Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annie Dixon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Annie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
About 5 years ago, I hit a wall as a working mother of 3 in my 40’s, trying to make it happen in all areas of my life. I was starting my day with 3 cups of coffee and ending my day with two hefty glasses of wine to help me deal with the demands of daily life.
By fate, I saw a well-known SoulCycle instructor post on Instagram about her transformation after working with Sarah Wragge on her nutrition plan. Her testimonial got my attention because she emphasized that her newfound energy came from changes in her diet. I immediately thought – HOW DO I GET THAT ENERGY?! I need that energy to show up better for my kids, my family, my work, and most of all myself. On a whim, I reached out to Sarah who, at that time, was working alone to build her coaching business, and I became her next 1:1 client.
In the 12 weeks that followed, I learned how to eat to properly fuel my body. For years, I had been underfueling which led to decreased energy and caused me to need that extra cup of coffee. Sarah taught me the importance of rest and recovery in my exercise routine. The old version of Annie thought I had to crush it in the gym seven days a week to meet my goals. Sarah educated me about the stress that exercise puts on the body and helped me find a sustainable, balanced routine. Sarah also helped me incorporate a routine to decompress at night so that I no longer needed the wine to help me unwind.
I was so inspired by my own personal transformation that months later, I reached back out to Sarah and said, “I want to help others in the same way you helped me. How do I do that?” I believe the universe places people in your life at the right time, and Sarah was one of those people for me. Her advice was, “Annie, it is a long life. Go back to school. Just do it!” I was well-conditioned to listening to my coach, so I returned to school for the first time in 20 years and learned everything I possibly could about nutrition, health, sports science, and personal training. When I was done (although we’re never truly done, right?), Sarah hired me as one of the first coaches at Sarah Wragge Wellness.
Fast-forward several years- I am now Sarah’s lead executive coach supporting busy CEOs, former athletes, busy moms like myself, and individuals focused on optimizing health and longevity. The ability to have a positive impact on the health and wellness of our clients is what gives me the most ultimate fulfillment.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I originally attended school and completed my Master’s degree in Speech-language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While my career has taken a bit of a turn, I have always been drawn to a helping profession. I love connecting with people, hearing their stories, and making a plan on how I can best help them.
I spent many years focused on raising my three children and supporting them with their ever-changing needs. One of my clients recently told me, “Being a mom is one of your superpowers!” Moms DO have superpowers. I know motherhood helps me relate to so many clients because it allows me to empathize with the joys, frustrations, fears, and tears of parenting.
At SWW, I have many different roles. I have my own 1:1 clients with various nutrition needs and goals. I oversee a team of 20+ registered dietitians and clinical nutritionists who support our clients with personalized attention based on their individualized lifestyles. The support I give our coaching team ensures that all SWW clients experience the transformation I did many years ago as one of Sarah’s early clients.
Sarah and I host the SWW® Method group coaching program three times a year, bringing hundreds of clients closer to their own unique wellness goals. We also travel around the country as keynote speakers for corporations to educate employees on the pillars of the SWW Method. Additionally, SWW hosts wellness retreats to teach people tangible tools to optimize their nutrition, movement, and lifestyle in order to improve their overall well-being. I love the adrenaline rush of speaking in front of people to inspire and motivate them to take control of their health in order to live their best lives.
Over the past few years, we have seen incredible evolution and growth at SWW. Past clients frequently refer their friends to our SWW Method group coaching program, which runs in January, April, and September each year. Our SWW Lifestyle programs provide high-touch support for clients who need more customized plans that include the latest biohacking tools like blood sugar monitoring and data tracking with Whoop and Oura. We have introduced two new products into the wellness industry (and more coming in 2025!) to help clients ensure they live each day with their wellness in mind. You can visit www.sarahwragge.com to learn more about our products and schedule a consultation, where we guide you into the right program based on your personal needs.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I have a strong desire to take care of those around me – my clients, my family, my boss, and my coworkers – and I will work extremely hard to make sure this happens. I am detail-oriented, driven, and focused on my clients’ success because the ability to change my clients’ health for the better is the best gift you can give someone. I love being a cheerleader for those who are working on their goals, whatever those goals may be, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you feel supported on your journey.
From my experience, the key to finding direction on your journey is determining what you truly love and are passionate about. It took me over 20 years to figure that out for myself, and I had to step out of my comfort zone and go back to school later in life. As a former spin instructor, I often told my riders, “If you are not uncomfortable, you are not making progress.” This quote holds true for so many aspects of life, so don’t ever let a little discomfort deter you from getting closer to your goals.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Managing stress and learning to decompress is one of the main SWW® pillars. We live in a society where overwhelm and busyness is the norm. When I have a hard time unwinding after a stressful day, instead of turning to alcohol (as I now know that this is a toxin that just makes stress worse), I incorporate the following routines to help me decompress:
-SWW Restore + Green Compass Full Spectrum CBD jellie + chlorella to aid in detoxification
-Hot bath, shower, or infrared sauna
-Phone/screen curfew of at least 30 minutes before bed
-Shakti mat + breath work for 10-20 minutes with legs up the wall before bed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahwragge.com
- Instagram: anniednutritionandwellness; sarahwraggewellness
- Linkedin: Annie Dixon
Image Credits
Exercise images courtesy of Toast Media Group, Brooklyn, NY
Headshot and family picture courtesy of Katie Smith Photography, Charlotte, NC
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
