Doing What I Love
Hi friends! Iām Natalie Koivu. Whether youāve been following along on Instagram for some time, or are brand new here, Iām thrilled to welcome you to my blog.
My hope with this blog is to inspire & transport, to pass on valuable skills & ideas, and to help you live with a little more balance, joy, courage, wellness, and of courseā¦natureās freshest air.
A little background: Growing up in Minnesota, Iāve always had a love for nature & all things āNorth.ā That said, in my twenties Iād find myself living & working for nearly five years in the heart of one of our nationās biggest cities, feeling stressed, unhappy & stuck - in work, in love & in life. It wasnāt until a difficult relationship suddenly ended that I found the courage to turn my life upside down - switching jobs, moving home, stepping into strength + joy, and quickly cultivating the belief that I was in fact free to create the life I believed in.
Nattie up North, which was just the name of my personal Instagram handle, started to become a āthingā in 2018 when the digital content I was making for fun began to grow a following. I soon realized that, while it was unplanned, I now had a platform. I vowed to do with it work I believe in.
Today I live in Finland with my husband and his three awesome kiddos. Iām enjoying my journey & am humbled to say Iāve never felt more fulfilled, empowered, resilient & just plain happy. Tools Iāve used along the way include: centering on purpose, faith, community, outdoor adventure, solo travel, service, entrepreneurship, self-care, chasing fears, and slowing down to enjoy all the little, beautiful & delicious parts of life. *Iām passionate about helping others do the same.*
So, what do I do?!
While I wear many hats, each is just a different angle at the work I love: supporting people along their journey to live better lives.
In addition to running my digital platforms, Iām a Host & Producer on the television show Due North Outdoors, as well as a Master-Certified Professional Life Coach (MCPC) focusing in: purpose & direction, health & wellness, habits, relationships & communication, and faith-based coaching. Iām a certified yoga & prenatal yoga instructor, and a fitness instructor in training. I also write for publication, lead seminars & appear on various podcasts + shows.
How I got here:
Iāve worked as a Writer & Editor at a womenās lifestyle magazine, in Media Relations for the Minnesota Wild (NHL), and in the corporate world in Human Resources & Project Management. More recently, I was a member of Major League Fishingās on-screen talent, and I produced, directed & hosted the series āCovering Water.ā I have bachelorās degrees in Journalism and English and have acquired various certifications in coaching and holistic health & wellness.
Hobbies
I love all things outdoors, including hiking, foraging, fishing, biking & cross-country skiing among other things. I volunteer as an Emergency Response Team Lead with the nonprofit organization IOCC and help run social media channels for my home church. I played 16 seasons of competitive ice hockey and still try my best to train like an athlete! I value faith, food, travel, holistic health, reading, organizing, history + culture, time with family + friends, helping people achieve their goals & any opportunity to meet people or try something new.
And finally, some fun factsā¦
01.
I can recite lines from the Lord of the Rings in Elvish. Yes, I took heat for this in Junior High. No, it did not stop me.
02.
I have approximately 40 scars on my heart - literally! I was diagnosed with a heart condition in high school and again in adulthood, but after undergoing an amazing medical procedure for the second time, I am now fully healed.
03.
Iāve always been a lover of quality food. But my ability put down meals also earned me the unfortunate nickname ādisposalā in college.
04.
I was terrified of public speaking for years! It wasnāt until completing formal training & doing it professionally that I finally got comfortable with it.
05.
When I start giggling, I canāt stop. Iāve been known to have uncontrollable, teary laugh-attacks everywhere from school, to the dinner table, to the quiet pews of church.
06.
Favorite Self-Care: Prayer, Exercise, Fresh Air, Gratitude, Resilience Techniques like Cold Exposure, Community & Good Sleep!
07.
Favorite Nature Destinations: North Shore of Lake Superior, Alaska, Peru, Iceland & Southern Florida.
08.
Something Iām terrible at: Directions! I can get lost anywhere. Itās bad.













