Our Second Autumn Spotlight Athlete and I both reside in North Central Austin and so for our interview, we decided to check out the relatively new Walnut Creek Pub on North Lamar. The music was bumpin’ and the crowd was lively, but for a magical hour it was as though she and I and my trusty recording device (read: out-dated iphone) were the only entities in the universe. Sarah Stich nêe Norkin has made an outsized imprint on the Shop for years and so it was a particular delight to crack this Buc-ees nut open and explore her approach to weaving together fitness and socialization as well as the ideal gas-stop shopping list!
Coach Chad: This interview is an overdue occasion to say the least! I received a couple enthusiastic questions from other coaches to ask you, so right off the top Coach Autumn wanted to know if you were to prioritize your most essential beverages in a beverage buffet, what would the order be?
Sarah Stich: Oh my gosh! Highest priority beverage has to be something with bubbles- a sparkle water is probably first. And next-
Follow up question- favorite sparkling water?
I went through a phase of all the Waterloo flavors and now I’m back at plain HEB sparkling water.
Cool! A woman of the people.
Yeah, you can add flavors to it. I like to add bitters to mine for a quasi cocktail, but not really. Um… I think coffee would be next.
Keep going down the buffet.
Then probably an alcoholic beverage.
*Gesturing to Sarah’s current bevvie* Would it be an old -fashioned?
It would be an old fashioned or a glass of wine.
Do you have a favorite varietal of wine?
Yes, I would like a pinot noir from the Willamette Valley.
Oh my! Is there anything else on this buffet? How deep are we going? Are we getting to chocolate milk?
No…. The buffet that Autumn is referring to is a 3-4 beverage buffet. When Autumn and I go to the movies together, we order a beverage buffet. We would have a water, and then a fun beverage, and then a prosecco.
Oh! Well then I’m going to pop one of my questions in here- talk to me about your cinephilia.
Oh my gosh! So I go to the movies all the time. I have the season pass to the Alamo DraftHouse. I will see almost any movie; I saw the Sonic the Hedgehog movie because I have an Alamo pass.
Wow! Did you enjoy it?
Oh no- it was awful!
But do you enjoy the experience anyway?
Yeah cause then we get to laugh about how bad the movie is later.
Now by we, you are referring to your husband Nick right?
Yes I have two passes.
I thought you were about to say you had two husbands!
*laughing* I usually bring Nick, but if he is out of town or someone texts me about a movie they really want to see I will bring them.
Who are some of the people who have made the cut and received your 2nd ticket?
Um… Maddie (Holland- DBS Member), I think Lisa Landry (another DBS member) has gone with me, LaShea Townsend (DBS member and spotlight athlete from 2015!)- not that many people have actually hit me up. My friends should let me know about movies they want to see.
Readers take note! Ok- question from Beth Reyburn: where did your love of Bucc-ee’s originate?
It was kind of random. I think on a couple of work trips we would stop on the way to San Antonio and I was just amazed by how ridiculous it is. You can buy a bucket of bacon grease at a Bucc-ee’s.
Really? I’ve seen the beaver, but I don’t think I actually know what Bucc-ee’s is.
You’ve never been??? It is a gas station with like 80 pumps but it isn’t a truck stop so it is just regular cars. On the inside, they are well known for their clean bathrooms with full floor to ceiling stalls. It is like if Walmart and 7 Eleven had a baby- they have a deli, they have barbecue, they have beef jerky, there is a whole wall of gummy treats.
It sounds overwhelming.
It is overwhelming! You go in there for the first time and you have no idea what happened. You realize, after reflection, what you should have done. You develop a pattern of the items you want.
Can you talk about your pattern?
Yes! If it is in the morning, I go for a breakfast taco and then I usually get beef jerky and various gummies of choice- sometimes it is peach rings and sometimes it is rainbow strips. If I go there around Christmas time, I buy the most ridiculous small items I can find for stocking stuffers.
Another question from Autumn: she wanted to know if the high preponderance of red-headed coaches at The Shop was a motivating factor for you working out here.
No it wasn’t, but it was a pleasant surprise. My first year in Austin, Nick and I were long distance-
And we should mention that your husband Nick is a ginge-
Yes, he is a fiery ginger just like yourself. It was nice to see a ginger when we were long distance.
Before we get into learning your full Shop origin story, can you give me just a brief Sarah bio. Where did you come from and how did you get here?
I am from Pasadena, California. Before I came to Austin, I went to school at Tulane in New Orleans and I applied for jobs everywhere around the country and ended up securing a job in Austin working in public health and that is how I went from California to New Orleans to Austin.
Is there a specific thing you do in the field of public health?
Yes. I am an epidemiologist-
So not an exciting or relevant job at all to have these past three years or so?
