“You will be shaken. You don’t have to be broken.”
Life will shake you.
This retreat is about what holds.
ROOTED & UNBROKEN is a gathering for men who are tired of holding life together by force. Men who feel the weight of responsibility, pressure, and expectation—and know that brute strength, performance, or numbing no longer works.
This is not about becoming unshakable.
It’s about being rooted deeply enough to bend without breaking.
Over the course of the retreat, we’ll focus on learning how to stay present in your body when things get uncomfortable, how to tell the truth without collapsing or hardening, and how to stand in who you are when life presses hard. The work is embodied, relational, and grounded in lived experience—not theory or motivational talk.
We’ll explore what most men are unknowingly rooted in—approval, performance, control, outcomes—and what happens when those roots fail. From there, we’ll practice anchoring in something deeper: your body, your truth, your inherent worth, and trust beyond circumstances.
This retreat includes:
- Somatic and nervous-system–based practices
- Honest conversation and shared reflection
- Spiritual grounding without dogma
- Opportunities to both receive and contribute
ROOTED & UNBROKEN is not about fixing yourself.
It’s about stopping the quiet ways you abandon yourself under pressure—and learning how to stay.
You will be shaken.
You don’t have to be broken.
“COA is the remedy for the plague that has come upon this generation of men. Society has taught us that we must be apart from nature and each other when we must come together so that we can be strong and connected.”
Who
COA is a brotherhood for men who know that strength isn’t forged in isolation. In a culture that pulls men away from nature, from one another, and from their inner lives, this work calls men back into connection—grounded, honest, and embodied.
The men who gather here come from different backgrounds, professions, and spiritual traditions, but they share a common thread: a sincere desire for growth, transformation, and service. Each man brings his own story, experience, and way of being—and together, those differences become a source of strength rather than division.
These are men who have carried responsibility, faced challenge, and kept going. Men who have endured more than they often acknowledge. Men who are learning to see their lives not just through what they produce, but through who they are becoming.
COA doesn’t celebrate ego or performance. It honors courage, humility, and the willingness to show up fully. The men here are not perfect—but they are committed. They show up for their families, their work, and their communities. They don’t avoid hard conversations or hard work. They lead not by dominance, but by presence.
Why only men?
Because when men gather together and drop the mask, something rare happens. Guarded strength softens into grounded truth. Competition gives way to trust. Healing becomes possible—not through fixing, but through being seen.
There is nothing quite like it.
“I haven’t experienced anything quite like that weekend, well, ever. It was intense, rewarding, and it showed me what happens when people are truly vulnerable with each other. It was a beautiful thing.”
What to Expect
- Spiritual formation grounded in contemporary psychology and lived practice
- Daily embodied practices including yoga, cold exposure, and somatic breathwork
- Nourishing, thoughtfully prepared meals on site (vegan and vegetarian options available)
- Meaningful connection with men from across the U.S. committed to growth, honesty, and service
- Practical takeaways you can integrate into real life—not theory
- Three-night stay in a beautiful log cabin lodge (linens and towels provided)
- Large- and small-group sessions designed for depth, not performance
- Space to rest, play, reflect, and step out of constant responsibility
- A custom ROOTED & UNBROKEN T-shirt as a tangible reminder of the work
Why This Works
The practices themselves are powerful.
Doing them in the presence of other men who are serious about growth is what makes the experience transformative.
This retreat offers time away from work, family demands, and constant decision-making—creating space for rejuvenation, clarity, and honest connection. Everything is taken care of, from logistics to meals, so you can stop managing and start settling.
You don’t need to prove anything here.
Just show up—and feel your shoulders drop.
“COA is a chance to reconnect with yourself alongside others who are doing the same. It is a unique and authentic experience and an amazing opportunity for growth, should you be courageous enough to open your heart and be vulnerable.”
When
It starts at 5pm on Thursday, September 17th
and ends 11am Sunday , September 20th
Some may not be able to make it until later in the evening on Thursday. Dinner will be at 6 with our opening events starting at 7:30.
Where
Located next to a stocked 3 acre pond with canoe and kayak, this massive 5200 square foot log cabin in Brownsburg Indiana, a short 25 minute drive from Indianapolis International Airport. It sleeps 20 and is equipped with 5.5 baths, pool table, fire pit and walk out basement.
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The Food
We eat like kings all weekend. We cook and eat all our meals together family style. The conversations around the dinner table are truly priceless. Vegetarian and Vegan options are available as well.
“The retreat, company of men, facilitator, and curriculum, all created a space that was safe to explore, challenge, be honest, learn, and become a better person! The retreat has definitely literally changed my life! What an opportunity!”
Why
Because strength without grounding eventually costs you.
