Effortless magic in the mountains
Last week I was away in the Alps with 17 founders and leaders from the UK, Europe and the US.
It was our annual retreat for those seeking a reset and looking to work out what’s next.
Some we have known for years, many we had never met before.
But we all left with a sense we had created some truly special, together.
Alptitude 2025 will live long in the memory. Each year is special, but I can't remember a group becoming this connected this quickly.
You could feel it from the first minute. We needed this experience and one other.
“I went away, to come back to me.”
Starting with the right questions.
On the first day we asked people: “Why are you here?”
But what was more interesting as the week unfolded was: “Why are you really here?”
Often this only comes clear once you're there.
The bonds built over 7 days at Alptitude cut deep.
Vulnerability is encouraged.
Mutual support is on offer.
Strangers became friends.
Another question that got us all thinking was:
“When was the last time you truly felt deeply aligned and alive?”
Personally I’ve never felt more alive or aligned in my work than this week in the mountains.
Where 10 years of running gatherings like this led to a feeling of deep flow - where conversations, meals and experiences merged into one another (it helps having a great team, btw so huge thanks to Claire, Arno, Sally-Anne and Jess).
Someone once told me that it takes a decade to achieve mastery. Maybe there's some truth in this.
I felt alive... from the people, the laughter and the tears. A sense of camaraderie that is rare in life, not just in business.
I felt aligned... as work and play were one and the same. These people we had gathered all knew what mattered.
Below are my 10 takeaways from the week:
1. The collective is wiser than any guru
Over the week we saw how none of us is as smart as all of us. We encourage those at a transition point, or facing a big challenge, to pose their question to the group in the form of a Wise Crowd.
Again and again we saw how opening up in this way built understanding, clarity, and connection.
2. Friendship first, business second
If you’ve ever been to a Happy Startup event, you’ll realise we do things differently. Someone described it last week as ‘reverse networking’.
In short: we get to know each other as people first, business owners second.
You’ll spend a week getting to know everything about someone, and then find yourself asking on the last day ‘so what is it you do again?’
Whilst this may seem counter intuitive, deep levels of trust are already built and then there’s a desire to support, encourage and collaborate with one another because we know each other's story, not because we exchanged business cards.
“No mud, no lotus”
3. The art of not knowing
It can be easy to find quick solutions, but it can be harder to say ‘I don’t know’. Feeling stuck, sitting in the mud can be overwhelming.
But when you’re with others also in transition, it can be OK to sit in the space of not knowing.
4. Nature heals, mountains hold
When we spent time in nature, especially these majestic mountains, something shifts. We feel humble, we gain perspective and our priorities shift. We feel held by these giants, and less alone.
5. Opportunities arise from space, not force
As an event organiser it can be tempting to fill the schedule with 'value' - predefined workshops, talks or conversations.
But the magic of Alptitude is in the in-between bits, the chance chat on a hike, the impromptu creative brainstorm or the question or comment from someone in a sharing circle that sends you on a different, more fulfilling path.
6. Age is just a number
The group spanned more than 30 years - from people in their 30s to 60s. This intergenerational spread created a lovely family feel, of kinship and mutual support.
We even celebrated our differences, and had courageous conversations that bonded the group.
7. No-one needs fixing
I heard it from multiple people that they came seeking answers and solutions, but left feeling fully resourced with a sense that they have everything they need.
What was missing was focus, clarity and confidence in their direction.
This encouragement from others shines a light on our superpowers, and helps us realise what we have right in front of us, but just can't see on our own.
8. Trust in yourself and others
For many coming, they had to trust their gut instinct that they needed to be there in the first place.
Trust starts with ourselves and what's calling us, and then ripples out to trusting others.
At Alptitude everyone places a lot of trust in us as hosts, which we don't take lightly. It also requires leaning into a process finely tuned over many years.
The more this happens, the more profound the outcomes for everyone.
9. Creativity comes from calm
Friday afternoon at Alptitude sees us processing the week’s feelings, conversations, insights and new understanding through a hands-on creative practice hosted by the wonderful Claire Knill from our team.
An embodied experience that connects the mind, heart and hands. One where we can layer meaning into the making or simply enjoy the process.
There is no right or wrong. There is no required outcome. Just peaceful presence and joyful connection.
10. Laughter and music are the best medicine
As well as deep chats and tears, there was laughter on tap. I can't remember laughing so much in a long time.
As well as this we had music on our road trips (the party bus is for keeps ) and were also treated to a special performance by one of the group Véronique Peron. I even joined her on percussion for some of the songs.
One of the songs Véro played was Back On My Feet by Kimberose. She said this was the feeling she came away with after taking part in Vision 20/20 a couple of years ago. And it also captured what many felt at the end of this week too.
"Back on my feet
I hit the street
I finally found a way out
Back on my feet
I'm off my knees
See I'm only in to break free
It was a moment in time
I got a new star in line
Back on my feet
It feels so sweet."
I say it each and every time I visit, but there's magic in them there mountains.
P.S. Alptitude will return in June 2026 . Register your interest at www.alptitu.de
P.P.S. If you can’t wait until then, our other transformational gathering, Summer Camp, is coming up this September and is equally life-changing: www.happystartupsummer.camp
