Meet SaraJayne Patton

We recently connected with SaraJayne Patton and have shared our conversation below.

SaraJayne, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
As a child I grew up with very little; hardly enough money for everyday necessities, with the lack education on a healthy lifestyle and trying to survive. That development made me into not only an overweight child but also built aggression inside that caused me to be a bully. After years and years of verbal abuse and harassment, I took that pain and channeled it into passion; passion in physical education and nutrition so confidence and self-esteem came right along.
Kick someone down enough and they either become a victim, or become ambitious.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
So, at the age of 19 I lost over 100lbs. I started eating right, working out and believing in myself. I did well for a few years; powerlifting, body building and running but eventually the addiction for drugs and alcohol kicked in. And did a large part of my mid 20s I battled an alcohol and methamphetamine addiction. I had lost apart of me but then came my little baby; The son I always wanted Vincent. He made my life complete again. I got sober when I was 29.
That brings us to the last 7 years.
Today, I am a Muay Thai fighter, I had been very physically active but had never really tried combat sports. I fell in love, it was challenging but extremely rewarding. For the past 2 years I have been competing amateurly for the best team in the world. De La Soul Muay Thai, my head coach Marc Saguid has put so much faith in me, without the family he has built in our gym; I would be lost.
When I am not fighting, I promote for local bars/ businesses. . As I had mentioned I grew up without much confidence, I wanted to be the complete opposite of that and bartending and socializing; making peoples day better is so rewarding.
I have developed a huge support system. Between my family in the gym and my family at work and of course my son. I am one happy woman now.

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 learned how to developed some ‘thick skin’ in situations. That has helped me become the strong independent woman that I’ve needed to grow into the successful fighter I am today. Also, I have learned successful communication with those around me. At the end of the day people remember how you made them feel, so always keep an open mind and heart.
I had to hit rock bottom to feel important. I never want anyone to feel like that, even when I’m competing I am still proud of my competitors. I see real value in trying hard. I would be dead if I had given up, there is so much opportunity out there!

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Currently my mother is extremely sick; she has lung cancer on top of several other health related issues. My mom still has a positive attitude and smile when we are going through treatment. It may be hard for me but I can’t imagine what she is going through. I try to remember that life is so short and to spend as much time with loved ones.
Time. The really challenge is time management. The world pushes us to do so much.
Small goals help me. Making sure to balance the gym, parenting and supporting those around me. It’s tough but I’ve found that if you give whatever I am doing 100 percent of your attention, that when you are present it makes the effort you’re putting in acknowledged.

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