Reinvention With Purpose: How Debra Stangl Built a Life-Changing Retreat Empire in Sedona

Success doesn’t always begin with clarity. Sometimes, it begins with burnout.

For Debra Stangl, the turning point came after two decades as a divorce attorney in Omaha, Nebraska. On paper, she had a respectable legal career. In reality, she felt exhausted, unfulfilled, and disconnected from herself. Her marriage was strained, her health was declining, and financially she felt overwhelmed.

Everything changed with a trip to Sedona in 1999.

From Burnout to Breakthrough

What was meant to be a short getaway became a spiritual awakening. Surrounded by Sedona’s iconic red rocks and powerful energy, Debra experienced a profound realization: if she didn’t change her life, nothing else would.

Rather than ignoring that inner voice, she listened.

In 2002, she founded Sedona Soul Adventures, a company dedicated to designing private, customized transformational retreats for individuals and couples seeking clarity, healing, and renewed purpose.

Her mission was simple but powerful — help others experience the kind of transformation she had fought so hard to find herself.

A Retreat Model Built on Personalization

Unlike traditional group retreats, Sedona Soul Adventures focuses on deeply personalized experiences. Debra works alongside more than 50 master practitioners in Sedona, each specializing in areas such as emotional healing, spiritual guidance, relationship coaching, and personal growth.

Every retreat is carefully crafted around the specific needs of the client.

Some participants arrive feeling stuck in their careers. Others are navigating relationship struggles. Many are simply searching for deeper meaning. The process blends spiritual exploration with practical tools, creating an experience that supports both emotional insight and actionable change.

The result? Transformations that last long after the retreat ends.

Rebuilding Relationships, Restoring Self-Worth

One of the most powerful aspects of Debra’s work is helping couples rediscover connection. Many arrive at a crossroads — frustrated, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward together.

Through guided sessions, honest communication, and emotional healing practices, couples often leave with renewed understanding and empathy. Watching relationships shift from resentment to reconnection remains one of the most rewarding parts of Debra’s journey.

Leading With Intuition

At the heart of Debra’s philosophy is intuition.

Rather than rigidly following a scripted structure, she trusts her instincts when designing each retreat. Listening deeply — to her clients and to herself — allows space for authentic breakthroughs.

Her belief is clear: true transformation cannot be forced. It unfolds when people feel safe, supported, and ready.

This mindset also shapes how she handles business challenges. Obstacles are not failures, but lessons. Each setback offers growth, resilience, and refinement.

Sharing the Message Beyond Sedona

Debra extended her message through her book, The Journey to Happy, where she shares the principles that guided her own reinvention. At its core, the book encourages readers to trust that life unfolds in a greater order — even during painful or confusing chapters.

Her upcoming book, High-Vibe Relationships, co-written with her husband Richard Kepple, continues that exploration by focusing on conscious partnerships and emotional alignment.

Together, these works reinforce her belief that happiness is not something to chase — it is something to allow.

A Legacy of Courage and Connection

Debra Stangl’s story is not just about leaving a legal career. It’s about choosing alignment over security, intuition over fear, and purpose over comfort.

What began as a personal crisis evolved into a global platform for transformation. Through Sedona Soul Adventures, she has helped thousands of individuals and couples rediscover clarity, rebuild relationships, and reconnect with themselves.

Her journey serves as a reminder: sometimes the most powerful decision you can make is to trust your inner voice — especially when it asks you to begin again.