Exactly. Super boring. Not stressful at all.
Right right. Okay, so Shop origin story, how’d you end up at DBS?
My first job in Austin was right across the street from the old Hyde Park location. I think I could see when I walked to my car people working out across the street. I was impressed with what people were doing over there because I had actually never done barbell or kettlebell stuff before.
Did you play sports in high school?
I played soccer and I swam but that is really the extent of it. I was always active, but I’d never done any of the weightlifting stuff before. I happened to live on like 38th and Avenue B, so I think I walked by a couple times as well. Then finally I decided to call and I set up a tour. So then I did the fundamentals course and that was it- I just went along with it.
We’re talking what- 2015?
Yep!
You showed up not long after I did.
And I never left! I paused my membership for 3 months when I did the bodybuilding competition.
Right! Before we move on, can you just give a couple thoughts on the bodybuilding thing?
It was really hard- it was a feat of mental and physical everything. The dieting sucked sooo hard; I remember just starving all the time. I did fasted cardio before work, I would go to work, then get off work and go back to the gym for a weighted workout. I had like no social life for 3 months! At the end of it I felt great, but it was just such an extreme experience. I don’t think I could ever do that again.
What lessons have you taken from that experience?
Um… Extremes are not fun and they are not good for you, but at the same time I know I can do hard things if I set my mind to it. I know I have the will power and determination to conquer hard things. I’m not someone who likes to be in the spotlight so having to put on a sparkly bikini and pose and turn around and show off my butt *laughing* that was just…
Yeah, I’m a certified nutrition coach and I would never want to work with a bodybuilder. What they have to do is so insane. Okay, so something that stands out about you is that you’re a very sociable person at The Shop; you have a lot of friends in class. If you were to write a book about making friends at the place you work out, what are some of the tips you would offer?
I am surprised that people feel that way- I feel very shy meeting new people.
Maybe not new people, but you’ve clearly made friends.
Yeah, one of my greatest friends LaShea! If the vibe is right, sharing a rack with someone is a good way to introduce yourselves. I think that is how she and I met- we were sharing a rack and we got to talking.
I’m going to take a second and underline that because I’ve been trying to get people to start sharing again but after Covid we got out of the habit of doubling up on racks. There are so many benefits to sharing. Aside from the social element, you can share in the labor of loading the bar. But the social thing is the big thing. That is a great point- what else would you say?
I mean I always just want to point out- identify your local ginger like Lauren Lichterman! They are usually the one that is going to welcome you in with open arms. And develop a routine where you go to the same classes once you are established. The same people will be there and you’ll get to know them over time. Develop a routine, share with others. I am always intimidated to partner with someone during a partner workout, but I always end up having a good time.
That’s good! Ok, so you’ve competed in most of our different mini-meets at some point over the years- do you have any favorite mini-meet memories?
The most recent one was probably one of my favorites. Um… because I got 2nd place.
The Strong Person Mini-Meet right?
Yes. And that is just really fun-
What is fun about it? Because I think it is fun but painful also.
Yeah, it is fun but it was exhausting- I’ve never been so tired as I was afterward. Never in your life are you going to tell people that you towed a car with your body. It doesn’t matter if you get first or last, or whatever- you did it, you have pictures of it, and people are blown away regardless. I feel my best self when I’m doing strong things- I am just very impressed with myself when I pick something up and set it back down with the right form.
Absolutely- it is primal. Any more distant memories? Because we’re talking almost a decade of you at The Shop.
There was a Brains and Brawn where we had to run around the neighborhoods around Manor doing different things and I dragged a friend with me to that one and she has promised to never workout with me again! There was one Brains & Brawn I did with LaShea and Kian (Razi- another beloved former member) where there was real trivia and I was just blown away by how much Kian knew.
There are many reasons that it is egregious you haven’t been a Spotlight Athlete yet, but the fact that one of our standards is “do they do stuff outside of class?” and you do so much makes it insane. Ok so, Dane and I had a conversation a couple weeks ago about how we could be better as coaches and he asked me straight up, “what do you think you could be better at?”. My response was along the lines that I felt really good about coaching new and intermediate athletes, but super advanced people- sometimes it is hard to give them tips. He said that he felt the same way and used the example of you doing a clean and not knowing what to say because it is so beautiful. You were the exemplar in our conversation about someone who has mastered these lifts. A. do you feel like you’ve accomplished that level of mastery? and B. How’d you get there?
Once again, I had never done anything barbell related when I came to Dane’s and I fell in love with the Strength class and I think I’ve more or less consistently gone 3 days a week (or more obviously) for almost eight years. That is crazy to think about, but I fully blame Keith for most of this.
