Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Gutierrez.
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always believed that movement can be so much more than just working out. Fitness has been a huge part of my own life, not only physically, but as an outlet, a form of discipline, self-care, and a way to reconnect with myself. Over time, I realized that some of the best experiences weren’t necessarily about the workout itself, they were about the people you met, the energy in the room, and the feeling of being part of something.
That idea eventually became The Social Movement. I wanted to create a wellness community where people could try new forms of movement, meet new people, and have experiences that felt intentional and exciting. I didn’t want it to be limited to one type of fitness or one kind of person. The vision was always bigger than that. Pilates, kickboxing, strength training, aerial yoga, community events, and experiences that encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones.
Our first event was a kickboxing class in June 2026. I went into it not really knowing what to expect, and seeing so many people show up and support something that had only been an idea in my head was such a defining moment for me. From there, The Social Movement started growing quickly. We went on to host different wellness experiences, including beach Pilates, aerial yoga, and strength and recovery events, while also beginning to work with wellness and lifestyle brands to create curated experiences and goodie bags for our attendees.
One of the biggest examples of how much the vision has grown is our upcoming HIIT & Hockey experience at Prudential Center with the New Jersey Devils. We’ll be bringing our community together for a pregame HIIT class followed by the Devils game, along with special event experiences and brand partnerships. Being able to take something that started as a small wellness idea and bring it into a space like Prudential Center feels surreal, and it’s a reminder of how much can happen when you keep building.
What I’m most proud of is that the community is becoming exactly what I hoped it would be: a space where people come for the activity but leave having connected with someone, tried something new, or simply done something good for themselves.
I’m still very much in the building stage, and I think that’s part of what makes this chapter so exciting. Every event teaches me something new, every partnership opens another door, and the vision continues to grow. My goal is to continue creating experiences that make wellness feel social, welcoming, and memorable, because to me, The Social Movement has always been about more than fitness. It’s a return to yourself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Of course there have been the practical challenges that come with building something from the ground up; finding venues, coordinating instructors and vendors, reaching out to sponsors, handling ticketing, marketing, weather changes, and all the small details that go into making an event feel effortless.
But if I’m being completely truthful, one of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was myself.
For a long time, self-doubt was probably the thing that held me back the most. I would question whether my ideas were good enough, whether people would actually show up, whether I was capable of building something meaningful, or whether I should even put myself out there in the first place. Starting something of your own can feel very vulnerable because you’re essentially asking people to believe in an idea that, at first, only exists in your head.
At some point, I had to stop letting that fear make decisions for me. I had to believe in myself before I had all the proof that it was going to work. And I thank God I did, because I genuinely would not be where I am today if I had continued listening to that voice telling me I wasn’t ready.
I’m incredibly blessed and grateful for how much The Social Movement has grown, but I also know none of it would have happened if I hadn’t taken that first chance on myself.
If there’s anything I hope someone can take away from my story, it’s this: believe in yourself enough to start. You don’t need to have every detail figured out, and you don’t need to feel completely fearless. Sometimes you just have to move forward while the doubt is still there, trusting that God will guide you, having faith in where you’re being led, and allowing yourself to grow into the person capable of carrying the vision.
That has probably been one of the biggest lessons of this entire journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Social Movement is a wellness community built around the idea that movement should feel like more than just a workout. We create curated experiences that bring people together through fitness, self-care, connection, and community.
What sets us apart is that we are not centered around one specific type of exercise. Our events can include kickboxing, Pilates, strength training, aerial yoga, recovery, and other wellness-focused experiences. The goal is always to create something that feels exciting, welcoming, and memorable, especially for people who may want to try something new but do not necessarily want to walk into that experience alone.
A big part of The Social Movement is also the experience surrounding the class itself. I put a lot of thought into the venue, atmosphere, partnerships, goodie bags, vendors, content, and small details that make attendees feel like they are part of something special rather than simply attending another workout class.
I am especially proud of the community that has started forming around the brand. People have come to events by themselves and left having connected with someone new. Others have tried forms of movement they had never done before. Seeing people return to different events and continue supporting the community has been one of the most rewarding parts of building this.
We have also been fortunate to work with wellness, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle brands that help enhance the attendee experience through product sponsorships and partnerships. As we continue to grow, I want The Social Movement to become known for creating elevated wellness experiences that feel both accessible and exciting.
One of our upcoming experiences, HIIT & Hockey at Prudential Center, is a great example of where the brand is heading. We are bringing our community together for a pregame HIIT class followed by a New Jersey Devils game, combining movement, entertainment, community, and brand partnerships into one experience.
At the core of everything we do is our belief that wellness is not only about how you move your body, but also about how you feel, who you connect with, and what you take away from the experience.
Movement that gives back to you.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I don’t think mentorship always has to look like having one official mentor. For me, a lot of it has come from building relationships with people I respect, asking questions, observing how they operate, and being open to learning from different people along the way.
What has worked best for me is being genuine when I network. I don’t like approaching people with the mindset of “what can this person do for me?” I think the strongest relationships happen when there is mutual respect, support, and a real connection. Some of the opportunities I’ve had with The Social Movement have come from simply reaching out, introducing myself, showing interest in someone else’s work, and being willing to collaborate.
I’ve also learned that you have to put yourself out there. A lot of doors only open because you ask the question, send the email, attend the event, introduce yourself, or follow up. It can feel intimidating, especially when you are still building, but I’ve found that people are often more open to connecting than you expect.
My advice would be to surround yourself with people who inspire you, pay attention to how they move, and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. You can learn something valuable from so many different people, even if they never formally become your “mentor.” The biggest thing is to stay curious, be respectful of people’s time, and always look for ways to bring value into the relationship too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialmovemnt?stkn=YzZwenltYnlvMHZz&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itssarahgutierrez?_r=1&_t=ZT-99yxDbH7vTi
