"Two months have passed since I spent five days on the Vålådalen mountain, and not a single day has gone by without me thinking back to that time. It was a magical experience - one I wish everyone could have.
The preparation materials say, " This is not a romanticized retreat.” That couldn’t be truer, and yet, even now, I find myself longing for my “5-day home” on the mountain. Alone, but closely accompanied by the birds, the waterfalls, the wind, the rain, the reindeer, the mesmerizing views, and the light.
I discovered a new side of myself up there, and I loved meeting her. Two months later, we’re still getting to know each other. This experience has inspired me to keep exploring and to try new things—whether small or big, it doesn’t matter.
Thank you, Göran, for welcoming me. I’ve attended several retreats in my life, but you truly are one of a kind. You’re not a leadership guru; you simply are. I would call you a tribal chief, a wise leader of the community. Your guidance is subtle yet powerful, and I felt deeply honored to be part of your group."

------------------------

Are you alone?
When you're by yourself on a mountain
The sound of the rushing waterfall never leaves your side
The birds that wake you up with their songs
The smell of cool morning dew that meets you upon a deep inhale

Are you alone?
When you see the hills nearby
And the mountains in the distance, here and there, covered in snow,
Surrounding you in a strong embrace
Wherever you look

The breeze is conducting a song
And the twigs dance in perfect harmony
Are you alone?

When
The fog blocks your sight,
The wind is trying to pick a fight and push you over,
The heavens can’t stop crying,
And the cold numbs your toes

Surrender

Listen to the silence in the depths of your soul
You choose what you want to see
Just like the sun
Will set you free

You are
Not alone
You are
I am

Poem by Kim van der Feltz

 "We sincerely appreciate your active participation in the International Symposium on Sustainable Development and the wisdom you shared through speeches and conversations at this unique gathering. Your dedication to a sustainable future and commitment to fostering international collaboration are truly commendable. We believe that this trip has brought us to a deeper understanding of each other and a wealth of knowledge with strong interconnectivity."
- Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences

1. Letter of Appreciation-Göran Gennvi 

Great pictures! And thanks for an equally great experience. Or maybe I should thank myself for giving myself this. I feel liberated. Although we were for ourselves, it was good to meet you all and thanks to Olle and Susanne for a lunch to remember yesterday.

Why Nature-Based Leadership — A Reflection from China

At first, the idea of Nature-Based Leadership felt strange to me. Coming from a modern Chinese perspective, talking about “nature” can sound primitive — like a return to something outdated or associated with poverty and the past. And leadership? That word is loaded with images of power, efficiency, intelligence — qualities we often associate with the Western world. So at first, putting “nature” and “leadership” together felt almost absurd.

But that changed when I met Göran Gennvi in October 2023. Something shifted. Suddenly, I felt a deep, intuitive resonance with my own cultural roots — a living memory awakened. It was as if a forgotten part of myself came back to life. The connection with nature wasn’t backward — it was wise, timeless, and deeply Chinese. Now, I am not just a supporter of Nature-Based Leadership — I’m a passionate advocate. I see clearly that I am nature. And authentic leadership isn’t about rising above life, but living in harmony with it. That, to me, is the Dao — the Way.

Through the NatureQuest guided by Göran Gennvi, I experienced what it truly means to become one with nature. That deep connection brought clarity, presence, and a heightened awareness that opened the door to new insights—and shifted something fundamental within me. Nearly a year later, the experience continues to nourish me. It helps me see more clearly, feel more connected, and recognize a deeper sense of unity—both within myself and in the world around me. Looking back, I can see just how profoundly the quest changed me. That realization in itself is powerful.

"It was an extremely enriching program. Your sessions were gorgeous, and the setting was perfect. And here’s a little glimpse of it, Thank you,"

Member, The Club of Rome CSR | Sustainability & Responsible LeadershipDoctoral Researcher - Business and Human Rights | Ex Tata Communications CSR Head

"Your session was life-changing too. It was indeed a great pleasure meeting you."

|Africa|Fintech|Speaker|People|Payments|Sustainability|Strategy|Business Development & Transformation|Therapist|Board Member|Top 40 under 40 Women Kenya 2021

Göran is one of our (oh so important) co-creators at Houdini Sportswear. As such, he has contributed immensely to our journey in many more ways than I and perhaps he had initially anticipated. From leading the entire Houdini team through a Nature Quest in the outer archipelago to engaging in our philosophical reflections around our brand and purpose to helping shape our plan for the future to connecting us with key thought leaders to reach even further. Göran is this curious, wise, generous, and fun systems thinker who engages, goes in-depth, and innovates systemically, leaving nothing or no one behind.
Thanks, Göran!

