Sara Schulting Kranz

Sara Schulting Kranz is a professional life and leadership coach, motivational speaker and certified wilderness guide.

She specializes in helping those who have suffered hardship or trauma to find forgiveness and strength in their lives through guided wilderness retreats in locations such as the Grand Canyon and the Pacific Rim.

Her book, Walk Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness, where she shares her story of forgiveness and healing, and provides a path forward for those who have suffered setbacks or trauma. Sara shares a step-by-step handbook that shows readers how to reconnect with nature–wherever they may be–and begin their healing journey.

I’m so excited for you to connect with Sara, check out her work and new book, and follow along as she continues to share her journey and inspire others to forgive and heal. As Sara shares, everyone has the capacity to forgive and to heal. All you need to do is take that first step.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is Sara Schulting Kranz. I am the author of Walk Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness, a TEDx Speaker on Forgiveness, Executive Producer of a documentary in production, Walk Through This: A Story of Starting Over, and a wilderness guide. I facilitate healing retreats for men and women in the Grand Canyon. We are currently working on changing the definition of “forgive” in the dictionary.

How did you get started?

In 2013, I discovered my husband was leading a double life and betraying me with men for 14- of our 17-years of marriage. This trauma shook me to my core and brought back effects of PTSD when I was raped at the age of 17 by someone I knew. Through intense trauma recovery, I began running trails, hiking peaks in Southern California, and paddle boarding in the ocean with whales and dolphins. I noticed how nature was healing my body, mind, heart and soul. Not long into recovery, my therapist said to me “you are going to be doing big things in this world, Sara.” Her words planted the seed to begin my business. I went to coaching school, dove into how nature heals, obtained my Wilderness First Responder certification, and began guiding men and women on healing retreats in the Grand Canyon.

At the age of 18, I had an intuitive hit that someday I would write a book about what happened to me so that others didn’t feel alone and unheard like I did. When my life imploded at 40, I knew the book was ready to be written. I began my book proposal at 42 years of age, and at 47, my book was published by Harper Horizon.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

My life was shook in 2013 by a traumatic event. Nature became a major tool in my own healing. Through my trauma recovery, I noticed how I wasn’t staying “stuck” in my trauma or with ruminating thoughts in my head. I began looking at why my recovery was different than most and realized how empowering and necessary that nature is in our healing. I wanted others to understand the importance of nature as a healing resource, and so I started my business and began leading people on healing retreats in the Grand Canyon.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My own healing journey has become my souls work. Today, my biggest passion is living in my creative flow while facilitating healing retreats and programs for those looking to transcend their pain into freedom and peace. I have a passion and purpose to change the definition of FORGIVE in the dictionary and have society view it not as a way to forget what happened to you, but as a way to honor our difficulties while releasing pain and stepping into love.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

There are two joy blueprints in my life. First and foremost, it’s my three sons. My sons have brought me so much joy and love in this lifetime. Because of them, I have also taken on my healing and dove deep into finding the best version of me.

The second blueprint is my love of nature. One step outdoors and I drop right into living from my heart. I love being on the trail or in the ocean. In nature, I am connected to an energy source so much deeper and grandeur than you could find anywhere else. I feel most alive in the wild, no doubt.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I make it a priority to go into nature every day. Before I do, I set an intention for why I am taking this self-care time. This is something I have been practicing since discovery of my husband. I meditate in nature and take moments to simply observe and be aware of what is happening around me. I connect with everything, if it’s something small like a spider or something much larger like a rainbow or storm. BEING with nature reminds us of our worthiness, how much we are loved, and how we have the power to transcend our stories and difficult life experiences.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

My 10-year old self and my 17-year old self are with me all of the time. I wrote about both in my book. My 10-year old self is very happy that I never stopped playing in life. And my 17-year old self is very proud that I am speaking out on her behalf today.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

My go-to affirmation: I belong.

What is your biggest dream?

To have my documentary, Walk Through This: A Story of Starting Over and my book, Walk Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness, be spread far and wide around the world. I want people to know they are never alone, our stories matter .. and we ALL have the power within to heal, grow and transcend our stories.

To learn more about Sara and her new book visit WalkThroughThisBook.com and/or SaraSchultingKranz.com and on Instagram @saraschultingkranz Facebook @liveboldly

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Sara Schulting Kranz - Certified Wilderness Guide, Professional Life and Leadership Coach, & Motivational Speaker