We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Stafford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.

Sarah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

Back when I was an apprentice, I had landed my dream job. I was working under my former coach and mentor at the sport specific facility I had trained in. All the stars were aligned, what could go wrong? I was a fresh college graduate, and my boss had high expectations of me, as he should have. I had hours of programming every week, sending spreadsheets back and forth, having to defend my program’s quality. He would critique every part, from tempos, to rest periods, to the order of each exercise and why I had decided on that particular order. Unfortunately I took his critiques personally, rather than a learning opportunity, back then. I did, however, take hundreds of pages of notes and absorbed all those critiques like a sponge. Those endless hours of programming helped me be more self-critical and capable today, as I continue to pave my own path.

Sarah , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My interest in the personal training field started when I was 9 years old and competitively figure skating. My parents hired a Strength & Conditioning Coach, they really did their research and hired a true professional, I was immediately hooked. My coach was able to explain the complexities of the body in a way that made sense for my 9-year-old brain, and from then on, my interest never stopped. After my formal education in Exercise Science and over 10 years of experience, I really found my niche in helping people live the life they have always wanted. Whether that be a big life change, the next competition, or just needing their knees and back to stop hurting. The problems that I solve are unique and specific for each client, which is one of my favorite parts of the job! What I offer is a custom-tailored training program built to fit each client’s specific needs and goals. Some programs involve exercises focused more on mobility, strength, or weightloss and some are designed for teams and youth athletes. My ability to personalize programs that are effective and promote growth, is one of the things I am most proud of. I love dissecting every aspect of the training process and creating the perfect personalized program.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think what separates the good from the great is one thing, adaptability. As a coach, you truly never know what will come through your doors. I’ve had your usual general fitness clients, just looking to build a bit of muscle or shed a couple pounds. Beyond that, I’ve worked with nationally ranked synchronized skating teams, helping them prepare for their season and championships. I’ve had individual athletes recovering from ACL tears, hamstring tears, ankle sprains etc. One client needed to lose over 200 pounds in order to prepare for their bariatric weight loss surgery. The most challenging by far, wanted to walk again after having a full knee reconstruction due to a gunshot wound. When special cases like these come up, you have to be able to adapt your training methods to fit your client. You have to be able to use your knowledge and expertise to meet each client wherever they may be.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When covid hit, my business drastically changed. Still young in my career, I didn’t have the capacity to offer online training, so when I realized gyms were going to be shut down longer than a week or two, I knew I had to find a way to make a living. I wanted to continue to better myself as a trainer and coach. I became a full time home health care aid for a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. My time with her taught me a huge lesson in patience and being able to stay calm during situations that prove challenging. During that year, I was also coaching a middle school softball team. After the shutdown, it was extremely rewarding to see the girls back on the field.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahstaffordtraining.com
• Instagram: sarah_stafford_training
• Linkedin: Sarah Stafford, BA

Image Credits
Louis Ng