Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Sass.
Hi Kirsten, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Somerset has been in my family for many years, and its story really began with my parents. What started as a simple one-bedroom, one-bathroom home in rural West Tennessee slowly grew over time as they could afford to add on — and as our family grew. The home itself reflects that journey. It is full of handcrafted woodwork done by local Amish craftsmen and unique touches that make it unlike anywhere else: hidden passages, rope swings and hammocks in the living room, and even a slide from the upstairs down below.
In the mid-1980s, my parents purchased an old log cabin and moved it onto the property. Friends and family gathered for a traditional log-raising party to rebuild it by hand. My mother loved reading and writing, and she filled the cabin with books and stories, which eventually inspired the name “Somerset Storybook Cabin.”
The property itself is called “Somerset,” named after one of my mother’s favorite writers, W. Somerset Maugham. The entire property reflects her love of creativity, storytelling, and hospitality.
After both of my parents passed away, my husband and I inherited Somerset and wanted to continue sharing it with others. My father and I were both avid triathletes, and we had always dreamed of creating a place where athletes and groups could come to train, recharge, and connect. Today, the property includes a year-round heated indoor 25-yard lap pool with an attached hot tub, and we host everyone from triathlon and swim groups to yoga retreats, family reunions, and small weddings. We named the business “Somerset Getaways” to reflect a space to come and “get away” – rest, reflect, and reconnect.
The Storybook Cabin is available as a guest stay through Airbnb, and the main house can accommodate groups as availability allows. A flower garden and water feature connect the cabin and the main house, creating a peaceful atmosphere that feels tucked away from the world. Both my sister and I were married here, so Somerset is deeply personal to our family — and we love being able to share that history and character with others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth journey, and there have certainly been bumps along the way. Losing both of my parents was probably the hardest part, because Somerset is so deeply tied to them and their vision. There is a lot of emotion wrapped up in continuing something that they built over decades with so much love and creativity.
On the practical side, maintaining a property like this is a constant job. The house itself is older and full of unique details and handcrafted features, which gives it so much character — but also means there is always something that needs attention or repair. The extensive flower gardens, water features, pool, and hot tub all require ongoing care and upkeep as well.
Marketing has also been a learning process. Somerset is not a cookie-cutter property, and it can sometimes be challenging to explain to people what makes it special. It is rustic, quirky, personal, and full of history — and the right guests absolutely fall in love with that, but finding ways to share the story and reach those people has taken time and effort.
That said, it truly is a labor of love. Every time we have guests come stay and they tell us how peaceful it felt, how much their kids loved exploring, or how meaningful their time together was, it reminds us why we do it. Seeing people make memories here — whether it is for a family gathering, an athletic retreat, a wedding, or simply a quiet getaway — makes all of the hard work worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a lot of hats professionally, but at the core of everything I do is a love for helping people grow, improve, and believe in themselves.
I have been involved in the sport of triathlon for more than 25 years. What began as a personal challenge eventually became a lifelong passion and career. Over the years, I have competed at a high level, earning multiple national titles and world championship titles, but some of the moments I am most proud of have come through helping and supporting others in the sport.
One of the greatest honors of my life was serving as a guide for visually impaired paratriathletes, including guiding at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games for triathlon. That experience taught me so much about trust, resilience, teamwork, and perseverance. It reinforced why I love endurance sports so deeply — they have a unique way of bringing out the very best in people.
Today, I work as a triathlon coach and swim instructor, helping athletes of all ages and abilities. I truly love working with beginners just as much as experienced athletes. Whether someone is learning to swim for the first time, training for their first 5K, or pursuing a major endurance goal, I enjoy helping people take that next step forward. My coaching philosophy has always been centered around meeting people where they are and building confidence one step at a time.
Outside of athletics, my husband Jeff and I are both licensed massage therapists. We actually met in Salt Lake City, Utah while attending massage therapy school together, and we still both practice massage therapy today. That background has given us a deep appreciation for recovery, wellness, and the importance of caring for both body and mind.
In addition to coaching and massage therapy, I also work as a physician assistant in a family practice setting. I enjoy the relationship-building aspect of family medicine and the opportunity to care for people through all stages of life. In many ways, all of my work overlaps — whether in medicine, coaching, or wellness, it all comes back to helping people feel healthier, stronger, and more capable.
What sets me apart is probably the combination of experiences I bring together. My background in healthcare, athletics, coaching, recovery, and adaptive sports gives me a unique perspective on wellness and human potential. I also think authenticity matters. I have been the athlete who finished last, the athlete standing on world championship podiums, the coach encouraging someone through their first race, and the medical provider helping patients navigate difficult seasons of life. I understand that growth rarely happens in a straight line.
What I am most proud of is not necessarily the medals or titles, but the relationships and impact along the way — the athletes who discover confidence they did not know they had, the patients who feel heard and cared for, and the guests who come to Somerset and leave feeling rested, inspired, and connected.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up out in the countryside of West Tennessee as the oldest of six children, so life was rarely quiet or boring. There was always something happening — animals, projects around the house, exploring outside, younger siblings running around, and a lot of creativity and independence encouraged by my parents. Growing up in that environment gave me a strong sense of adaptability and curiosity from a young age.
My parents also loved to travel, which shaped me tremendously. One of the most unique experiences of my life was spending a year in India when I was a junior in high school. I attended the Kodaikanal International School in southern India, and getting there was an adventure in itself. Our family traveled across Europe camping the entire way before eventually making it to India, and then repeated the journey on the way home. Experiencing so many cultures and ways of life at a young age really broadened my perspective and made me more open-minded and adventurous.
Personality-wise, I was probably a mix of independent, driven, and a little unconventional. I have always loved challenges and experiences more than routine. I was also fairly competitive, although not necessarily in the traditional sense. I enjoyed pushing myself and seeing what I was capable of, even if I was not naturally the best at something right away.
I eventually attended the University of Western Ontario in Canada, where my father had also gone to school. Interestingly, I did not grow up dreaming of being a triathlete. I only started doing triathlons when I was 19 because my father signed me up for a race. At the time, I honestly did not know much about the sport, but that one experience completely changed the direction of my life. What started as a challenge became a lifelong passion, career, and source of so many meaningful relationships and opportunities.
Looking back, I think my upbringing taught me to embrace adventure, be resilient, and stay open to unexpected paths — qualities that still shape who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://somersetgetaways.com/
- Instagram: somerset_getaways
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somersetgetaways.kmf/
