We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonia Schreiber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonia, what principle do you value most?
Integrity is such an important value to me personally and professionally. It’s challenging at times depending on the situation you are in, but if your moral compass is always set to true North I think you can’t go wrong. It’s not always the easiest path, but it is the one that lets me sleep at night and provides a basis for countless other values. Ethics and morals are hollow words if we don’t have the integrity to carry them out.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Overcoming challenges and being uncomfortable has always been the greatest catalyst for my growth personally and professionally. I have a love/hate relationship with it in the sense that I love growing and developing deeper, but the stimulant for it isn’t always a welcome friend. In 2011 it came in the form of Hurricane Irene in our Ski town late August wiping out my business completely. In 2020 we all went through enormous trials and tribulations collectively as a world due to the Pandemic. August 2020 my Husband, Chris and I welcomed the light of our world; our Son, Cesaré. He showed us the dichotomy of darkness, that there is always light to follow. He is our joy and constant source of inspiration to be our best selves or at least try to be. In 2023 my Dad was in the hospital for over a month. He had end stage dementia and it was cruel and enlightening. It really made me think about how I live my life now, in hopes of living a fuller life down the road. He finally came home to my house for his last week of life with Hospice care where my sister and I literally got to hold him in his last breaths. It was and will potentially be one of the most formative moments of my life. It was the biggest smack in the face of my mortality and that all we have in the end is love. I also got to overcome one of my greatest fears- loosing my Dad. Ironically he was there to be with me through that, too. I don’t want to sound nihilistic, but adversity can be used to teach us, empower us, and propel us into our greatest selves. I truly believe that, and that no matter how long the night is, or how dark, the break of dawn always comes. It’s a promise I have relied on many times, and will continue to lean in to, no matter how hypocritical I am.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a host is one of my favorite things and hospitality brings me so much joy! I’d first have them get a massage with at the spa to help them unwind, followed by a cup of tea and a foot soak. Then we’d head to my sister Cordelia’s restaurant and wine bar. She’s a Sommelier and one of the funniest and smartest people I know. We call that the “Detox to Retox Circuit.”

They’d have to stay at my friends Julia and Bjorn’s Boutique hotel, Eastwind, in a Lushna, a little a-frame with a glass facade so you stare out at the mountains. They are the kindest and most thoughtful hosts and the lushna’s offer a spectacular view of our mountains, along with delicious amenities. I’d probably say we have to do a sauna session because I’m Swedish and it’s in my blood to LOVE A GOOD SWEAT. Also, gotta sweat out the wine if we’re gonna service a week of eating, hiking, mountain biking, etc.
Next we’d head to The Windham Path, which is a magical trail that meanders through the fields and along a stream in our little mountain town. In the early early mornings you can see the bald eagles or blue heron fly low over the stream fishing. The fog sits perfectly in the fields and the covered bridge is beyond picturesque. It also happens to be walking distance from Eastwind and my next must- brunch at Albergo Allegria. My friend Marianna is the a second generation Chef and inKeeper along with her husband Lesley. The Duffle is unlike anything you’ve ever had. There’s no explaining it. You just have to try one.
Considering I’m a pumpkin and usually asleep by 9:30 or 10 we’d make a fire at my house in the evening and sit, relax, and look at the stars. I love the smell of a campfire and the night air. It’s primal and always leads to mischief. What better way to be with friends?!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Dad, Peter, hands down gets my Shoutout and I hope he can hear it from the heavens! My Dad guided me fearlessly and relentlessly from a young age until the moment he passed in my arms last June. His spirit still continues to. I never would have described my Dad as a feminist, but he was raised by one of the strongest and bravest women I never got to meet; my Oma, Ana. I like to call him The Unwitting Feminist. Feminism wasn’t in his vernacular because it was a part of his upbringing, his life, and how he raised my sister and I amongst our four brothers. He married my Mom, Jessica, who is a hell of a woman, and always cheered us on no matter what we wanted to take on. He only knew strong women, so he raised us that way. He was egalitarian with us in every regard, maybe he was even harder on reinforcing our grit as teenagers. He always told us “I don’t want you to marry a Doctor, It’s okay if you do, but I want YOU to be the Doctor!” He would have loved for one of us to have become a Doctor, or a Pilot in theory, but I think he was most proud of our independence as women and our success as entrepreneurs. He was a non-conformist and artist to a T. Having been born during World War II in Hungary he was incredibly resilient had an enormous amount of compassion and love as a result. He always wanted us to see life standing in other people’s shoes. He wanted us to be grateful for what we had and work hard. He was and will always be one of my greatest Champions.

Website: www.thewindhamspa.com

Instagram: @thewindhamspa

Linkedin: Antonia Schreiber

Image Credits
All images are credit to The Windham Spa. Thank you!

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