DAMN YOU KEITH FOR MY EXCELLENT FORM!
Yes! And I think at various stages of my time at the Shop I have had various groups of women in class. In OG days I went to afternoon Strength when it was still in that tiny garage with 6 racks and it was (former DBS member and Coach) Brittany Parsons and Carla (former member Martin) and Natalie (former member Wyll)- Lisa too I think. Going to that was a social hour plus everything else- it made it enjoyable and made me stick with it. I mean, my deadlift is my weakest lift but just thinking about going from where I was to being able to back squat 250lbs is just wild.
Underlining that- 250lbs and, dear readers, Sarah is not a large person. Very impressive. Can you point to one tip on one of the lifts that you’ve found to be useful?
One thing is not having my knees cave in on the back squat. Actually one of my most recent tips came from Dane on the clean. He noticed on my grip that my index finger was right where the smooth meets the rough part and he had me go a couple inches wider, so having my grip wider made it easier for me to get my elbows up.
And this was recent? So he did find a way to help you?
Yeah. Yeah! And also lifting shoes really helps and you can’t underestimate a weight belt. Particularly on days where you are feeling a little tired, it is good to have a little extra support.
It ties it into what you were previously saying about friends- sometimes you just need a little extra support! Any goals you are currently working on?
My clean max was 160 and I’d really like to get to 175, but I’m starting to shift my mindset. I’d still like to get pr’s (personal records), but I just want to make sure I am moving. I’m not concerned about hitting the next pr, just getting my body moving and feeling strong you know? I used to feel sad if I didn’t break my pr, but now it is just like “oh well!”.
I like that- the 2nd drink is on me if you’d like another. Shall we pause here and pick back up?
Yeah!
*PART 2!*
We’re back! That was a tidy place to take a break because now I’d like to get into some totally non-gym related stuff. You got married a year and a half, two years ago?
Yeah! Um… over two years ago
Wow- but in Hawaii?
Yes, it was glorious!
Thoughts? Highlights? Recommendation?
It was incredibly chill because we did a Covid micro wedding- there were 6 of us there. We were going to do Scotland with our close family and scotch tastings and highland games and then covid happened and we realized that wouldn’t be feasible. We had a family vacation planned with my mom and two brothers in Hawaii, so I thought why don’t we just take one of those days and just happen to get married because my mom rented a house on the water and it was beautiful. We had a couple miscommunications. The officiant was the kookiest guy on the island; he told us that he was hunting pigs right before the wedding and he wore no shoes, which is fine but when you meet your officiant for the first time you don’t picture just coming from hunting pigs and having no shoes on. He had different options for the wedding and I’m not religious so I made some changes and he just got so confused during the actual ceremony because he hadn’t actually made the changes. It was just a hot mess but it turned out fine. We could see sea turtles in the ocean-
You can have the worst officiant ever as long as the scenery is beautiful huh?
Yes as long as you have the right booze and food and setting.
If you’re in Kauai. I’ve officiated 20 or so weddings and have never had that level of backdrop to fall back on. No offense to Ada Oklahoma…
It was really cool and now we have an excuse to go back.
Okay- describe your dogs.
I have two dogs- Dizzy and Pepper. They are both mini Australian Shepherds.
How old are they?
Dizzy is six and Pepper is almost two. They are crazy- they should be more trained than they are- but they are super sweet and loyal. Maybe Dizzy isn’t that loyal, because she loves everyone that comes over. Dizzy loves Pepper but not other dogs so much. She isn’t the one that is going to be romping with other dogs at the dog park- that is Pepper. Dizzy is the one going from human to human to get pets.
What is their dynamic together?
Dizzy is sweet and sensitive and wants to cuddle and Pepper wants to get in trash cans- but she’s still a good dog! Pepper is definitely the rambunctious kind of dog.
Is one more your dog and one more Nick’s?
Dizzy was my birthday present, but she is very much Nick’s dog. They do cuddle sessions that I just don’t get and I just stare at it longingly and take photos of it and just know she will never be this sweet with me.
By the way Becca would very much relate to this because she is the one that insisted on a dog when we adopted Moose and right away he was my dog. She campaigned hard for him and even after we adopted him for a few weeks I was wondering why the hell we did this as he was peeing on things. But in a very short amount of time he was my special boy.
It is disgusting really when I see them together. But I spent a lot of time training Pepper, so I feel like she listens to me more.
Here are some random questions! I used to ask folks if they were to have dinner with any historical figure who would it be and now I’m upping the stakes- if you were to make dinner for someone, who would it be and what would you make?
Oh no! What do I make best is the first question I guess-
Well that is interesting, do you start with what you make and let it guide you on who you have dinner with or the other way around?
Honestly, I’m secretly obsessed with the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance right now, so I think I’d want to make them dinner. They are my age and I think it would be a fun night that my husband and I would both enjoy. I think my most impressive thing that I can make right now is a Mushroom Wellington.
Mushroom Wellington?
Yeah, like Beef Wellington but with mushrooms! But I don’t know that Travis Kelce would like that because I see him as a meaty person.
I dunno, I could see him eating… anything.
Okay, so the Mushroom Wellington and some nice wine and maybe some cheese and charcuterie appetizer; we’d just have a fun mid-thirties time together.
If there happens to be another chair at the table, I’m putting my hat in the ring. Great answer- fantastic answer! Make a new years resolution right now- not for yourself but for the Shop. Give Dane’s Body Shop a New Year’s Resolution.
Something I’ve always wanted at The Shop is a thirty minute stretching class. I know there is a fusion and warm up (segment), but you’re tired when you get to fusion so it would be nice to force yourself to do a dedicated stretch class. For me, if I’m trying to (stretch) at home, I’ll stick to it for maybe a week but if there was an actual class I could go once a week. The yoga classes are lovely and I need to go more but sometimes I don’t want to do poses, I just want to stretch.
I get you, I get you! What is your favorite swear word?
*giggling* See you next Tuesday… *more sheepish giggling*
Yeah! We all know what that means.
When the moment is right, I know some people don’t like the word, but when it is very justified-
When it is right, it is right- I’m sorry! Good for you. Alright, chunky or smooth peanut butter?
Smooth!
Thank you- chunky peanut butter is an illusion. It is smooth peanut butter that has chunks added to it.
Right! And at the same time I am not buying two jars of peanut butter and smooth is more versatile. I’m not adding chunky peanut butter to my Pad Thai- you can crumble peanuts on top if you want that.
Thank you! Similarly, toilet paper- over or under roll?
Over!
Thank you, thank you. Sociopaths go under.
Also, on the note of toilet paper I have a PSA. I buy toilet paper from “Who Gives a Crap?”, an eco-friendly bamboo toilet paper. Is it the softest toilet paper? No. Is it strong toilet paper? Yes! So you won’t get tidbits on your fingers!
Tidbits or tidshits?
Both! It is plastic free and I get it shipped to my house- no longer do I have to buy a huge thing of toilet paper and put it in my car.
Great plug! Last random question, and this may not be strictly hypothetical: let’s say there is a Dane’s Body Shop talent show and you are forced to enter, what is your talent?
The first thing I think of is that I really enjoy puns, so maybe I would write a punny poem to read aloud.
As someone who just said “tidshit”, I very much appreciate that. So to conclude, Sarah Stich nêe Norkin is a consistent, longstanding, highly engaged, member and there are so many ways in which you have earned the Shop Athlete Spotlight. You truly are part of the pantheon- you have ascended to a level so few have risen to and to which so many have aspired. Given that elevated status, do you have any words of wisdom or final thoughts you’d like to share with your adulate public?
Umm… There are so many ways that Dane’s Body Shop has stayed the same but changes. I feel like I have experienced different groups of people and the one thing I will say about Dane’s is that it brings people together and that I’ve been able to meet so many people that I don’t know that I would have in my normal life. If you’re new to Dane’s Body Shop, don’t be afraid to say hi to people- the Strength class is not scary. It looks scary, but once you start doing it, you’ll be so impressed with yourself. If you’re ever scared, come find me and the group of ladies at the front of the class, ask us questions, ask your coach questions- I say that as someone who can be shy and takes a long time to work up the courage to hang out outside of the gym. I’ve met some really great people.
Can I circle in on one thing you said? At the beginning, you said that it has changed so much but stays the same. Can you talk about that?
Yeah! There are really great people at The Shop that, for whatever reason in their life, they move away or get a new job so you only get to experience them for a period of time but the gym itself stays the same- you’re still going to Strength, you’re still going to Fusion, you’re still doing the mini-meets. People aren’t there forever so you have to cherish those moments- I’m friends with a whole new group of people from when I started! The changing tides of life where people come and go, The Shop is always the same- there is always Keith, there is always Chad, there is always Dane!
And to that point, Dane and I have these deep existential conversations from time to time and he has made it clear to me that he wants Dane’s Body Shop to continue even if something were to happen to him. If he were to ever go away, he would want the place to be there and just as awesome even if he weren’t there. It was interesting that you said that. When I left in 2017, I worked hard to make sure my absence wasn’t felt- I wanted it to be the same incredible place.
Yeah! Sometimes the coaches change- like Beth was a member and now she’s a coach *editor’s note: technically true of both of our beloved Beths*. It is a place I know that I can always go!
