Meet Sarah Schlievert

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

Sarah, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I’ve seen the effects of settling for what’s comfortable in the moment. I’ve seen how limiting it can be. How it slowly erodes a person’s health, their relationships, their sense of fulfillment. Watching that unfold around me made me demand more of my life.

Twelve years ago, I left a steady job as a high school teacher to start my own fitness and nutrition business. I didn’t have a roadmap—just a deep belief that helping people through movement, strength, and health was what I was meant to do. Since then, I’ve committed to constant growth: investing in education, evolving my skills, and learning how to solve higher-level problems. Risk has been at the center of all of it.

Life has thrown me curveballs, like anyone else. Three years after opening my business, my marriage ended, and I lost my dad far too early—both in the same year. A few years later, I was forced to shut my gym doors. I had people tell me to walk away. Declare bankruptcy. Start over. But I knew better. I knew this path was mine.

And because I stayed the course—because I kept doing the risky thing—I’ve tripled my revenue in the last year and a half alone, and helped people reclaim their lives.

Life is hard sometimes. We all get in our own way. I do, too. But fear of change won’t be what stops me. Being a beginner, looking foolish, stumbling forward—that’s the cost of growth. Mediocrity isn’t part of my life plan. And taking risks keeps me far from it.

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 left a career in teaching to become a fitness professional—and 12 years later, I’m just as passionate about this work as the day I opened my doors.

Right now, I’m nearing graduation from the Active Life Professional program, a rigorous education designed for coaches, doctors, physical therapists, and trainers who specialize in helping people get out of pain—and stay out of pain. I’m also a Precision Nutrition Master Coach, where the focus goes beyond the science of food to the psychology of behavior change. And I’m a certified 200-hour E-RYT yoga teacher.

My work is about bringing the highest possible value to every client I serve. Not just adding years to their life, but pulling the most quality from their days. To do that, I coach the whole person—not just their physical body. I pay close attention to stress, sleep, nourishment, movement, and everything else that impacts how they show up in life.

Now, I’m in the early stages of growing the business. More people are starting to realize that resistance training and good nutrition aren’t just about looking fit—they’re powerful tools for improving or even resolving chronic pain, disease, and mental health struggles. But they need professionals who can guide them well.

My schedule is full, but the mission is bigger than me. So I’m building a team—people who share my values, my standards, and my desire to make lives better through movement, mindset, and nourishment. Together, we’ll serve more people than I ever could alone.

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 don’t give up easily. That saying about worthwhile endeavors being hard? It’s true. When it gets really tough, it often means you’re on the verge of greatness. Push through that tough spot and see what’s on the other side of it.

I hold myself and my business to high standards. Don’t look at what your “competition” is doing. Do it your way. It’ll help you stand out from the rest.

I practice what I preach. Let people see that you really believe in your product, and that you live by it yourself.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the last 12 months, the area I’ve grown the most is in my professional education—and how that has transformed my ability to serve my clients at a higher level.

I was lucky enough to catch Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life Professional, on a Ready State podcast. He spoke about what it truly means to be a “professional” in this industry and outlined the education his program provides to help coaches become world-class.

That immediately struck a chord with me.

I’ve always been frustrated by how little education, licensure, or oversight is required to call yourself a trainer or coach. You’re dealing with real people—often in pain, with complex histories. Their health and safety are in your hands every session. I’ve completed multiple certifications over the years and have always been committed to learning more. But Active Life is next-level. “World class” isn’t hype—it’s accurate.

Enrolling in the program was financially intimidating. It was a big risk. But I knew it was special. I knew I had to be part of it. And it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career.

Since starting this education, my value as a coach has increased exponentially. I’m now helping people solve higher-level problems—getting them out of pain, rebuilding strength, and improving their quality of life. I’m helping clients avoid surgeries, recover more successfully from them, and stay active and independent as they age. I’m helping fill the long-ignored gap between fitness and healthcare. And I’m more confident than ever that this is the future of coaching.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.2717wellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachschliev/

Image Credits

Samuel Robison Media