If there is any word to sum up our dear friend Sara, it has to be inspirational. Although it may have been a long road to get there, this remarkable lady proved to herself and to the world that absolutely nothing can hold you back from accomplishing your goals!
Sara’s journey was simply amazing and I am so excited to hear what she has to say about her stunning transformation!
Heidi: Sara, my friend!! I don’t even know where to begin. You overcame so much this year and completely exceeded everyone’s expectations – including Chris’ and?mine! What was that journey like for you?
Sara: The journey was incredible. Really there are no words to describe this last year. I thought I was going just to lose weight, but I lost so much more. I lost what was holding me back for years. I never believed in myself and this was the year I started ?to believe I was just as important as the next person and that I did matter.
H: You were met with so much adversity from the very beginning even with Chris questioning whether or not you could handle the challenges! How did it feel to prove everyone wrong?
S: I won’t lie, the challenges were hard. At first, I even questioned myself as to whether or not I could handle them. I think I saw this opportunity to prove myself wrong and so many other people. I learned that I held myself back from doing things for so many years. I didn’t want that anymore. I wanted to do things just like everyone else was doing. I may have to do some things a little differently than others, but I learned that I was still doing something. I was also doing more than the people that didn’t want to make any change at all.
We are all different and all have different obstacles every day that we just have to get out and overcome. It was great to do things and watch people’s reactions when I did them. I love telling people I ran a marathon and seeing their mouths drop. I hope people will realize, like I did, there is a way to overcome physical obstacles and it doesn’t matter that you have to do things differently. All that matters is that you are doing something to better yourself.
H: So very inspirational, Sara :). Like you said, a lot of people judged you and assumed your height would hold you back from making a full transformation, but it absolutely didn’t stop you one bit! What do you think your biggest obstacle really was?
S: Myself! I would feel bad when everyone was finishing and I still had a lot to do. Then I thought to myself, hey I’m doing it!! I figured out as the year went along, everybody has their strengths. Some things I found that I could do easier than other people such as squats and my favorite-burpees!! I also learned that the only one you should be in competition with is yourself. Just compare yourself to who you were the day before and that is all that should matter.
H: Okay Sara…spill it!! Tell us some of the greatest, and not-so-great moments during your transformation.
S: I will start with my least favorite…weigh-ins. I remember the nights before we weighed in were the worst. At times, it did get frustrating when my body was slow to lose the weight. However, you and Chris were always there to help me troubleshoot and support me in ways beyond what I imagined.
My favorite parts were getting to know the rest of the contestants from Season 4. We were together for 3 months during boot camp and we became family. We all support and want the best for each other. I am so blessed by the opportunity of going on the journey of transformation together with them. It was fun to get to know them and learn from all of them about their experiences and unique things each of us had to offer.
I also loved my 6 month challenge in Hawaii. It was the first time I had ever been on an island! It was so beautiful, and I was blessed with the opportunity of running my marathon there. Then…the marathon!! Crossing the finish line was unbelievable. I am so blessed that you and Chris believed in me enough to let me run the full marathon. Finishing the marathon is something that no one will ever be able to take from me and no one helped me do it except myself. You and Chris supported me and encouraged me and gave me the tools to help prepare myself, but I did it!!
H: Such a huge accomplishment!! I hope you know how truly proud we are of you! So what’s new in Sara’s world since the show ended?
S: I moved to Arizona and got a job at a university. I have stayed active doing Cross Fit, hikes, gym time, and different fun things with groups of people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I love to explore the different happenings in Arizona. I have been skydiving, fly boarding, ?sight seeing, gone to movies, a couple dates, and I am loving being involved in yours and Chris’ organization?Be Your Best AZ.?
?Oh my goodness, it sounds like you are just living life to the fullest!! I love it!! I am so happy for you, Sara, and so grateful for the inspiration you have been to so many…myself included!
xoxo,
Heidi
45 Responses
Congrats Sara – I ran the 2013 Honolulu Marathon as well – wow…wasn’t it hot that day? Was fun to see your journey…as well as footage from the race. Congrats again – keep up the good work.
