Creating Retreats That Truly Nourish the Body, Mind, and Spirit – An Interview with Courtney Watson

What happens when you combine a career in hospitality with a deep commitment to spiritual wellness? 

For Courtney Watson, it led to a fulfilling path of helping others heal through intentional wellness travel and mindful practices. Raised in a Catholic family and introduced to spiritual practices through silent retreats with her mother, Courtney’s journey evolved from traditional Catholicism to yoga and Buddhist studies. A pivotal moment in her life came when she transitioned from working in corporate hospitality to founding a wellness-centric career, deeply immersing herself in the values of holistic living. Today, she serves as a vital force at Rancho La Puerta, an iconic wellness retreat in Mexico, where she blends her professional expertise with her passion for well-being.

In this conversation, Courtney shares her journey of merging spirituality with professional success, offering valuable insights into how to live in alignment with one’s values and build purposeful work. Her experiences range from her transition into the wellness tourism industry to the deep practices that have shaped her life, including yoga, mindfulness, and creating healing spaces. As she explores the importance of trust and self-care, Courtney provides actionable advice for anyone looking to integrate wellness into their own lives. Continue reading or listen in by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Courtney’s journey can inspire you to bring mindfulness and purpose into your own professional and personal path.

Can you share the story of your spiritual awakening or journey into consciousness? Did you grow up with any sort of faith or spirituality, or did that come later in life?

Courtney Watson: I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school. In my late teens, I even did silent retreats with my mother—so I can actually thank her for introducing me to spiritual practice. But Catholicism didn’t fully resonate with me, and that led me on a personal journey that began with yoga.

Through yoga, I found meditation and mindfulness. I eventually traveled to India and became certified in Shanga Vinyasa. That time immersed in practice deepened my connection and also helped me cope with anxiety—something that was showing up in both my personal life and corporate roles. What began as a stress management tool evolved into a deeper path, ultimately leading me into Buddhist studies, which I’ve now been devoted to for the past 15 years.

Over time, I felt this deep desire to merge my spiritual practices with my professional life. I’ve always worked in hospitality, but I started to shift from the traditional luxury hotel model toward spaces that truly honor wellness and self-care. That’s what brought me to Rancho La Puerta, where I work now. It’s a beautiful healing space nestled beneath a mountain in Tecate, Mexico—land that’s been known for its healing properties long before the ranch was built.

It’s such a gift to be part of this legacy. We offer retreat experiences where guests can take up to 40 classes, hike to organic gardens, and enjoy nourishing pescatarian food grown right on the land. Watching my spiritual path and professional life come into alignment like this has been incredibly meaningful.

Tell us more about your professional journey. How did you make that transition from traditional hospitality into more conscious, value-aligned work?

Courtney Watson: Hospitality is actually in my roots. My dad owned small business hotels throughout the Midwest, and I grew up working with him. When I felt ready to chart my own path, I moved to the island of Kauai and started at the front desk of a hotel. From there, I moved into sales and marketing, slowly building a career that has now spanned over 20 years.

One unexpected turning point happened in Texas, at a hotel that opened an incredible wellness center. I had the opportunity to work alongside Sally Frankel, who trained travel advisors in wellness tourism. Sitting through her training opened my eyes to the power of intentional wellness travel, and I started collaborating more closely with spa directors and developing meaningful programs.

That experience shaped my direction. Since then, I’ve worked with places like Palmaya House of AïA in the Riviera Maya and Soul Community Planet—both deeply focused on holistic well-being. Because of the relationships and experience I’d cultivated, Rancho La Puerta reached out to me.

I’ve always loved building businesses, but I wanted my work to feel truly aligned with my values. So I set clear intentions about who I wanted to work with and what I wanted to create. It wasn’t just about growth—it was about contributing to something that heals, inspires, and uplifts.

Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort and Spa

What is your role at Rancho La Puerta, and how are you supporting their mission?

Courtney Watson: I work closely with retreat leaders and travel advisors who are focused on wellness, helping to create partnerships—like this one with The Yoga Expo—to expand our reach to new audiences. Rancho La Puerta has an incredible legacy. They’ve been around for 85 years, and during my first visit, I met people who had been coming for decades—30 visits, even multi-generational families.

The client base is deeply loyal, but there’s also a desire to welcome in new guests. That’s where I come in. My role is focused on business development—building relationships and strategic partnerships that help introduce this healing space to more people.

Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort and Spa

Can individuals visit on their own, or is it primarily for groups and retreat leaders?

Courtney Watson: It’s absolutely set up for both. In fact, it’s one of the best destinations I know for solo travelers. I call it “sleepaway camp for adults.” Everything is communal—the meals, the classes—and with over 40 offerings each day, it naturally fosters deep connection. You meet people who are truly like-hearted.

Retreat groups can start with as few as eight people—this fall, even six. We’ve created a seamless structure for retreat leaders, and I personally work with each one to offer special rates, added values, and curated experiences.

The practice spaces are included, and the beauty of Rancho La Puerta is that you don’t have to fill every hour. Maybe you teach one class in the morning and one at night—and the rest of the day, your guests can take part in the ranch’s existing programs, go hiking, visit the organic gardens, or simply be. It’s all set up to support the retreat experience without pressure.

We also welcome smaller groups—friends, families, anyone wanting to come together in a nourishing environment. And the casitas are flexible: from private accommodations to shared spaces that sleep up to four, depending on what kind of experience someone wants.

Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort and Spa

How large is the property overall? What does the accommodation side of it look like?

