As Part of their “Hidden Gems: Local Businesses and Creative You Should Know” Series, SD Voyager Sat Down with Sarah to Find Out What Inspiring the Fight Behind Her Business.
Read the full article below or click here to read it on SD Voyager’s website >
Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Simonetti.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path has been anything but linear, but every step has led me here. I started in the fitness world after earning my degree in Exercise Science, later completing a Master’s in Marketing, and spending years in leadership roles at Lululemon and Trader Joe’s. Those experiences taught me about people, connection, and the importance of creating safe, empowering environments. When I opened my own gym, I realized movement wasn’t just about getting stronger — it was about healing. Over time, I found myself drawn to working with adolescents and the neurodivergent community, where traditional talk therapy doesn’t always reach. I saw how powerful it could be when they were given a space to move through their emotions instead of just talk about them. That’s how Punch Therapy was born — blending Muay Thai, strength training, and emotional regulation to help people connect, express, and heal. Today, as I continue my studies in Clinical Psychology, I’m committed to growing this work and helping more kids and families find healing through motion and connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I ran my own gym for five years before deciding to move on and chase something that aligned more deeply with my purpose. I’ve failed more times than I can count — but every setback has taught me something valuable about perseverance and vision. During that time, I was also balancing life as a mom and building a strong, supportive community around my kids and me. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of staying grounded in what really matters. Those experiences are what ultimately led me to create Punch Therapy — a space where I could blend movement, emotional awareness, and connection in a way that truly changes lives.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Punch Therapy?
Punch Therapy is more than just fitness, it’s movement with meaning. We create a safe, controlled space where people, especially adolescents and those in the neurodivergent community, can release emotion through motion. Our sessions combine Muay Thai, strength training, and brain-based exercises that cross the midline, engaging both sides of the brain to support emotional regulation and cognitive growth. What sets us apart is how we bridge physical and mental health in a way that feels natural, empowering, and fun.
I’m most proud that Punch Therapy has become a place where people feel seen, safe, and connected, not just to others, but to themselves. We don’t just teach punches; we teach people how to move through what they’re carrying, both physically and emotionally. Our brand is built on healing human connections one punch at a time, and everything we do from private sessions to coach training, stays rooted in that mission.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I truly believe everything starts with connection. I talk to people everywhere I go whether it is at the gym, at coffee shops, during my kids’ activities because you never know who you might meet or how that moment could shape your path. Relationships are everything. My advice is simple: talk to people, stay curious, and go to places that genuinely excite you. When you show up as yourself and keep learning, you naturally attract like-minded people and the right opportunities tend to follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PunchTherapy.org
- Instagram: @punchtherapy2.0
