Meet Sam Herrendorf

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Herrendorf. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sam, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Within my childhood, I was put in a household where I obtained the skill to read a room. With my caretaker being a narcissist and alcoholic, I had to always be vigilant of how people were operating so that I can act accordingly.

As a young adult, it turned into this ability to make other people feel comfortable, seen, at ease, and authentic.

Parallel to that narrative, I (very recently learned) that I had an intense scoliosis in my spine.
I was disconnected from my body because of the childhood situation and injured myself constantly.

After trying to get help from countless sources, I had to take matters into my own hands. As I learned how the body works from a deep-spinal perspective, I was able to Kickstart my healing journey.

To be able to constantly learn and practice, I had to become a teacher/trainer professionally. Once I started teaching people about their body in a way that is different than most biomechanical-professionals, I realized my superpower put me exactly where I should be. I am able to really speak to a person’s nervous system with my perceptive skills and body knowledge.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

People tend to come to me, curious about how I can help them with their pains when others couldn’t.

First off, I do fascial work. Fascia (specifically the “anatomy trains”) is a complex system of white tissue (being non-muscle) in the body. Think of it as a separate skeletal system, but instead of bones it’s organized tissue. As we pick up tendencies, go through traumas, injure the body, and so on, we develop tendencies that are not optimal in how we move. Those patterns are expressed in this tissue system. I am able to look at the skeleton, and puzzle together what the fascial system is doing. With this assessment, I can then manipulate the fascial system to be organized in a way more optimal way.

This is great and can definitely help change the way we move. It can help with immediate pain. It can relax us to a state where our nervous system is not on high alarm. It makes us move all around better.

From my life experience and practice, however, we tend to hold on to the original movement patterns. So within a few weeks, we can revert to our normal ways.

This is why I started to really make “postural personal training” the main part of my practice.
I am educated in the following practices:
Foundation training
Conor Harris’ biomechanics (which stems from “postural restoration institute”)
Eldoa/soma practice
Yoga
“Frc” or functional range conditioning (joint mobility training)
And just general trainer certifications.

I listed it in that order on purpose.
I teach people how “posture” actually works. It comes from a deep understanding of the core. “pri” and “foundation training” teach that methodology
From there, you can integrate the core into bigger movements or more specific joints.

What people love is how I handle myself professionally. We are not on a track, we don’t need to arrive anywhere. We need to respect ourselves, allow ourselves to change and educate, and let that facilitate growth and getting out of pain.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1) Allow your new venture to show you the parts of yourself that are hindering growth.
For example, I wanted my clients to be diligent and on time. I would get so upset if they didn’t practice, or canceled an appointment. It really showed me that I didn’t allow myself to be human. To let myself rest and get overwhelmed with life. I put so much pressure on myself to have growth and change look linear and be fast. I wouldn’t have been able to change that about myself if I didn’t notice my reactions towards others. As I worked on this with myself, my relationship with my clients became more amazing.

2) Let yourself be fearful and have imposter syndrome, but never let the fear stop you from being persistent. The things we are most scared to do, are parts of that really need to be talked to.
I suppose that this answer is a tangent from the first question, but so be it!

3) Find out what it is that you want. What makes you most passionate? Are your wants authentic or based in societal/tribal norms? How do you get in a flow state? Something i had to work hard on – do you know what you want and do you allow yourself to receive?

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Collaboration is such a beautiful aspect to creativity!
I love working with people and getting outside my comfort zone.

As I’ve been developing my personal practice, I have had a need to be in community more. With my personality type, I am a natural leader (still humble and grounded). In my heart, I know it’s incredibly important to express myself and create space for others to explore themselves.

My strengths are very in the moment. I have learned as I’ve started to explore this role that the less i prepare, the more productivity comes from what I do. I am very present, love to connect, keep people on track, and teach what needs to be taught as I feel out the vibe.

That said, I love spiritual spaces, movement spaces, hosting/emcee-ing, activity-based events, and so on.
If you have any idea and want someone to be a voice, I’ll gladly collaborate as long as we’re in alignment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Facilitatedmovement.com