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

Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Given me a chance – a chance to dream, to explore, to learn, to grow! When you feel supported in a space, you can truly be who and what you always dreamed of. I have been lucky to get this opportunity more than once – people who believe in me enough so that I can take the step or the next step is the kindest gesture. I had a coach once who, I think, believed in me more than I believed in myself. His push to go farther and deeper has remained close to my heart.

To those who support others and challenge them to dream big deserve a lot of applause and credit – we can NOT do it without you. When faced with a challenge or an opportunity – the ones who open the door or invite you in!

Being given the chance to take the next step in my fitness or in my substance use disorder work or cooking fills my cup to know that others see it as a necessary thing. Thank you!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I really feel like my work involves three very different categories but all fall under the general term of WELLNESS + bringing more JOY into people’s lives.

CF L3 – this credential means so much to me. I read once that only 3% of CrossFit coaches go on to get their L3 – WOW! To be in the top percentage is incredibly humbling. Through this, my services include one-on-one personal training, group fitness classes, nutrition guidance, continuing education, youth advocacy, and much more in the fitness industry. My individual clients could probably check all the boxes of “types” which keeps me on my toes and constantly growing + learning. Whether you are learning a new skill, honing in on a special one, have injuries or limitations, training for an event, etc – we can make it work! I love telling the story of answering an ad almost 20 years ago for a gym called Will, Power, and Grace – I had little knowledge of the fitness industry but loved the name and concept. I hit it off really well with my, now, mentor and the rest is history. I became a fitness junkie!

**What I am most proud of here – watching people grow and get stronger + more confident physically and mentally.

Substance Use Disorder Coach – this title means the most to me because I get to support a population that is very close to my heart. Guiding people through mental health and addiction issues with the opportunity to bring them more joy is both challenging and uplifting. Through guided exercises and prompts, together we find the life you always knew you could live. I offered both one-on-one and small group sessions for people to choose from. This population gets to see a lot of my offerings as I also run the fitness program at a drug and alcohol residential treatment program.

**What I am most proud of here – the transformation of an ok life to a happy life that THEY created.

Chef – enter Bitchin Kitchin – food and meal prep for those in need of healthy homecooked meals on the go. This side of my life is super creative and fun. We create weekly menus that offer creative meals for those in need or who just don’t have time to cook. This all started when a young athlete with incredible potential (but terrible eating habits) asked me to cook for her. I guess I had never really thought about it and the Kitchin was formed.

**What I am most proud of here – the yay it forward – there is no better love language than food – the gift that keeps on giving.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

BECOME A PART OF THE COMMUNITY – go to a new class, join the gym you want to coach at, run an aide station, support a local cause, get out there, and DO SOMETHING. There is no better way to help support your cause than to be a part of someone else’s.

Ask questions – become a mentee! Learn as much as you can about the industry you want to be a part of. In fitness, and wellness in general, it is important to see it from all sides. It is like going to a restaurant and having worked in a restaurant – you understand what it is like and have a different vision of what happens in all areas of that space.

I can NOT say it enough – emerge yourself in the community. Plus it is a win/win because you find a group of like-minded people who aren’t only mentors and colleagues but family :)

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Bitchin Kitchin has always been a one-woman operation but NOT really by choice. The bizz never really made enough money to support having a sous chef but the dream was still there + the idea of feeding people outweighed the money coming in.

Enter Emily – my now bizz partner and best sous chef and confidant a girl can have. We met at the gym we both currently still coach at. Her love and passion for food and people matched mine – and she poked me a lot to let her come chop veggies. I told her I couldn’t pay her but would feed her as much as she wanted – and the partnership was formed. The two-women operation is WAY better plus we worked really well together – seamless transitions in the Kitchin plus the mouth-watering and creative brainstorming sessions never get stale,

Contact Info:

• Website: https://viahealthcollective.com/ https://www.steamboatfit.com/
• Instagram: @bernieandme @bitchinkitchinsteamboat