Sarah Cleveland’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sarah Cleveland. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
We have been fostering this Mama cat and her babies from the day they were born. First of all, watching the way this Mama loves her babies and seeing how she just knows what to do with them is incredible to watch. From seeing her separate the one who was stealing all of the milk and allowing for the smaller ones to get more to carrying them in and out of the litter box to train them has been so amazing to see. Now the babes are 8 weeks old and have some in to their own little personalities, some a little more shy and quiet but fearless, the others wild and silly, but has matching mitten paws like his Mama. They have provided so much joy…and entertainment in our home.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure I’m an actress, director, writer, and producer in film and television. While acting is where my passion began and is still my happy place on set, I’ve expanded my roles over time. When things were a bit slower, I started writing, which naturally led to producing and directing. Watching so many incredibly talented actors around me put on those other hats was the push I needed to dive right in.

I’m learning as I go, and I’m fortunate to be meeting incredible people along the way who all help me in one way or another. I’m currently working on my web series, Love In All The Small Places, which I wrote and has just been picked up by Bell Fibe TV1. It’s a project that’s very special to me, and I’m co-directing and co-producing it with Rebeka Herron while also starring in the show.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe I was a shy person, and for a long time, I was. When I was 12, my dad enrolled me in an eight-week modeling course; not to become a model, but to help me build self-confidence. It worked, maybe a little too well! I went from being a shy kid to being loud and obnoxious, until I finally figured out how to just be myself. Now, I strive to meet as many people as I can, especially at events. I went from being the person standing alone in a corner to the one who makes the rounds of the entire room.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Growing up, I had a lot of nightmares and would wake up completely terrified, frozen in my bed. When I finally found the courage to call for my dad, it would start as a whisper and then get louder and louder until there was no way he couldn’t hear me (poor guy!). We’ve never talked about it, but for some reason, he always came into my room, and just him being there was enough to calm me down and help me go back to sleep.

The other thing was apple juice. If I was sad or crying, he would always get me a glass of that juice… you know, the kind that came in a large can that you’d inevitably cut yourself trying to open. Even as an adult, if I’m really sad, I still go and get myself a glass of apple juice.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s a great question, and yes, the public version of me is the real me. The only difference is that in real life, I’m so much weirder and I love to wear sweatpants and no makeup 🙂

Everything you see me post online or the answers I give in interviews are 100% authentic. The part of me you don’t see as much is my family, because I keep them more private out of respect for their lives. While they are my entire world, they aren’t actors and didn’t ask to be part of the public eye.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say that I made some sort of a positive impact on their lives. I hope they talk about how silly I was all throughout high school and in to adulthood…and hopefully right through to the end.

But more than anything, I hope my daughters tell their children that life with their mom was fun, loving, and fulfilling. I hope they remember that they could have come to me about anything, at any time, and I would be there to support them….even when they were driving me crazy with their messy rooms 😉

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Tim Leyes
Megan Vincent

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