Isabelle Rickmers, Founder & CEO of TURTLE, equates wellness with balance and focuses on simple activities to recharge. For example, taking a walk with her child helps her recharge and find balance, ensuring both her professional and personal life are aligned. She also enjoys connecting with her colleagues, as she feels grateful to have an incredible team at TURTLE.
Isabelle emphasizes the importance of listening to seafarers. This is the first step in understanding their needs and supporting them. Having a strong support system at work and at home is what keeps her motivated every day. She also believes that authenticity and commitment can make a positive difference.
SAFETY4SEA: What does ‘wellness’ mean to you? What do you do in your everyday life to embrace wellness?
Isabelle Rickmers: For me, wellness is about balance—ensuring that both personal and professional aspects of life complement each other. It’s also about a clear mindset. It’s about finding the time to recharge, a simple walk with my child after a busy day helps me reset and stay present.
S4S: What are the two things to do that can make you feel happy after a challenging day?
I.R.: Spending time with family and my friends always brings me joy. Additionally, connecting with my team at TURTLE always reinvigorates me.
S4S: What do you do to keep balance between your personal and business life?
I.R.: I enjoy my work and even when I work at the weekends, it doesn’t affect my well-being, on the contrary. TURTLE is a part of my life and I don’t see it as a burden.
S4S: What wellness-promoting initiatives would you like to see in the workplace?
I.R.: It starts with really listening to the seafarers and understanding what they need. At TURTLE, we have great respect for their hard work and our personal motivation as a team is to support them in the best possible way.
S4S: What is the one thing that you are feeling grateful for at the moment?
I.R.: I am grateful for the incredible team at TURTLE, the meaningful work we do to create opportunities for seafarers, and, most importantly, my healthy and happy family. Having a strong support system at work and at home keeps me motivated every day.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
I.R.: “Empower and stay true to your values.” Creating positive change starts with authenticity and a commitment to making a difference.
The views presented are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