Courtney Watson: The ranch has 86 guest rooms—or casitas, really. They’re charming standalone buildings spread out across different village-style areas on the property. It’s intimate by design. That scale helps preserve the peaceful, community-oriented vibe that makes the place feel so special.

Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort and Spa

What do you personally love most about the ranch?

Courtney Watson: The sense of community, I’ve been to many beautiful wellness resorts, but this one is truly unique. There’s a depth here that comes from longevity—not just of the guests who return year after year, but also of the team.

Deborah, the founder, is 102 years old now, and her daughter continues to carry the vision forward. Many of the staff have been here for 10, 15, even 28 years. The last time I was there, the esthetician who gave me a facial had worked at the ranch for nearly three decades. That kind of continuity creates a true feeling of family.

When you combine that with guests who offer tips and share their stories with newcomers, it forms a living, breathing community unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I really love that about it.

Rancho La Puerta – archive photo

Beyond your work with the ranch, what else do you do in life?

Courtney Watson: I also teach mindfulness through a project I co-founded called A Place to Breathe, which is part of Meliora. My teachings blend mindfulness, yin yoga, and breathwork into a practice I call The Mindful Way. It’s a style I developed through my own journey—rooted in traditions like Ashtanga Vinyasa and the Baptiste methodology, which I love to practice but didn’t feel aligned teaching.

Those styles are very structured and high-energy, and I was craving something more spacious and grounding. With yin, mindfulness, and breathwork, I’ve found a way to support people in slowing down, becoming aware, and anchoring into the present moment. That’s the heart of what I now offer.

Are your teachings available online, or are they held in person?

Courtney Watson: Both. I teach in person at a studio in Crested Butte, Colorado, and I also run online mindfulness courses—four- and eight-week sessions that I offer year-round. In addition, I host a free weekly sitting every Wednesday. Sometimes there are just two of us, sometimes twenty. We gather for 30 minutes and simply sit together. It’s beautiful in its simplicity—whoever shows up, that’s who the space is for.

Do you help retreat leaders find other spaces beyond Rancho La Puerta, or is the ranch your main focus?

Courtney Watson: Rancho La Puerta is definitely a primary focus, but I also work with other wellness-forward hospitality groups. One of them is Soul Community Planet, which includes ten hotels across the West Coast, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. I support retreat leaders and travel advisors there as well.

And then there’s the Murmuration Collective, founded by the amazing Lucy Reynolds. She curates immersive, transformational retreats in places like Spain, Montana, and Kenya. Her work is all about supporting women through transitions—no matter what phase of life they’re in. Her curriculum is powerful, and I feel honored to help her bring that vision into the world and share it with more people.

For those listening who are thinking about leading a retreat—since that’s becoming such a popular path—what advice would you give them?

Courtney Watson: Most people drawn to lead retreats are already teachers in some capacity. So my advice is: start by listening. Understand what your students are yearning for—what kind of experience would support and inspire them.

Then, find partners who understand both the heart and the business side of retreats. Work with venues that are aligned with your values and who will support you through the process. That’s one of the things I really appreciate about places like Rancho La Puerta and Soul Community Planet—they get it. They’ve done this for a long time and know how to take care of retreat leaders and their guests.

And most importantly, start small. Aim to bring eight people, and let yourself be pleasantly surprised if you attract twenty. It’s much more nourishing to grow from a strong, supported beginning than to overextend trying to fill a large group.

Having the right partner makes all the difference—they help with logistics, marketing, and give you the space to focus on what you do best: guiding others through transformation.

Many retreats happen in private homes, which can be beautiful, but also challenging. What should retreat leaders consider if they’re choosing that route?

Courtney Watson: Retreats in homes can be wonderful, especially if the community is close-knit. But it’s essential to make sure you have the right support system in place. Who’s cooking the food? Who’s helping when someone misplaces their phone charger or needs something unexpected?

As a retreat leader, your energy should be focused on your practice and the healing space you’re creating. You don’t want that to be compromised because you were up at 3 a.m. cooking breakfast. It’s important to be well-rested and resourced so you can fully show up and offer what you’re there to give.

I echo that. Mandy and I have led retreats both in hotels and in homes—and honestly, food is always the biggest challenge. It’s no small feat to cook for 10 or 20 people.

Courtney Watson: Exactly—it takes a village. And unless you’ve done it before, it’s hard to estimate how much food to buy or prep. That’s one of the things I love about the ranch: all meals are included.

They reserve dining space for your group, meals are scheduled and coordinated, and there’s flexibility. You can have communal meals or let your group explore breakfast and lunch on their own, then gather for dinner. That kind of structure creates ease for both guests and leaders.

That sounds like such a supportive environment.

Courtney Watson: It really is. And something I’ve learned over time is how sensitive I am to energy. I didn’t realize it when I first started teaching, but now I intentionally build in space for myself—before and after teaching. I make sure I’m well-resourced, well-rested, and energetically grounded. That way, I can truly be of service to the people I’m holding space for.

That’s beautiful. For those who want to follow your work—whether it’s The Mindful Way or your offerings in Colorado—how can they connect with you?

Courtney Watson: You can reach me directly via email at cwatson@meliorawell.com. The website is meliorawell.com as well. For my personal practice, I’m on Instagram at @place2breathe. 

Courtney, it’s been such a pleasure. Thank you so much for sharing your story and wisdom with us.

Courtney Watson: Thank you. I really appreciate your time—and your curiosity.