We recently had the chance to connect with Courtney Lewallen and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Courtney, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Thank you!
That’s a great question!
I am being called to lead overseas transformational conscious travel experiences for women.
For years, I guided international expeditions and facilitated leadership work separately. But combining the two—inviting people to step into the unknown, stretch their growth edges, and reconnect with their deepest selves while immersed in another culture—felt both exhilarating and intimidating.
This work requires me to stand fully in my own power, to trust the wisdom I’ve gained through 13+ years of leading expeditions, 15+ years of leadership development, and to hold space for others to shift in profound ways.
This work isn’t about escape; it’s about presence, connection, and rediscovering what matters most. I’m ready to lead in that space, even though it once felt scary, because I know the impact it can have on individuals and communities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Courtney Lewallen, founder of Traverse Beyond, where I weave together conscious leadership and transformational travel and outdoor adventures. My background is a mix of global expedition leadership—I’ve led 15 expeditions— traveled to over 30 countries, taught wilderness medical trainings for 16 years, and worked with the conscious leadership coaching framework.
What makes Traverse Beyond unique is how I integrate everything together. I work with teams and executive leadership through the lens of conscious leadership. I build on this leadership with outdoor adventures and trips overseas. These aren’t vacations or corporate trainings in the traditional sense—they’re immersive experiences designed to stretch your growth edge. Whether it’s local trips or trekking overseas, engaging in cultural service projects, or pausing for rest and reflection, everything is intentional. Each outdoor adventure, leadership training, and conscious travel trip is crafted to invite presence, courage, and clarity.
Right now, I’m working on leading women’s transformational journeys abroad, upcoming retreats in the U.S., Mexico, Rwanda and Cambodia and expanding conscious leadership programming for organizations.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Such a great question!
Growing up, I spent a lot of time flying back and forth between my parents’ homes. I got used to airports and planes, but it never felt like freedom—it felt like obligation. I longed for family vacations, consistency, and time with friends, but instead I was always in transit.
Australia changed that for me. It was the first time I traveled because I chose to, not because I had to. I can still remember stepping off the plane and feeling this wave of possibility—like, this is my experience. It was equal parts scary and exciting to be on my own, but that’s where I realized how capable I really was.
That solo journey taught me that stepping into the unknown is where growth begins. And that independence doesn’t have to be lonely—it can be the doorway to deep connection and authentic community. That semester abroad shaped how I see the world, and it’s the foundation of the transformational travel experiences I now lead for others.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her: It’s okay to feel fear. Fear doesn’t mean you’re not ready, or that you’re not capable—it just means you’re standing at the edge of something important. So often I tried to push fear away or pretend it wasn’t there, but what I’ve learned is that fear can actually be a compass.
Some of my most meaningful moments—like traveling solo in Australia or leading groups overseas—had fear in some capacity. And yet, every time I walked with it instead of against it, fear turned into a guide and a reminder that I have what it takes. I’d want my younger self to know that feeling scared doesn’t mean stop—it means you’re alive, growing, and right where you’re supposed to be.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. What you see publicly is who I am. For me, integrity is at the forefront of this question. It means not living a double life—so the way I show up in my work, in leadership, and online is the same way I show up with friends around a campfire or on a trail.
That doesn’t mean I share everything publicly, but the essence is always real. I’ve worked hard to unlearn the pressure to perform or present a polished version of myself. What matters more is authenticity. And when I let myself be fully me—in the messy, adventurous, and transformational parts—that’s where I connect most deeply with others.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I love this question.
I feel most at peace when I can be completely present in the moment. That often happens in nature—on a trail, by the ocean, or under a wide open sky—where the noise falls away and I can simply be. I also feel it when I’m connecting with another culture, sitting with locals over a shared meal or a heartfelt conversation. In those moments of presence—whether in the middle of nowhere or with people that I can share a deep conversation with—I feel grounded, alive, and deeply at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://traverse-beyond.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traverse_beyond/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-lewallen-22ab6819/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traversebeyond
Image Credits
They are my photos
