About Sarah

I hate sales

Really, I do. Yes, I am a personal trainer. Yes, this is my business. Yes, I do this for a living. But my clients are NOT zeros in a bank account or sales figures to hit every month. I actually quit working in a 'big box' gym about five years ago solely because I was so tired of that attitude. Because I am my own boss, I'm not upselling packages or recommending supplements you don't need, I have no sales quotas to meet, and you'll never feel pressured! I believe that fitness is absolutely essential to a person's wellbeing, and should be accessible to everyone, so my rates are always fair and reasonable!

Train with me and you will see the difference! With Starling SoCal Fitness you're not a number, you're just you- you have unique goals, interests, and challenges to overcome. And because I'm not wasting my time on cold-calling and prospecting, I can devote 100% of my energy to providing you with the personalized support you need to achieve your goals and maintain lifelong healthy habits.

I do this because I love it

I truly love fitness and I want you to learn to love it too! Every day is another chance to get up and get it right, to make the little changes that will add up to a healthy you. Let me help you get on the path to wellness, let me motivate you, let me change your life! For me, every day that I'm able to help people achieve a healthy lifestyle is an absolute gift, one that I will never take for granted- so I am always positive, punctual, and prepared for every session, every time, without exception!

Let's start working together to create your fittest self yet!

I've been there

About 10 years ago, my thyroid gland was removed- and the struggle with my weight and body image truly began. Almost immediately after the surgery, my weight skyrocketed and I became sluggish, depressed, and hopeless. I didn't know if I would ever feel myself again; I was desperate to just feel... normal. Not knowing much about proper nutrition or exercise science, the fad diets and overtraining ensued. Low-carb, low-fat, fasts, cleanses, you name it, and I probably tried it. My weight went up and down like a yo-yo, if I wasn't overweight, I was underweight, and either way I was unhealthy and unhappy. Something had to change, I realized that I wasn't in control, and I definitely wasn't healthy. So I began studying kinesiology and nutrition, and applying my findings to my own life. Slowly, but surely I became the healthy, strong person I am today. Because I've succeeded in my own weight loss and fitness journey, I have the first-hand knowledge and experience to help you succeed too! I've lived through it, so I know what works- little lifestyle changes everyday, eating right, and staying active- and what doesn't- fad diets, gimmicky home weight-loss crazes, and depriving yourself.

Meet your new favorite personal trainer

My name is Sarah Elizabeth Starling and I'm addicted to fitness. I wasn't always this way- I was an awkward kid, I hated gym class, I had low self esteem, I was a colossal spazz (it could even be argued that I still am). So, why does any of this matter? Because not everyone was born fast, strong, lean, or blessed with a supersonic metabolism- I know I wasn't!

In fact, I was born with a defect that prevented me from walking, or even crawling until I was 2. As a result, I could swim years before I could walk. My mom was told I might never run and could be wheelchair bound for life.

Now I compete in triathlons & ultra distance races. Anything is possible with a positive attitude and a bit of help!