Meet Sarah Spear Sands.
Sarah started DC’s hottest new exercise program – Dance Trance – after a successful career as a lawyer and lobbyist in DC. Luckily, Sarah had time in between launching her new business and teaching classes to sit down with FamousDC to answer a few questions about what’s got DC moving these days.
1. Let’s start with a little background on Dance Trance and how you first tried it.
Dance Trance is a nationally acclaimed fitness program with 39 locations across the country. I tried Dance Trance during my first year of law school. A friend introduced me to the class – a typical way that people find Dance Trance – and I was instantly hooked.
It’s just my kind of workout: high energy, great music, beautiful choreography and a great sweat! Most girls are surprised at what great cardio Dance Trance is – but it’s not uncommon for participants to burn up to 1,000 calories a class. Personally, I dropped 10 pounds in 6 weeks – and never looked back.
I like to joke that this is the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ weight loss workout. If you are tired of the treadmill or elliptical, but want the results – try Dance Trance. I promise, the weight will fall off.
2. What lead you to start Dance Trance in DC?
I’ve always wanted to help people – specifically to motivate and empower young women. I just never knew, exactly, how I was going to do it. I trained as a tax attorney and, for the past 5 years, had been working as a lobbyist for the AALU (a trade association representing top life insurance sales executives). I worked with incredible people, the job was interesting and the money great…but what was missing was time. Time in my life for the things most important to me – namely my husband, my family and my health.
Ironically, soon after we got married, my husband, Ben, started a new company of his own – Regret Free Life. RFL helps smart 20 and 30-somethings better align their values, beliefs and passion with the work they do. As it happened, I became his first client!
Ben helped me to figure out what it was that I really wanted – and together we developed a strategy to get there. Two months after our first strategy session – we opened Dance Trance DC – offering 5 classes/week at Balance Gym in Thomas Circle! Just last week we expanded to 9 classes/week. As Ben likes to say, I am “living the dream!”
3. How long have you been in the city? What is your favorite thing about DC?
I love D.C.! I’ve been here since 2007. I love the beauty of the city – the architecture and open spaces. I also love the adventure – the access to world-class hiking (my favorite: Billy Goat Trail), camping and whitewater kayaking along the Potomac River and in the Shenandaoh and GW National Forests. I love how easy it is to get around – our clean metro, clean streets and, my new favorite thing: Capitol Bikeshare. Want more? I love the museums… I love the city’s international flavor…I love the beautiful churches hidden on street corners…I love concerts on the National Mall…I love the beauty of the Capitol Building and the monuments at night…I love running in the city and, finally, I love how people who move to D.C. have a purpose or something for which they are passionate. I think we live in the greatest city in the world.
4. What was the most difficult part of starting your business?
Honestly, the hardest part of starting the business was letting go of the need to make everyone happy. I was afraid that when I started my business my family, friends, and acquaintances would think I was silly – a trained tax attorney becoming a dance fitness instructor!? Excuse me?
It’s still a challenge sometimes but, once people see how committed I am to building Dance Trance – and changing lives through this program – they all come around. I have been blessed with incredible friends and family and now everyone is behind me 100%.
5. Michelle Obama calls and wants a fun, DC Friday – where do you guys go?
Start at Circa (Foggy Bottom or Dupont) or Paolos Georgetown, grab a drink, then move to a late dinner at Rasika West End or Martin’s Georgetown. After dinner, grab a show at Blues Alley, the 9:30 club, or Iota Clarendon (great singer/songwriters come through these venues), and if she’s up for it, a nightcap at Café Milano then on to George for some late night dancing. (Where we would break out our Dance Trance moves, of course!)
Location: Balance Gym –Thomas Circle
Class Schedule: Mondays 7:30am-8:30am & 8pm-9pm, Tuesdays 7am-8am & 8pm-9pm, Wednesdays 7:30am-8:30am & 8pm-9pm, Thursdays 7pm-8pm (breakdown) & 8pm-9pm, Saturdays 11am-12:30pm
Fees: Balance Gym members pay $50/month for unlimited membership. Non-members pay $99 for unlimited monthly membership (no contract). Individual classes: $18 each; or 10 for $150; 20 for $275.