MY STORY

Hello, beauties! First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to you for visiting my page and exploring more about me, my passion for wellness, and how I can support you with finding balance through the chaos. A little about me - I'm a mother to an amazing little boy, Jace, and the proud wife to my wonderful husband, Justin. I thank God for them daily and appreciate how blessed I truly am! They're my world - my why - the foundation for everything I do, and what provided me with the drive to start my own business and serve my community. We live in sunny St. Petersburg, FL and fun fact - Both my husband and I are born and raised Floridians, and so is our son! Apparently, that's pretty rare, so I've been told. I have a knack for baking healthy desserts and I make some mean avocado brownie bites. I'm a coffee lovin', brunch enthusiast who never misses an opportunity to meet a friend and sip on some espresso. When it comes to hobbies, I love to shop local and can do some damage at the farmer's market (sorry, babe) and I also enjoy spending time with my family exploring our beautiful city. Sauna workouts are my jam, but there's something special about the solitude I get from a good run outdoors. I've been told more than once that I'm extremely competitive, but I like to call it candidly ambitious. 

While I have been interested in the health and wellness space for roughly the past decade, it wasn't until I became pregnant (during a global pandemic) and gave birth to my son in 2021 that I really became passionate about wanting to help others on their wellness journey by providing a non-judgmental space to become informed, empowered, and in control of their health and vitality. Becoming a mother was the catalyst that catapulted me into approaching life from a holistic point of view, but it was also the life-altering event that shook me to my core. I was anxious, exhausted and depressed, yet confident, ecstatic and grateful. What a confusing time that first year postpartum was!  Unfortunately, there is an industry that's built around people not being well and the existing system lacks essential care. There's a HUGE gap in support for mothers, especially natural-minded mamas that lean towards unconventional methods of birth and parenting. I want to help bridge that gap and be a part of a community that supports mamas in their journey through motherhood who desire help navigating the postpartum period and beyond. I approach health and wellness through a balanced, holistic outlook. Let me mention that there's a spectrum to this and it appears different for everyone - That's the beauty of it! It takes a village, yet more often than not, women are left feeling stuck and uncertain with how to manage the load of motherhood. This is the product of a society that has conditioned us to hold in our feelings and "just push through". To not question the status quo. To not extend our efforts beyond our comfort zone. To accept that this is, "just the way it it." Well, I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be this way.

One day, in the thick of postpartum, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I didn't recognize the person staring back at me. I decided then it was time I posed the question , "What would happen if I raised the bar and stopped being afraid to dream big?"  That day, I decided to stop living small. Just because I was now a mother didn't mean I had to throw away my own dreams and identity outside of being 'mom'. This was an "aha moment" for me. An opportunity to ground myself for growth and transformation. I realized I could combine my passion for motherhood with my calling to serve others, and that through my lived experiences as a first-time mother coupled with my knowledge, training, and education in holistic wellness and postpartum/infant care, I could help women transition into the fourth trimester, and continue empowering them to become an advocate in choosing to invest in their health. Pure serendipity! 

In 2022, I became a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and completed my postpartum doula and infant care training and certification through ProDoula, as well as founded my business, MamaBear Balance. My mission is focused on balance, not perfection. The body is always trying to tell us something - it's whether or not we choose to listen, and through a holistic lens, we're able to practice radical acts of self-care, self-love, and self-healing.  

Through my trials and tribulations, I always strive to be authentic, even when it's the hard thing to do, to be bold in a world that wants us timid, and to stay true to my convictions no matter how unpopular they may seem. Crush your goals, but don't forget about fun and adventure along the way. You are worth what's on the other side of living a life of purpose and vitality. 

With love, light & gratitude,

Sarah