Meet Sarah Rodenbaugh: Actor and Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Rodenbaugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

Starting my own mindful fitness brand took a long time – and it’s still growing! While also being an actor, I had all sorts of doubts about this uncertain future, drastically delaying my decision to go for it. Would the fitness business take me seriously? On the flip side, if casting directors knew about my business, would they wonder if I now take acting less seriously – and therefore take ME less seriously? What about, “I don’t have that stereotypical body that many associate with a personal trainer. And a personal trainer in Hollywood? Get outta here!”

Where would I fit in?

Oh RIGHT! Right where I belong: among the sea of other fierce, multi-hyphenate women who may have ingrained wiring that limits our successes. I want to find those who crave the right motivation to experience life in the best version of THEIR own body and mind — not the shape of someone else’s. I knew I could bring that relatability to my teaching because I’ve struggled with my own weight and food behaviors and that allow me to understand that all-too-common plight. Could I use that to empower others?!

THAT felt right, so I lunged in that direction. (Lunges, amiright?) But it also meant letting go of others’ feelings about me and my decisions, which can be really hard for me, and I know many others.

I believe in a strong mind/body connection and I end every workout with a tailored guided meditation. Nothing feels better than having your body relax while your heart slows down, connecting with your inner, best self. (If you really love the Savasana portion of yoga, then this is your jam.)

I take my experience as an athlete and collegiate captain of my volleyball team and combine it with my daily meditation practice to do my best to simplify the process. It can be so, so confusing and not everything works for everyone. Most things work for some people, but do they last? Are they sustainable? For me, it was finding something that would work for the long haul, and that’s what I try my best to do for others, too – but with as much laughing and silliness as possible. Obviously. Look, it’s always a work in progress for me and there has to be laughter and joy along the way. Otherwise, what’s the point?

During the pandemic, I was able to pivot to training clients via Zoom and will continue to have that option! I’ll add Certified Nutrition Coach to my credentials in the next few weeks and that excites me. I can bring even more value to my current clients and connect with future clients and friends!

How did you get to where you are now and was it easy? What do you want the world to know about your brand and story?
I need to know, has anyone ever answered that it was easy? I would like to be connected to them, please and thank you.

I moved to LA about 15 years ago and if I knew then what I know now, that move would have been a much tougher jump, I tell ya! Ignorance is bliss. I had no idea how much I would spend on parking tickets in LA. (Only in LA will you habitually check your windshield for a ticket, in your OWN garage!)

In my heart, I am a comedic actor and that’s never easy, but what sets me apart is my timing and relatability. It’s a part of my soul, feeling those comedic beats. I’m told I can be quirky and adorable one second and fierce and scary the next, so I run with that. That came from practice and a belief that I can do something in a way no one else can. My dream is to take what I have and make a living acting on a TV show that records in front of a live studio audience. I believe that can happen for me.

I’m currently writing a dark comedy film about grief, sharing parts of my experience of being a suicide survivor (the ones who are left behind) and I hope to use that experience to connect with others who may have also felt alone in their pain. So much of comedy is based in trauma and life is funny in that way, so as a storyteller, I have a calling to share that experience in a creative way. I’m very much looking forward to that challenging acting role coming at me!

Being silly and sharing dad jokes is something I bring to everything I do. I love finding the funny in unexpected ways. Creating stories, writing web series, performing sketch comedy, training bodies to operate efficiently — it’s all about connecting with people; and that’s my passion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OH man, what a delicious day this would be. I would start out at Royalty Juice bar for an acai and coconut smoothie and head to the Japanese Garden near Lake Balboa for a peaceful stroll and then move to The Getty or take a pick from one of the many art galleries we have! Reno’s Pizzeria in Studio City is a must-hit! (Get the gluten free crust; it’s so good and chewy!) I would take them to see a live taping of the podcast Go Fact Yourself at Angel City Brewery, post-Covid.
Stop by Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood for a fun experience. On the weekends, volunteer with me and walk the boxer doggos at Boxer Rescue LA then take Los Virgenes Canyon over to the Pacific Coast Highway to spend some time on the beach and play volleyball or watch a movie on the lawn of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Follow up with a night of comedy at The Groundlings, UCB, Comedy Store or Improv. See some live theatre at the Ahmanson, Geffen, Largo or support your small blackbox theatres, where I spent years doing sketch comedy on Santa Monica Blvd. There are endless options, depending on what you’re into. Almost too many options! I’m very excited to get back to events post-Covid!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh boy, come on, how do you answer that? There are so many. Being in Hollywood, you can’t do this alone. We have to help each other.

My “ladies’ night” group and sister-friends are women who empower, lift up and support me during the good times and the traumatic, alike. They’re there to celebrate the moments, like an audition that may seem so little to the outside world; not to them.

My accountability partners from the women’s goal group, The Hollywood Women’s Collective, were with me when I first started speaking my Personal Trainer dreams aloud. They were there to uplift me, encourage me and shift my perspective, ya know? Really dive into those doubts and figure out why they were there. They were also there years ago when I made the decision to join SAG-AFTRA, which was an empowering decision I needed to make to move my acting and comedy career forward. The strong, intelligent doers in that collective inspire me to try to be a doer too – and to love myself into happiness and peace, even when I don’t feel like it.

My parents are my biggest supporters. Their guidance has always been so strong and their support is something I am so incredibly grateful for. It’s not lost on me that many people don’t have that kind of connection with their parents. I know how special that is and I don’t know what I did to get so lucky to have them.

My loving partner, who encourages me to do my best, think outside the box and get moving when I am lacking motivation!

As far as book recommendations go: Jen Sincero, the author of the Badass series (You are a Badass) is so, well… badass. The audiobooks ROCK, too because they’re narrated by Jen herself. The book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is a must for any creative’s bookshelf. Jason Stephenson on YouTube, is my go-to for guided meditations, when I need to visualize and sink into sleep or relaxation. Definitely gift yourself one or all of these experiences!

Website: www.sarahrodenbaugh.com

Instagram: FITNESS: www.instagram.com/sarahrodenbaughfitness

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahrodenbaughfitness

Other: PERSONAL: www.instagram.com/sarahrodenbaugh

Image Credits
Josh Murphy Photography, John Poulos Photography, Dante Ross, Natalie Makenna, J. Keith van Straaten