Of all the shows I’ve watched in regards to weight loss this one episode with Sara left me in awe. Sara is such an inspiration and offers proof there are no excuses and she proved that anyone can do it no matter what size. She said on the show a lot I don’t deserve but she totally did and looks so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your struggle Sara.
Hi Sara! WOW what a show!
I am several inches under 5 foot tall and have been teased a lot for my height…. so when I saw the preview for your episode I got excited. Not once did you ever complain or give an excuse. Sara YOU are incredible. Even though I don’t have a weight problem, I learned so much from you. Congratulations on ALL your hard work and your accomplishments! wow, wow, wow! And marathon(s) too! way to go~ Keep it up Sara!!!!!!!!!
Hi Sara~
I normally don’t leave comments on websites, but I just had to write to you. I watched your show with my 16 year old son. We sat there with amazement on our faces. We could not get over your journey. I never heard you once complain about anything, you just pushed through it and gave it your all every single day. You are one gorgeous girl and absolutely love you smile! I want to give you a huge hug for your accomplishment. I am 38 years old and have been thin all my life even after having three kids. About two years ago I put on almost 45 pounds and it came on fast and out of nowhere. People made hurtful comments just like your sister to me because they were not used to seeing me this way. I went from doctor to doctor even drove to different states to specialists to see what was going on with me. No one had answers. My husband just retired after 21 years from the U.S. Navy and we had a huge dinner with family and friends in Wisconsin our home town. I bought an adorable dress felt good in it and all I kept hearing were negative comments, whispering and people starring at me. Even my one son said “mom people keep calling you fat”, what a horrible thing for my son to hear and for him to feel he needed to repeat it back to me is just awful. I live in PA and getting ready to move back to my home state in WI in a few weeks. I will tell you this, I have been working hard on my diet (clean eating), and walking/running everyday and the pounds are coming off. I want to prove when I see my family and friends in a few weeks that I have lost some of the weight and their negative comments didn’t hurt me they only pushed me to prove to them that I will be back to my old self again. Since Christmas I have lost almost 25 pounds. I know it’s not a whole lot, but as my two friends who are personal trainers told me, I am doing it the right way by letting it come off slowly and exercising everyday. It may take time but I will get there. Thank you for sharing your story, you truly are an inspiration. Keep up the hard work and take care!!
She had it in her the whole time, she just needed to someone to believe in her. As soon as she knew she had some in her corner, she was a beast! Unstoppable! I have never cried so much during an episode. This one truly touched my heart.
Hi Sara, I was completely sucked in to last night’s show. You are so positive and have a “can & will do” attitude. I kept telling my husband, “I would love to have this lady as a friend”. You are an inspiration. I was really impressed by your accomplishments and to see you reach your goals. I would like to follow you on Facebook but I can’t seem to find anything. The Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition page doesn’t seem to have been updated for over 2 years. Congratulations! And please, let me know if you are putting anything out there on social media. I’d really like to continue to follow your success and find you a motivation to keep moving toward my goals too. Kristine
Here’s Sara’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Murphy-Extreme-Weight-Loss/471371702997085. 🙂
Sara,
Wow! Great transformation thank you for inspiring me to be better!
You are awesome!
God Bless,
Tonya
Sara! Wow! You never complained once! You pushed yourself so hard. You are not a little person–YOU ARE A GIANT! You are so beautiful inside and out. You deserve this so much, never let anyone bring you down. You are my hero.
August 13, 2014
Sara,, What a journey you took,, you look marvelous,, I don’t think that there isn’t anything that you can’t do,, a very determined woman that has proven that even be small means that you can accomplish any goals set forth.. Congratulations on your journey,,,
Sara,,, you really killed this make over,, what an awesome job,, with your personality,, your fortitude,, you can do anything you want to do and you have proven that.. Great job,, you look marvelous…