Life & Work with Sarah Johannesen of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Johannesen

Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up dancing from the age of 3. Once I started moving, I didn’t stop! As I grew up, I began to hear all kinds of negative messages about the beauty of movement and exercise and about the physical body and nourishment. It made me so sad because I believe all of those things are meant to be life-giving and beautiful.

I set out to create a space where movement, nourishment, and community could all exist in an uplifting setting. Enter…Move with Sarah Jo!

Move with Sarah Jo is my business where I teach dance-inspired fitness classes (think moving to the beat of the music so you don’t feel like you’re working out because you’re having fun!) that are both challenging and inspiring. My goal is for you to leave feeling empowered, confident, and strong. Hopefully with more friends than you walked in with, too!

In addition to fitness classes, I love to share how nourishing your body can be fun and enjoyable. It doesn’t have to be forced and boring. It’s all about making it work for your unique preferences and makeup. I love incorporating my favorite brands into my classes and provide free product and goodies for my clients!

Move with Sarah Jo hosts dance-inspired fitness classes, provides authentic community, and educates individuals on how to feel healthier from the inside out!

Alright, 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?
Move with Sarah Jo was created from a personal struggle I experienced in college with eating and exercise. After spending my whole life training as a dancer, when I stopped, I had a hard time figuring out how to exercise and fuel my body. I no longer had a trainer telling me what to do.

I began to trial and error and found myself stuck in an accidental spiral and obsession with food and exercise. I fell into OCD-like tendencies around food and exercise that became very unhealthy. As I sought to find my way back to health, I learned from dietitians, therapists, and doctors about what true health was. I also learned that I needed to let God into my relationship with food, exercise, and my body. As a Christian who believes Jesus is God and that He died for me and gave me life and loves me more than I could ever imagine, I live for Him and bring Him into every aspect of my life.

Once I learned to put God first, even above my desire for health, I became healthier. Now, I don’t live for myself or the way I look. I don’t structure my life around my workouts. I structure my life around what Jesus wants and the people in my life.

Move with Sarah Jo was birthed from this. A desire to bring community and joy back to food and fitness and to share the story that fitness, food, and health isn’t everything. And for those who feel disconnected and unmotivated to workout or take care of their body, I hope to share a perspective of how taking care of ourselves is an act of love that can come naturally and joyfully when our mind is in a healthy place.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Yes, I have a fitness business but it’s so much more than that! It’s a community and a place where you can get healthier from the inside out!

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself growing into bigger studios, traveling across the country and maybe even the world to host classes and join panels and conferences, and perhaps offer online classes as well.

I have done some smaller speaking engagements and really enjoy those and hope to do more!

Pricing:

• $20 for 1 class (in-person)
• $80 for 5 class pack (in-person)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/movewithsarahjo/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjohannesen_/

Image Credits
Chris Carter Photography (for images with white background and pink shorts)