Ep 17: Bodybuilding, Business, and Becoming Who You Never Thought You Could Be | Sarah Lelliott, Co-Founder of Acacia Blends

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah — bodybuilder, graphic designer, and co-founder of Acacia Blends — to talk about reinvention, discipline, and what it really takes to build a healthier life from the inside out.In this episode we talk about:• Going from overweight and unfit to stepping on a bodybuilding stage• The moment bodybuilding stopped feeling intimidating and started feeling possible• Why business built the resilience she needed for prep• What bodybuilding reveals about your mind under pressure• The hidden challenge of coming back to “normal life” after extreme structure• Building Acacia Blends from curiosity, health, and shared values• How supplier problems forced the brand into reinvention• Why wellness should feel enjoyable, not like another chore• The belief that keeps most people stuck: “that’s for other people, not me”• Why no one is watching you as much as you thinkTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:30 – Meet Sarah: bodybuilder, founder, designer, and wellness builder1:15 – “10 years ago I never would’ve believed this was my life”1:36 – From overweight and unfit to finally taking health seriously2:13 – The bodybuilding myth that almost stopped her from starting2:28 – “Then I saw Emma Bowman… and everything changed”3:03 – The real reason she waited years before doing a comp4:03 – Why bodybuilding is NOT about looking stage-lean all year4:44 – Did entrepreneurship build the mindset she needed for prep?5:53 – Why bodybuilding can destroy you if you haven’t done the inner work6:31 – “Prep teaches you how you handle pressure in every area of life”7:56 – What discipline actually feels like on the inside8:24 – The dark side of bodybuilding: obsession, pain, and loving the process9:00 – Why coming OUT of prep can be harder than prep itself9:44 – The trap of constantly moving the goalposts10:24 – Control, intensity, and learning who you really are11:26 – How she balanced business, relationships, clients, and comp prep13:23 – The unexpected origin story behind Acacia Blends14:02 – Why mushrooms, health curiosity, and podcasts started the brand14:44 – The moment they realised: “If we want this, other people probably do too”15:35 – How they came up with the name Acacia Blends16:57 – Why most people wait until they’re sick to care about their health17:34 – “We’re the 2 percenters”18:21 – The truth about building a business while still working another job18:40 – The one question you need to answer before starting anything19:50 – Why 2026 is the year they’re finally pushing the brand harder20:13 – The supplier crisis that forced the business to reinvent itself21:04 – Making wellness fun, functional, and actually enjoyable22:03 – Why most wellness products feel like a chore22:56 – “Why would I drink something healthy if it tastes terrible?”23:16 – How challenges can become the catalyst for your next level24:20 – The scary moment they thought the whole business might collapse25:02 – Why taking your foot off the pedal can move you forward faster25:28 – What it felt like to lose control and rethink everything26:28 – “Oh shit… we’re in it now”27:08 – Visionary vs operator: why their partnership works28:05 – The biggest thing people would never guess about Sarah29:00 – How bad food habits started early and shaped her health journey29:55 – “I thought that life was for other people… not me”30:35 – The freedom of realising no one is watching you that closely30:47 – Why turning 40 changed everything31:19 – Watching teenage insecurity play out from the other side32:08 – Where to find Sarah, Acacia Blends, and follow the journey————————————————————————————————To watch the show click HEREFollow Sarah Lelliott → HEREFollow Acacia Blends → HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you want to be featured, collaborate, or step into this world →DM @itstuanluu or @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy