, family, responsibility and the constant pace of life can crowd out what matters. A retreat creates space to see more clearly and choose one honest next move.
OUR FRAMEWORK
Your journey back to yourself.
The hero’s journey is a story of stepping out of ordinary life, meeting challenges with support and returning with something useful. COREMEN’s Stage Odyssey applies that idea to men’s lives. These four movements show how it informs CORECONNECT.
Answer the call
Notice what needs attention. Step away from the noise and choose to make space for yourself.
Cross the threshold
Enter a supported circle of men. Slow down and begin noticing what is happening in your body.
Meet yourself
Explore familiar patterns with guidance. Practise feeling, speaking honestly and receiving support.
Bring it home
Choose simple practices to carry into your relationships, family, work and everyday life.
A guide to the experience, rather than a fixed daily timetable. Each man moves at his own pace.
Explore the full Stage OdysseyWHO THIS IS FOR
For men carrying more than they are saying.
Men balancing work, family, responsibility or change. No previous men's work experience needed.
Pause and check in
This may be right for you if…
Life can look successful on the outside while something feels missing within.
- You want space to pause.Step away from being constantly switched on and notice how you're really doing.
- You want to stay present under pressure.Practise noticing tension, breath and emotion before you withdraw, shut down or snap.
- You want more honest connection.Listen, say what you need and receive support from other men.
- You want tools you'll keep using.Simple practices to bring home to family, relationships and work.
- You're curious about body-based work.No experience needed — just a willingness to notice and practise.
The experience
What happens at the retreat.
Four days of guided body-based practice, honest conversation and connection, shaped with the facilitators.
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Practise with other men
Facilitated conversations in pairs, triads and small groups — practising listening and saying what's real.
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Make space to reflect
Time between sessions to rest, reflect and let the experience settle.
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Take it into everyday life
Practical ways to bring what you learn into relationships, work and daily routines.
Brotherhood
You don't have to carry it alone.
There is room to be heard, to listen and to connect with other men beyond the roles and responsibilities of everyday life.
Shared conversations. Ordinary moments. Men who get it.
COREMEN in collaboration with MELD
Meet the facilitators.
Experienced guidance. Space to be yourself.
Mike Sagun
Educator, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and somatic men's coach, working with men through coaching, retreats and group programs.
About Mike Sagun ↗
Owen Marcus
MELD co-founder with more than four decades of experience in men's emotional wellness and body-based personal development.
About Owen Marcus ↗
Your host · Fellow brother · MELD graduate
Ryan Key
Ryan is the founder of COREMEN, an entrepreneur, husband and father. Having completed MELD's CORE program, he brings his own experience of the work and a belief that men do not have to carry everything alone.
Ryan hosts CORECONNECT as a fellow brother, welcoming men into the room and connecting the retreat with everyday life. Mike Sagun and Owen Marcus lead the somatic facilitation.
Questions? [email protected]
About MELD
MELD is a men's health and education organisation that helps men build emotional awareness, relationship skills and connection through body-based practice and community.
Somatic simply means body-based. Alongside conversation, the work involves slowing down and noticing sensations, breath and emotion in the moment.
Learn more about MELD ↗Research
Behind the approach
A 2024 peer-reviewed study by Ellen Choi and Allen Sabey explored the experiences of 14 men in EVRYMAN's four-week online Fundamentals program, developed with Owen Marcus. Participants described greater emotional awareness and authenticity, less suppression and reactivity, and better relationships.
A small, exploratory qualitative study of an online men's group — not a clinical trial or an evaluation of this retreat, and not a guarantee of individual outcomes. CORECONNECT is educational and experiential; it does not replace psychotherapy, medical treatment or crisis care.
Four days · 5–8 March 2027
The rhythm of the retreat.
An outline to help you picture it. The facilitators will confirm the final program and timings.
Day 1 · 5 March
Arrive & settle
- Welcome and orientation
- Meet the men and facilitators
- Begin slowing down
Day 2 · 6 March
Notice & connect
- Guided body-based practice
- Tension, breath and emotion
- Listening in small groups
Day 3 · 7 March
Explore & practise
- Notice familiar patterns
- Practise honest expression
- Explore receiving support
Day 4 · 8 March
Integrate & return
- Reflect on your experience
- Choose practical next steps
- Close together
Plan your retreat
The investment.
CORECONNECT™ · Four days in Sydney
To be announced
The waitlist receives the full package first — venue, accommodation, meals, inclusions and payment terms — before bookings open. You decide then.
Join the founding waitlist ↗Free to join. No payment, no commitment.
Budget for separately
- Travel to Sydney
- Personal expenses
- Any extra nights or optional activities
Treat transport, accommodation and meals as unconfirmed until the final package states what's included.
Interested in joining us on retreat?
Join the founding waitlist20 places · Sydney · 5–8 March 2027
Founding waitlist.
You'll get the venue, program and investment details first. Free to join — no payment, and it doesn't reserve a place.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions, answered.
Dates, cost, commitment and what to expect.
When and where is CORECONNECT?
Four days, 5–8 March 2027, in Sydney. The venue, arrival and departure details will go to the waitlist first.
What will it cost?
The investment and inclusions will be released to the waitlist first. Joining the waitlist is free and needs no payment.
Does joining commit me to attend?
No. Joining is an expression of interest. It doesn't reserve or guarantee a place, and you can decide after you've seen the full details.
Do I need experience?
No previous men's work experience is needed. Just a willingness to notice, listen and practise.
Is this right for everyone?
Not always. CORECONNECT is educational and experiential, not clinical care, and it doesn't replace therapy or medical treatment. If you're in crisis or need mental health support right now, please start with your GP or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you're unsure whether the timing is right, book a call with Ryan and talk it through.
Do I need to be fit?
No particular fitness level is needed. The practice is body-based but gentle: attention to breath, sensation and movement at your own pace. Let us know about any injuries or health needs before you book.
Is what I share kept confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the group agreements the facilitators set at the start. What men share in the circle stays in the circle.
What about food and dietary needs?
Meals are being confirmed with the venue. You'll be asked about dietary requirements when bookings open.
What should I bring?
A packing list will be sent before the retreat. Comfortable clothes, a journal and an open mind are a good start.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancellation and refund terms will be shared with the full package, before you're asked to pay anything.
What if I'm curious but unsure?
Join the waitlist, or book a free call with Ryan. The aim is to work out together whether the retreat fits where you are.
What happens after I join?
You'll get a confirmation email straight away. The program, venue, inclusions and investment go to the waitlist before bookings open, and you decide then.
When and where is the retreat taking place?
The retreat runs for four days, 5–8 March 2027. The location and venue are still being finalised and will be announced to the waitlist. Arrival and departure times will be included with the full program.
How much does the retreat cost?
Complete pricing packages and room tiers will be released exclusively to waitlist members first. You will receive priority access alongside special early-bird pricing before public release.
Is there any financial commitment required to join the waitlist?
No. Joining the waitlist is completely free and involves zero upfront payment or binding obligation to attend. It simply secures your priority reservation window when spots open.
Is this retreat considered a clinical therapy service?
No. This is an immersive experiential retreat dedicated to personal development and reflective practices. It is not psychotherapy, clinical counselling, or psychiatric treatment. If you require medical or mental health support, we advise consulting an accredited healthcare provider.
What happens next after I join the waitlist?
You will receive an immediate confirmation email. As retreat preparations finalize, you will be sent the full itinerary overview, room options, and exclusive booking links directly via email.