Meet Sarah Speers, the Head of PFC’s Think Department

Written By PFC Fitness Camp • 4 min read

Have you ever tried to lose weight with diet and exercise and found that your mind gets in the way? At PFC we focus on the 3 pillars that lead to optimal health: THINK, EAT, MOVE. We believe that one’s mindset is the most important, and often most overlooked, component to making and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes.  By addressing the core underlying factors that drive how you think and behave, you will be able to successfully improve your nutrition and exercise habits while at PFC and more importantly when you return home.

To complete your wellness experience at PFC and ensure you’re able to strengthen your mind with your body, we went to work on a full-time, intergrated behavariol health department led by one of the best in the weight loss space. Let us introduce to you Sarah Speers! Sarah has a M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy from The University of San Diego and a B.A. in psychology from Syracuse University. She is a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, certified Tapping for Weight Loss Coach, certified life coach and personal trainer.

Sarah brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the PFC team that can help guests complete their mind-body transformation. She developed and directed an intensive day treatment program for binge eating disorder at UCSD’s Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR). Sarah worked with individuals struggling with eating disorders, obesity and weight issues at a private practice in San Diego, and was a researcher at Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity.  Additionally, Sarah has over 8 years experience in the fitness industry as a certified personal trainer, fitness instructor and health coach.

Because of her unique cross training in psychology fitness and nutrition, Sarah will take your camp experience to new heights with group lectures, optional one-on-one sessions, and telecoaching when you return home.  Throughout your stay here at PFC, you will have the privilege of hearing multiple lectures from Sarah. She covers topics such as:

·      Understanding the top weight loss blockers

·      The science of thoughts, emotions and habits

·      How to break bad habits and successfully create healthy ones

·      Strategies to improve your mindset and negative thought patterns

·      The art of setting and achieving goals

·      Effective stress management and self care strategies

·      Behavioral weight loss strategies

·      The power of mindfulness

·      How to overcome emotional and problematic eating behaviors

Additionally, Sarah offers fee-based individual behavioral health coaching and therapy sessions for guests wanting additional one-on-one help, both at camp and via tele-coaching when you go back home. Whatever it is you’re struggling with -mindset, self-image and worth, negative thinking, emotional issues, problematic eating behaviors, poor health habits or self-sabotage- Sarah will give you the tools and support needed to overcome your personal challenges and accomplish your goals.

In order for you to get to know Sarah better, and gain some insight into her new full-time role at PFC, we pulled her aside and ask her a few questions.

1. What is your favorite part about your job?

The best part of my job is having the privilege to work with incredible people from across the country and world. I enjoy facilitating people having self-insights and “ah hah” moments and helping them to make shifts to overcome the mental, emotional and behavioral aspects that had been holding them back from reaching their goals. It’s incredible to witness when someone realizes their worth and capabilities, and finally embraces their power to make changes to improve their health and happiness. I’m continually inspired by guest’s transformations of mind, body and soul, and I’m grateful I get to be a part of this process.

2. What is your favorite way to destress?

My favorite way to destress is usually doing some form of physical activity, such as rollerblading, yoga or kickboxing. These activities are not only fun, but a great way to physically release the stress from my body and help me relax.

3. How do you practice self care?

I try to practice self care by exercising regularly, eating nutritious and well-balanced meals, getting good sleep, staying hydrated and practicing meditation daily. I also think it’s importance to strive for balance of work and play, and so I make an effort to consistently incorporate fun, family and friends into my life.

4. What are some things you’ve helped people with? 

I’ve helped people with a range of issues affecting their physical, mental and emotional health, including: breaking intense food cravings and addictions, overcoming subconscious weight loss blockers, healing from past traumas and painful experiences, improving mood, anxiety and stress management, making healthy habit changes related to nutrition and exercise, achieving body and self-acceptance, and overcoming binge eating and bulimia.

Because of her unique cross training in psychology, fitness and nutrition, Sarah will take your camp experience to new heights with group lectures, optional one-on-one sessions, and tele-coaching when you return home. Sarah specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, weight loss, obesity, mental health and relationship issues. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the PFC team in the realm of eating and weight psychology and we’re so excited to have her!