Trainer In Your Back Pocket

The Hall of Horrors was super cool! I had heard about it being tricky to find the actual “hall” and that there are so many other cool trails, caves and corridors to explore, too. But with 3 little kids, we made the attempt to find the main hall and what do you know, we succeeded!

Now, there’s no way I would have found this little slot in the rocks if it hadn’t been for one of our tour guides from last years’ Trainer In Your Back Pocket Joshua Tree retreat’s rappelling adventure pointing it out to me (see the map video on the last slide).

We found it and climbed in! The kids didn’t think it was as cool as I did. Maybe someday they’ll appreciate the pictures I made them take 🤣

Later on during our walk back to the parking lot, I got to see (and hear!) my first rattlesnake! 🐍 that was an adrenaline rush, but oh so cool. They really do warn you that they are there, and luckily I heard it, stopped and made sure everyone stayed back!

Again, being able to do adventures like these, climbing into and out of slot canyons while lifting kids, is my main reason to keep strength training! You lose it if you don’t use it!

In 2024, I attended my first retreat at GAIA VILLA RETREATS - JOSHUA TREE, CA
In 2025 I hosted my first retreat there with 18 amazing ladies.
In 2026 I brought my family for a special family vacation.

Each trip was different. Each trip was magic.

This time, instead of oracle cards on the table, we had legos. Instead of chef catered meals, we had onion rings. Instead of a mobile sauna, we just, well, went outside (it’s hot in the desert in july!)

I can’t wait to go back! Thanks to everyone on the GAIA VILLA RETREATS - JOSHUA TREE, CA team for creating such a magical space for so many people to experience and enjoy!

I spent the last year and a half planning a mother daughter retreat in Joshua Tree.

When zero mother/daughter duos signed up, even when I offered it for free to friends and family, (it was a sunk cost at that point), I wanted to somehow make it just as special for her and I.

So our mother/daughter adventure turned into a family trip, but we made sure to do some solo adventures, just us, without the boys.

We made our own photo shoot.

We adventured with Summit Climbing Guides into some really cool caves and corridors like the Chasm of Doom (I’ll make a whole post on that adventure soon, as it was my favorite part of the trip!)

We spent our afternoons relaxing in the pool at GAIA VILLA RETREATS - JOSHUA TREE, CA.

We visited the horses, goats, and chickens at the Cascade Trails - Joshua Tree, CA mustang sanctuary.

We hiked with the Geronimo, Red Wing, Wolfie & Ghost Rider + Ashley & Matt

And we climbed every rock we saw inside Joshua Tree National Park

So even though it wasn’t the mother/daughter retreat I had envisioned leading, it was a magical memory that we will always share.

Joshua Tree, you have my heart ❤️

I can’t wait to share more adventures, and mainly, I can’t wait to host another retreat in this magical location! 🥾

This was my 3rd time in Joshua Tree and it won’t be my last!

Have you heard?!

I am offering a completely free, 6 month Abby M. | Movement & Nutrition membership to everyone who places their deposit this month for our September 18-20 Pausitive Calibration women’s retreat, co-hosted by Ashleigh Auth, PA-C, MSHS, MPH | Menopause & Hormone Specialist

That means 6 months of new workout plans, 15 years of workout videos On Demand, nutrition lessons, and guidance along your wellness journey!

Just one way to start calibrating to the best and healthiest version you can be!

(And if you already signed up, I got you!)

Summer is in full swing, and if you have kiddos like I do, then you will definitely NEED this mental health break, come September! Choose any bed type for the lowest rate while the single and bottom beds are available (extended!)

Pausitive Calibration: A Women's Wellness Retreat Pausitive Calibration is a retreat for women who are searching to find a balance in their season of life. It's a long weekend filled with connection, movement, nourishing meals, nature, adventure, conversations about women's health and sisterhood.