Göran, in his subtle way of guiding, prodding, and asking curious questions, has opened up new perspectives and ways of thinking. His style is asking questions with perspectives just in front of what I had already seen. Infusing and enriching my perspectives. Göran is a wonderful mentor and friend, and I deeply appreciate his advice and mentoring style. In my current situation, in transition, his perspective and hands-on advice have allowed me to proceed confidently and build my “basic stance”/balance while navigating uncertain terrain and gradually finding my full potential.

/Amit

"Jag är pånyttfödd. En vecka varav 4 dygn i solo, dvs. själv i en mindre cirkel, utan mat, utan sällskap. Bara jag och naturen, mina tankar och närvaron. Inte så mycket annat att göra. Hämtade mitt vatten från, och badade i, den iskalla fjällbäcken, som såg ut som något från Sagan om ringen. Och utsikten, Oh My God. Jag har rest mycket i mina dagar, och sett många vackra vyer. Detta var något utöver det ordinära. Valde en blåsig plats på en bergskam med utsikt över en vidsträckt dal med tre glittrande sjöar, snöbetäckta fjälltoppar i öster, i söder och Norges majestätiska fjällkedja i väster. Fjällvädrets uppfriskande nyckfullhet och solens resa över himlavalvet. Solnedgångar att dö för. Dagarna och minnena flyter ihop. Vid ett tillfälle, efter årtiondets hagelstorm där jag ligger ensam i tältet och undrar om det ska blåsa sönder, spricker himlen så smått upp och jag möts av regnbågen på ena sidan av dalen och solens strålar som skär ner genom molnen på andra sidan, som i en katedral. Det är svårt att inte bli ödmjuk vid ett sådant tillfälle. Eller när helikoptern, det första jag ser från civilisationen på tre dagar, flyger rakt över mitt huvud och försvinner västerut, och jag bryter ihop i tårar och tacksamhet för att jag är en del av något större än mig själv. Och sen skrattar högt inför min egen begynnande galenskap.

Jag bär med mig många vackra ögonblick. Det viktigaste är dock vad jag tar med mig framåt. Känner först och främst ett mycket starkare band till och ödmjukhet inför naturen än tidigare. Jag antar att det är vad som händer när det inte finns så mycket annat att göra än att studera en humla i en timme. Eller när jag står i full mundering i hällregn och blickar ut över åskvädret och blixtrarna på andra fjälltoppen. För det andra inser jag att jag gjort en enorm resa de senaste åren, och jag känner mig mer grundad än någonsin. Upplever en stark tillit till livet och till mig själv, bortom de yttre symboler för framgång som vi ofta omger oss med. Inser hur viktigt det är att agera med intention och eftertänksamhet, inte reaktivt och av slentrian. Bär också på en väldigt djup närvarokänsla. Blir lätt tårögd inför det vackra, ett musikstycke kan få mig att helt släppa det jag gör och stanna upp som i trans i flera minuter. Inser att livet är ett mysterium, och jag har bara nu att leva det till fullo. Ödmjukhet och närvaro, vänner. Det är fina ord.Ville bara förmedla en liten glimt, hoppas det gav något. Rekommenderar alla att göra detta. Naturakademin Learning Lab anordnar nästa i höst, i skärgården, för den som vill."

De tre dagarnas Solo var en av de mest kraftfulla verktygen för personlig utveckling jag kommit i kontakt med. När vi lämnar våra liv och distraktionerna bakom oss och ensamma ger oss ut i det vilda för att möta det som ligger framför oss händer något. Vi börjar se oss själva och de tankar och mönster som sällan kommer till ytan. De insikter som kommer under en solo är inte kognitiva, de är känslomässiga och därför mycket mer kraftfulla när det kommer till beteendeförändring. Upplevelsen är svår att sätta ord på, den måste delas och kännas, men jag lovar dig; den var av ett livsavgörande slag.

When faced with no distractions (no people, no phone, no books), no routines or decisions (no dressing, no cooking), no tasks, not even time-tracking (just the sun), something magical happened. I started paying attention. Once I accepted and got past the boredom that naturally arose, a whole new world opened up. I started seeing connections in nature, my senses became more sensitive and I started seeing bigger systems of how things are connected. I started seeing all the small details of things I had no idea was there and realized not only how magical everything is, from a “simple” blueberry to myself, but I started seeing, and more importantly feeling, how it’s all part of one system. How WE are all part of one system. I started calling it true presence to myself because it felt more real. I wasn’t just there as a person observing an item or an experience, I WAS the experience.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In that presence, in that state of mind, lived only joy and love. I was blown away. Actually, after a while, I started laughing. Laughing at the irony of how we’re all walking around half miserable seeking for happiness when all we have to do is stop and start paying attention. To ourselves. To other people. To all the beauty around us, and inside of us. A #NatureQuest can really be a life-changing experience. It surely was for me. If you’re in Sweden and want to know more, head over to @natureacademy.

"I think this past week on top of that mountain might have changed me more than anything prior, and here’s an early attempt to explain how.
I’m still processing and integrating my experiences, but so far, it all falls back to presence.
When faced with no distractions (no people, no phone, no books), no routines or decisions (no dressing, no cooking), no tasks, and not even time-tracking (just the sun), something magical happens. I started paying attention. Once I accepted and got past the boredom that naturally arose, a whole new world opened up.
I started seeing connections in nature, my senses became more sensitive, and I started seeing bigger systems of how things are connected.
I started seeing all the small details of things I had no idea was there and realized not only how magical everything is, from a “simple” blueberry to myself, but I started seeing, and more importantly feeling, how it’s all part of one system, how WE are all part of one system. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I started calling it my true presence because it felt more real. I wasn’t just there as a person observing an item or an experience, I WAS the experience (I know it sounds crazy, but I have no other way to explain it right now, that’s how it felt).
In that presence, in that state of mind, only joy and love lived. I was blown away. Actually, after a while, I started laughing. Laughing at the irony of how we’re all walking around half miserable, seeking happiness, all we have to do is stop and start paying attention. To ourselves. To other people. To all the beauty around us and inside of us.
A #NatureQuest can really be a life-changing experience. It surely was for me. If you’re in Sweden and want to know more, head over to @naturacademy."

We at Lifesum had the pleasure to work with Göran on both the leadership level and with the whole company on our future vision and strategy. Göran was key to get us moving fwd. Göran really demonstrated how experienced and talented he is in the field of transformation and leadership development. His competence, way of listing to what is happening, wisdom, positive energy, and adaptability to the situation makes it a treat to work with him.

"It is only now, almost one year later, that I come to realize the full impact and value of the experience. Like you mentioned, Kristina, a big part for me was to recognize and rewrite my own narratives. The other big thing is letting go of the ego: who or what is left when nobody is watching, listening or in any other way paying attention to what I do? What is left when there’s no doing, just being? When there is nothing to be achieved, even the opposite (according to the local Sami): no trace to be left? When it is nature taking care of me, not what I might want, but purely what I need? When is this humble human being with a backpack, a tent, and one bottle of juice? Nature provides clean water to drink and swim in, a rock to sit on, grass to walk on, daylight and darkness (although short at midsummer), sunshine, rain showers, and thunderstorms. And the most incredible views from the mountain. Unlimited time. No chance to speed it up. Just be with it. These gifts I have received stay with me and are my anchor whenever I am struggling or feel overwhelmed. It is what I return to. It is always there."

"Jag deltog i en Nature Quest både av personliga och av professionella skäl. Efter att ha deltagit i en kortare Quest tillsammans med John P Milton och Göran Gennvi för flera år sedan har jag hela tiden vetat att jag vill göra det igen. Att få möjligheten att skapa en egen Quest, med bästa möjliga guidning med utan att behöva ta till sig ett färdigt koncept, är en unik möjlighet. För mig handlar det om att bättre förstå hur man genom närvaro och avslappning kommer närmare sig själv och omgivningen, och hur tankar och beslut kan bli klarare. Den nära kontakten med naturen är avgörande för att detta ska ske. Jag tycker Nature Quest har gett nya perspektiv på såväl små som stora saker. Jag märkte av en ökad uppmärksamhet när jag kom tillbaka till vardagen. I mitt arbete med ledare i näringslivet kommer jag att ha stor glädje av nya tankar. Jag kommer också föreslå ett par av dem att själva delta i en kommande Nature Quest eller motsvarande."

