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Sarah

@girlcalledbear

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⌁ apex, nc • 40 | “to be a rock & not to roll.”
⌁ living fully in a life I designed
⌁ healing with wilderness, whimsy, + nostalgia
👟⚡️🚣🏻‍♀️🪞💌🍁🌈🫐🏒🧡

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Hellooo, Apex! 🫶 We couldn’t love you more! 😍 It’s been almost a month since Kelsey & I left Chapel Hill, and we’ve settled in so nicely. The sunshine, the lake nearby, all the bright warm light, our little community, and the convenience of everything so close and accessible has been such a nice and much needed change! ✨ I love waking up earlier, walking more, and getting out more every single day. This house totally found us! ☀️ What a difference a month makes— mind, body, soul. 🥰

We will always have lots of love for Chapel Hill, but we realize just how isolated and buried in the woods we really were once we moved. Apex has instantly become a favorite! I see why they call it the peak of good living! 💛 Making this place a home with @kbanyash one restaurant, lake adventure, and holiday wi$h li$t at a time. 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩🐕

#apexnc #downtownapex #wishlistwednesday #peakofgoodliving #nomadgirls #wuhluhwuh #trianglenc #mindsetshifts #swiftiesforever #northerngirl #healingtogether #downtownapexnc taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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a year ago

Today officially marks 1 YEAR with MS! ☝️🧡 And while I never saw myself here, it certainly became my lemonade out of lemons era! 💪 This year pushed me about as hard as the year I lost my dad. But I kept pushing myself. I often say, “I don’t know how I did it,” but looking at this carousel of photos - I do! 👏 I had a beautiful year full of adventure, gratitude, love, exercise, the unwavering support from my family, and a wired belief in myself that I just wouldn’t let die. 🙏

This year probably could’ve gone a few different ways, but I knew in my life I had come too far just to come this far. 🧡 I truly was able to power through because of the support and encouragement I had consistently— Kelsey, my mom (my saints!), my brother & his wife, my step-dad, Kelsey’s family, my whole family + closest friends— they had my back every step of the way. Through every appointment, every milestone that felt like a success, every fatigue filled/numb day, and each crying fit where I thought “god, this can’t be real!” — I just kept pushing, powering, restlessly, positively; and I knew they were behind me; and angels above me. 💫🧠🧡

In 1 year of the unknown, I have ignited more gratitude, strength, care for myself, and zest for life than I did the 39 prior— of that I’m sure. 🧡 My Neurologist at Duke said recently, “whatever changes you in this way, for good… let it.” 💫

Allow yourself to be surprised, break the mold, and let the ones you love give you every ounce of love you ever gave them right back to you! Trust me, you’ll need it! 🥰 Just keep going & hold out your hand!

#multiplesclerosis #dukeuniversity #msawareness #mindsetmattersmost #doitscared taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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5 months ago

This is life with MS! 🧡 In May, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and my life was forever changed in the most unexpected ways. I knew my life would become a spectrum of unknown. I gave myself 2 weeks to be in denial and be scared, and then I catapulted forward!

🧠 Positive Mindset + Gratitude
🏋🏻‍♀️ Started hitting the gym 3-4 days a week
🫐 Started building small, sustainable changes in my day
🚫 Stayed off Google and away from discouraging info
💪 Committed to getting myself as strong as possible before I started my infusions

💉 I began treatment in July, which was far from uneventful. My treatment last week resulted in major complications, hospital visits, blood clots, an infection, and a lot of fear! I wanted to cry, give up, and just panic for a hot minute — so I did, v quickly! But I cannot stay in that place! I know that the stress of the last few years of my life likely exacerbated all of this. So, once more I have to focus + catapult forward!

🧡 The outpouring of love, prayers, and support after @kbanyash shared in her stories what was going on was out of this world! It made me realize how much I cannot do this alone. No one should have to. Kelsey and my mom have not left my side for a minute— I don’t know what I would do without these two. 😭 My brother, his wife, Kelsey’s whole family — they all have been so loving and supportive. I could not have stayed positive without all of this love!

