DailyOM: You're known as an empowerment and body confidence advocate. So, what made you want to create a course based around problem areas?
Sadie: Part of the reason that I want to help others with body issues is because I went through the pain and suffering of them myself for many years. I developed an eating disorder and never thought I looked good enough, even when I was very sick. It was a miserable existence!
Couple that with the constant barrage of photoshopped body perfection that's shown to us constantly on social media, in magazines, and in commercials, and we have a recipe for low self-worth and the kind of obsessive self-criticism that can steal our joy. But, and this is a crucial concept, being fit and healthy is also important for a happy and vibrant life.
So how do I, as a yoga and fitness professional, speak to those self-criticisms while simultaneously helping people get stronger, more toned, and more confident in their bodies? Is it even possible to do both? This is the main question that I pondered deeply before crafting this program, which I believe answers it with a resounding "Yes!"
DailyOM: Tell us how you personally struggled with problem areas.
Sadie: I was really brutal on myself for many years: my belly was too big, my back too fat, my calves too small, my butt too flat, my arms too flappy, and on and on. Even when I was a toned, tight 20-year-old, I would look in the mirror and only see what was "wrong." It didn't help that, because I felt unlovable, I chose partners who were deeply critical of me, and their words still sting today when I think back.
One person who supposedly loved me told me I'd be a 10 if it wasn't for a few flaws. He wouldn't tell me what they were, in his opinion, though. What a mind warp! Since I practiced this self-critical mindset for years, that tendency to pick myself apart is never really gone. To say otherwise wouldn't be me being real.
To love oneself fully is a lifelong process. But what's amazing is how far I've come, from literally hating everything about myself to now feeling at home in my skin and confident in my clothes. This has nothing to do with my scale, because I never even check how much I weigh anymore. I'm strong, I glow, and any little body critique that arises is easily swept away by the good energy I feel about myself.
Do I love myself 100 percent every second of the day? No. Do I feel as fit and fabulous as I ever have and prioritize self-acceptance and authenticity over perfection? Heck, yes! And to me, this feels pretty darned good. So, I wanted to make a course that would show people how to develop a reverence for their bodies so they treat them well, and to release expectations of what they "should" look like.
DailyOM: Most people know it's not possible to spot reduce body fat to see more strength results. How do you get around this challenge in a program built around toning specific areas of the body?
Sadie: That's exactly right, your body can spot-tone muscles, but to spot reduce body fat or reveal more muscle definition, you need a few other things: cardio training, higher intensity intervals, and light weight resistance. All these things can burn calories, melt old body fat, and rev up your metabolism so you're more efficient on every level, 24/7.
This program is not about losing weight. It's geared towards whole body optimization with a focus on strengthening certain areas for each session. Every workout in this course does it all! You'll move in ways that burn fat, build lean muscle, and keep your body humming at an energetic level all day long.
DailyOM: Is the end goal of this course to perfect or fix problem areas? What does the "rescue" part mean?
Sadie: Yes and no. We are all human, and we all have human parts. Some of our shape is due to lifestyle factors and some is due to genetics. We have to balance what we can change with what we can't, and then within that spectrum, choose how far we want to go into this idea of "perfecting" an inherently wild and imperfect biological thing like a body.
I can tell you from experience that the quest for perfection is an endless one, and too much focus on it leads only to misery and even illness. Too little focus on gaining strength and enjoying a healthy, balanced diet can also lead to that same place. I prefer not to go polar. Happiness lies somewhere between the two extremes.
For me, the "rescue" part of this course is that participants end up being rescued from the tyranny of perfection, and they experience the inner strength and outer shine that comes from a regular self-care and strength practice. When students begin to put themselves first and treat themselves this well on a daily basis, something magical occurs: perfection stops being so important, and what replaces it is the quest for authenticity and the quiet joy of self-acceptance and holistic strength.
DailyOM: How has your own personal acceptance of your body evolved as you move into your 50s?
Sadie: The way I feel about myself now is backward from the way most people think it should be. After all, isn't being younger better? I used to pick myself apart at every turn, yet I was beautiful just how I was. At 50, I am now the most relaxed and comfortable in my own skin that I've ever been. I eat what I love, and I love to eat.
I move regularly and feel at home in my strength. I'm proud of my body for all it does, and on many days I've even begun to actually love myself! It was a process, though, and not every moment is rosy, but more often than not this is how I live. That's a victory!
DailyOM: Very inspiring! Sadie is a wonderful role model who really exemplifies her message of self-love and self-empowerment. Her focus is about feeling beautiful and strong both inside and out, letting that healthy vibrancy radiate from within. Until next time, be well.
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