Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Shell.
Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved to Los Angeles from Nashville, TN with big dreams of becoming a professional dancer. After a year of training on scholarship at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, I started my career dancing in commercials, as well as Live TV performances. I danced for Taylor Swift, Dev Hynes of “Blood Orange” and Latin artist, Chayanne to name a few. I met my husband along the way and his job leads us to Portland, OR for a year. It was there that I was able to pursue getting my Pilates certification. I have been doing some sort of Pilates in my dance warmup for as long as I can remember! I’ve never been injured (knock on wood) 🙂 and I really attribute Pilates to that. When I got back to L.A., I started working at a private studio called Ballet Bodies in West Hollywood doing private Pilates sessions to mainly celebrities and high-end clientele.
Every so often, my dance jobs would merge with teaching Pilates. For example, I was working for Taylor Swift at the time doing movement coaching and dancing for her when she found out I taught Pilates, she then became a client of mine. Another time a Choreographer I had worked with hired me to do Pilates with Emma Stone to get her ready for the film “Lala Land”. Teaching at Ballet Bodies, doing dance jobs on the side and two babies later…. we decided to move out of the city for a slower pace of life. We moved to beautiful Ojai, CA. and I decided to go out on my own and started Shell Shape Fitness.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, it has been smooth sailing. I think my biggest struggle was when I first moved to Ojai four years ago. Trying to navigate a new town and taking care of my children on top of starting my own little business definitely had its moments and challenges. It was a slow burn at first with Ojai being such a small town and me not knowing anyone. But I feel so fortunate to have ended up here as it’s a perfect balance of family, outdoors and healthy lifestyle.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Shell Shape Fitness – what should we know?
Shell Shape Fitness is just me! Ha! I do everything myself right now but I hope not to in the future. My speciality is creating fun, challenging workouts! I am not good at the business side of things but I’m working on it. 🙂 I teach privates, semi-private and group classes. I would like to say it’s just Pilates but it is not. I definitely integrate my dance background into my workouts. That doesn’t mean you have to be a dancer! It just means you might be doing ballet jumps on a mini-trampoline or plies with arm weights on. I work a lot on people’s posture and how they move, how they can move more gracefully. We all can move with grace, it just has to be taught and you have to become aware of how you move throughout your day.
I personalize each workout for each individual. I try to make my workouts challenging! I don’t ever want someone coming to me and feeling like it was a waste of time. I have been to too many classes myself where I left feeling that way. Music really inspires my movement, I enjoy making good playlists and keeping the music fresh. Ojai is such a spiritual, healing place. There is plenty of retreats, yoga and meditation classes to choose from to help you stretch, relax and relieve stress but what if you really just want to get your ass kicked?? (In a good way, of course) To some good tunes in a fun and enthusiastic environment. Nothing quiet, no rules. All you have to do is show up and Take Shape! That’s what sets me apart from others, that’s Shell Shape.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m so happy you asked because mentors and supporters are truly everything and I would not have the success I have if it weren’t for these people. First is Andie Hecker who started Ballet Bodies. She hired me as one of her first trainers and trusted me right off the bat with some of her biggest celebrity clients. She introduced me to so many of her clients that then went on to support and advocate for me. Next is Chelsea Handler, she has been one of my clients on and off for over seven years. She has been my number one cheerleader, always trying to push me to do more and being generous enough to letting me film her during some of our workouts. Now that I think about it, most of my clients are my supporters and cheerleaders, I am so blessed to be able to work with such angels. I truly love everyone I work with. Most clients of mine are long time ones and after seeing them week after week, they become like family! That is the best part of the job!
Contact Info:
- Website: shellshapefitness.com
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Jess Purple, Sam Leigh
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