Each month I'll be spotlighting badass women who inspire me, and I think will do the same for you!
Sarah Baginski is a certified Holistic Health Coach who shares candidly about her own past struggles with body image, and an eating disorder. Her instagram (@HappyHealthySarahh) is filled with serious inspiration and body confidence tips as well as the most delicious cookies (she made the ones above !)
1. How did you initially become passionate about health and wellness?
I have always had a passion for health and wellness; however, my relationship with "health" has evolved and grown so much over the years. I developed an eating disorder in high school which I believe was partially a result of a traumatic hip injury and surgery. During that time I developed an unhealthy relationship with my body and food, lost an alarming amount of weight, and dealt with a number of health complications as a result. As scary as those years were, they taught me the value of health, and the importance of treating my body with love and respect.
2. What advice would you give to women struggling with a healthy body image, and confidence?
First off, I want to send a virtual hug to every woman struggling with body image and confidence, because I know what it feels like to be consumed by those thoughts.
The unfortunate truth is that we live in a society that tells us our self-worth is contingent on the size and shape of our bodies. To the woman struggling to love and accept her body I'll say this: if you spend your entire life dissatisfied with your body, chasing an unattainable ideal, you will miss out on so many incredible, life-changing moments and experiences. I recommend positive affirmations to every woman struggling with body image and confidence. The more you practice thinking positive thoughts about yourself, the better you will feel about WHO you are as a person.
3. What's your favorite go-to snack?
I am a huge snacker so it's hard to pick just one. Recently I've been obsessed with Hu Kitchen Hunks, veggies with hummus, and Go Macro bars.
4. Wellness is a word that's thrown around a lot these days. What does it mean to you?
Wellness to me means being empowered to make the best possible choices for my mind, body and soul. It's finding balance, taking care of myself, and learning to say "no" to what does not serve me in any given moment. Wellness to me is thoughts tuned with actions.
5. Tell us about yourself! Where are you from, what's your career path (anything else you want to share!)?
I grew up in Maine and went to college at The University of Delaware where I graduated with a B.S in Health Behavior Science. I discovered Parsley Health two years ago and fell in love with their approach to health and medicine, so I moved to New York City without knowing a soul to pursue a job in functional / integrative medicine. It was there that I learned about the IIN Health Coaching Certification, and I signed up for their 1-year program immediately. As I became more immersed in the world of preventative care, I realized that my purpose was to help women and girls struggling with disordered eating, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia. Which leads me to present day, where I am pursuing my clinical MSW so that I can one day work 1:1 with clients as a licensed therapist specializing in the psychology of eating disorders.
Follow Sarah @HappyHealthySarahh on Instagram.
Check out more Q & A posts here and here.
