As part of the new web series, The Role Model In You — here is the most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, NBA players, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. We hope you enjoy it!

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a
living?

My name is Sara Sherrell, I am a mommy blogger at http://sarasherrell.com, Business owner for Young Living, and nurse aide. I am 32 years old.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and
stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

In high school I had a teacher named Ms. Seawright. She was amazing. Later in life I became a fan of Ina May Gaskin, then later met a great friend named Carrie Shepard.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

Mrs. Seawright was impressive. She was my teacher for physiology in high school. Even the first day I noticed that she had energy that suprassed that of even many of her students. She also looked great! She constantly talked about nutrition, supplements and excercise. It was hard not to believe her considering her physical shape compared to most of the adults I was exposed to at the time.

While I was her student I watched my diet better (as much as a teenager does anyway), excercised regularly, and spent a great deal of time studying nutritional studies. After taking her class I decided that I wanted to be a dietician, more for prevention of disease than after the fact. I later realized that was not the right path for me as my own diet generally needs improvement!

After having my daughter in 2007, I became interested in midwifery. There were many things that I had felt pressured into when I was in labor that I later learned were not actually medically necessary at the time. There were also things that were done without my consent or approval. I soon learned about Ina May Gaskin and have been a fan since.

She has taught me to do my own research, and to trust that my body is perfectly capable. My body is designed not only for childbearing, but for everyday life. In general, it needs far less help than we think it does!

Finally there is the amazing Carrie Shepard. She introduced me to essential oils, which have allowed me to avoid narcotic medications despite a herniated disc in my back, and a subsequent back injury. She has taught me to question the norm. I shouldn’t take anyone’s word on the matter, I should be responsible enough to research. The mainstream magazines and newspapers only say so much. To make evidence based decisions, pub med is a great resource. I can look at the actual study, methodology, and results. Methodology is important because some studies
are poorly done, and don’t actually account for everyday reality.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

I have learned from all of them that my health is my personal responsibility. I will be as healthy or unhealthy as the desicions I make allow.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

I try to! It is far easier to be heard when I am talking to my birth child.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy
lifestyles?

You have choices every day. Whether you feel good or feel bad has a lot to do with the choices you make. Many of the choices you make now will continue to cause harm or do good years after the decision is made. It’s all about making habits. Oh, and those yucky healthy foods? The more you eat them, the more you begin to actually
enjoy them… except brussels sprouts, no advice for you there!

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

http://sarasherrell.com