Stop Holding Yourself Back

Most of us know exactly what we want and still find ways to stand in our own path. The book stays unwritten, the business stays an idea, the conversation about money or love gets postponed again. Stop Holding Yourself Back is a workshop built for that gap between knowing and doing, and for the quiet patterns that keep it open.

Led by Justin Michael Williams, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and bestselling author, this in-person workshop takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. Whatever the goal, whether it is losing twenty pounds, writing a book, launching a business, opening your heart to love, shifting your relationship with money, or figuring out your next chapter, the work begins with a close look at what is getting in your way.

If you are a seeker who is ready to move from intention to action, and who wants a practical framework alongside a contemplative setting, this weekend offers both.

What to Expect

The workshop uses the lens of shadow work to uncover the hidden forces that drive your choices and the self-limiting beliefs that quietly steer them. Justin Michael Williams brings a practical, evidence-based approach to help you understand and embrace your shadow, rather than fight it.

Together you will:

- Set better and healthier boundaries
- Break through fear
- Get clear about what you really want next in your life
- Build greater accountability
- Leave with clear action steps toward your goals

The themes are confidence, letting go of old stories, and shifting your relationship with your inner voice. The aim is a life of greater authenticity and truth, with tools and a plan that can last well after the workshop ends. Justin recommends his book Stay Woke as companion reading.

Esalen's setting supports the inner work. The workshop unfolds on the cliffs above the Pacific, where hot springs, open classes, and shared meals create room for what you uncover to settle and integrate.

About Justin Michael Williams

Justin Michael Williams is a Grammy-nominated recording artist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker who works at the intersection of music, meditation, and equality. His stated mission is to change lives by sharing what has worked in his own, helping people through music and personal growth to live a life they authentically love. Having grown up with gunshot holes outside his bedroom window, he now has a global reach spanning more than 40 countries, and he describes nearly two decades of teaching experience.

He has spoken at organizations including Google, Bloomberg, and SXSW. Music is his original love, and he has learned to blend the speaker and the musician, offering music as a medium for joy and personal growth. His books include Stay Woke.

Venue & Logistics

The workshop is held in person at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Registration options include a workshop with an on-site stay, a workshop with an off-site stay, and an individual day pass, and scholarships are available through Esalen. Highway 1 access around Big Sur has been affected by road closures and travel advisories, so check Esalen's current travel advisory and plan your route before you travel.