We have had the privilege to be guided by Göran through a two-year regenerative learning process to find the source code for success and for our complete international organization to internalize the findings. A better understanding of the importance of trust-building in our business and how to nourish a trust-building corporate culture has been developed through different dialogue workshops. All employees participated in three major Learning Labs, both internationally and in Sweden. Strategy work was carried out with the CEO between the learning labs to fine-tune the source code and conceptualize a corporate culture description. Our strengthened culture, improved financial results, and growth rate are the best receipt of the value of Göran's work. A more significant international player has acquired Thurne Teknik, and the structural capital developed over the last year will be an excellent platform for continued and accelerated growth.

Göran quickly gained the trust and respect of the cultural diversity group and was early appreciated as part of the team. He was very responsive and helpful in the week's planning and could understand our specific organizational and industry challenges well. Through a well-organized and thoughtful week of scheduled workshops, open dialogues, and meditations, we all came home energized, relaxed, dedicated, filled with new insights, and much more potent as a team. The session and the work done by Göran were well above all our expectations, and we can see the good results already in our daily operations.

"When time slows down, the mind awakens to the natural world. 
Last weekend I did a 3-day solo Nature Quest - just me, my tent, and my Self immersed in the nature of the Stockholm archipelago, fasting.

It’s been a hectic autumn, and over the last weeks, I felt a deep need to hit the pause button to ground myself in the substrate of life. And the opportunity to join Göran Gennvi and his Nature Academy Learning Lab AB suddenly appeared in my LinkedIn feed. Synchronicity. 

Friday morning, I handed away my mobile phone, and a group of five headed out to a remote part of the archipelago, where we spread out on a peninsula to have complete solitude until Sunday lunch.

Scouting my area, I found a beautiful cliff by the sea for meditation and a bit into the forest, protected from the wind, I found a soft bed of white moss for my tent.

After raising my tent and settling in, the calm embraced me, and time slowed down.

It's fascinating how much time slows down when I’m free from external distractions. These days, I've had so many experiences of checking the time, deciding to just sit for another hour, and when it felt like an hour had passed, my watch told me 10 minutes had passed. So I put away my watch. 

Surrendering to the natural rhythm of nature. 12 hours of complete darkness with only the sounds of the forest and the movement of the sea. 12 hours of following the sun’s movement from east to west. 

When time slows down, the mind awakens to the natural world—the rich palette of colors of the autumn forest. The loud breathing of the seals surfaced below the cliff. The sound of the aspen leaves trembling in the wind. The white-tailed eagle majestically circled the island. The taste of the salty air from the sea. 

Sitting on the cliff during the day and turning in my sleeping bag at night, meditations on time kept returning to me. Out there in the world of busy, there’s never enough time. Most hours are scheduled, and should there be any gaps, social media can quickly give a dopamine burst to stave off the slightest boredom.

I realized boredom is a choice. Boredom is absence of curiosity, choosing to be curious about what’s unfolding right in front of me. The patterns of the waves crashing against the cliff. The life of the little kinglet bird. The pine stood tall from a small patch of soil on the naked cliff, which the distant deer was communicating. 

“Man and nature belong together in their created glory – in their tragedy and in their salvation.” Paul Tillich

And deep down, we all know if we allow ourselves to slow down, that our deepest connection is with nature and that structures of time and modernity are artificial constructs that lure us away from our deepest Self. 

This NatureQuest was a great reminder to shift my anchoring to nature and visit modernity rather than the other way around.

3 days were short, and I am looking forward to joining Göran for a 7-day solo quest this summer up north in the Swedish mountains

It was a great adventure, I seem to have returned looking rested and tanned, assuming I had been relaxing on the beach. If only they knew. Hard to really share something so detailed to do with time and the senses opening up, particularly in everyday discourse. I have come away with something to treasure and the sense that more of this work is necessary. I know it is a start of a process that fits into other processes already taking place in me.

