We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Stockwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

I’ll start by saying my entire career as a Rock Steady Director and Coach has been supported, funded, and driven by the kindness and hearts of others. However, I do have a favorite story of an act of kindness that melted my heart and changed my life.

Two years ago, when gyms were finally able to re-open after Covid, I was faced with the challenge of raising money to rebuild Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix in a new location. I was fortunate enough to be featured on Fox and ABC morning news here in Phoenix and, thanks to family, friends, and strangers had a successful Go Fund Me on Facebook that helped us purchase new heavy bags. I was so thankful for the community coming together to help us out. But we needed a lot more.

One morning, I woke up and opened my front door to find piles of Amazon boxes. It looked like Christmas in August! Sets of weights, sand bells, resistance bands, you name it, it was enough equipment for a whole class. When I looked at the receipts, each one the same name at the bottom. Next, I got a notification on my phone that we have received a donation. It was the biggest donation yet, and it was from the same name. He never wanted me to tell anyone, (sorry Honey, I’m spilling the beans!) but the man I was casually dating had sent it all! That day sealed it for me. It wasn’t because he spent money, but because he knew how important Rock Steady is to me, that I saw his heart and knew I shouldn’t let him go. Now he’s stuck with me. He supports me more than ever and still offers to help whenever I need.

So that is definitely one of the kindest (and cutest) things anyone has done for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Louisiana native and Arizona State graduate, currently residing in Litchfield Park with my teenage daughter. I am the owner of Styled by Sarah professional hair and makeup artistry, and Executive Director and Head Coach of the nonprofit organization, Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix. When I’m not styling a client or boxing, I am spending my time traveling and enjoying the time I get with my busy daughter.

I would love to share more with readers about my personal passion, Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix, and our mission in the community.

Rock Steady Boxing is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit gym which provides a uniquely effective form of physical exercise to people who are living with Parkinson’s Disease. The science behind it shows that exercise and forced exertion induce brain repair and accompanying behavioral recovery. Some studies suggest that continuous, intensive training, like that provided in Rock Steady classes, may confer neuro-protection, and subsequently slow, stop, or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s or promote neuro-restoration.

We decided in 2016 to open the affiliate location, Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix, in order to help my own mother and as many people living with this disease as possible. My dad chose early retirement from his job flying helicopters for EMS, and used his bonus to open our first location in Peoria.  We volunteered our time three days a week for classes and eventually grew to six classes a week, serving over 60 boxers with Parkinson’s and “Cornermen” (caregivers) before our inevitable shut-down in March of 2020. Through Covid months, Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix “pivoted” to online Zoom classes that I taught daily to keep our Boxers active and healthy.  Eventually we were able to reopen with the help of our community and have slowly rebuilding over the past year.  We are currently looking to move to a larger facility to hold more effective classes for our Boxers.

While Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix provides physical activity, my favorite aspect is that the class and the Boxers provide hope, support, love, and entertainment! Upbeat music from their younger years, hugs, stories and experiences shared all make Rock Steady Boxing more than a boxing facility, but a “clubhouse” for likeminded friends who become family.

The thing that makes me feel the proudest is when my Boxers share their stories of successes. From being in a wheelchair to walking again, learning to jump rope after 70 years, supassing their PRs in races, lowering their doses of medication because the exercise is working, helping my Boxers reach their goals is my personal mission and is the basis for defining my own success.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In my life, I have seen people diagnosed with incurable diseases, and their lives become engulfed in sadness, negativity, and despair. Some may attend support groups for help, but often walk out feeling worse than when they arrived. The rest tend to give up. Life is over. Right? Well, the Boxers at Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix taught me that I was absolutely wrong. I now know that when you find out devastating news, you can let that devastation DRIVE you instead of break you, and you can help a lot of others in the process. My Boxers taught me that every day and every accomplishment is a celebration. They are a group of hopeful and helpful fighters. They set goals, they work hard, both in the gym and outside on personal connections. When a newly diagnosed patient with Parkinson’s Disease walks in our gym, he/she is met by a group who understands and is eager to help. My Boxers uplift each other and amaze everyone around them with their resilience, strength, determination, and hope. They have taught me a whole new way to look at life.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’d like to think that my reputation within the market has been built from my talents mixed with a whole lot of heart. I hope when people think of me and my businesses, they remember how much I cared and did my best to make their experiences positive.

Working out can sometimes be a drag, especially if your body doesn’t function as it was meant to function, so I make sure to keep my classes enjoyable, interesting, and viable for everyone. A Rock Steady Boxing Phoenix boxing class will get you sweaty and strong, but it will also get you laughing! We are a fun group making the best of a bummer situation, and I hope my name is known for helping people find their smiles again.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rocksteadyboxingphoenix
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rocksteadyboxingphoenix