Meet Sydney West | Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney West and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance is a funny phrase to me. If you are passionate and driven by your goals and what you seek most in life, success, then the balance of work and life will never be. For me, I don’t see it as a balance. My life is my work and my work is my life, but I don’t see it as work. I love what I do and what I have the privilege to do every day. I wake up and strive to achieve all the goals that I wrote out the night before and I get the privilege to not worry about common life threats because I make sure they are not a threat. Believing in what my husband and I set out to do over 10 years ago was a struggle, but we had little doubt in the outcome because we knew we would live our life to make this “work” happen. It is always evolving and what we have achieved is desirable, but does not come without eating, breathing, and living with little sleep to achieve it.

Now, more than ever I feel this answer is slightly altered because we have two little buddies along for the ride with us, our sons, Adrian and Julian are a blessing that we hoped we would be blessed to have. To be parents is an amazing gift and has definitively tested our work life balance. Work is entangled into our daily lives and now we have the work of being the most present and best parents to these little boys. The work does not fault, it is just altered. Showing and instilling in them the values of a hard work ethic while staying true and present.

We have always taken the time to balance our life with travels and adventures. One thing that is a must and has helped our business to thrive. We are always seeking to be the best at what we do and what we bring our clients. Travel allows your mind to rest but also allows for new creative ideas to emerge. We learn as we explore and we bring that back to our business. We expand with ideas and many of our best business ideas and decisions have come on flights or while walking through big cities and foreign countries.

I’ll leave this rant the way I started it, the work is your life if it isn’t work.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As a brand and company focusing on holistic practice and catering to the whole person is the MO. We strive to be set apart from the rest because we take the organic approach that not all people are the same and not all cases or stories can be put into one box. Taking the time to listen and to understand is what we value and strive to give to each and every person. We are most proud and excited when we find answers and we make plans and we see those plans followed through. The joy of having long term clients that want to actively feel better and not reactive, rather proactive is the mindset we wish to instill into all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The best time ever in Elkins, West Virginia is the outdoors! A trip to the ski slopes is a must in our family and we have numerous mountains right beside us! Snowshoe, Canaan and Timberline are the 3 right in our backyard. Hiking, swimming or skiing these mountains are at the top of the list for the weekend. We love the atmosphere of our small town and the locals sure do know how to entertain. Local coffee shop like Tip Top, amazing Venezuelan food from El Gran, local thrift shop, Clementines, where you are sure to find a gem to take home and new food spot StrEeatery with chef Kevin.
We would absolutely finish the weekend with a nice dinner out at the Forks and then a night cap at the brewery, Big Timber.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Kyle, my husband, he is the wheels, the engine and the mind behind all of it! I am the oil that keeps all things moving. We know our roles and I know what it takes to be successful in what I do and he absolutely does as well. We complete one another, not just as husband and wife but as business partners. He is integral in what I get to do everyday and my rock, our rock every night with our family. To my family. Who are the biggest cheerleaders and support. My parents, Martha and Jerry Metheny, have always encouraged and believed in what we do and what we wanted to create. My sisters, brother in laws and nieces and nephews, sending daily check ins and weekly fist pumps towards our mission. My in-laws, who are an unbelievable support, Lauri and Jim, we could not do what we do without you both.
And to my former Coach, Nikki Izzo-Brown, who taught me of my power, importance and voice as a strong woman.

Website: 7performance.com

Instagram: Seven7performance and sydneymichaelwest

Image Credits
Family photo – Audrie Fox with Studio Fox Photography