The Dance to Fitness | Shara Swanson

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“When I was 16 years old I dreamt about pursuing dance as my profession. But, I wasn’t confident in the presentation of my body and I wasn’t living a healthy lifestyle. So with the goal of becoming a professional dancer I changed my lifestyle habits and started eating healthy and exercising. Through my weight loss journey I fell in love with living a healthy lifestyle and I wanted to help change other people’s life through fitness.”  -Shara Swanson

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Trainer

Shara Swanson is a dancer turned fitness enthusiast. Unconfident in the way her body originally looked, Shara sought to change herself. Through her journey to fitness, she discovered a passion for it. This led her to pursue certifications in order to help others along their path. Currently working as a personal trainer in NYC, Shara is both ACE and Pre/post-natal certified. Her goal is to help others achieve their body goals and boost their mentalities as well.

“If you believe it you can achieve it. Write your goal down and the steps you will need to achieve your goal. Once you have that figured out do your steps every day. Even if they are a little steps, they will all add up in the end. Take each day at a time and always act with purpose. You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to.” –Shara Swanson

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Mindset

Shara believes that mindset is a huge part of fitness. She encourages others to build up their confidence and use the power of knowing that can accomplish anything in order to push themselves. “Your mindset is integral to success because motivation will not always be there. You have to discipline yourself to do things even when you don’t want to or when it is inconvenient for you. Also a positive mindset is essential because success is not a straight upward line. Successful people have bad days. But the reason why they are successful is because they stay positive, work hard, and don’t give up,” Shara says.

“The most rewarding part of my journey thus far has been my transformation. I not only transformed my body but also my mind. I have proven to myself that if I have a goal I will achieve that goal from my persistence, dedication, and discipline.” – Shara Swanson

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Future

In the next ten years Shara has some big plans. She wants to continue her work in the fitness industry while incorporating more time for dance. She wants to start boot camps in the city of New York and work with new styles of training. As for dance, Shara wants to do some commercial work. The city of New York is definitely the place to be for that.

If you get 80% of your impact from 20% of what you do, what is that 20% for you as it pertains to attaining and maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle?

A: For training the 20% for me is finding a style that I enjoy. Once you find what you like to do it will be easier to stay consistent. Consistent for me is training 4-5 times a week. For nutrition I like to eat healthy throughout the week with 1-2 treats on the weekend. Being in shape and eating healthy is my lifestyle. I have been able to stick with it because I have created balance in my life. I don’t train hard every day. I allow my body to rest. I also don’t restrict myself with food. I will treat myself weekly to avoid binges. Each person has to find what works best for them because my balance may not be someone else’s.

You’re a dancer, right?  Do most dancers workout outside of dancing?  I’ve noticed that dancers have great physiques and always wondered do they typically workout outside of dancing?  Can you shed some light on that?

A: I can only speak for myself. I train outside of dance because exercise benefits my dancing. It has built my stamina as well as strengthened my muscles to make my dancing more powerful.

What’s most critical to a person that is just starting on a fitness journey?  Diet or Exercise?

A: BOTH! Eating a healthy diet is what helps a person train their best. The combination of healthy eating and training is what leads people to being successful on their fitness journey.

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Shara Swanson

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