13 minute read
Cover Model Feature
Sarah Ortlund
Advertisement
BodyScape Magazine Cover Model Feature
ALL OR NOTHING
By Kerrie Lee Brown
BodyScape Magazine Celebrity Profile Writer
We all go through tough times (especially as women) but it’s how we come out in the end that really matters.
Sarah Ortlund Is one of those incredible women. She is stronger today than she was yesterday —and she is undoubtedly a lot more strong-willed to embrace what the future holds.
The truth is that we all have a story to tell. This issue’s cover model is the first to admit that she has made mistakes and has moved forward with learned lessons. She also knows that what she has experienced has made her stronger and more self-aware. In fact, she is turning her entire life existence into a newfound learning for her continued progress; and to help others do the same.
I love to see people succeed. All people.
Sarah works with clients to help them weather their storms, too. She is an expert in helping people get out of pain and feel good in their own skin—just like she’s had to do in her own life. After all, it’s her undeniable drive and ambition that keeps her going. She also knows that to get through anything, you have to dedicate time to the hard work and roll up your sleeves to get things done. And she certainly has.
A small town girl at heart, Sarah grew up believing that getting married and having kids was the right thing to do (perhaps the only thing to do at the time); so when it came time to make some extra money to help raise her children, she opened a gym with her now ex-husband. That’s because all she’s ever wanted to do was to set a good example for her children and do something she loves for a living.
Since family has always been top of her priority list—she knew that the path she chose to run a gym and help others with their fitness goals was her true calling.
Today Sarah is a trailblazer and go-getter, after having learned from some hardships along the way. She enjoys sharing her story with others so they too can learn from their past experiences to become stronger, physically and mentally.
I’ve been told that I’m intimidating. However, I’m loving to a fault. Strength comes from within.
Moreover, if there’s one thing Sarah knows, it’s that everyone is different and that’s OK. If you haven’t realized by now, she is an extremely driven person and wants her story to reveal that no matter what you go through, you can persevere. Ultimately, her path has taken her in a direction that makes her healthy and happy—and this is a message important enough to tell the world.
We hope you enjoy this heartfelt interview with the beautiful Sarah Ortlund and take away some lessons learned that might even resonate in your life. Strength comes from within now and always.
Tell us about your background.
“I am an Arizona native. I grew up in Payson, AZ then moved to Flagstaff where I currently live. I worked my way through Northern Arizona University at The Firm health club as a trainer and then I was the Personal Training Director. I got married at 21 to my now ex-husband. We were married for 19 years. We have two beautiful children, a 16-yearold daughter, and a 12-year-old son. In 2007, my ex and I opened our own business, Build Your Own Body; and in 2011, we expanded to also involve Krav Maga self defense. I currently run them both.”
What are you passionate about?
“I fell in love with training, nutrition, and how the mind affects us as a whole and people’s overall health and happiness. I saw people struggling to feel good about themselves and the damage that jumping from one thing to another did to a person; and how it continued to cause physical and mental damage. The people who I have been able to help find health and wellness and find more fulfillment in their lives are the people who keep me passionate about what I do. I love to help people get out of their pain and [become stronger].”
When did you realize you wanted to work in health & fitness?
“I was a softball player in high school—always into sports as a kid. As a junior, I got a job at a gym as a childcare worker. I was fortunate that the owner took me under his wing; [and got my] first personal trainer certification as a senior in high school. I’ve always loved fitness—mostly helping people (women) around me who felt bad about themselves. Even as a young teenager, I would watch women give their life for other people. Women who never felt permission to feel good and who were selfsacrificing all the time. I just wanted them to feel good. I always thought, ‘How can I help you feel good about yourself?’ So I followed that fire inside me to help others and even applied it to my own life.”
What are your aspirations in life?
“I am currently working on my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Trauma [healing]. My aspersions are to be able to finish my degree, my books, and programs that I have developed; and reach more people. I look forward to traveling, speaking, writing, and will continue to help people walk out of pain in their lives. After years of women jumping from one thing to the next, and never seeing results, it damages their metabolism and wreaks havoc on the body. Most people don’t understand how metabolism works.”
It’s important to be upfront with what you need and who you are. Women have to stop being ashamed of who they are and set boundaries. Everyone has the right to be their own person and be successful.”
What activities do you enjoy during your off time?
“I love snowboarding, mountain biking, scuba diving, listening to live music (jazz), good food, and of course traveling!”
Anything you’d like to share with our readers that you’ve had to overcome?
“As a private business owner and busy mother, I fell into the same mistakes that I was coaching others on. [As a result] I lost myself and everything else became the priority. In other words, some intense life circumstances lead to my falling into a depression. Unfortunately, I chose methods of dealing with my depression that left me falling into an even deeper depressed and the feeling of hopelessness overcame me.”
How did you move past it?
“Busy professionals often put themselves last— and never make themselves a priority. However, I realized that giving up on ourselves may seem chivalrous, but it can be detrimental to our soul. In other words, if we don’t take care of ourselves and make ourselves a priority, eventually we won’t be good for anyone else; including our children. [I was battling depression] and it tried to win as I dealt with thoughts of suicide at one point. I remember on New Year’s Eve last year, I actually tried to commit suicide. Thankfully, it did not work! With the help of the recovery/trauma facility, and a lot of personal work, I have been able to find my power and joy again. I also have a much greater understanding about how to help others get out of their trauma. Going through all of this, I know that I never want anyone else to feel the way that I did. It’s not just physical health that’s important— it’s your mental health that is just as crucial— and no one should be embarrassed to talk about it. It can happen to anyone.”
