Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Lavelle.
Hi Sierra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really begins long before Mindful Bend. I earned my degree in International Affairs, and my love for humanitarian work started when I was just 17, when I traveled to Rwanda, Africa, to volunteer. That experience had a profound impact on me and began a lifelong connection to service and international humanitarian efforts.
At the same time, health and movement have always been a huge part of my life. I’ve spent nearly three decades working in the fitness and wellness industry, teaching everything from strength and cycling to yoga and Pilates. Over the years, my approach has evolved. I’ve become increasingly interested not just in how we exercise, but in how movement, mindfulness, community and the way we care for ourselves all intersect.
Mindful Bend grew very organically from that. What started as a fitness and wellness community became something much bigger. It’s a place where people come to move and become stronger, but also to connect, support one another and hopefully feel part of something meaningful.
Eventually, that sense of community naturally expanded into Be Mindful Bend, our nonprofit. One of the projects we now support is an orphanage and farm in Africa that I originally worked with nearly 30 years ago. There is something incredibly special about coming full circle and being able to support a place that meant so much to me decades earlier.
Today, the Mindful Bend community helps make much of that work possible. Through our classes, events, fundraising and the generosity of so many amazing people, we’ve been able to support projects that create real opportunities for people and communities.
None of this was something I mapped out from the beginning. Mindful Bend has evolved alongside my own life, and I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. It has allowed me to bring together so many things that have always mattered to me: health, movement, mindfulness, human connection and service.
And really, the story isn’t just mine. A lot of amazing people have become part of it along the way. That’s what has allowed Mindful Bend to grow into what it is today, and I’m excited to see where it continues to lead.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In many ways, it actually has been a surprisingly smooth road, and I think that’s because Mindful Bend has evolved so organically. I never started with a big business plan or a specific vision of what it needed to become. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been particularly driven by the goal of building a “business.” I’ve been driven by the people.
Of course there have been challenges along the way, especially balancing family, changing schedules, and figuring out how to grow while still keeping the personal connection that makes Mindful Bend special. But I’ve tried to let each stage evolve based on what feels right for my life and what the community needs.
The success of my clients is incredibly motivating to me. Watching someone become stronger, gain confidence, create healthier habits, or simply find a place where they feel connected is what keeps me excited about what I do.
And then there is the community itself. It’s honestly incredible. People show up for one another, friendships have formed, and that sense of connection has extended far beyond our workouts. It’s also become the force behind so much of what we’re able to do through the nonprofit.
So while there have certainly been challenges, I’ve never felt like I was pushing a business uphill. It has felt much more like following something that continues to unfold naturally. I think that’s why I still love doing it so much.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Mindful Bend is difficult to put into just one category, and I think that’s part of what makes it special. At its foundation, I teach fitness and wellness. My background spans nearly three decades in the industry, and I teach strength training, yoga, water aerobics, cycling and other formats. But Mindful Bend has become about so much more than exercise—it’s about creating a community centered around movement, health and connection.
I believe strongly that there isn’t one “right” way to be healthy. Our bodies, our lives and our needs are constantly changing, so I try to create an environment where people can work hard, challenge themselves and become stronger, while also learning when to slow down, listen to their bodies and give themselves grace.
That same philosophy is at the heart of my six-week wellness and weight-loss program. I help women learn how to lose weight mindfully and for the right reasons—not as a punishment or because they believe their worth is tied to a number on the scale, but because they want to feel healthier, stronger and more confident in their bodies.
The program takes a layered approach, introducing one concept at a time so participants can better understand what their individual bodies need. We focus on things like hydration, balanced meals, movement, hunger cues, habits and accountability. Rather than following a temporary or overly restrictive plan, women learn to become more intentional with their actions and understand the “why” behind their choices. The goal is not simply to lose weight for six weeks; it is to develop awareness and sustainable habits they can carry forward long after the program ends.
What I’m probably most known for, though, is the community that has grown around Mindful Bend. People may initially come for a workout or join a program to reach a personal goal, but they often stay because of the relationships. We laugh a lot, support one another, notice when someone hasn’t been there and celebrate each other’s successes. Fitness becomes the common ground, but the connection goes far beyond the workout.
What I’m most proud of is how that community has extended into something much bigger through our nonprofit, Be Mindful Bend. The same people who show up to take care of their own health have also shown up again and again to help people thousands of miles away. We’ve been able to support an orphanage and farm project in Africa, youth programs, education and other humanitarian efforts because this community genuinely wants to make a difference.
I think what sets Mindful Bend apart is that none of these pieces feel separate. Movement, mindfulness, intentional living, community and giving back are all connected. We can work on becoming stronger ourselves while also using that strength and connection to do something good for someone else.
That’s probably what I’m most proud of: Mindful Bend has become a community of people investing in themselves while, at the same time, helping create opportunities for others.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m naturally a very curious person, so I’m constantly learning. I listen to podcasts, read, take trainings and certifications, and probably spend far too much time going down rabbit holes when a topic interests me! Health, nutrition, longevity, mindfulness, psychology and human behavior are all areas I’m fascinated by.
But honestly, some of my greatest resources aren’t books or apps. They’re people and experiences.
I’ve learned an enormous amount from my clients over the years. Teaching people of different ages, abilities and stages of life constantly reminds me that health is incredibly individual. What works beautifully for one person may not work for another, and staying curious and willing to change my thinking has probably been one of the most valuable tools in my career.
Travel has also been one of my greatest teachers. Experiencing different cultures and spending time doing humanitarian work has shaped the way I think about happiness, health, gratitude and what we actually need to live meaningful lives.
I also believe strongly in continuing to be a student. Whether I’m taking another training, listening to a podcast, reading something that challenges what I thought I knew, or simply having a conversation with someone who sees the world differently, I try to stay open.
I don’t think doing your best in life comes from finding one perfect book, podcast or philosophy. For me, it’s about remaining curious, continuing to learn, and being willing to change your perspective when you learn something new.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindfulbend.com
- Instagram: mindful bend Malawi_matters_ be_mindful_bend
