Endure & Elevate is for men looking to build strength and resilience and find that better version of themselves. For men that wake up, yearning for greater happiness, better health and deeper relationships.
This retreat will give you the tools to step up and meet life’s challenges head on, with courage and kindness...to achieve what you are longing to achieve and be who you want to be. It will provide connection to those like you, that want the same things that you do, but have become inundated with the daily tasks of life and don’t know where to start. We will provide strategies to endure life’s challenges and start lifting up yourself, and others.
We will offer structured workshops on a variety of topics with the goal of giving participants actionable ideas to implement in their own lives. We partner this with opportunities to connect with your peers in group discussion and recreation opportunities. We recognize that isolation and loneliness is a real challenge for men these days. At Iron Roots, we want to build community and offer connection to those like you, to support you in your struggles and celebrate your successes. Recent studies provide evidence that a respondent's sense of community belonging is linked to their general health status, and particularly strongly linked to their self-perceived mental health, with the largest effects observed among middle-aged adults who report the weakest sense of belonging.

REGISTER HERE

Learn

An opportunity to learn and implement strategies to improve your life
Connect

A deep sense of connection and community with people traveling the same journey
Move

Opportunities to recharge through yoga, massage, hiking, and other outdoor recreation
Grow

Instruction and coaching from mental health professionals

DETAILS

JUNE 14-15, 2025
Prindle Pond Retreat Center, Charlton, MA
Open to Men ages 25+
Limited to 50 Participants
Registering before May 1st to get the reduced price of $315.00

REGISTER HERE

What’s Included

Includes all meals and room accommodations
Access to licensed clinicians
Outside resources and vendors on site
Small group settings for connection and community
Retreat Weekend T-Shirt
Various Activities: yoga, massage (for an additional cost), outdoor activities
Sleeping accommodations (single or double occupancy depending on attendance)

Retreat Team

Drew White

Founder of Iron Roots Wellness
As a trained Peer Parent Mentor for parents and caregivers of children with special needs and a 20 year career firefighter, he delivers a presentation based on his 3 pillars of life that help keep him mentally and physically fit. Drew has a BS from Roger Williams University.
Larry Shushansky, LICSW

Larry is a published author, who as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, has over 35 years of counseling and public speaking experience. Larry has worked with a wide range of individuals, couples, families, and businesses.
JENNIFER WEAVER-BREITENBECHER, CAGS, LMHC

Jenn is the founder, owner and Clinical Director of Polaris Counseling and Consulting. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling. She currently holds a License in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) in the state of Rhode Island. Jenn, among other initiatives, has spent a lot of time over the last couple of years working with police and fire departments throughout the state of RI helping to inform and provide services in response to the many challenges first responders are facing today.
Matthew McGuire, MA/MS LMHC

Matt is a twenty-five year veteran of the Rhode Island State Police as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Rhode Island. He received his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rhode Island College in 2021 and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He is also a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at Southern Connecticut State University. Being a first responder and mental health counselor, Matt has witnessed the effects of trauma on people’s psychological well being and is committed to helping people rediscover their resiliency.
Brian Nee

Brian Nee has worked for the Boston Fire Department since 2001. He is a Lieutenant with the department, serving as the lead for the Boston Fire EAP/Peer Support Program. Brian is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. He received his BA from UMass Boston. He is a trainer with the IAFF Peer Support Program and has assisted his peers in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, Orlando Nightclub & Lewiston Maine shootings. Brian has been in recovery for 25 years and has been helping firefighters and family members for over 20 years. Brian is on the Board of Gavin Foundation, South Boston Neighborhood House - Joseph Nee Collaborative Center. In 2017 Brian and his family started the Joseph Dodo Nee Foundation.