Meet Sarah Scozzaro!
Sarah is kicking off the our #wcw as the first woman to be featured on our blog. Since we first conducted her interview, Sarah has now been added to the list of presenters at the first ever Women's Movement Collaborative Project this Fall.
She resides in North Dakota with her husband and her 2 adorable cats. You'll find her running all over the US taking pictures of her outdoor running adventures. Sarah roots for the Cincinnati Bengals, is a Vegetarian, enjoys cooking, and has a list of races she's participating in on her website, www.drtyrunner.com.
We wanted to make sure to we introduced as many people as possible to Sarah because she is seriously awesome. She is one tough lady and has miles, and miles, and miles under her belt...literally.
Not only is Sarah an inspiring mover, but Sarah is also a smart, kind hearted, positive, uplifting person to be around. She is definitely someone you ought to follow on social media (seriously, she does a killer job on taking pics too!) and connect with.
Instagram - Facebook - Twitter
I'll let Sarah get into the details below, but please give her a shout out and see what Sarah is all about!
Happy Wednesday!
Dani
Q: What do you do?
A: I am an ultra runner (so I like to run really, really far!) Movement lover, Running Coach, Personal Trainer, Restorative Exercise Specialist and Original Strength Level 2 Coach
Q: What else do you do?
A: I love photography, laughter, reading, cooking and - Yes - eating! I love challenging my body and mind in new ways. And I am always happiest when I in the mountains or near running water, and with a tribe of amazing, uplifting and inspiring people.
Q: How do you define the world 'strength'?
A: Being able to push yourself through and experience challenges, which sometimes can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but these experiences shape us into the best version of ourselves. To never, ever get give; to continue in the face of adversity. To know that deep within you, there is a wellspring of tenacity that will help you overcome whatever you may face. Staying positive and relentless when it comes to your goals.
Q: How did you discover your passion/work/niche?
A: I have always been a runner, but it wasn't until I began running again after a bad injury that I got serious about trail running. I love being out in nature, and I love running...so combining the too was a natural evolution for me. It allows me to play every time I head outside, to be one with nature, and to allow myself to experience childlike joy and curiosity with each and every run. This in turn, made me want to encourage others to experience this same joy! And as an athlete myself, and one who has experienced debilitating injury, I love working with those who love to push themselves (no matter their sport) and help them stay strong, healthy and sport ready. I like to say what I do is find the sweet spot where Motivation and Performance meet!
Q: How do you incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle?
A: Running, Original Strength Resets, stretching, walking, strength training...I like to keep my movements as varied and fun throughout the day as I can. So every opportunity I can find to move and play, I take it!
Q: Where would be a good starting point for someone who is looking to add more movements into their life like what you do?
A: Don't be afraid to reach out to people who are doing what you are interested in, and ask for feedback, advice or guidance. Never let the fear of looking silly or stupid stop you for trying something new. Get out and play! Your body is meant to move, so have fun experiencing all the ways that it can.
Interested in getting started with trail or ultra running? The first thing I recommend is going to a specialty running store and getting assessed and fit for an appropriate trail shoe for YOU.
Even if you want to run in minimal shoes, you'll want to work into that, and strengthen and prepare your feet, muscles and joints before you make that leap. Also, a good supportive sports bra will be your BFF.
After that? Well, that's easy! Find a local area of nature that inspires you (hopefully with dirt trails or roads) grab an adventurous friend if you can (dogs count!) and explore. If you aren't already a runner, ease into things with a run/walk combo (run 1-5 mins, walk 1-5 mins etc) and work up to longer bouts of running.
Enjoy the varied terrain (you will go slower than if you were running on the roads) but chances are you'll have a LOT more fun, and you'll be working all sorts of muscles as you move through the environment. Hiking hills, hopping over logs, crossing streams, balancing over rocks; you don't have this kind of fun road running!
If you'll be in an area that is remote always let someone know where you're going, and I recommend that you carry water and a phone.
Most importantly, leave pace expectations behind (esp when you first start) and just enjoy getting out with nature! Take in the beauty around you that you'll never find with on a treadmill. I bet before you know it, you'll soon lose track of time and realize this "getting out in nature" thing is pretty rad!
Q: How do you define 'fitness'?
A: Oh man! This is a tough one. I'd say being able to live your life to the fullest and most movement-full way possible. Finding an activity that gets you out and moving and contributes to your physical and mental well being.
Q: Where do you see the future of the fitness?
A: I'd like to see it being less about traditional gym training (although that is fine, too) but also more about getting out, moving in a variety of ways, and making fitness more about movement and fun.
Q: Does movement increase your self-confidence? If yes, how?
A: Heck yeah! Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment after a tough run or training session. I feel sweaty, strong and giddy with a sense of empowerment!
Q: What motivates the crap out of you? (quote, music, people, sports, etc.)
A: Seeing other strong people accomplish their goals and surrounding myself with positive individuals who dream BIG. And I have always loved this quote: "I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened." Wilma Rudolph
Q: What advice do you wish you could have given your formal self?
A: Please don't let the fear of looking silly or a feeling like you don't know what you are doing stop you from trying. If you never try, you will never know! Go out and be your amazing, silly, strong and unique self. Never change who you are and never make yourself small to please others. And oh yeah...eat the cookie.
Q: Anything else you'd like to share with us or a bunch of women out there?
A: Go out...try the new thing that's been calling to you and that wake you up at night with butterflies. Follow that dream. Work really hard for your goals and never give up. We all have so much more strength and potential than we give ourselves credit for.
