photo: Ben Staley
Aloha! I’m Sara
(aka The Joyful Warrior). A biracial, hard-working, play-loving, recovering perfectionist from Kona, Hawaii.
I spent a decade as an award-winning comedian and circus performer and got to perform in over 20 countries- but through most of that I was processing trauma, what it means to be a rape survivor, and how to be authentic and resilient while surviving everyday life. In my global search for peace and meaning, I learned that our modern problems actually have primitive solutions. Through adventure, mindfulness, and primitive survival, I found my way beyond surviving to a thriving, resilient, joyful, and deeply connected life- the life of a joyful warrior.
During a life-changing, butt-naked survival challenge in the wild of Trinidad and Tobago on a TV show (Naked and Afraid), I realized my calling is to share the way of the joyful warrior with others so that they may find their own balance of grit and grace, and build a joyful strength in the process. I use my expertise in communication and entertainment alongside my experience as a survivor and survivalist in in leading transformative events and keynotes speeches. In the day to day, you can find me sharing stories and insights on my YouTube channel @the joyful warrior.
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Some people say I’m the most interesting woman they’ve met.
You’ll have to decide for yourself.
It all starts in Kona, Hawaii…
After going through the adorable bi-racial kid phase, followed by the moody teen phase (I did high school wrestling and thought pencil eyeliner was a good idea), I left my island home to start college where I would become a normal and useful person.
Things don’t always go as planned.
While getting my Fine Arts Degree in Abstract Oil Painting (yes, that's a real thing and no, I'm not going to ask if you want fries with that), I discovered circus arts. As a little island girl I had no idea being a circus performer could be a real job, but luckily my $80,000 degree taught me anything is possible! By the time I graduated I had saved enough money from working at a cigar shop (still love cigars to this day) to go straight to Beijing, China and study contortion and hula hooping. I was on my way to Cirque Du Soleil! Cirque Du Soleil didn't know that, but it didn't matter because I had the plan, the Chinese Circus School, and everything was perfect, until six months in when I broke my back.
With my dreams, plans, and spine broken, I took one depressed little tour of South Asia before going home. But, on the flight home life gave me a surprise layover… in the ICU! I was in a Portland hospital hallucinating, losing consciousness, and writhing in pain as my body battled hemmoraghic dengue fever, chikungunya, and Hepatitis E- all at once. Suddenly the broken spine wasn't so bad. I almost died. Despite being broken in every sense what hurt the most was knowing that
the shot at my dreams was gone.
Eight months later I found myself at a cafe in Berlin laughing at another one of life's surprises. After healing just enough to do basic acrobatics, I had applied for and received a scholarship to attend a contemporary dance and hula hoop event in Prague. While exploring Europe I met a show producer on the sidewalk in Berlin- I took this as a sign from the universe to pull out my hula hoops, dance moves, and stage presence and audition on the spot. You know, like a normal person. He said "maybe", and told me to stay in touch if I get a visa. 'Maybe' is what you make it, and I made it a second chance. Using all my Japanese organizational skills, German precision, and Island-girl aloha, I cobbled together enough contracts and connections to apply for a two year Kunstler (artist) visa and a new shot at life. (Fun fact, my last name Kunz is actually based on the german word Kunst, which means art)
photo: Edinburgh Tourism
A few weeks later I had my visa, a few gigs, and a deep belief that if I work hard and follow my heart things really can work out. Somehow I had a second chance at my dreams. A week after that I was drugged and raped. I hate surprises.
In facing life's challenges you have two choices- Give up, or succeed in spite of the bullshit.
I've since created 3 solo shows blending standup comedy and circus stunts, performed in over 20 countries, 6 languages, and even won some awards along the way. I also started a nonprofit for other sexual assault survivors for good measure.
(image: “The Flyin Hawaiian’ Show” my second and most well known work, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You can see the promo on my YouTube Channel)
But, "in spite of" is build on a foundation of denial, it's all grit and no grace. I had happiness, but no joy. Between performances, I'd tote my heavy baggage around the world in search of the way back home to myself, a journey that took me to the edges of my sanity and comfort zone. I studied meditation and yoga in India looking for peace, sweated in Finnish saunas looking for clarity, and bungee jumped off Chinese cliffs looking for meaning. I kept seeking.
I learned all of us are fighting invisible battles, and that the world we live in isn't always made with our best interests at heart. In fact, I learned most of the modern systems we live in are too big to give us what we truly need, and that to find our joy and wellness, we have to get a little wild. While exploring my world inside and out, I realized that whether its a cliff jump or asking for help- life beings at the edge of your comfort zone.
(images: little adventures taken between classes during my Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India)
While a great therapist, mindfulness practices, and personal growth study brought me healing- it was nature that gave me peace and primitive survival that gave me power. And funny enough, a show called Naked and Afraid that gave me inspiration. Years later, while being cast for Naked and Afraid (it's a crazy story you can read in my blog), upon hearing my story the man said "Sara, you're a joyful warrior". It was the perfect name for the approach to life I'd found, and the state we can all find within ourselves of our deepest joy and strength.
Months later, as I stepped out of the jungles of Trinidad and Tobago after completing my first Naked and Afraid Challenge, I found another surprise. This time, one of my own making.
After over a decade of loving it, I quit my dream job. I swapped entertaining an audience with jokes and tricks for empowering a new community with tools and stories. I realized my time in the spotlight was all just a warm up and tool kit to help me empower others- you, in fact.
We are all fighting invisible battles, and it's an honor to help you grow through your modern problems through the simple primitive tools I've learned and tested in my own journey.
Today you can find me leading retreats and events that teach Wild Wellness and the way of the Joyful Warrior, giving inspirational and actionable keynote speeches, and sharing stories and insights on my blog and YouTube channel.
Life is a trampoline- the further you go down, the further you can fly.
My wish is that these lessons in resilience, joy, authenticity, and the wisdom of nature help lift your wings.
To bring me to your event with empowering stories, tools, and workshops , book me as a speaker.
For a transformative experience connecting you deeply with yourself and nature, join me me on a retreat or workshop.
For deep dives on Wild Wellness, the mindset of a Joyful Warrior, and occasional adventure videos subscribe to my YouTube.
Day to day, you can usually find me sharing something silly, sincere, or useful on instagram.
And for the best of everything plus exclusive offers, get on my mailing list below.
All other bookings, TV requests, and personal messages can be sent through my contact page.
(image: from my first Naked and Afraid Challenge in Tobago where the Joyful Warrior was born. credit: Ben Staley)