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Some of Chicago’s leaders in fitness and wellness have come together to create an opportunity for busy, high achieving, women to connect, intentionally rest, and pour into themselves.
The Ultimate Me Weekend fosters a sacred space for women to relax, release, restore and recharge while exploring tools for ongoing resiliency.
This fitness and wellness retreat is hosted by
- Red Alert Fitness
- Quench Clinic Fitness Spa
- She Ignites Counseling Services
We are excited to host guests in the beautiful city of Chicago where all of us were born and raised!
2024 ULTIMATE ME WEEKEND INFO COMING SOON!
2023 LOCATION: THE RADISSON AQUA BLU HOTEL
- Stay as many nights as you would like!
- You will not be charged for your room until check in, but your retreat registration must be paid before 8/4/23!
- King beds and double queens are available.
- Split your accommodation costs! Share a room and save! Up to four adults per room! $30.00 fee per additional adult.
- Join The Ultimate Weekend Facebook Event Group to connect with a potential retreat roommate!
Relax at the Aqua blu
Comfort and Relaxation
The striking Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway in the heart of the city of Chicago. The Aqua Hotel provides upscale, resort-like accommodations perfect for a weekend retreat.
221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Amenities
The hotel has an indoor and rooftop pool with amazing views. The fitness center includes a full-size basketball court, an outdoor running track, and a steam and sauna room. The hotel’s lifestyle garden provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, and the on-site Fire Lake Grill House & Cocktail Bar offers Midwestern cuisine in an inviting atmosphere. There is also a game room and walking trial.
RECHARGE DURING RETREAT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Do Your Me Weekend, Your Way
Participants are encouraged to participate in as many or as few of the retreat activities as desired!
Participants are not required to stay at the hotel, but it is STRONGLY encouraged for enhanced experience and convenience.
***All retreat events and activities are subject to change
***Registration fee includes welcome bags and access to all workshops, parties, networking events and Me Weekend activities
***Continental breakfast and mimosas provided daily
***Signature Retreat Cocktail served at select events
*** Various wellness/self-care business owners and vendors will be present throughout the retreat weekend
Day 1, Thursday August 10th
- 3pm Check in and arrival
- 6pm Red and Gold Poolside Social
- 8pm Welcome Bonfire Cocktail Hour
Day 2, Friday August 11th
- 8am Workout with Coach V
- 9am Yoga and Guided Meditation on the rooftop
- 10am Workshop #1 with Coach V, LCSW, Sharika House, LCSW, Katrice Brooks, MD & Dr. Anietra LaBranche: Self Care Looks Good on You Sis!
- 11am Workshop #2 with Coach V, LCSW: Move! Move! Move! Move! Fitness as a Lifestyle and Self Care Strategy
- 12pm Group Lunch Option: Tacos & Tequila
***lunch not included in retreat registration
- 3pm Neon Pool Party
- 6pm Hors D’oeuvres, Networking and New Connections
- 8pm Live, Laugh, Learn Pajama Game Night
Day 3, Saturday August 12th
- 8am Workout with Coach V
- 9am Stretching for Stress Relief and Guided Meditation
- 10am - 12pm Massage Demos
- 10am Workshop #3 with Dr. Katrice Brooks: Live Your Best Life: The Guide
- 11am Workshop #4 with Sharika House, LCSW: Decluttering My Life: Release the Mess & Embrace Success
- 4pm Workshop #5 with Dr. Anietra LaBranche: S.T.R.I.P.P.E.D
- 7pm Release and Manifest Sunset Riverwalk
- 8:30pm Dinner on the River
***dinner not included in retreat registration
- 10:00“We Outside!” Late Night Networking
Day 4, Sunday August 13th
- 10am Workshop #6 with Sharika House, LCSW & Inferno Barre and Dance Studio: Soulful Expressions
- 12pm Check out
- 12:30pm Fire Lake Grill and Cocktail Bar: Farewell Be Well Brunch
***Brunch not included in retreat registration
Enhance Your "ME WEEKEND"
The following activities are not included in the retreat registration fee and itinerary. Retreat participants will receive links and promo codes to these add-on services and businesses after registration.
Spa Services
Enjoy calming and invigorating spa services without ever leaving your room at the Radisson Blu. Book a deep-tissue massage after your day ends or pamper your skin with an exfoliating facial or moisturizing body treatment.