🙏 I know I have a long road ahead, and I know some days it will be hard to be positive— but I hope to continue the best possible outlook for the long haul. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to listen to your body!

🌈 THANK YOU for all of the outpouring of love and support! I could never express my gratitude enough! Never forget that we are all just walking each other home.

#multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosisawareness #mindsetshifts #chronicillnessawareness #spoonies #lifewithms #chapelhill @dukehealth #advocateforyourself taken in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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a year ago

✨ RELENTLESS ✨ That’s what I would call the last 3 months of the last 1.5 years with MS. My Neurologist said to me after I was diagnosed, “The people who stay moving fare the best,” and I didn’t take that lightly. I do have hard days, but knowing it could all be gone someday changed everything for me!

Since being diagnosed in May 2025, I hit the ground running in June 2025 with movement + strength. Though I had some major setbacks along the way, I focused on staying resilient; both physically and mentally.

Even recently, I have had some new little diagnosis’ that have called for more MRI imaging to monitor progression (vestibular paroxysmia and vertical nystagmus), but I haven’t backed down. 🫶

🏃🏻‍♀️ After my last infusion in July, I woke up one day and started training like I was prepping for a Hyrox (& now I am! haha) and I JUST KEPT GOING HARD from there!

✨ MY BODY HAS CHANGED 🦵⬇️
• watch = too loose / shorts = too loose / old pants fit again
• legs = bulletproof / core = rock solid underneath the frosting
• ed = in check / scale = +/- 5 lb. / mindset = LFG!

🤸🏻‍♀️ I go ~4 times a week, and I do the same things I love on repeat. I get out and play. I am goal oriented, but I am NOT rigid. I mix in different things like swimming, but I stick to what I love because it keeps me consistent. My body is at war with itself; I ain’t got time to do things I don’t enjoy.

I truly gave myself and my recovery the best gift for my 40th, and I came home to myself; little Sarah. ❤️ Couldn’t make it w/o my incredible partner, @kbanyash 😘

YO, THE MOUNTAIN IS YOU!! GET AFTER IT! 🫵🏔️🫶

#womenwholiftheavy #hyroxtraining #mindsetiskey #multiplesclerosisawareness #livewideopen taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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5 days ago

COLORADO DUMP 🧡🍁🎃✨ I spent the last week with my little Pearly girl and soaked up all the snuggs— the cutest, happiest little nuggie! 🐣 Another little piece of my heart lives outside my chest now.

We peeped some foliage on the way to Evergreen, explored Pearl’s first pumpkin patch, took lots of walks + naps, sang a lot of “purple monkey”, got a new nickname (aunt stomp-stomp 🐘), and I got to spend QT with Mike + Britt (and the pups)! Seeing them as parents is otherworldly. 😭 My dad would be so, so proud! ✨🏔️

#auntielife #coloradoviews #pumpkinpatch #niecelove coloradofall taken in Colorado Springs, Colorado by @girlcalledbear

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9 days ago

the time my 2nd favorite team was No. 1! ☝️🏒❤️🌀 I got to pet Lord Stanley today thanks to our @townofapex and our hometown heroes, the @canes 🫶🏆 10/10 core memory unlocked!

#stanleycupchampions #canes #hockeygirls #carolinahurricanes #raleighnc taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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20 days ago

📣 IT’S OFFICIAL: the Theratas patent has been issued! 🎉

Four years ago, this started as a sketch, drawn by our founder after one patient asked, “What can I do at home so I can have some relief?” Today it’s a patented, purpose-built device for breast cancer surgery recovery.

Years in the waiting. Worth every single day. 🩷

Thank you to everyone who believed in this before it even had a name. We’re just getting started! 🫶 Stay tuned!

#femalefounder #breastcancerrecovery #oncologymassage #breastsurgery #patent taken in Raleigh, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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a month ago

chi•ca•go with the fam!! 🏛️🫶💍🍕🏙️ — spent 4 days in downtown CHI for my step-bro’s wedding (congrats!!) & could’ve stayed longer for the food scene! 10/10; will be back because I did NOT devour a SINGLE slice of pie! 😭🧐 no shortage of laughter, though!

