Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Gorman
Hi Sophie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was an athlete my entire childhood, and grew up with a very active lifestyle (playing soccer, lacrosse, track, ski racing, etc). I loved the team camaraderie and being part of the team and community that came along with team sports. When I got to college, I did not go for a sport, and felt like something was missing. I missed the feeling after a hard practice, or training for the upcoming season. So I got into running. It started with 5-10 minutes 1-2 times a week, and gradually increased until when I was 18 years old, a sophomore in college, I signed up for my first marathon. This is when my passion for overall health, wellness, and fueling my body to perform at it’s best began. I became so invested in learning about nutrition, and other ways to enhance my training cycle. It was so rewarding to train for something, and I started to fall in love with how strong I felt.
I am now 28 years old, and have run 11 marathons, as well as a few half marathons, and miscellaneous 5-10ks. My first marathon was merely a bucket-list goal, and I now train to shave minutes off my PR. Throughout my life, my relationship with running and wellness and strengthened, along with my passion in my overall health and well-being. I moved out to LA 2 years ago, after spending my whole life on the east coast, and once again craved community. I started running with different run crews in the area (HER sports, Venice Run Club), and found connections through sport once again. This is when I began leaning into all the wellness resources that LA has to offer; new workout classes, ice plunging, breathwork, community runs, etc. I have since received my certification in yoga and and as a Holistic Health Coach, while working full-time in a corporate job. I have always had a passion for sharing my journey, tips/tricks, as I hope that along the way I can help others to feel their best.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been smooth, and I have had my fair share of challenges along the way; such as some bouts of injuries and illness. When I was 16, and participating in 3 sports in a year – my body began to break down. I developed shin splints, which become stress fractures (9 total), and eventually a diagnosis of bilateral compartment syndrome. A few months later I had surgery on both of my legs. This left me in a wheelchair for ~2 months, 6months of physical therapy, and a long road to recovery. I remember my doctor telling me I likely would never run again. Of course, being the competitive spirit that I am — this only fueled me and quickly became my ‘Why’. I think back to that moment quite often, and this signifies the immense importance of rest and recovery
As a runner, I am constantly trying to reach peak performance while remaining injury free and keeping my health as a priority. I’d say this is my biggest focus, and something I hope I can help other runners with; injury prevention, not over-training, and fueling your body adequately. Additionally, as a transplant to LA, it was a big adjustment moving here. At first it was very challenging to find my community, and establish roots when geographically so much of what I know is so far away. It can be challenging to continue to pursue what you love, while also balancing many other areas of your life; work, relationships, etc. It is that much more rewarding though when you have those wins, and are able to reflect back on how far you’ve come.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I recently got certified as a Holistic Health Coach and am accepting new clients! I offer free initial consultations and have tiered pricing with flexibility around meeting cadence, with options to meet virtually or in person (if located in the LA area).
After working with a health coach myself, I felt a strong desire to get my certification to learn more for myself, but also to be able to help people reach their full potential. I specialize in helping young women with the relationship with food and over-exercising, and enhancing their performance in running. I focus on stress management, gratitude practices, nourishing your mind and body, and looking at things holistically to fine balance and feel your best. I hope to share my experience, tips that work well for me, be a sounding board for others, and provide guidance and tools to help others feel their best. I want to be a resource for women who are looking for guidance in their health journey; whether it pertains to running, training, managing stress, or making healthier daily choices. Being “healthy” is so much more that just eating well; it is about feeling full in all areas of your life; mentally, physically, and emotionally. I want to help others achieve this. You do not have to be a runner to become my client. Wherever you are at on your health journey, please reach out, I’d love to connect with you!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I am very driven, dedicated, love to do my research, and listen to my body! In the age of so much noise on the internet, it is more important now than ever to leverage various resources, understand your unique individual needs, and find what works best for you. Whether that is finding the right nutrition for you, or how to train to get a PR – it’s so important to listen to your body and know that we are all unique beings rather than a one-size fits all approach, and your determination and dedication will help you on your journey along the way!
Pricing:
- Free initial consultation
- Reach out to me for pricing
Contact Info:
- Instagram: runaroundsoph
- Other: https://calendly.com/runaroundsoph/30min
Image Credits
Vasily Samolylov
