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Meet Sarah VanLaecken - Your Guide to Achieving Athletic and Life Excellence

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        Sarah VanLaecken is a Certified Health & Life Coach, a Certified Clarity Catalyst Trainer, and holds a Master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Dakota. She is also a mother of four children, two of whom are presently engaged in Middle School and High School sports, experiencing similar challenges to what you may be encountering

        Sarah's journey in athletics began at an early age, making her a lifelong athlete. She was a four-sport athlete in high school and later committed to the University of South Dakota as a successful member of the Track & Field team. During her collegiate career as a hurdler and heptathlete, she earned both athletic and academic All-American honors.

        She has successfully coached athletes spanning from amateur to semi-professional adults and a diverse range of youth sports, including competitive high school teams. Her extensive involvement in athletics extends to coaching at various levels, from collegiate Women's Basketball and Men's & Women's Track & Field to Strength & Conditioning programs. In addition, her expertise encompasses life, health, and wellness coaching for both individuals and teams. For nearly two decades, she has been a part of Higher Education, dedicating herself to academic advising, coaching, and teaching. Sarah's academic journey includes a remarkable 15-year tenure as a professor in the Exercise & Sport Sciences department at Augustana University.

        Sarah's passion has always revolved around athletics, where she's committed to helping individuals uncover their unique path to personal growth and guide them towards realizing their full potential. With her personal experience as a successful college athlete, a seasoned professor, a mom to multi-sport teens, and a high school and college coach, Sarah brings a unique perspective to handling the pressures, expectations, and challenges that student athletes face.

        As a coach, Sarah offers one-on-one, small group, and team coaching, along with facilitating Wellness Workshops. She's also a Clarity Catalyst Beyond the Game trainer, a course rooted in a Stanford University Master's Degree class that focuses on mindfulness and emotional intelligence tailored for athletes. Her teaching spans different age groups, catering to kids, teens, and adults, while also extending her expertise to corporate settings.

        Sarah's personal life is equally fulfilling. She met her husband, Erik, at USD, where they were both track and field teammates. Together, they own Dakota Timing and are proud parents to four children: Tate, Jayna, Burke, and Vaya. When she's not coaching, you'll likely find Sarah at a sporting event or enjoying the great outdoors- fishing, camping, and making treasured family memories.