Have you ever wondered what happens when you spend days in total darkness? Can a dark retreat really help you overcome fear, anxiety, and internal chaos? What kind of transformation happens when there’s no phone, no light, and no escape but inward?

In this powerful episode of Real Influence with Joey Vaillancourt, we dive deep into an unforgettable darkness retreat and what it reveals about the human mind, emotional resilience, and the power of surrender. 🎧🌑

Matthew Stafford, returns to share his second dark room experience — a journey that took him beyond fear, into presence, and toward a state of profound emotional clarity. This isn’t your typical wellness trend. It’s not about biohacking or chasing highs. This is about facing your shadow, peeling back internal noise, and unlocking deep breakthrough moments in total silence. From spontaneous breathwork breakthroughs to extended periods of wakefulness without exhaustion, Mathew describes the mind-bending impact of 4.5 days in complete darkness — and the surprising physiological effects that followed. Plus, he shares how a traditional Mexican Temazcal ceremony (sweat lodge) right after the retreat amplified his transformation. 🔥💨

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ What a darkness retreat actually involves (no substances, no stimulation—just pure stillness) ✅ How going inward builds massive emotional resilience in daily life ✅ The role of breathwork in dark retreats and how it leads to altered states ✅ The surprising science behind DMT production in total darkness ✅ Why these experiences offer an alternative to psychedelics like ayahuasca ✅ What it really means to overcome fear through silence, surrender, and presence ✅ How the mind resets itself and creates a new story about who you are ✅ Why so many high performers are now turning to silent retreats for mental clarity ✅ Insights into post-retreat integration, productivity, and internal peace ✅ The deeper spiritual impact of a true awakening journey

For anyone looking for more than surface-level self-care, this conversation is your invitation to explore the real work—the kind that happens in stillness, not hustle. 🙏

🧠 Whether you're a seeker, an entrepreneur, or simply someone craving inner peace, this episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to ask: What if the next breakthrough you’re seeking… is on the other side of the dark?

This deeply personal multi-part story follows one man's transformation through radical self-exploration—starting with a five-day darkness retreat in complete isolation and concluding with a traditional Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony. Along the way, he uncovers powerful lessons about fear, surrender, trauma, and spiritual healing.

Inside the journey: 🌀 Darkness Retreat – A raw encounter with ego, memory, and inner stillness. 🪞 Reflections – Insights on identity, trauma, and daily triggers that linger after the dark. 🔥 Temazcal Ceremony – A sacred fire ritual of death, rebirth, and ego dissolution. 🧠 Life Lessons – Over 50 insights blending spiritual truths with grounded personal growth.

If you're exploring healing, deep self-discovery, or practical ways to reclaim your power—this story takes you far beneath the surface.

👉 Ready to read the full transformation story?

👇 Ready to explore your own dark retreat or learn more?

🔗 View the Full Document Collection: http://bit.ly/419Mi2U

In this we'll talk about: 00:00 – Can Darkness Really Heal You? 02:00 – What Is a Dark Retreat? 06:00 – Before the Retreat: Emotional Preparation 12:00 – Awakening in Total Silence 18:00 – The Power of Breathwork in Darkness 23:00 – DMT, Fasting & Hallucinations 32:00 – Mexican Temazcal Sweat Lodge Experience 41:00 – Post-Retreat Shifts: Focus, Calm & Productivity 49:00 – Final Thoughts on Letting Go, Clarity & Conscious Living

Connect with Joey!

https://www.instagram.com/joeyvaillancourt/

https://www.facebook.com/joey.vaillancourt.9/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-vaillancourt/

https://www.youtube.com/@joeyvaillancourt-realinfluence

https://www.joeyvaillancourt.com

Connect with Matthew!

https://buildgrowscale.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstafforddotcom/

https://www.instagram.com/build.grow.scale

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