Life & Work with Sarah Parise of Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Parise.

Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my journey into the world of wellness for moms not from a place of strength, but from one of deep personal struggle. When I first became a mom, I was hit with a wave of challenges I never saw coming — body image issues, postpartum depression, anxiety, and even rage. I found myself in the darkest period of my life, wondering how I could pour into my family when I felt so empty myself.

As an ACE Certified Personal Trainer since 2005 and Certified Yoga Instructor since 2015, I knew what I was supposed to do. But knowing and doing are two different things when you’re running on fumes and constantly putting yourself last. That gap — between knowing and being able to live it — is what lit the fire under me to start something different.

I never wanted another mother to feel as isolated and overwhelmed as I did.

So, I created what I wish I had: simple, sustainable systems for real moms living real (busy!) lives. My business began with one-on-one clients, then expanded into programs like The Great Days For Mom Method — a signature approach where in 90-days, I help moms carve out just 2% of their day to focus on their physical, emotional, and mental health. From simple meal plans and mindfulness practices to mini workouts and mindset resets, I design everything with moms in mind — because we matter too.

Today, I lead a thriving Facebook community, host impactful workshops, and partner with companies to deliver meaningful corporate wellness sessions. At the heart of it all, I focus on building real accountability relationships that create lasting transformation — not just for the moms I work with, but for their entire families. Because when moms feel their best, they show up as their best — and that ripple effect is powerful.

Here’s to creating more great days — for moms, and for everyone they care for.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I believe the struggles have shaped the heart of my business.

The biggest challenge? Building a wellness business while living through the very struggles I help other moms navigate. When I became a mom, I faced unexpected waves of postpartum depression, anxiety, body image issues, and even rage. I was supposed to be the one who “had it all together” — But I quickly learned that no amount of certifications could prepare me for the emotional and physical toll of motherhood.

For a while, I lost myself. I put everyone else’s needs ahead of mine, thinking that was what a “good mom” did. But I ended up burned out, resentful, and exhausted — and I knew I couldn’t be the only one.

That was the turning point. I started creating systems that worked for me — quick, realistic workouts, simple nourishing meals, mindset tools that fit into real life. And that became the foundation of the work I now do with other moms.

I’ve also faced the usual business growing pains — self-doubt, tech hiccups, juggling family and work, wondering if I was doing enough or reaching the right people. But every message from a mom who feels seen, every transformation story, every “I finally feel like myself again” reminds me why I kept going.

The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful — and it’s led me to a place where I get to help moms create more great days, every single day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Wellness Coach, ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Yoga Instructor — but more than that, I’m someone who truly gets what it means to be a busy, overwhelmed mom trying to hold it all together.

I specialize in helping moms carve out just 2% of their day to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental health. Through my signature approach, The Great Days For Mom Method, I guide moms in creating realistic wellness routines that actually fit into real life. Whether it’s efficient strength workouts, protein-forward meal plans with grocery lists, micro-moments of mindfulness, or community support — I help moms make wellness doable.

What I’m most proud of is the transformation I get to witness: moms who once felt stuck, lost, and overwhelmed stepping into a place of confidence, energy, and joy. It’s not just about weight loss or fitness goals — it’s about moms finally feeling like themselves again and watching how that positive shift impacts their entire family.

What sets me apart is that my programs are born from personal experience and backed by nearly two decades of coaching. I don’t just offer tools — I offer empathy, accountability, and real-life solutions. I’m not here to sell perfection. I’m here to help moms show up for themselves in small, powerful ways that add up to lasting change.

At the core of everything I do is this belief: small changes lead to lifetime benefits. That’s the ripple effect I’m passionate about — and the reason I do this work every single day.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’d love to invite you into my free Facebook community, Time Out For Moms, where we support each other with wellness tips, accountability, and encouragement. And if you’re curious about how to fit wellness into your life, I offer a free guide called How Busy Moms Prioritize Their Own Health — it’s packed with simple strategies to help you take that first step. (https://pages.sarahparise.com/guide-1)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greatdaysbysarah.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatdaysbysarah/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/timeoutformoms
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahparise/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greatdaysbysarah
• Other: FREE Resource: https://pages.sarahparise.com/guide-1