Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Gronberg.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I grew up in Weston, Mass. I am very thankful to have had the childhood I did. Blessed to have wonderful, loving parents, and be given every opportunity. One thing I am very thankful for when it comes to my upbringing is how well rounded I am. I played every sport, multiple instruments, every form of dance, immersed in the arts, and I got to experience the places I was learning about in history. I think that may explain why I have so many passions and why I have my hands in so many different avenues. I moved to Houston at the end of 99′ and my world pretty much crashed. Everything changed. I became depressed. No one could figure out what was really wrong with me. So, I was put on all types of medication which took away years of my life. I went from being a star to a nobody in no time at all. I lost everything, my confidence, my friends, my drive, the economy crashed and we lost all our money, I turned to drinking and partying and it stayed that way pretty much till I graduated. College wasn’t for me. I became a bikini model/bartender for a while and then realized I really needed to get it together. So, I went off to study music at Berkeley for a summer, came back, and started a band.
First, it was EDM, we got a few things on iTunes, don’t even ask me what name it is under, I hope those songs never resurface, so embarrassing. Then I started an acoustic band with a friend who owned an in-home music company which eventually gave me my start as a piano teacher. I have now branched off and have been a teacher for nearly a decade. But I always had this interest in acting. My introduction started by accident. One day a friend of mine came down with a mysterious case of vertigo right before a big audition. I drove her to the audition, befriended the director, and the rest is history. I think of the director as a sister now. She took me to LA, showed me the ropes. I even got a little taste of the paparazzi when I was there because I was with her, and they thought I must be someone. She was so annoyed, but I thought it was hilarious, but also one of the weirdest experiences of my life. Let me tell you the paparazzi are on a serious mission. When I got back to Houston, I started studying acting at the Film Acting Academy, did a few films and commercials. During this time, I was having difficulty paying for my classes at the Academy and paying all my other obligations, so the owner offered me a position teaching the kids’ class there. I jumped on the offer and could finally go to class stress-free. I taught there for a little over a year and just recently started my own kids’ film acting classes in The Woodlands. I am also now on my way with some of my fellow actors to starting our very own faith-based production company. My love for personal training started when I had to get fit for an action role, but it became a profession when I realized I could no longer support myself on just teaching piano lessons. Not going to lie, I completely fell head over heels in love with my trainer. That’s a story for another day. But stuff like that can be a serious motivator haha. That’s how it started anyway. I got into powerlifting and really enjoyed it. I loved watching my numbers climb. I’ve been lucky to have trained with people whom I consider to be the absolute best in their fields.
One day, I realized I know a lot. People would constantly ask me questions, so I decided to get certified, and now I have a personal training business, a personal training app, and have just become a sponsored fitness model by @violatethedresscode. I’m not just saying this because they took a chance on me, but as far as athletic wear is concerned, it is top and I absolutely love it. Just going to leave this here: www.violatethedresscode.com/SandraG. Amazing the paths that what started as a crush can take you on. Personal training has become a serious passion of mine, I love changing peoples lives. Making them get off that stupid scale, stop measuring themselves, and adopt healthy and balanced lifestyle choices. So, yes, I work nearly 15-hour days sometimes M-Sa. But it gives me the freedom to cancel if I am filming or have a photo shoot. Sunday is my only day off and I usually spend it collaborating and writing with my film team. I make sure I find time to work out every day, eat, study and occasionally shower lol.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been smooth at all. Sometimes, I find myself saying, why can’t you just go get a normal 9-5 and have some financial stability in your life?? The grind can get very tiring, and while it is nice to have some freedom, there are many ups and downs and it can be very difficult to budget. I remember I had only been seriously acting for about six months and I landed a big supporting role and a lead and lost both of them about a month later in the same week. Welcome to acting! Rejection is something you get introduced to rather quickly. Sometimes you feel like you’re in a giant catch 22. Like in the beginning, you can’t get work bc you haven’t done anything, well how am I supposed to do something when no one will give me a chance. Now that we’re digging into the film production side, it’s become, we need investments, but no one knows who we are yet. Hence, the working four flexible jobs to fund what I hope will one day support me. And let’s not forget that you are your own worst critique. You really have to love acting. It can be a very emotional ride.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m gambling with my life. The unknown can be a thrilling, yet scary thing. One thing I can 100% say about acting is that it defiantly makes you feel alive. My mentor told me once that as an actor I had it but that I wasn’t ready till I was spiritually ready. At the time, I had no idea what that had to do with anything. Now, I realize she was 100% correct, and it is everything. Because without trusting God and literally hanging onto Him for dear life sometimes I don’t think my emotional self would survive this business. The aesthetic pressures are a seriously real thing as well. I started acting later in my life because I did not think I was beautiful enough to be on camera. I was convinced that absolutely no one could stand seeing my face on screen for more than a few seconds. This is unfortunately deep-rooted due to my past and something I learn to chip away at every day. It has taken a long time for me to work through some of what I’ve been through and feel like I deserve to be seen at all. I still to this day find it so strange that photographers want to take my photo.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I guess I would call myself a freelance artist. One thing I love about what I do is all the people I get to connect with and work with in different ways. I am so blessed and have a massive support system that I am truly grateful for, without which I would be nothing. In a nutshell, I am a piano teacher who is a fitness model who helps give people confidence by changing their lifestyle, hoping to make the world a better place through film. Just your average American, lol. Our mission is to put positive, and real, messages out into the world through our films. To give hope to the hopeless and let people know they aren’t alone in their struggles. and hopefully set them in a positive direction. I really pray that one day we can impact lives all over the world through film. I am so proud of us girls taking a leap of faith, putting our insecurities behind us, and just going for it. I’m proud of the perfectly imperfect woman I have become and very thankful for the trials I’ve had along the way. Looking back, they all happened for a reason. Though it’s been tough, I wouldn’t change a thing. I want everyone to know that it’s okay to go after what you want. Even if it means starting from the bottom, losing everything multiple times, moving back in with your parents at the age of 30, it’s all okay. I think a common problem we face is what society tells us. But really I think it holds us back and adds a lot of unnecessary stress. I’ve seen people stay in the shadows their whole life just because they are afraid to be seen at the bottom. I have learned to be humble and accept my weaknesses. With God’s help, I have become fearless. Uproot Pictures, founded by Chelsea Lee, Deb Quan and I, is set to take off this summer and I couldn’t be more excited!! This has been a long time coming. So, so blessed ❤️.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories was the Fourth of July. Every year, we took our boat down the Charles River to the Esplanade to hear the Boston Pops play and watch the fireworks. We would pack a lot of food, a two-person raft to paddle around in, and, some years, sleeping bags and pillows if we decided to weigh anchor and spend the night on the river. We always got there early so we could get a good spot in the lagoon with a view of the Hatch Shell. We had a plank that my dad would put out from the boat to the shore, and we would go ashore and walk around throughout the day. There were always people there we knew, and they knew we would be there. My uncles brought their boats too and we would all tie up together. My sister and I liked to hop from boat to boat. It was a giant party. Everyone was dancing, barbecuing, celebrating. It was a huge event! Cannons would blast off to the 1812 overture, fighter jets would do flybys and the fireworks shook the entire boat and seemed perfectly timed to the music. I miss doing that so much!
Pricing:
- For 10% off Violate The Dress Code go to www.violatethedresscode.com/SandraG
Contact Info:
- Email: sandramgronberg@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sandramgronberg
Image Credit:
Mark Rigsby, Mark Wilkinson, Lisa O’Neil
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