Answer extracted from the Cliterally Obsessed podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How did a childhood diagnosis of endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis influence entry into personal training?
Sarah Denny was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 15 and rheumatoid arthritis at age 21, both conditions causing significant body pain that made her avoid exercise entirely. At age 24, her doctor recommended she start working out to manage her symptoms, a pivotal moment that led her from chronic pain avoidance to a 10-year career as a personal trainer, beginning with a single gym visit and a consultation with a personal trainer that changed her trajectory.
Growing up, Denny was not athletic and initially believed exercise existed only for weight loss—a misconception shared by many people managing chronic conditions. Her diagnoses at such young ages created a belief that her body was fragile and exercise would only make things worse, a common concern among those living with inflammatory conditions and pain-based disorders.
The turning point came when medical advice shifted her perspective. Rather than avoiding movement, her doctor suggested that controlled, gradual exercise could actually reduce her pain and improve her quality of life. This recommendation felt counterintuitive at first, but it opened the door to exploring fitness in a new way.
Denny's first step was straightforward: she signed up for a gym membership and got on the treadmill. That initial action, though simple, required overcoming years of fear and discomfort around physical activity. It wasn't until she had a consultation with a personal trainer that her relationship with exercise truly transformed. As Denny discusses in detail in the podcast, this professional guidance helped her understand how to move safely while managing her conditions, turning exercise from a source of fear into a tool for empowerment.
"If I'm going to gain weight, I'm going to just make it a bulk and really just try to put on as much muscle as I possibly can."
Sarah Denny — Personal trainer and power lifter with 10 years of coaching experience. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 21 and endometriosis at age 15, Denny initially avoided all exercise due to pain and discomfort. After her doctor's recommendation at age 24 to begin working out, she transformed her relationship with fitness, working at Good Life Fitness for five years before transitioning to independent online coaching. She is also a mother and competes as a power lifter.
What began as a doctor's clinical recommendation evolved into a professional calling. Denny's story, shared at length in Cliterally Obsessed, illustrates how understanding your body's unique needs—rather than fighting against them—can open unexpected career paths. Her journey from chronic pain patient to trainer and power lifter demonstrates that the same conditions that initially seemed to disqualify her from fitness actually became the foundation for her expertise and her ability to inspire others facing similar challenges.
The experience also shaped how Denny approaches coaching others. Having lived through the fear, pain, and misconceptions surrounding chronic conditions and exercise, she brings authentic compassion and practical knowledge to her work. The episode explores her training philosophy and how she helps clients reframe their bodies and their relationship with movement—knowledge earned through her own painful and ultimately transformative journey.
See also
What role does exercise play in recovery from serious physical injury and chronic pain conditions?
Sarah Denny suffered a massive injury involving sciatica-type pain that lasted almost two years and prevented her from walking, sleeping, cooking, or managing daily tasks. Physical rehabilitation and gradual return to exercise became essential to her recovery and pain management.
How does medication-induced weight gain affect body image and what strategies can help reframe it positively?
Sarah Denny experienced weight gain from medication side effects, gaining from 165 to 190 pounds within a few months while managing sciatica pain. Rather than viewing the gain negatively, she reframed it as an opportunity for intentional muscle-building, reaching 197 pounds as part of a strategic bulk phase.
What section of a sex shop is best for a first-time visitor?
First-time visitors should start with the body care section, which includes lubricants, massage candles, and erotica, as it feels approachable and less intimidating than other areas of the shop.