These days, a lot is expected of men, and that brings a lot of pressure. We are pulled in all directions: on one side the old ideas about how a man should be, and on the other the chance to just be more yourself. Real freedom starts when you let go of those outdated beliefs and see the beauty of simply being human – strong and vulnerable, driven and content.
This road to freedom can not be walked overnight; it’s a journey of returning to yourself, a path towards living life on one’s own terms.
What you will get from the Gentle Giant retreats are profound and life-enhancing advantages that impact all areas of your life, such as:
Greater Emotional Well-Being
Stronger, More Authentic Relationships
Increased Resilience and Mental Health
A Balanced and Fulfilling Life
Positive Physical Health
Renewed Personal Freedom
A More Purpose-Driven Sense of Success
Enhanced Parenting and Family Connections
A Legacy of Authenticity
In sum, liberation for a man brings him closer to his true self, creating space for deeper fulfillment, balanced relationships, and a healthier way of living.
It’s not about rejecting masculinity but about expanding it - embracing the freedom to live authentically and to build a life that feels fully your own.
Gentle Giants designed 2 retreats
to help you on your path:
Liberate Your Inner Gentle Giant which is a 3-day retreat focussed on Liberation & discovery: awakening the archetype, touching its possibility.
Live as a Gentle Giants which is a 5-day retreat focussing on Embodiment & integration: practicing living as a Gentle Giant in body, heart, and relationships, then committing to carry it forward.
Liberate Your Inner Gentle Giant - 3-Day Retreat
A doorway into your deeper self.
Three days to slow down, to listen, to feel.
To meet the part of you that is both strong and gentle.
We work with body, breath, and brotherhood.
The focus: liberation — breaking old patterns and remembering who you truly are.
This immersive 3-day experience is designed to awaken the Gentle Giant within you — the part of yourself that holds both grounded strength and tender presence. Through embodiment practices, men’s circle work, and guided rituals, you’ll break through old patterns and discover the power of combining courage with compassion. The focus is on liberation and discovery — opening the door to living with more authenticity, trust, and heart.
Date & Time: Friday, October 17 (from 9 am) through Sunday, October 19 (around 5pm), 2025
Location: Rosario, Bever
Cost: 1.585 euro in a single room, 1.385 euro in a shared room (all-in)
Facilitators: Gino Peremans and Olivier Vaneeckhout
Date & Time: Friday, January 9 (from 9 am) through Sunday, January 11 (around 5pm)
Location: To be confirmed
Cost: 1.585 euro in a single room, 1.385 euro in a shared room (all-in)
Facilitators: Gino Peremans and Olivier Vaneeckhout
Come home to the man you were always meant to be.
Live as a Gentle Giant - 5-Day Retreat
Five days to go deeper.
Not just touching the Gentle Giant, but living him.
We embody strength without aggression.
We open the heart without fear.
We explore how to show up as fathers, partners, leaders, brothers.
The focus: embodiement and integration — carrying the Gentle Giant home into your daily life.
Building on the foundation of men’s work, this deeper 5-day journey is about embodiment and integration. Together we will explore strength in service, tenderness in leadership, and presence in relationships. Through movement, emotional depth work, and community practices, you will craft your own Gentle Giant Code — a set of commitments to guide your life. The focus is on living the archetype every day: in your family, your work, and your community.
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 26 (9am) through Sunday, November 30 (5pm), 2025
Location: To be confirmed
Cost: 2.475 euro (all-in)
Facilitators: Gino Peremans and Olivier Vaneeckhout
A path for men ready to live with power, presence, and purpose.
Take the leap!
Meet your Facilitators
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Olivier Vaneeckhout and Gino Peremans
They aim to empower men to embrace their inner Gentle Giant, embodying both strength and vulnerability.
Gino Peremans (b. 1973) is the founder of Gentle Giants, a movement that reimagines masculinity by bringing together power and tenderness. His work is rooted in the belief that true strength arises when vulnerability and empathy are embraced as essential qualities of leadership and human connection.
Born in a blue-collar Belgian family where emotions were seldom expressed, Gino learned early to seek approval and suppress his own feelings—living by the silent rule that “big boys don’t cry.” For decades he carried that armor, until 2017, when he recognized how deeply disconnected it had left him from himself. This moment of reckoning became the turning point that set him free, sparking a journey toward authenticity and purpose.
For more than a decade, Gino has guided men as an Executive Coach, Healthy Masculinity Mentor, Transformational Consultant, and Corporate Ritual Facilitator. Through Gentle Giants, he creates spaces where outdated masculine norms can be dismantled, making room for a more generative, compassionate way of being. His approach blends radical acceptance, authenticity, unconditional support, and care-fueled confrontation—helping men step into leadership that is both grounded and deeply human.
Gino’s path has been shaped by extensive experience in coaching and organizational transformation. He has worked across Europe with institutions such as Vlerick Business School, INSEAD, CEDEP, TIAS, UVA and ESMT, and founded Fern Training & Coaching, a consultancy dedicated to individual and systemic growth. Known for his warmth, directness, and authenticity, he has facilitated change for leaders, teams, and organizations across the private and public sectors.
Today, through Gentle Giants, Gino embodies the invitation to live as both strong and tender, powerful and vulnerable. Whether in retreats, men’s circles, or corporate settings, he guides men to awaken the “gentle giant” within themselves—anchored in presence, connection, and compassion.
