I met Sadye several months ago at a Creative Mornings event. She captured me with her smile and her ease while talking to other attendees. We later connected over Instagram, and then most recently at Team Ride where she teaches spin. Through our time together I was reminded of the energy and compassion that initially drew me to Sadye. In addition to this blog post, you can listen to the interview in its entirety here.

What’s the most recent book or article you’ve read that has influenced, encouraged, or challenged you?

I read Lean In at the end of last year, and I would say that coupled with When Breath Becomes Air have greatly influenced me. Ironically I had read both of those just before finding out I had cancer. When Breath Becomes Air focuses on the idea of, if you knew you only had so long to live, how would you live your life? What choices would you make? Lean In resonated because while I was reading that I was up for a promotion with my last employer. On paper it looked like a great opportunity. But in my gut I just knew it wasn’t right. As soon as I started leaning in to the things that felt right, to the opportunities that spoke to me loudest, things started to fall into place.

Who is an influencer in your life?

I don’t think I have one in particular, truthfully…I think just positive people influence me. I had about four months off between full time jobs and in that time I threw myself into a lot of opportunities and events and social gatherings. I had a chance to really engage in the Sacramento community. I saw how many amazing people we have here-creatively, intellectually, just cool people. I’m so influenced by that. I learned a long time ago that people, in general, are going to have judgments or opinions, and I finally learned to let those voices go and pay attention to the positive people. I’m influenced by people who are doing good things, lifting up the people around them, and aren’t threatened by other people doing similar things. We can be in this space together.

What does feminism mean to you?

It’s still such a taboo concept. I participated in the Women’s March here in Sacramento and it made me feel like I was part of something bigger than my immediate world or myself. Feminism is about lifting people up and empowering them, rather than passing judgment or being better than men. It’s about being confident in who we are as a gender. We can do amazing things. We should all be equal.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that you live your life by?

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined,” by Henry David Thoreau. I was given a thank you card years ago when I worked for a publishing company. I had the opportunity to write a piece with a friend who lost someone dear to her from breast cancer. She started Uptown Liz, which is a philanthropic site that has breast cancer awareness memorabilia for sale, and the profits would go to cancer research funds. I wrote about what the site was all about, and in return she wrote me this card with the Thoreau quote on it.

The quote has always resonated with me, but I think I really started living by it in the last couple years. I’m not religious, but I do believe in the idea of blind faith. Shit’s going to go wrong before it goes right. But if you’re following your gut and you’re following your heart, and you’re going confidently in that direction-it’s going to fall into place.

What are you most passionate about?

Connecting with people. I love inspiring and motivating people. I want to be real and authentic and genuine in creativity and my passions. I also love learning new things. When I started my new job, I had the opportunity to learn so much new stuff. It feels intuitive. But it’s also opening up so many more doors to learning. I’m going home exhausted in a good way.

How will you pursue making authentic relationships and connections?

I’m so excited to be part of Creative Mornings. I want to continue to lean into things that make me feel good. So one of my goals this year is to lean into more events that engage with people in the community. You never know where the conversations and connections lead. So I’ll continue to be involved in Creative Mornings, The Blog Bloc, and staying active in the community.

Fill in the blank: I am ______________

I am genuine. I am sarcastic. I am real and authentic. And I’m a badass.

Sadye has your back.