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 appearing successful externally, 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.

This revealed a critical gap: mental health care for athletes in weight-class and aesthetic sports barely exists. I also realized we as a society greatly underutilize exercise in our healthcare, and tend to celebrate “hustle culture” while clowning on rest… Not cool.

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, coping skills won’t stick. As such, teaching how to reconnect with physical sensations and emotional awareness became crucial to my work with clients. Once that happens, the possibilities for growth are endless.

You can dominate in collecting accolades and celebrate yourself fully. I’m here to provide research-backed care that understands what you’re going through as a high-performer, an athlete – starting with the embodiment and nervous system regulation that makes the wins stick.