Introducing Sarah Sapora, a passionate self-love mentor and wellness advocate teaching women how to live their best lives. As the founder of the Body Love Workshop, Sarah is using her voice to speak candidly about personal growth, wellness, fitness and self-love. Sarah began speaking out about body positivity after working in women’s plus size fashion and beginning her own wellness journey with positive lifestyle changes. Since then, she has been breaking down stereotypes and helping women be whomever they strive to be. We couldn’t wait to interview this body-positive power house who is transforming women’s perceptions of wellbeing. Sarah’s contagious honesty radiates through all that she does and we’re excited to share her spirit with you. Sarah is so much more than an influencer and feminist; Sarah is an advocate for women with a mission to help YOU #BeGreater today. She motivates her followers to stand up together, creating a safe space both online and at her workshops. Her motto is direct but powerful:
“I stand, you stand… and, together we rise the f*ck up.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what encouraged you to raise your voice about your passions and vulnerabilities.
When it comes down to it, I am a woman who simply wants to make sure other women know they are not alone in their fears, hopes, and dreams. In 2010, I began to work in women’s plus size fashion. I learned that, by sharing my journey with my body in an honest way, I was able to connect with other women and make them feel safe stepping outside of their box. I just started to talk HONESTLY about what the process of loving yourself was like. I learned that, if I was feeling a certain way, there were countless others who felt the same but were ashamed to give voice to their feelings. The more I started talking, the more important I realized it was for me to keep on…
I am on a wellness journey and have been working to create a healthier life from the inside out since April of 2016. In my mid-thirties I realized I wasn’t feeling fulfilled. If I can give a voice to the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of women, who are all feeling the same way, if I can create a SAFE place for women, then I am serving well.
We love that your positive message and optimism inspire others! Can you describe a particular instance when you realized the power of your influence and felt you truly made a difference?
You see the small signs all the time. It is so humbling and beautiful. People have been writing me for years, sharing how they connect to my journey and messages. The most awe-inspiring moment so far definitely was during the Body Love Workshop last year. It was my first time ever running a live event for women. I remember standing on the platform and seeing all these bodies – different colors and shapes – all standing there together. Seeing them come to space I had created. Seeing their tears. Having them hug me and just say, again and again, “This is the first time we’ve felt so safe.” It was the most beautiful and impactful moment of my entire life.
Have you ever had to deal with controversy or opposing opinions on your platforms? If so, how did you deal with this and what did it teach you?
I’ve been on the receiving end of negative social chatter for my opinion that one can participate in the body positive movement and also be on a health journey. While it’s disheartening, I truly do not give it energy or attention; I know what my intentions are in sharing my journey, and I know what my hopes are in connecting with others. I’ve learned if my message of self-love isn’t clear, then it’s a call for me to be louder and more passionate about what I believe in.
You’ve mentioned that ‘influencer’ doesn’t quite feel right as a term to describe you. What feels off and how do you distinguish yourself from the term?
The word “influencer” has become a catch-all for anyone who has a large following on social media. In the “influencer” world, the higher your numbers are, the more valuable brands think you are. I often feel that meaningful accounts get overlooked in favor of accounts that have a high follower count but may be posting content that is more surface level.
To be candid, I don’t feel I am an influencer. I like the term Thought Leader because I’m genuinely trying to serve and move women with ideas. My pictures may not get 50,000 likes on them, but there are people who will get on an airplane and travel to be part of the safe space I create at an event. Until we come up with a standard term as an alternative to the word “influencer” it’s how we are all painted.
I focus on my message. I focus on my sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I focus on authenticity. My “content” might not always be glamorous or flashy, but it is 100% real to me. Sometimes that costs me followers, sometimes it brings them in. But it allows those that follow me to develop a deep trust in who I am and what I say. I will never take that for granted!
Staying true to yourself is obviously a very important part of social media. What do you look for when it comes to brand partnerships?
When I had less than 20k followers, a brand came to me to work with me. I asked them, “why do you want to work with me? My follower count isn’t that high.” They answered, “Because we did our research. We see what you say, we see how people talk to you. We want to be a part of that.” At that moment, I knew I wanted to work with them. At 150,000 followers, I still connect with this brand and hope to grow with them in the long term. They SAW me and invested in me, so I have invested in them.
The first thing I look for in evaluating a brand partnership is its authenticity in relation to my journey. I am looking for brands who are open-minded and look beyond age and weight. I am looking for brands to want to be part of an intimate and HONEST conversation. I am also looking for brands who respect that partnerships are mutually beneficial opportunities. If we are working together, we are investing in each other. Let’s come up with something cool and effective TOGETHER.
What does 2018 look like for you? Anything our readers should know about?
2018 looks exciting, scary, awesome, and beautiful all at once! This year I am stepping up to solidify creating a community for women, both online and offline. I am working hard to expand my membership community, Rise Up With Sarah, which is a group using Slack as a platform. We discuss body love, self-love, fitness, wellness, read books together, and each month I lead a personal growth challenge.
This September I am also expanding my Body Love Workshop! The workshop is a size-inclusive wellness event for women; last year I threw my cards on the table and decided to play big. The workshop was a powerful experience, with women coming from all over the country to attend. This fall, I am expanding the workshop to be a two-day experience in Las Vegas. Personal growth, meditation, Kundalini yoga, size-friendly bootcamp, discussions about food and anxiety and mindfulness etc. The Body Love Workshop is a place for women to show up for their life with massive self-love, knowing they have the ability to rise up and create a happier and healthier life from the inside out.
Sarah’s positivity, honesty and genuine passion shines through in all that she does. She is an unapologetic, powerful force who is using her voice to inspire others to do the same. As a Thought Leader, coach, and motivational speaker, we love that she teaches her followers how to love themselves, be confident and “Rise the F*ck Up.” She has cultivated a community both online and in person that is changing lives for the better, and we can’t wait to see that community grow.
At LMS, we believe in the power of social media and know how to grow your brand with the help of influencers. We’re here to help connect inspiring personalities, like Sarah, with your brand! Contact us at imgame@wearelms.com and check out our blog for more information.
