Most Men Are Stuck. Burned Out. Running on Empty.

They’re overwhelmed by work, disconnected from their families, and unsure of who they’re becoming.

A small business owner feeling overwhelmed by financial stress, surrounded by bills and paperwork.

Maybe this sounds familiar. You’re always busy, always needed — but you’re starting to wonder… who am I becoming? What’s all this really for?

  • Constant Busyness: Always on the go, but never feeling present.
  • Stress and Burnout: Feeling like you’re running on fumes.
  • Disconnection: Spiritually dry, emotionally exhausted, feeling alone.

But there’s another way. A way to step away, breathe, and remember who you are.

A man walking cross a rugged mountain bridge

This isn't just an adventure. It's a transformation.

Step into the mountains with other men, and return home with clarity, peace, and purpose.

The Ironmen Tactical Sabbatical is a 4-day, 3-night off-grid experience with just four men. You’ll hike, fish, pray, rest, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. You’ll share honest conversations around a campfire and return home with renewed clarity and direction.

During this sabbatical, you'll experience:

Have questions? Schedule a call to speak with me.

What you can expect during this sabbatical

This isn’t just time in the woods. It’s a sacred space to meet with God, be sharpened by others, and return with clarity.

A man hiking along a quiet mountain trail, surrounded by rugged wilderness.

Hike through breathtaking backcountry trails.

There’s something powerful about moving your body through God’s creation. With no noise, no rush, and no pressure — your mind opens, your heart softens, and clarity comes.

Men gathered around a campfire, engaged in deep conversation under the stars.

Share real conversations around the fire with men who get it.

You’re not the only one carrying a heavy load. Around the campfire, you’ll talk with other men who understand the pressures of business, faith, and family — and you’ll realize you’re not alone.

A man standing quietly in a forest praying in stillness.

Spend time in prayer, reflection, and stillness.

When was the last time you slowed down long enough to really pray? In the stillness of the mountains, you’ll have the space to meet with God — and listen.

A man sitting alone by a quiet mountain lake, completely off-grid and unplugged.

Disconnect from distractions. Reconnect with what matters.

We live in a world of pings, alerts, and noise. Out here, the signal is silence. You’ll remember who you are, what you believe, and what actually matters most.

A man fishing in a mountain river, surrounded by silence and natural beauty.

Cast a line. Catch your breath.

Whether you fish or not, still water and solitude work on a man’s soul. But if you do drop a line, you might just bring something back — or at least leave something behind.

A hand and pen journaling with the scenery of a beautiful alpine lake in the background

Wrestle with the questions you’ve been avoiding.

You know the ones. The ones that don’t fit in a calendar or a task list. Out here, you’ll face them honestly — and come home with more clarity than you’ve had in years.

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Meet your guide

You don’t need more information. You need transformation. That’s what this trip is designed to create.

I know what it’s like to be successful on the outside but tired, stressed, and unsure on the inside. That’s why I started going to the backcountry.

I’ve led teams, coached business owners, and spent hundreds of hours in the backcountry. But more than that, I know how to listen and guide men toward clarity and peace in their businesses and their lives.

Learn more about Zach.

Zach Wise

Something inside me came alive again.

A few years ago, I was feeling burned out. My life was busy — successful on the surface, but chaotic underneath. I needed a break, but not just rest — I needed clarity. So I packed my gear, drove to the mountains, and spent two nights alone. No phone. No distractions. Just me, the mountains, and God. And something inside me came alive again.

Only four men will be chosen

Getting started is simple

A dirt trail leading into the woods with a weathered trailhead sign, inviting the viewer to take the first step.

1. Sign up for the Priority Access List

Be one of the first to get notified when I begin accepting applications. I'll be reviewing applications in the order they're received, and only 4 men will be chosen. Get on the list early.

Get Priority Access

2. Apply for the sabbatical

Complete the short application to be considered for the Ironmen Tactical Sabbatical. Applicants will be reviewed in the order they're received, so don't wait.

3. Join me in the backcountry

We'll be heading into the central Sierra Nevada in California for days of incredible scenery and life-changing stillness.

Have questions? Schedule a call to speak with me.

What This Is — and Why It Matters

This isn’t a men’s retreat or a weekend escape. It’s a tactical sabbatical — designed to help Christian business owners step away, hear from God, and return stronger. From the group size to the terrain, everything has been chosen with purpose — to strip away distraction, create space for truth, and sharpen the man you were made to be.

A close-up of a man’s boot stepping onto a rocky mountain trail, symbolizing the start of an intentional journey.

Every part of this sabbatical is intentional. Here’s what you need to know before you step onto the trail.

“Ironmen” — What’s That About?

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) This sabbatical is rooted in that truth. You won’t hike alone — you’ll walk, pray, and wrestle through life’s biggest challenges with a small circle of men who will sharpen you.

Why the mountains?

In my experience, there’s no better place to “be still and know that [He] is God.” (Psalm 46:10) There’s something about the rawness of creation and the deep quiet of the backcountry that awakens the heart, clears the mind, and stirs the soul.

Trip dates & destination

Four days and three nights in California’s Emigrant Wilderness, deep in the Sierra Nevada range. We’ll hike in on August 11th and pack out on the 14th — surrounded by alpine lakes, granite domes, and the kind of beauty that reminds you of what really matters.

Bring gear - or use mine

You can bring your own gear or, for a small fee, use mine — which I highly recommend. Either way, I’ll provide a complete gear list, handle the logistics, and make sure you’re well-fed and well-prepared for the journey.

Not for the faint of heart

Backpacking at elevation is demanding — you’ll be hiking about 12 miles in and out, carrying weight, gaining altitude, and earning every view. I’ll help you train if needed, but come ready to work. The reward is more than worth the effort.

Who this is (and isn’t) for

This isn’t a vacation for guys who just want to unplug and coast. It’s for Christian business owners who are ready to lead with clarity in every area of life — not just build a business, but build a whole life that honors God and lasts.

Only four men

Because depth doesn’t happen in a crowd. Limiting the trip to four men ensures space for real conversation, shared trust, and spiritual honesty. You won’t just be part of a group — you’ll be known, challenged, and sharpened.

This is not a retreat

This is a tactical sabbatical — not a retreat from battle, but a strategic step back to rest, pray, and think with intention. You’ll return sharpened, rested, and ready to fight the good fight with renewed strength.

After the mountain

What you'll come home with

  • Clarity of mind and heart — You’ll return with a fresh perspective on your business, your family, and your calling. What felt foggy before will feel focused.
  • Peace that runs deep — Not the kind of peace you get from a vacation — but the kind that comes from meeting with God in stillness and coming home anchored in His voice.
  • Renewed strength to lead — As a husband, a father, a business owner, a man of faith — you’ll return with more resolve and emotional margin to carry the weight God has given you.
  • A deeper connection with God — After days of prayer, silence, and space, you’ll experience what it means to “be still and know” — and carry that stillness home with you.
  • Brotherhood that sharpens you — You’ll leave the mountains with friendships forged in truth, honesty, and shared struggle — men who get it and have your back.
  • A clear next step — You won’t just come back refreshed — you’ll come back with decisions made, direction clarified, and the next step already in motion.

FAQs

Have a question I haven't answered here? Schedule a call or send me an email and I'll get back to you right away.