Freedom through Discipline
“The whole experience was really incredible. It was so empowering knowing that I I’m capable of doing the hard stuff and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.”
Lucas
Fasting. Stillness. Strength.
A minimalist reset for men ready to strip away distraction and meet themselves in silence.
What is this?
The Spartan Retreat is a small, men’s fasting retreat held in a secluded cabin in the woods near Bedford Indiana.
No teaching. No performance. No noise.
Just fasting, guided meditation, cold water plunges, breath work, and long hikes in nature.
A stripped-down space to reset your body, clear your mind, and remember who you are without the constant pull of the world.
Choose your path
The Initiate – 48 hours (Fri–Sun)
- Arrive Friday evening, depart Sunday late morning
- Weekend reset of fasting, silence, and reflection
- Morning and evening guided meditations
- River plunge and meditative hike
Investment: $395
Deposit: $200 (applied to total)
The Warrior – 96 hours (Wed–Sun)
- Arrive Wednesday evening, depart Sunday late morning
- Extended fast and solitude before the group fully gathers
- Deeper stillness, more time off the grid
- Morning and evening meditations, plunge, hike
Investment: $495
Deposit: $200 (applied to total)
The Sage – 120 hours (Tues–Sun)
- Arrive Tuesday evening, depart Sunday late morning
- Full 5-day immersion in fasting, silence, and nature
- Maximum space for spiritual clarity and nervous system reset
- Morning and evening meditations, plunge, hike
Investment: $595
Deposit: $200 (applied to total)
Deposits are non-refundable but transferable to a future Spartan Retreat.
What’s Included:
Shared lodging in a rustic private cabin in the woods
Morning and evening guided meditations
Lake cold plunge ritual
Long meditative hike
Mineral rich spring water and broth to break the fast.
Quiet, tech free environment to fully unplug.
Shirt to remember the experience by
This Retreat is for you if…
- You feel fried, overloaded, or scattered and need a hard reset
- You sense there’s something deeper calling you, but everyday life is too loud to hear
- You’re willing to fast, sit in silence, and lean into discomfort for the sake of clarity
- You want an intimate men’s space (8 total) that isn’t about hype, content, or performance
- “Freedom through discipline” resonates more than “comfort at all costs”
Retreat Details:
- Location: Private cabin on 6 acres of remote woods, in Bedford Indiana ( 2 hours south of Indianapolis)
- Group Size: Limited to 8 men
- Dates: January 13–18 (Initiate, Warrior, and Sage arrival options)
- Food: Water, Tea and Coffee only. We will break our fast with bone broth on Sunday.
- Fitness level: Basic ability to hike for an extended period and safely do cold exposure. Please check with doctor if on medication or if doing the longer fasts.
- Media Freedom: No phone, tv or digital media. Journals or nonfiction books allowed.
- Silence: Daily silence from 10-4 for deeper contemplation.
This is not a luxury retreat. It’s a deliberate step into simplicity, quiet, and truth.
Where
“The Cabin” is located in very rural southern Indiana (Bedford area) on 6 acres of wooded land It is approximately one hour 45 minutes south of Indianapolis. Although this is a Spartan retreat you will enjoy a wood burning stove, fire pit, and wood planked walls in this remote cabin in the woods. It is just 20 minutes away from Hoosier National forrest and miles of trails. We have beds for up to 8 or you are welcome to camp on site.
Check out this video below from Bret Maynard
“There is something powerful about men sharing, being open and vulnerable. I wasn’t exposed to that growing up. It’s been very powerful. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Bret
“It’s a much needed experience that’s happened here. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it even through some of the pain. My new prayer from this experience is “let my pain be a lesson in love and unconditional kindness.””
Eric
Leadership
David Cunningham is a leading educator in mindset performance helping men understand and reprogram their subconscious. He is a healer, nationally awarded artist, professor, flawed hero, father of 5, mystic, black belt, 25 year sober alcoholic, founder/leader of COA and lover of run-on sentences. He cares deeply about others and loves helping people reframe situations to find peace in the midst of difficulty. For the past two decades, he has remained deeply committed to doing the deep, and often challenging, spiritual work required to heal and grow. His passion for self-development and spiritual sensitivity has equipped him to listen and coach with compassion, kindness, humor and insight.