I grow resilient humans.

First light through cottonwoods on Lorca's Montana farm — mist over the field, two dogs sitting in the grass
Morning on the farm · Bozeman, Montana
Lorca as a teenager on a backpacking trail, head bowed under a heavy pack
Before the mountain — Lorca at fifteen

Her story

Where this work begins

Lorca Smetana was born into a mountaineering community, and started early thinking about mortality — and the choices we make if life were to be short.

At sixteen, she survived the Mt. Hood climbing tragedy that took the lives of nine students and teachers.

That awareness of mortality, and what it asks of how we live, remains a powerful thread through her work. She knows about coming back stronger and richer inside after living through crisis — and she has spent her life learning, and teaching, how it is done.

Meet Lorca

The approach

How resilience training works

When we voyage, the person who arrives is not the person who began. With each resilient step, we have rejected disconnection, shallowness, and separation. Whatever your current projects are, inside and out, they will blossom beautifully during your resilience journey — and sooner rather than later.

In a nutshell: I help people feel clear, then stronger, then safe, then creative.

  1. Clear
  2. Stronger
  3. Safe
  4. Creative

Meet Lorca

The user’s manual they forgot to give you

Whether you are seeking a more resilient company or looking for personal support, you are going to find with me the user’s manual they forgot to give you before.

Most of us don’t want to be somebody else — we like being ourselves, but want to be the version with energy and focus and direction and humor. That’s what resilience training is all about.

Read more

Lorca Smetana smiling in golden evening light, tall autumn grass behind her

Ways to work together

Three paths in

  1. Speaking

    Keynotes and talks on resilience thinking and post-traumatic growth — helping audiences in high-stress lives short-circuit burnout and grow as survivors into leaders.

  2. Coaching & programs

    Resilience coaching, executive coaching, corporate retreats and programming for educational institutions — for individuals and for groups.

  3. Celebrant

    Weddings and life ceremonies with grounding, structure, inspiration and serenity — and, when you wish, her white doves flying.

Now enrolling

Radiant Leaders Fellowship
September 2026

A year-long cohort for twelve leaders who are already having real impact in the world — and who are ready to stop getting in their own way to have more of it.

Two retreats. Monthly cohort sessions. Regular 1:1 work. A small, chosen group of people you will be glad to know. Space is held for twelve people, and Lorca is currently in conversation with candidates for the September cohort.

Call 406-581-1522 or write to lorca@lorcasmetana.com to express interest.

Explore the programs

Lorca traces the contours of our lives and helps us recognize the beauty of the deep canyons, the power of how to run fleet-footed with the fears for a moment, and then the way to take the strength from running and offer it to our communities as a gift.

Kate Rutherford · Patagonia climbing ambassador · co-founder, Farm to Crag

Trusted by leaders & organizations

Her TEDx talk

A Hunger for Joy

Out of tragedy, grief, and trauma, Lorca has managed to find and spread joy throughout her life. Watch her TEDxBozeman talk.

Resilience Loves

A letter worth opening

Reflections, resources, and resilience in practice — Lorca’s letter, now on Substack. Join, and it lands gently in your inbox.

Read past editions