A True Wellness Journey with

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room.” – Blaise Pascal

In today’s world, it might seem strange to think much of deserts. They’re dry, seemingly lifeless, and have little to offer materially. But what if I told you, that’s why they are so vital to our growth. The truth is we need challenges and struggles in order to truly grow in virtue, discipline and peace. The desert presents the perfect place to do just that. No distractions, no luxuries, no excuses.

Christian theologians, saints, and of course Jesus Christ himself understood the temptations and challenges that one faced in the desert, which were indeed necessary to strengthen one’s faith, resolve, and resilience. With the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Christ entered willingly into the desert for 40 days, subjecting himself to the Devils temptations. The great Prophet, John The Baptist resided in the desert, eating nothing but locust and wild honey while he prepared the way for the Son of God. Saint Anthony the Great withdrew to the desert where overcame physical, mental and physicals attacks and tests, all while keeping his heart focused on Jesus, while becoming perhaps one of the greatest hermits of the Church, accredited for many miracles and wisdom.

In the modern world, we’re lost in a world of constant task and distraction. There is no real time for leisure, in the true sense of the word. (Leisure actually means the study or intellectual work, not watching Netflix or reels) . With our free time, we just find more things to distract ourselves from what really matters: namely, our relationship with the Almighty that lives in each of us. Its this connection that gives us true peace and lasting happiness in life. Not more cars, more money, more sex, or more vices.

We need a desert to refocus our mind on God and his beauty, and to remind ourselves that we are not simply a body that needs food, pleasure and comfort. No we are also a soul that needs to be spiritually exercised in order to truly control the body and its corporeal, secular urges. We need to willingly enter into a practice that withholds commonalities from the body in order to sharpen our minds, lift our spirits, and conquer our darkness.

And while most cannot practically enter into a physical desert, we can most certainly create habits and incorporate practices that create our own spiritual, mental and physical desert. All of these actions stem from Solitude, Silence and prayer. Desert Strength Coaching uses these teachings from the early Christian mystics and monks, to lay the foundation for each and every member of our community. True Strength isn’t found in the Oasis. Desert Strength is where the journey aims to takes us.

–Dallas McClain, Founder Desert Strength

“He who stays in the desert solitude in impassive silence is shielded from three battles: those that come from hearing, speaking and seeing. He has only one battle left to fight: against his own impurity.” – Saint Anthony the Great