📍 stayed at kimpton gray which was a great location to explore downtown! such a clean, vibrant city. we loved it! 😍

#chicagoweddings #downtownchicago #lakemichigan #wlw taken in Chicago, IL by @girlcalledbear

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a month ago

“Sorry, I’m just a little star struck right now seeing Jess Ekstrom,” I said aloud as I lost focus in my coaching session, and shook Jess’s hand — me, an OG fan! Stunned! ✨ @jess_ekstrom

Today I got to sit in a room full of women at the “Strength in Numbers” event in Raleigh, & listen to Jess speak about the connectivity to her why, and it was otherworldly & so inspiring! When you’re running a startup like @theratas.co rooms like this are key to survival. 💖

There’s a specific kind of resonance that happens when a speaker isn’t just talking at you, but somehow narrating pieces of your own life back to you. Today, that happened more times than I could count! 🧨

A few lines from Jess that stopped me cold:
✨ “Hard times give us a choice: the excuse as to why we do less, or the reason as to why we do more.” — this landed more for me today with MS than I think it may ever have landed in the past.
✨ “Drifting between skill and struggle means you’re still in the game!”
✨ “We are in a pandemic of external validation.” 🧨
✨ THE FALSE SUMMIT!! (we’ve all been there)

This was a “my cup runneth over” moment with @kbanyash for sure!! And though this isn’t my usual content here, Jess is theeeee hometown hero for me in Raleigh! 👏💖 I really needed this day after the last few weeks. Kels and I are the luckiest to be doing this together!

✨ GO BE A LIGHTHOUSE!! ✨

#womenwholead #femalefounders #raleighnc #downtownraleigh #breastcancersupport taken in Junction West by @girlcalledbear

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2 months ago

GOD FORBID A WOMAN EXIST IN A BIGGER BODY WITHOUT A WEIGHTLOSS GOAL!! I JUST WANT TO BE STRONG AF! 💖💪🔥

⭐️ I want to move my body like a big dawg, sweat my ass off, I want to play & have fun, eat real food, enjoy every minute my body is able, manage my MS, and keep pushing myself— mind/body/soul! No one makes it out of here alive; small body or not folks!

👉 I don’t need a deficit (been there, done that, outdid you), I don’t need a coaching plan (please stop DMing me every time I like one of your posts content), I don’t need a macro adjustment, I don’t need a shot, I don’t need a pill, a new E/D, “the next thing”, a fad plan, NADA. I AM SO GOOD!! 👏 (Yes, even my blood work is 🤌.) I know this is crazy but, skinny doesn’t automatically equal healthy.

Respectfully, most women just need everyone to shut it. 🤫🤐 Most of us have been there/done that, this next part of our journey is a personal revenge for the little us. 😈

#strongoverskinny #girlswholift #healingprocess #bodyimage #edrecovery taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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2 months ago

august slipped away dump •🧂 🌬️🚪🌊

#augustdump #saltair #augustslippedaway #beachbabes #getoutsideandplay by @girlcalledbear

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2 months ago

A year ago today I told the world (y’all) I had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis that May of ‘25. 🧡 I made a commitment to myself then to push myself to be strong in every facet of the word. For the last year I have not taken my mobility, ability, my mind or mindset, nor my loved ones for granted. Now, that is not to say I don’t have hard days or feel defeated ever— most days I cannot even feel the right side of my body fully. But, I pull up to life more than I push back at life and that has made all the difference. In a weird way, there are times I feel it saved my life.

You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both. It’s you vs. you! 💪🔥

and I won’t say chic again after this— promise! 😝

Couldn’t do this a single day without @kbanyash & my family!

#multiplesclerosis #mindsetmattersmost #moveyourbody #girlswholiftheavy #chronicillnesswarrior taken in Apex, North Carolina by @girlcalledbear

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2 months ago