Meet Milka Milliance | Company Retreats & South Florida

We had the good fortune of connecting with Milka Milliance and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Title: How 3 Near-Death Experiences and a Spiritual Awakening Led Me to Revolutionize Corporate Retreats with Simetras Team Experiences

The Wake-Up Call: When My Career Almost Cost Me My Life

Ten years ago, I was Milka Milliance: a New York City management consultant with a passport full of stamps, a calendar packed with meetings, and an identity inextricably tied to my career. I thrived on the adrenaline of high-stakes projects and the validation of climbing the corporate ladder. But life has a way of rerouting even the most meticulously planned journeys. What began as a wake-up call from my body became a spiritual reckoning—one that reshaped my purpose and birthed Simetras Team Experiences, a sanctuary for leaders and teams seeking transformation without burnout.

In 2014, my doctor handed me a diagnosis that forced me to confront the truth: the stress, constant travel, and unrelenting pressure of my job were destroying my health. But it took three near-death experiences in a single week to finally stop.
The pivotal moment? A harrowing near-collision on a highway exit while I was distracted by a call with my manager. As I gripped the steering wheel, heart racing, I realized: I would not die for a job. The next day, I resigned.

I traded spreadsheets for silence, escaping to a retreat in Upstate New York. For the first time, I slept deeply. I walked forest trails, inhaled the scent of spring blooms, and rediscovered what it meant to feel human. That retreat didn’t just save my life—it rewired my understanding of success.

From Burnout to Balance: The Birth of Simetras

That retreat became my annual ritual. It taught me that slowing down wasn’t a luxury; it was a necessity. Over time, I rebuilt my life—prioritizing health, starting a family, and asking a critical question: Why don’t workplaces foster this kind of renewal for their teams?

I noticed a glaring gap. Companies invested in corporate retreats and team offsites but treated them as checkboxes—sunny locales with generic trust falls, devoid of real growth. Meanwhile, leadership development programs often happened in sterile boardrooms, disconnected from the visceral power of nature and reflection.
Simetras was born to bridge that divide. My mission? To design company retreats that merge the restorative power of nature with executive coaching programs and leadership development—creating spaces where teams don’t just bond but transform.

Bridging the Gap: Retreats as Strategic Leadership Tools

The modern workplace is at a crossroads. As AI reshapes how we work, the demand for “human” skills—empathy, critical thinking, collaborative creativity—has never been higher. Yet, companies pour resources into team gatherings that lack intentionality.

At Simetras, we reimagine corporate retreats as strategic investments. Imagine a team hiking through mist-covered mountains, not just to unwind, but to engage in workshops on adaptive leadership. Picture executives journaling by a lakeside, uncovering insights that fuel breakthroughs in psychological safety or inclusive decision-making.
This is where learning sticks: in environments that awaken wonder, curiosity, and connection. Research shows that nature enhances creativity and reduces stress—but why stop there? We layer in coaching frameworks that help teams build trust, resilience, and the courage to lead authentically.

The Spiritual Dimension: Filling the Void in Modern Work

There’s a deeper hunger driving today’s workforce. People crave meaning, purpose, and community—the kind that religious institutions once provided. While yoga and mindfulness have made strides, they often feel like Band-Aids on a profound existential gap.Retreats, when crafted thoughtfully, offer something transcendent. They’re as close to a spiritual experience as corporate life allows: moments where professionals reconnect with their core values, forge bonds that feel like kinship, and glimpse their role in something larger than quarterly goals.

At Simetras, we lean into this. Our retreats incorporate rituals—sunrise reflections, storytelling circles, silent walks—that invite teams to shed titles and tap into their humanity. It’s not “woo-woo”; it’s a science-backed strategy. Teams return not just refreshed but aligned, ready to navigate complexity with discernment and grace.
Your Invitation: Let’s Build a Legacy of Resilient Leaders

If my story resonates, you’re likely standing at your own crossroads. Maybe you’re a leader sensing the cracks in your team’s foundation, or an HR visionary of manager tired of L&D programs that fail to inspire.Breaking free from burnout requires courage—and intentionality. It means prioritizing wellbeing not as a perk, but as the bedrock of innovation and loyalty.

At Simetras, we partner with organizations ready to redefine retreats. Whether it’s a company retreat in the Rockies or a customized executive coaching program, we blend nature’s wisdom with actionable tools for leadership excellence.

Embracing My Calling

Ten years ago, I chose life over a job title—and found a calling. Today, I guide teams to make the same choice: to lead with purpose, nurture their humanity, and thrive in an age of relentless change.
If you’re ready to explore how intentional retreats can revolutionize your team’s dynamics, I’d love to connect. Visit simetras.co or reach out directly. Together, let’s build workplaces where people don’t just survive—they flourish.

Milka Milliance
Founder, Simetras Team Experiences

 Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My entrepreneurial path has been filled with challenges. As a first generation immigrant and Black woman, even with all of my education – an ivy league degree and an MBA, I consistently have to put in 10 times the effort to get the same results as my white counterparts. Opportunities are often scarce and I don’t have a deep network of family and friends who are well connected, resourced and financially established that I can turn to. However I am a woman of faith and trust that the Divine will guide my path so I work hard and remain faithful that the right people will find me and will value what I do and who I am at my core.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love little hitting up the usual spots in Miami – Wynwood, Miami Beach and Little Havana.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY is where my journey to becoming passionate about retreats started.

Website: https://www.simetras.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkamilliance/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milkamilliance/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Simetras