This retreat is an opportunity to be poured into, to be supported, and to step out of constant output. It’s time to recalibrate, re-center, and reconnect with what actually holds you when life gets heavy.
You’ll form honest connections with other men who are committed to growth and integrity—not image or performance. And you won’t just feel better while you’re here. You’ll return home more present, more grounded, and more available to the people who matter most.
Your family will feel the difference.
Not because you tried harder—but because you came back rooted and unbroken.
Leadership
David Cunningham — Founder & Lead Facilitator
David Cunningham is the founder of Celebration of Awesomeness and the primary guide for the ROOTED & UNBROKEN retreat.
A father of five, nationally awarded realist painter, tenured college professor, and 25 years sober, David brings lived authority to the work. He integrates somatic practice, spiritual grounding, deep listening, and direct truth-telling to help men reconnect with integrity, purpose, and presence.
David doesn’t position himself as a fixer or guru. He creates the container, guides the process, and walks beside men as they confront what’s real, release what’s false, and return home more grounded than when they arrived.
Guest Facilitator
Ken Caselden — Breathwork & Cold Immersion
Ken Caselden is a licensed psychotherapist and Certified Breath Instructor with over 15 years of experience supporting men navigating addiction, anger, and emotional healing.
At ROOTED & UNBROKEN, Ken leads our breathwork sessions and cold immersion experiences, helping men regulate the nervous system and reconnect with their bodies under pressure.
Ken brings a steady, grounded presence to these practices and supports the retreat through his expertise in breath and embodied regulation
“The retreat made me feel as though I had been delivered from myself.”
Investment
WHAT’S THIS EXPERIENCE REALLY WORTH?
- 3 nights in a beautiful log cabin on a private 3-acre pond? → $600
- 5 home-cooked meals shared with good men? → $800
- Coaching, healing, and spiritual fire from seasoned guides? → $1600
- Yoga, book swap, firepit connection, laughter, s’mores, and brotherhood? → Priceless
Real-world value: $1800+
Your cost: as low as $525
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Early Bird — Paid in Full by June 1
$585
- First choice of beds
- Priority placement
- Locks in your spot and commitment
Standard Registration — After June 1
$695
- Payment due in full by August 1
Split Payment Option
$250 non-refundable deposit
Bed priority goes to paid-in-full registrations
Holds your spot
Remaining $445 due by August 1
Cancellation Policy
The $250 deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel before August 1, 2026, any amount paid beyond the deposit will be refunded. If you cancel on or after August 1, 2026, no refunds will be issued unless your spot is filled by another participant. If your spot is filled, you will receive a refund minus the $250 deposit. By registering and submitting payment, you agree to these terms.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
We’re offering up to 3 scholarships to reduce the cost for men who feel deeply called to attend but are currently navigating financial hardship.
- Scholarships range from $125 to $325 off
- Your final cost may be $500, $400, or $300, depending on need
- Priority goes to younger men, those in life transition, or anyone with significant financial strain
- All recipients are expected to contribute what they can and show up fully—this is about commitment, not charity
HOW TO APPLY
Deadline to Apply: August 1
Decisions Announced: August 5
To apply, text me at 317.603.0886 and answer these 3 questions:
- Why do you feel called to this retreat?
- What amount can you realistically afford to pay?
- What is the nature of your particular financial hardship?
Some recipients may be invited to contribute by helping with cleanup, packing/unpacking, and other administrative tasks.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
There are 20 beds available, first come, first paid. Additionally, I will bring 10 high quality twin air mattresses.
After that, sleeping outdoors isn’t a backup plan—it’s a choice.
If you’re the kind of man who finds peace in the quiet of a tent, the stillness of a hammock, or the beauty of sleeping under stars, you’ll have plenty of space to do that. Some guys actually prefer it.
If this is calling to you—don’t wait.
This isn’t about convenience.
It’s about breakthrough.
It’s about who you’re becoming.
Testimonials From Participants
“Much needed retreat for men in our culture of disconnection and emotional suppression.”
“COA is a literal celebration of existence and the amazing ness of strong men that are trying to do better for themselves and everyone around them“
“I push myself to be more successful in work, family, and health. But I seldom find ways to challenge and inspire my heart and spirit that is the center of it all. That is what the weekend is all about.”
“COA was a rare experience in American culture. Within the first hour, a level of vulnerability was reached that is seldom experienced in any other facet of life. I felt welcomed and invited to be myself with no pretense. It was healing.”
“COA was a rare experience in American culture. Within the first hour, a level of vulnerability was reached that is seldom experienced in any other facet of life. I felt welcomed and invited to be myself with no pretense. It was healing.”
“While the retreats’ interactions certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone they also seemed to open a door to a more human experience…a break from my constant cerebral focus. I still draw on the insight, perspective and conversations born from that weekend.”