Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Schulting-Kranz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sara. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I am an Adventurer at Heart. I am a woman who believes in Truth, Inspiration, and Hope in Life. I believe that we all have the Power within to Heal and Live Life Boldly. I have lived through some of life’s most difficult traumas.
From sexual assault as a teenager to relational and betrayal trauma in my marriage of seventeen years – it has not been easy! And yet, I could not be happier. How? Because I integrated one key piece to my personal recovery plan: Nature Healing. “Slow the Mind. Move the Body – in Nature.”
My own self-help foundation of strength, empowerment, healing, and transformation began while being and moving in nature. Hiking trails and climbing mountains were grounding. Stand up paddling on the Pacific Ocean provided the container to discharge fear, anger, and shed tears.
I have stared into the eye of a whale, been guided to shore by dolphins while lost in thick fog, and felt the deep connection that nature provides. In 2015, I leveraged my knowledge to develop Live Boldly Coaching, LLC. In addition to individual coaching, I created Transformational Hiking, Meditation and Healing Retreats in the Grand Canyon for women and men.
I’m a Professional Life and Leadership Coach (CPCC), certified through APSATS (CPC), Wilderness First Responder, Grand Canyon Guide, Writer, Keynote Speaker, and Executive Producer of “Walk Through This,” a documentary feature in production of my healing journey in nature. As a writer, I am represented by Folio Literary Management based in New York City.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting to where I am today has not been easy. When I found out Thanksgiving Eve, 2013 that my husband of seventeen years was betraying me with men and hiding a life with multiple addictions, my entire world felt as though it had collapsed. Who was this man I trusted so deeply? And how would my three sons maneuver through this catastrophe?
Feeling alone and isolated, there was not a manual on how to deal with the betrayal and devastation. Very few people knew what was happening in my life, and those that did were unsure of how to help. The shame and fear was overwhelming. I tapped into what I learned as a young survivor of sexual assault at the age of seventeen. “Put one foot in front of the other. Hold your head high and believe in you.” And so I did.
With PTSD running through my body, I took to the trails and the ocean to release the anxiety, rage, and fear. Mile after mile, I found AWE in Nature and my surroundings. I paddled with dolphins, whales, climbed peaks and mountains. Spending days in the Grand Canyon, looking at the majestic beauty surrounding me, life became more clear as my brain was given time and space to process what was happening. Here, I found truth, inspiration, hope and the power to forgive my (now ex)-husband.
At the time, I didn’t know “why” being in nature was healing me. I just knew it was. And then I began looking into the healing effects of nature, and it all made sense! According to UC Berkeley research, “The awe we feel in nature can dramatically reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and general stress. Social relationships, life satisfaction, and happiness increases.” No doubt, this is where I transformed from victim into survivor – and beyond.
I would rather share my knowledge of growth and healing for the betterment of others than anything else in the world! And thus, at 40 years of age, I chose to reinvent my life and guide women and men through their own transformations in life. What I was not prepared for were the number of people questioning my choice, ability, and femininity through this process of rebuilding.
At my Core, I am Pure Woman. I am also an Adventurer at Heart. And so I decided that I wanted a symbol, something for me, that would show the world a woman does not have to be put in a box. I wanted to show that we can do our nails and summit a peak on the exact same day. We can hike trails, climb boulders and still come home to put on a dress and heels. We can embrace, love and honor all sides of ourselves.
It came to me one day while running. “I will buy a pair of red stilettos and wear them on the peak of Mt. Baldy… for me.” I posted my picture on social media, and the response was surreal. Through that one picture, a message was also posted to the Universe… that women CAN be Strong and Feminine.
My heels have seen Peaks throughout Yosemite, Mt. Wilson, Cucamonga Peak, Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto, San Bernardino Peak, San Gorgonio, Mt. Whitney, the High Sierra Trail… and many, many others. Red represents courage, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. My hope is these heals give other women the power needed to embrace who they are – when their struggles also feel real.
Live Boldly Coaching – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is built on Purpose and Passion, first and foremost. I guide, coach and teach from the heart, soul and my own life-altering experiences. I coach women and men one-on-one through their own transitions and healing in life. I also guide women and men on Transformational Coaching, Meditation, Breathe work, Hiking, and Adventure Retreats in the Grand Canyon.
I am proud to say that I am the first Co-Active Professional Life and Leadership Coach, Wilderness First Responder, and Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model certified coach in the world. With that, my wilderness guiding work is very different than any other wilderness outfitting company. I guide my clients into Nature not only for Adventure but to connect deeply with who they are while also connecting with the Natural World!
When not working as a coach and guide, I am Executive Producing a documentary film of my healing journey in nature, “Walk Through This.” As a writer, I am represented by Folio Literary Management based in New York City.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have many proud moments, beginning with my determination to simply “Go For It” and believe in my vision! Giving up has never been an option. There were so many times when I could have backed down to the questioning of others. I could have thrown in the towel and not followed my dreams to guide others on their journeys in life!
I could have listened to others’ doubts, or stepped away from my goals because of fear and worry about the future. But I didn’t – because from day one, I have believed that others are searching for – and craving – the same coaching, guiding, and nature therapy that transformed and transcended my own life!
I believe in the power of YES. And one of the proudest moments of my career was when female blind Paralympian and Adventure Seeker, Shawn Cheshire, called to see if she could join my June 2018 Women’s Retreat in the Grand Canyon.
Without pause, I said YES. What transpired was an experience like none other. Having Shawn share the Grand Canyon in a way that none of us would be able to, and vice versus, the experience was up-leveled as a whole. And now, I am on Shawn’s team as one of her guides.
On October 8th, 2018, with me and two others as her guides, Shawn set her first (of many!) Guinness Book of World Records as the only blind woman to hike the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim to Rim: 42 miles with 21,000 ft of elevation change in 24 hours, 15 minutes!
And on Sunday, March 24, 2019, with me as a guide, Shawn will run her first marathon in Los Angeles. It’s through experiences such as these that we inspire the world to continue doing – and being – better.
Contact Info:
- Address: 410 29th Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
- Website: www.liveboldlycoaching.com
- Phone: 414-698-8899
- Email: liveboldlycoaching@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraschultingkranz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sara.schultingkranz
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SchultingKranz
Image Credit:
Olivia Katz
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