Gino now lives in the West of Flanders in Belgium with his partner, Lien and their 4 kids.
Olivier Vaneeckhout (b. 1972) is the founder of Conscious Soul Connection. With two daughters and a background in Economics (specializing in Finance), he amassed 25 years of corporate experience in roles such as trader, project manager, and talent manager at ING, Sappi, and IKEA.
After enduring exhaustion and burnout, and a 27-year personal relationship ending around the same time as his departure from IKEA—after 19 years—Olivier realized he was living behind a façade, conforming to external expectations rather than true self-expression.
Seeking a deeper sense of purpose and alignment, he embarked on a profound transformational journey. This included mindfulness practices, Vipassana meditation, yoga, Reiki, Buddhist wisdom, and holistic therapies. Ayurvedic treatments in Sri Lanka and Thailand, coupled with pilgrimages and long walks across locations like Assisi, Kyoto, Athos, and Bugarach, helped him reconnect with his body, senses, heart, and nature.
Olivier’s path also led him to engage in men's circles and initiatives—such as Men to Business and the Gentle Giant initiative—fostering vulnerability, emotional growth, and the dismantling of male toxicity, including guiding walking retreats on Mount Athos.
Today, he invites guests to Villa Sainte Marie, a B&B in the Cathar region of southern France near Carcassonne, to offer individual guidance, walking trails, retreats, and group programs—all tailored for authenticity, empathy, and personal transformation. Check: oliviervaneeckhout.com
What do you get at the retreat?
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Engage in powerful group sessions designed to deepen your connection with fellow participants. These sessions are crafted to create a safe and nurturing space, allowing for open dialogue, shared learning and mutual growth as you navigate the landscape of modern masculinity together.
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Embodiment exercices are activities or practices designed to connect you more fully with your physical sensations, emotions, and awareness of your body in the present moment. They serve as a bridge between the mind and body, helping you to access and process emotions, improve self-awareness, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of presence and authenticity.
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Teachings on healthy masculinity cover many essential aspects, emphasizing positive and balanced traits that contribute to both individual well-being and healthier relationships. Here are some core topics typically included in these discussions:
Emotional Intelligence and Expression
Empathy and Compassion
Positive Relationships and Boundaries
Accountability and Integrity
Rejecting Harmful Stereotypes and Toxic Behaviors
Mental and Physical Health Awareness
Consent and Respect for Others’ Autonomy
Healthy Competition and Self-Improvement
Collaboration and Leadership Through Service
Allyship and Social Responsibility
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These teachings aim to expand the concept of masculinity to be more inclusive, flexible, and holistic. They encourage men to build lives centered on empathy, resilience, respect, and personal integrity.
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Participate in targeted mindfulness exercises, designed to strengthen your central nervous system and enhance mental resilience.
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Unwind and connect at our Bonfire Reflection Circles, where shared stories and gentle flames foster a warm sense of community and introspection.
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Receive your own Gentle Giants diary, a personal space for reflection and growth, chronicling your journey towards balanced masculinity.
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You'll enjoy a private retreat in the beautiful Flemish Ardennes.
Indulge in all-inclusive, nourishing meals throughout your stay.
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Forge meaningful connections with like-minded men, creating a network of support and camaraderie that extends beyond the retreat.
What will you get after the retreat?
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Benefit from personalised coaching sessions with Gino, designed to extend your retreat experience and solidify your transformational journey.
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Join a collective session with fellow retreat participants, reinforcing connections and shared progress made during your transformative journey.
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Gain entry to our closed Facebook group, a dedicated space for ongoing support and connection with the Gentle Giants community.
It’s Never Too Late To Do Inner Work
The Gentle Giants Retreat is designed to help you grow your presence, find your purpose, and reclaim your power. Say goodbye to wounded behaviours that may be holding you back.
This year, make a conscious choice to empower yourself.
Morning Meditations
Begin your day with peaceful introspection and intention-setting through guided morning meditations.
Inner Transformation
Engage in immersive exercises that cultivate emotional intelligence, empathy, and personal growth.
Deep Healing Moments
Forge deep connections and find solace in a supportive community as you share stories and foster healing around a warm campfire.
Rethinking Masculinity
Explore a new perspective on masculinity and embrace the qualities of a Gentle Giant through insightful teachings.
Reinforcing healthy masculinity.
Inspiring transformation.
Stories of Change
Jelle Annaars
“Gino’s greatest strength is his way of being present with some and doing what is needed”
Victor D, Belgium
“To any man struggling to figure out his identity in today’s world, this is your answer”.
Lucas S, UK
“A safe and supportive space to explore my inner thoughts. Gino is an incredible facilitator”.
FAQs
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Healthy masculinity is a positive and balanced understanding of masculinity that embraces qualities like empathy, vulnerability, and self-reflection.
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The retreat is designed for men seeking personal growth, meaningful relationships, and compassionate leadership. It is open to individuals who are committed to embracing healthy masculinity.
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Bring comfortable clothing, personal items, an open mind, and a willingness to engage in self-reflection and personal growth.
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The cost covers program activities, materials and facilitation by a Gentle Giants team.
Accommodation is dependent on the location.
Contact us for specific details.
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We understand that circumstances may change.
A full refund is guaranteed up until 20 working days before the retreat.
Within those 20 working days no refund will be made, though you can postpone your participation to a next Gentle Giants Retreat.