SASHA PORTILLO

The ORIGIN STORY

Growing up I was ‘straight-A’ studious – face always in a book, homework done, all the projects conquered. I lifted weights once in high school, and that was that. 

Years later, I tried deadlifting 185 pounds. The bar didn’t budge. The high achiever in me was instantly infuriated, and that moment changed everything.

I learned proper fueling, training progression, and recovery. Competed in powerlifting, earned a Texas state record with the USPA, and trained across weight disciplines… all while building the foundations for my career, attending classes, and managing a pretty robust social calendar.

Busy was an understatement.

While externally successful, I’d been struggling privately with food, confidence, body image challenges, and trying to find balance for years. Finding appropriate support felt impossible – most resources weren’t designed for people like me. I didn’t feel understood. So, I pieced together my own recovery while maintaining training.

I noticed my discipline growing. I wasn’t as sad or angry. I was able to sit still and concentrate after I’d had a gym session. My patience grew, and my relationship with my body became one of connection and appreciation instead of punishment.

This revealed a critical gap: The benefits of movement and mindful nutrition are vast, yet we underutilize both in our healthcare.

It’s why I founded Sapo Wellness.

In my work, I discovered embodiment is foundational. If you don’t know what you’re feeling in your body, behavior change and mindset tricks won’t stick. As such, teaching how to reconnect with physical sensations and emotional awareness became crucial to my work with clients. Leveraging exercise to help build that tolerance to discomfort is the icing on the cake. In building physical strength while growing mental fortitude, the possibilities for growth are endless.