Meet Sarah Hipps: Opportunity Coach

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

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
4 years ago, I fell into starting my own business. I had just moved to Denver and didn’t have a job or know anyone. I truly had no idea what I was planning next, but what I did know was that I no longer wanted the same job I had in Virginia, where I had moved from. While event management was enjoyable, it was not my career. I had always been in in fitness, playing D1 volleyball in college and weightlifting since I was 16, so it felt like a comfortable choice. A year after I moved to Denver, I decided to make it official and follow the throngs of online personal trainers into the industry. At the time, I knew it was the first step in my journey to find what I aligned with. In 2019 I began feeling the tug to find the next step, and in 2020 I changed my business from personal training and wellness to Opportunity Coaching. I had already begun speaking to my clients and using my platform for discussions around mental health, personal fulfillment, and the broader journey through life. As an Opportunity Coach, I use my skills and experience to guide others to and through growth moments so they are able to show up for themselves more and see their best selves through. I believe this is where I was looking when I began my business, but just didn’t have a clear vision yet. It brings me joy and fulfillment to show up for others in this capacity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The main difference when it comes to my business is that I am not a life coach. I prefer to be clear that I am not a coach at all. I am a facilitator. I realized during my previous life of event management, that my true joy came from being behind the scenes, helping make an event flow and be it’s best. In the same respect, I deeply love the feeling of helping a client navigate their reactions, thoughts, feelings, and decisions; and who they are through and on the other side of that being the main show! I believe life coaches help you determine and achieve goals. And while I believe goals are important, I urge my clients to remember that what they are pursuing with me is the ability to learn how to always grow and learn. It was not easy to start this business! I have struggled financially along the way, learned that I am not one for administrative work, and that in order for me to be successful, I truly do need a copilot. I think very much on a macro level and need help landing the plane! At the same time, I strongly believe my personal and professional journeys are intricately tied together. Sometimes, you cannot take a step in one part of your life until you have finished a step in another. My brand is purely about deliberate growth. In short, I slow you down to pay attention to your reactions and ask you pointed questions to identify why you reacted in that way. Then, I facilitate you determining the emotions that are tied to your reactions. These reactions tend to prevent us from growing, receiving the joy and opportunities around us, or showing up for ourselves to be our best selves in various situations. All that matters to me is that at the end of the day, you believe you tried your best and did your best. In our modern times, we are not taught or equipped with the ability to be overly deliberate in our self awareness. That is my passion and my job. So in order to be able to show up for others, I first had to show up for myself. I believe the years prior to this business pivot were exactly necessary for that to take place.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I take every guest to the same places because I truly believe you can’t enjoy Denver without experiencing them! In no particular order, I always make a reservation at Uncle, Cholon, and Sushi Den. Then, sadly I won’t be able to now, I would always take them to grab a beer at El Chapultepec. It’s always been a welcoming, fun, and interesting experience and the history of that location is inspiring. I would take my guest to walk the walls of RINO as I believe the murals are the perfect example of Denver’s creativity mixed with innovation. I would then take them to Evergreen dog park to both take in the amazing views that make up Colorado, and enjoy the lesser known fact about Denver; that we are dog obsessed! My own pup can attest to that! Finally, because of my deep love for donuts, I would take my guest to a few locations. Both Voodoo spots since they are in the best parts of town (Colfax and S Broadway) to grab a donut and walk around, OMG! Donuts out in Arvada because what a great little shop with delicious donuts, and Wake & Bake Denver because it is family owned and super delicious! If you can’t tell, I’m a bit food obsessed!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My goodness, who deserves recognition in my being here?! Too many to name! First and foremost, my family has obviously helped shape me to be the person I am today. Even in the darker times, I found guidance towards the person I desired to become. My friend Jenn Roubal, CEO of Anna Rae Events here in Denver, CO is someone who has been brutally honest through love and encouragement over the past decade. She has shown up for me time and again and her friendship motivates me to keep seeking myself. And of course, my God is my north star and true partner in all of this. I am thankful to have been raised to know and then choose on my own, this type of faith.

Website: https://linktr.ee/sahipps
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sahipps
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhipps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sahipps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sahipps
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SHipps6
Other: https://www.sahipps.com/ https://www.realistic.fitness/

Image Credits
Andrew Bonura Jesus Hernandez