Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Bryce.
Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My true journey started when I met my husband, Alex Bryce (coach at Glute Lab and part owner of Electrum Performance). After suffering through multiple eating disorders and mental health issues starting at 12 years old, Alex decided to start educating me and helping me find a way to be strong and healthy again. I’d struggled with body image, anxiety and depression for so long, I was excited to try something new and learn. It was easy for me to push past therapists and treatment to stay stuck in my old ways (mental illnesses are stubborn like that). My initial strength goal with Alex was to open a pickle jar on my own! Since then, I’ve competed in a small powerlifting meet, jiu-jitsu and enjoyed maybe types of lifting and yoga.
Alex and I met at the University of Connecticut and then moved to Kansas so he could get his masters degree. After that, it was my turn to pick the adventure and I’ll I ever wanted to do was to take an extended vacation from winter! So, we hopped in our cars and moved to San Diego.
My goal now is to do my best to spread as much research-based training tips as I can and promote mental health awareness through teaching as a preschool teacher and through self-help messages on Instagram. I want people to know that they are not alone and no matter what the voices in their heads are saying, there’s always hope and ways to find strength, both physically and mentally.
Has it been a smooth road?
Is the road ever smooth? Mine certainly wasn’t but I haven’t stopped trying to learn more, trying to self reflect, and to understand that nothing is permanent. That binge, that darkness, that extra cookie, that image in the mirror won’t be forever as much as it feels like it will. There are two pieces of advice I can give that have given me an immense amount of clarity and peace:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” meaning, it is your job and yours alone to recognize these anxiety attacks and these failures that keep you down and LEARN FOR NEXT TIME. I used to blame my mental illness for how I acted and just hope a magic fairy would whisk it all away but it wasn’t until I started addressing my own flaws and contributions that I started noticing patterns and could better prepare for next time.
The second thing is “I am not more nor less, I am me.” I am equally my best cheerleader and worst critic. I’ve forced myself to say this over and over especially when I rush to judgment or fall back into destructive habits. Comparing yourself to others only leads to heartache, compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
To be honest, I am most known for my patience and relatability with kids. I am a full-time preschool teacher, kid’s yoga instructor, nanny, and I also work at Sprouts! I love working with children, especially helping identify their strengths and how to use their abilities to better the world around them. I focus a lot of social-emotional growth and love giving them chances to learn about their bodies and how to stay healthy and strong. I pride myself in making this big confusing world something for kids to understand and give them the confidence to trust themselves. Plus, they love having strong muscles, so it’s a blast teaching them how capable they are!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
My favorite podcasts are Armchair Expert, Conan Needs a Friend, Kristen and Chill, and Ted Talks! I wish I could slow down enough to read more often but I’ve really enjoyed listening and learning new things. I especially respect how Armchair Expert can take very controversial topics, discuss them, and still come out the other end as friends with respect (in preschool we call that problem solving, adults need practice, too!).
Another resource that had provided a TON of insight into my strengths, faults, and helped me be more in tune with others and respecting their differences is the Enneagram Personality Types. I know a lot of people are skeptics when it comes to putting people in categories but, man, I appreciate my co-teacher for introducing it. In the end, it’s whatever works best for you and you alone, right?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: sperdoni5
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