Fire Lake Grill and Cocktail Bar
Experience farm-to-table dining in the heart of downtown Chicago at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, located on site at the Radisson Blu. Using an acclaimed wood-fired method of American grilling, the restaurant has assembled a menu that features the Midwest’s best meat, freshwater fish, and produce. FireLake invites you to enjoy excellent food and the welcoming spirit that defines our city.
Activities on the Riverwalk
The retreat is a short walk from the Chicago Riverwalk where there is plenty to do and see. The Riverwalk goes along Wacker Drive from Franklin Street to the West and Lake Shore Drive to the East. Enjoy a scenic walk or catch a water taxi. Take in the skyline and floating gardens. Dine riverside while enjoying treat or cocktail.
Boat Tours
Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard the #1 rated boat tour of the city. Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience. Enjoy cruising in comfort and style aboard Chicago’s Finest Fleet, featuring unobstructed sightlines and guaranteed seating on our open-air upper decks and full-service cocktail and snack bars in our climate-controlled interior salons. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago.
Kayaking and Kayak Tours
Looking for a unique and exciting way to experience the city of Chicago? Look no further than kayaking on the Chicago River! The downtown location on the renovated Chicago Riverwalk offers guided kayak tours and rentals for all skill levels, including our popular sunset kayak tour and historic Chicago kayak tour. Make sure to catch one of our beautiful sunset kayak trips or watch the Navy Pier fireworks display during your kayaking adventure on the Chicago River.
Also Near the Hotel:
Grant Park .26 miles
Millennium Park .39 miles
Art Institute of Chicago .49 miles
Willis Tower Sky Deck .94 miles
The Field Museum 1.44 miles
Shedd Aquarium 1.33 miles
RELEASE AND RESTORE WITH YOUR RETREAT HOSTS
Valencia King, LCSW (COACH V), Founder & CEO of Red Alert Fitness
Sharika House, LCSW CEO and Founder of She Ignites Counseling Services
Valencia King, LCSW (COACH V), Founder & CEO of Red Alert Fitness
Coach V holds a B.A. in Experimental Psychology and Human Services from Millikin University and a M.S.W. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working to improve community mental health services in Illinois, she also owns and operates a virtual fitness and wellness community. She is a certified fitness instructor, weight management specialist and wellness coach. Coach V is passionate about health and wellness and has a heart for service. Her strong desire to make a positive change in her community of influence is visible in everything that she does. She has over 12 years of experience in coaching clients to achieve physical fitness goals and over 15 years coaching clients with mental wellness goals. She utilizes her platform with Red Alert Fitness to help other busy women navigate the difficult journey of making their health and wellness a priority, while building lifelong connections with other like-minded women. Coach V promotes developing a lifestyle of wellness and self-growth. She is proud to offer high quality, fun and effective weight management, wellness, and fitness services.
Katrice Brooks, MD, CEO and Founder of Quench Clinic Fitness Spa
Sharika House, LCSW CEO and Founder of She Ignites Counseling Services
Valencia King, LCSW (COACH V), Founder & CEO of Red Alert Fitness
Family and Lifestyle Medicine Dr. Brooks has over a decade of experience in primary care. Raised in Chicago Illinois, she graduated with a bachelor of science in Chemistry from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and a medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Providing exceptional care she helps patients get the care they deserve with a doctor who listens spends time with them and answers their questions. She is passionate about health equity, improving lives by reducing medication burden, women’s health, skin of color and patient autonomy. Dr. Brooks transforms patients' lives with a holistic approach, helping patients to achieve their goals in and out of medicine. In 2021 she founded Quench clinic fitness and spa, a space for wellness serving Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, traveling, and exploring new museums and experiences.
Sharika House, LCSW CEO and Founder of She Ignites Counseling Services
Sharika House, LCSW CEO and Founder of She Ignites Counseling Services
Sharika House, LCSW CEO and Founder of She Ignites Counseling Services
Sharika House, founder of She Ignites Counseling Services, is a licensed clinical social worker. She earned a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bradley University. Sharika spent the primary years of her career in the non-profit and corporate setting addressing needs of children and families, but recognized behavioral health was limited and rarely accessible to her vulnerable clients. Inspired to develop a solution, Sharika founded her private practice to make mental health and wellness services more accessible. She Ignites Counseling Services ignites clients to clarify their purpose, enhance their confidence, and restore their mental wellness. Sharika's favorite quote is “Bloom Where You Are Planted” because you are more ready than you realize to become the best version of you.