Meet Alyssa Sparks of Alyssa Sparks Wellness in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Sparks.

Alyssa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was a dancer for 20 years of my life, competing nationally with a nationally recognized studio and also teaching dance and choreography to young dancers local and national. As a ballet dancer, taking Pilates was recommended by my teachers to help with stability and core strength as I continued developing as a dancer. I continued on with my practice until it was time to go to college. I attended UC Irvine after being accepted into the nationally ranked dance program, and I continued my extensive dance education there.

After being faced with a career threatening hip injury in my junior year of college, I was forced to take time off from school for surgery and recovery. I was introduced to Pilates on a larger scale as a form of rehabilitation so that I could learn to walk and move again, as well as rebuild my foundation so I could continue with my dream of becoming a professional dancer. I immediately knew that I had found another calling with Pilates after it completely changed my life. It gave me the support and foundation to get back into my dance education, graduate with my classmates, and continue on as a professional dancer signed with a top agency in Los Angeles. While graduating from UC Irvine, I decided to become a certified Pilates instructor under the direction of Diane Diefenderfer, a brilliant and renowned Pilates instructor in Orange County.

Once I graduated and moved back to Los Angeles to continue auditioning and working as a dancer, I knew that my body would not be able to endure this life that I had always dreamt about as a dancer. I began teaching Pilates around LA, from the valley to the Palisades, while also working at a well-known restaurant as a hostess and public relations assistant to provide me with another avenue to transition into. I have always been a very focused worker who enjoys being busy, and it was always important for me to have a path with options when I decided to step away from dancing. After four years of working on television shows, living in a bus touring the east coast with singers, and auditioning on a daily basis, I knew my body needed a change and I made the heartbreaking decision to retire from dance completely. I continued working in hospitality and was given an opportunity to spearhead regional marketing for a nationally-recognized fitness studio that also allowed me to continue teaching. My world of fitness and marketing/business had collided, and I was in my element. After a couple of years building relationships and being exposed to a different side of the fitness world, I decided it was time to go all-in on my teaching career and transition fully into being a Pilates instructor and fitness professional.

Fast forward, and I am now a celebrity Pilates instructor in Los Angeles, holistic nutritionist seeing clients throughout the LA area, and the senior teacher and director of marketing at Speir Pilates, LA’s top Pilates studio. I have my own wellness business and fitness brand that allows me to travel the country with clients on set or location, teaching at national retreats, working in corporate wellness, and teaching at exclusive members-only clubs with the top health and fitness brands in the country along with the local clients I work with daily.

I can truly say that all of my past experiences in both my dance and corporate careers have led me to this place in my life where I can create my own path, continue to learn and grow, and be grateful for the incredible clients that I have the privilege to work with on a daily basis. I am blessed to have the opportunity to create change for my clients and bring them joy in their lives while helping them take care of their mind, body, and overall well being.

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?
There have definitely been many bumps in the road and even some roadblocks that have challenged me along the way. I spent my whole life not only dreaming about being a dancer but methodically planning and preparing myself for that road ahead. The blood, sweat, tears, and dreams that I poured into that really made it heartbreaking for me to part with. I think it is even still something I struggle with today when I look back on it, and I think it will always be a soft spot for me because it is such an important part of who I am.

I’ve had many moments of doubt and fear where I have stopped and said, “oh my gosh, what am I doing? Is this the right move?” But, at the end of the day, I can honestly say that continuing to fight and push through helped me grow into one tough cookie who knows her worth and what she is capable of. For that, I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Alyssa Sparks Wellness – what should we know?
I have always wanted to create a business for myself that brought all of my passions together, and at the end of the day, was an accessible and approachable space for clients to receive proper fitness and nutrition guidance. As a private Pilates instructor and certified Holistic Nutritionist, I provide support and guidance so that my clients can change their lives for the better. I create customized meal plans, create exclusive recipes, and provide extensive nutrition consultations to my clients paired with a custom Pilates and training sessions that are created based on my client’s needs and goals. While clients are on the road, I bring them virtual sessions and unlimited access to my nutrition database so they always feel supported while working towards their goals, no matter how far we may be from one another. It is incredibly fulfilling to be on my clients’ side as they work towards their goals, and having them know that I am here to support and motivate them is very important to me.

I would say that I have a unique viewpoint about fitness and overall wellness that sets me apart from others in the industry. I am not in this field to compete with others and make this about me; I am here to inspire and support clients as they work to being the best version of themselves and make this about THEM. I’ve been told that I make my clients sweat with a smile, meaning I challenge and push my clients with extreme intensity while smiling along the way. I strive to push my clients outside of their comfort zones to find new limits and learn things about themselves that they didn’t know before we started working together. I always strive to have my clients feeling like champions when they leave a session with me, walking away from each session with something to celebrate and something to continue working on. I promote a balanced life, a balanced, diet, and a balanced being. Life is to be enjoyed, but we must work for the dreams that we have, whatever they may be. I am here to help my clients make those dreams a reality and put the sweat equity into that reality along the way! 🙂

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My work ethic has really helped me get to where I am. I say yes to opportunities and make it a point to never stop learning. Good things come to those who work hard and I have always been persistent and determined to create new opportunities for myself when I don’t see one available in front of me. While perseverance is key, I also strongly believe in loyalty and gratitude. We all have our personal mentors or heroes that have opened doors for us, and I think how you handle those opportunities shows a lot about your character. I hope to also open doors and be a mentor for others – things always come full circle!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.askmisslyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @alyssamandellsparks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.mandell

Image Credit:
Valorie Darling, Michael Higgins, Speir Pilates

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.