What made you decide to shoot for BodyScape Magazine?
“When Sarah Lyons, Publisher of BodyScape Magazine, and Monica Brant, Associate Editor, reached out to me and we spoke, I loved what their platform represented and I knew straight away that it would be a good fit for me. I wanted to get back into modeling as a way to reach more people. I have also found it to be very empowering and a good way to celebrate my life’s journey. Each of us has a story and it’s not about what happens to us, rather it’s about what we learn from it. I figured that if I was willing to step up and not be ashamed of my struggles, then it might encourage someone else who is struggling to not feel alone.”
What are you currently working on personally or professionally?
“I am currently in grad school, writing a book, working to get on podcasts, and potentially start my own! I also have a recipe book in the works and am writing a book called Fiercely Female to help busy women as a self defense instructor. I’d like to start a podcast one day as I have lots of content and stuff I want to say. It’s not about women being stronger; it’s about us being smarter. I want to relay this to women in their own difficult situations.”
What is your biggest lesson learned?
“What I found out going through my own hardships is that it’s imperative to state boundaries. As women, we are so often afraid of looking rude. You don’t have to be rude to be strong and state your boundaries. I have an important story to tell that I combine self defense with fitness and authority. The last thing we want is to feel less empowered because we are female—so I teach women to be strong in their body and mind and not feel bad for who they are.”
What is something you truly believe in?
“I believe in people. We can get so caught up in letting life run us, that we forget we can also enjoy it. Work can be fun! If you love what you do, then you never work a day in your life, right? But if you don’t embrace who you are and what only you have to give this world, then you are actually stealing from yourself and those who love you.”
I’m so glad we’re all different. We all have pressure to fit into one little thing. Imagine having one flavor of ice cream; the world would be boring, so celebrate your uniqueness!
What message do you want to tell women reading this magazine?
“As a mother and business owner, I wanted to make life as painless as possible for the people I care about. What I had to learn first-hand, however, is that it actually wasn’t helping them. Those closest to us are the ones who we will always step in and fix things for—but this sets up expectations and dependency. Each person is on their own life journey, and especially as a mom, it can be hard to let them learn on their own. One thing is for sure: pressure and struggle is especially important to getting stronger in this life. That’s why exercise works!”
How has your past impacted your children?
“While I was struggling with poor coping mechanisms, I wasn’t able to be there for my kids like I wanted to. It took me away from them emotionally. As a mother, you would do anything to keep your kids out of pain. When I realized that by not taking care of myself, I caused pain to my children, I was devastated. Now they are having to work through the pain and emotions that came with my struggles. I had to embrace this thought, what happened is done, stop giving time to things which no longer exist when there is so much joy to be found in the here and now. The only thing I could do was to ‘own’ my struggles, work out of them, and come out stronger—and work to provide an environment for my children to heal.”
Why is it important for women to express themselves and be self-confident?
“As a 2nd Degree Black belt in Krav Maga* I have found that by feeling empowered [through self defense and exercise] you can defend yourself and those you love—because it brings you internal peace. Also, it’s really important to love yourself and getting out of your comfort zone. Also, knowingwhen to make yourself a priority is crucial. I want women to know that there’s a big difference between selfish and selfcare.”
**What is Krav Maga? Krav Maga is a military selfdefence and fighting system developed for the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli security forces derived from a combination of techniques sourced from aikido, boxing, wrestling, judo, and karate.
“Shooting for BodyScape Magazine with Sarah Lyons was such an amazing experience! Monica Brant was someone I just really liked to follow. I’ve always loved her stance and she has motivated me from a very young age.”
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
“Sometimes the simplest answers to our questions are the ones that are right in front of us, but we can’t see. I hired an accountant because she knows what she is doing and I don’t! It’s important to know what your time is best spent doing. For example, my time is better spent on what I’m good at which is shaping bodies. A good coach can help you find the simple solutions that allow you to be successful physically and mentally.”
Final thoughts?
“If someone tells you to dig up the treasure in the back yard, and they have a map to do so, then that’s great. But if they don’t and can’t help you, then you have to decide whether your time is worth it. There are people who want others to help them get there—these are the best investments in your life. As a health coach, I help people see the good in themselves and push past their difficulties to be successful. I want to help through self defense techniques, exercise, and creating a whole person.“
As women, we feel bad if we say anything positive about ourselves; but having a positive self-image is not bad, it’s liberating and beautiful.
*To contact Sarah Ortlund
Buildyourownbody@yahoo.com Buildyourownbody.com.
About the Author:
Kerrie Lee Brown is the former editor-in-chief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness Magazine and the founder of RedLily® lifestyle brand. Find her wellness line and book “My Heart, My Self – A Guide for Women Who Do Too Much” at www.RedLilyLife.com Follow @KerrieLeeBrown @redlilylife Email info@kerrieleebrown.com for writing and consulting services.
