You may know Courtney Berthelsen as an experienced yoga teacher in the Lake Country area, but there’s more to Courtney than just on the mat. Off of the mat, Courtney runs a small, successful experiential travel company called Salt Sanctuary Soul. After years in the travel industry, Courtney saw an opportunity to craft unique experiences for travelers, as travel is not – or shouldn’t be! – a one-fits-all approach. She believes that we are looking for a deeper and more fulfilling way to experience the locations we are traveling to. This equates to unique experiences, sourcing homes or hotels that make you feel right at home. Plus a localized approach to be sure that you are seeing the soul of where you are going.
Courtney lives for bringing people together, this thoughtfulness is woven into her travel business. She focuses on working with vetted partners, supporting small and family-run businesses, local artisans, wellness professionals, unique talent and community cheerleaders. All of this elevates your travels to an experience. Salt Sanctuary Soul specializes in concierge service for small group travel. They craft full itinerary trips and fine-tune family vacations all around the globe.
Back to the yoga- Courtney teaches yoga specializing in trauma-informed yoga therapy and health counseling services. You might find her teaching in the summer months at one of her happy places, Stone Bank Farm Market, otherwise, she travels around to local hospitals, schools, businesses and clients homes.
About Courtney Berthelsen
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband and I are raising two beautiful children; a 4-year old boy and a 1- year old girl. We also have a lovable Labrador – and a few chickens! As working parents and business owners, our days are full, but we couldn’t be happier. We love being together – either inside sitting at the kitchen table telling stories and eating snacks, or outside running around barefoot. Spending time on the lake or in the pool, counting down for our next getaway, or on the flip side and working on projects in/around our home.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I’m a textbook Pisces, ‘zen to zin’ enthusiast, lover of tacos, coffee chugger, a yoga teacher and a collector of passport stamps. I am a Wisconsin gal living blissfully in Lake Country, Wisconsin with my family.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love the collaborative nature of my work. Meeting new people, listening to everyone’s stories… and, then, matching them with an experience that they will enjoy – and talk about for years to come!
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Definitely simply taking the leap! As yogis we are reminded all the time to “trust the process”, but there’s a variety of ebbs and flows of the “process”. Thus, it was a careful consideration and an intentional move to jumping in whole-heartedly. It’s also important to note that having people in my corner that were supporting me and cheering me on helped a bunch.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part is being able to grow something from the ground up together with my clients. To see an idea come to life is something ridiculously amazing!
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
I was recently selected to join Travel Weekly and TravelAge West’s Emerging Travel Leaders Retreat. Future Leaders brings together the next generation of travel advisors and suppliers through small-group business appointments, collaborative content sessions, an outdoor activity, and immersive networking events. Attendees will leave Future Leaders with both new ideas for conducting business and professional relationships for life. I am looking forward to meeting new and fellow travel leaders and connecting with worldwide suppliers.
You can read more on the press release here. I have a path on where I would like to see Salt Sanctuary Soul grow. To keep building what I have started by continuing to collaborate with a variety of talents. Such as wellness professionals, culinary talents, artisans, etc. and build immersive experiences globally. There’s a lot more that goes into this story and I would love to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to connect!
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Make sure your vision is not only clear, but attainable for where the rhythm of your life is at that moment. Dream big, make goals – but make sure you are always checking in with those goals, too. Make sure you are staying on track. And, give yourself a little grace – good things take time.
Courtney Berthelsen & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
My favorite thing about our community is the proximity to lakes, parks and charming small towns. Even though I love to travel, being home feels like a vacation… well, at least to me! We find ourselves walking to Nagawaukee beach, and the boat launches in the early evening. Also, running with our children down to the 14th hole at dusk to practice putting, and enjoying the early morning sunrises over the lake and tree tops. The activity that surrounds us is contagious and suits our lifestyle perfectly.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Our neighbor, Marlys, continues to inspire me daily! This woman is pure talent. She plays the harp and is a very talented potter. Marlys sails, she’s a caretaker, the list goes on and on. Honestly, I continue to ask myself what she cannot do. She reminds me that it’s not too late to start something new.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I can’t name just one favorite! We love Fresh Baked for chocolate croissants, and Stone Creek Coffee for coffee and beans. Dining at I.D. and The Union House are great for date nights. Brick House Mercantile for their Happy Hours and Artisan Dinners. We like Tabi’s for wine!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Vibrant, collaborative and active.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m an only child. OK, that’s not totally interesting, I’ll try again. My son and I have the exact same birthmarks in the exact same places! Fascinating, right?!
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
I love to read, but I don’t really have a favorite book of all time, just a lot of favorites that I have read along the way. I just finished reading, Katie Gutierrez’s debut novel, More Than You’ll Ever Know. It’s a fascinating novel about motherhood and marriage, but so much more. Including what happens when you want more. Also, a bit of crime. A total page turner! My favorite song is Lionel Richie’s All Night Long, the epitome of a mood booster!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am very fortunate to be surrounded with a number of people in my life that support me and lift me up, constantly. This interview wouldn’t be anything without a little doting on my husband – a person who is always, lovingly thinking two steps ahead. He’s the hardest worker I know. His passion and tenacity is what inspires me and reminds me every day that whatever I put my mind to, I can do it. He truly is someone that you want/need to have around!
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
I’d say a Paloma. Maybe because I am craving one right now, or maybe because it’s a bit of zest, a bit of bubbles… seems like a bit of me!?
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Hmm, this is a tough question, but maybe Josephine Baker. Josephine was said to be an extraordinary woman. Some of her life choices and ambitions were extraordinary, too. From her banana skirt performances (1920’s Paris!) to being a vocal supporter of racial equality. She adopted twelve children to her life in France! Josephine definitely had a story to tell and it would be interesting to know more about her!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like to one day own a vacation rental home to share a favorite spot of ours, in our own way.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Picture this: eyes closed, sunshine on your face, waves lapping in your ears. Children’s feet pitter-patting, puppies panting. A crisp, cold white wine to sip. Happiness, to me, is the simple things in life surrounded by the people that mean the most.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Deep breaths.
Where to Find Courtney Berthelsen
Email: info@saltsanctuarysoul.com
Phone: (414) 588-6412