Experienced professional counselor and psychotherapist, London

"I just love that place…brings back so many memories of when I walked down that slope at the beginning of my nature quest nearly four years ago. That was the catalyst for profound and important changes in my life. I’m so grateful for it all 🙏🏼❤️"

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”Hej Göran och tack för sist, spontant tyckte jag att det var häftigt att verkligen hinna tänka helt ostört och jag tycker att resultatet i diskussionen efteråt var en av de öppnaste och bästa vi haft i vår ledningsgrupp, där vi ofta är väldigt operativa och snabba att lösa problem, men sällan tar oss tiden att verkligen tänka efter”

Christian Clemens, koncernchef i TUI gruppen

"Måste få tipsa om Göran Gennvis (till synes) enkla, fint hållna och smått magiska Nature Quest i helgen. Vi startade och avslutade i grupp, däremellan två dygn i ensamhet. Ingen mat - jepp, fasta. Ingen mobil eller andra distraktioner. Ingen att prata med - bara ’me, myself and I’. Förutom tältet, en riktigt varm sovsäck, 6 liter vatten och 17 djupgående frågor. Och naturen förstås. Timmarna blir många. Tankarna långa. Eller snarare inga. Skogen, träden och marken bara finns där, omhuldar, skyddar och bär. En ynnest att inse. Utrensning på många nivåer. Digital detox, skogsbad för överstimulerade och trötta sinnen och kalibrering av den inre kompassen efter covid-våren och rent allmänt, den här märkliga tiden. Borde nästan vara obligatoriskt... Världen skulle vara en lugnare och ljusare plats. Rekommenderas varmt."

"I helgen fick jag äntligen chans att göra ett 48-timmars ”Nature Quest”, jättefint arrangerat av Göran Gennvi, Stiftelsen Ekskäret. Man spenderar alltså två dygn själv ute i naturen (utan mobil och annan förströelse) med målet om ”att bli den bästa versionen av sig själv”. Vi får väl se hur det blir med den saken, men jag gör åtminstone ett försök. Under de två dygnen har jag fastat, yogat, tänkt och känt en massa, medan jag vilat ögon och öron på havet, klipporna, skogen och stjärnhimlen - innan jag krupit ned i min sköna varma sovsäck i mitt tält och sovit som en stock. Kan VARMT rekommendera denna närvaro- och insiktsfyllda upplevelse. Sätter ljus på det som är viktigt, och hjälper en navigera i livet. Stort tack." 

"Att arbeta med ledare & organisationsutvecklingar har inte sällan karaktären av att fånga ständigt undflyende ögonblick. Intressenter och konkurrenter jagar i varje situation marginaler och tiden, eller snarare upplevelsen av brist på tid, leder alltför ofta till alltför dåliga beslut. Möjligheter att stanna upp och tänka efter i djupare mening minimeras till förmån för en utökad förmåga till flexibilitet och blixtsnabba omställningar. En trolig konsekvens blir att alltfler aktörer blir alltmer ”mainstream” i allt snabbare takt i sin jakt på den gäckande originaliteten. Ramen för systematisk eftertanke saknas men jag tror att Naturakademin har själva nyckeln i sin idé. Ledare jag arbetat med & som upplevt programmen vittnar om upplevelser av en sällsam stillhet, en annan tidräkning och förskjutningar av personliga såväl som professionella perspektiv av bestående karaktär. Enkelheten och tystnaden blir alltmer exklusiv i vår globaliserade värld med sitt bullrande monotona utbud. En plats i civilisationens utmark, utom räckhåll för både 4 & 5G master, kommer att bli alltmer eftertraktad. Jag vet för egen del att jag återvänder dit med andra chefsgrupper för att söka stillheten, den klara tanken och den djupa känslan som vi finner i "Naturakademin."

"I was fortunate to participate in Nature Academy's recent WiLD Nature Quest in the mountains up north in Sweden in July. I got a profound understanding of my life and myself. I highly recommend Göran to all executives in the world. Get Wild, people!"

"In my work, I have relied largely on my intellect and applied "the Harvard way" to the tough challenges that need to be dealt with. The simple techniques that Nature Academy and WiLD taught us during a retreat for business leaders provided a turning point for me. It is as simple as slowing down the mind and letting the answers come without effort and from a deeper source. All people - especially those leading others - should have access to these techniques. And the earlier you get them - the better!"