Currently, I am coaching clients 1:1 in my 6-Month Program, leading a year-round Cleanse, writing my newsletter, Anti-Spam, on Substack, and offering meal prep services in NYC.
On the food and retail side, I provide an antidote to convenience culture by demonstrating the beauty in simplicity, the art of temporary discomfort, and the excellence of listening to our bodies (without giving a shit what anyone else thinks).
On the experiential side, I am passionate about creating wonderful shared moments and positioning brands around feelings and experiences in order to drive action, engagement and sales.
On the coaching and cleanse side, I am striving to close the gap between a personal desire for health and real, long term behavior change. I believe this requires building a world where making the right choice is easier. In order to make health as frictionless as possible, further inquiry into the intersections between food, design, retail, technology, and human behavior is my goal.
“Health” has been a big part of my life since childhood. Early on, my health-conscious mother tolerated much protesting and rebellion that ultimately swung the pendulum back to where I am today. Growing up under a strict regime of Ezekiel bread, Teddy peanut butter, Newman O’s, and “Tofutti cuties” (iykyk)—a sad era before health food was anywhere close to trendy— instilled a determination for Pringles, Lunchables, Uncrustables, and other forbidden garbage only found in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Suffice to say I learned my lesson in high school, quick to pay the price and realize my Mom had been right the whole time (I’ll only say it once).
My career path has been far from linear. From humble beginnings as a Digital Marketing Intern at (RED), to producer of social trending videos at Refinery29, Social Media and Experiential Marketing Manager at Parachute Home, and finally a year in the LA interior design world—I am grateful to say I learned just as much about what I don’t want in a career as what I do. I’ve never been afraid to try something new, and then seek out more.
Training—In 2020, I completed an Integrative Health Coach Certification at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). Health has been a priority in my life for over 10 years, so this was a perfect opportunity to put that passion on paper. After graduating, I briefly put my professional health pursuits on pause to explore interior design. I loved design, but in the back of my mind I knew health was an area I could add real value.
Coaching—In January 2023, I launched my health coaching business. I work with clients with all kinds of health concerns, from weight balance, nutrition, fitness, sleep and energy, to stress, digestion, gut health, self-care, relationships, optimizing environment, career change and more. Anyone who feels stuck, confused, overwhelmed, lacks knowledge, or just wants to improve their life and feel better is an excellent candidate for coaching. My practice is approachable, flexible and fun. We work on what you prioritize, and my clients understand that while I create the conditions for them to succeed, they are in the driver’s seat. My role is not to “teach” or fix, but to give clients all the tools they need to heal themselves, gain greater self-awareness and step into their power. In November 2023, I was recognized as a Top Health Coach by CoachFoundation, and in June 2024 was featured in MSN’s “Top 10 Health Experts Redefining Health and Wellness”. Learn more about my practice, and book a free initial Health History Consultation.
Writing—In August 2023, I transitioned from offering recipes and health content here on sarahmacdonnell.com, to launching my official newsletter, Anti-Spam on Substack. Anti-Spam is a candid critique of Spam (the food) and other unsolicited junk like it. It is a fun, no-bullshit health and food newsletter. Simple isn’t boring. Health can be easy, cool and fun.
Anti-Spam brings it back to basics, favors foolproof formulas over trends, and finds modern solutions to toxic problems. Anti-Spam is NOT about living in FEAR of “spam”, i.e. ultra-processed food, hidden chemicals, and the general oversaturation of internet virality. Rather, it is about frictionlessly changing what we can control with a little sacrifice as possible, and not worrying about what we can’t.
Anti-Spam offers solutions to an overwhelming world of contradictory information and endless options. It acts as a filter for all the noise, opinions, and fads circling health and food. Everything these days is yassified, drizzled, double-stuffed, and extra-ified. We don’t need miso-butter-stuffed-pumpkin blondies to enjoy awesome food, the same way we don’t need microdosing and lymphatic drainage to be healthy. Cut the fluff, perfect the basics.
Health is not deprivation; it is modification and simplification. I want to make “health” work for you, while also acknowledging the inherent flaws, misconceptions and downfalls of, and within, the industry (and yes, it’s an industry!). Expect bluntness, banter, candid inquiries, key clarifications, and creative solutions.
Anti-Spam is for anyone who wants to feel better without sacrificing the things they love, but might not know where to start. Equipped with a little knowledge, paired with a tiny bit more effort, we can feel better, do better, and live longer than we ever thought possible and with very little sacrifice. It isn’t that complicated.
Lastly, I want to know what you want to see! Tell me what you think is missing, what you hope to see here, and how I can help refine your world. I am here to qualm your—and my—decision-making anxiety in a society bombarded with what feels like hundreds of competing winter kale salads, vitamin c serums, diets, and places to get brunch.
The adventure continues…
