Redefining What It Means to Live Well
Health, when it is approached with intention, has a way of transforming everyday life—bringing more energy, deeper connection, and a renewed sense of self. This is the spirit behind Healthy Role Models (HRM), a global women’s fitness and wellness community designed to feel supportive, uplifting, and real. At the centre of it all is founder and CEO Sarah Gilks, whose vision invites women to step into a version of health that feels sustainable, empowering, and truly their own.
Born in Sechelt, British Columbia, and raised in Lantzville from a young age, Gilks has come full circle, returning to the coastal community she still calls home. Today, she lives there with her husband, daughter, and three dogs, while her grown son has already ventured out on his own, all anchored in a lifestyle that reflects the very principles she teaches. Before launching HRM, she worked in vocational rehabilitation within a government role, helping individuals rebuild their lives and careers after injury. That foundation of support and transformation continues to inform her approach today.
“The philosophy behind HRM is that real, lasting health is built through strength training, mindset and supportive community—not extremes or quick fixes,” she explains.
What began as a deeply personal need evolved into a movement. During a period at home raising her children, Gilks found herself missing meaningful connections with women who shared her values around health, growth, and leadership within their families. Unable to find the community she was seeking, she created it.
At the heart of HRM is a commitment to progress over perfection, and strength over shrinking. Its signature 12-week journey offers women a structured, supportive experience that integrates strength-based workouts, realistic nutrition, mindset development, and a connected online community. Designed to fit into real life, rather than disrupt it, the program emphasizes sustainability over intensity.
“Instead of ‘go hard for 12 weeks and burn out,’ our program teaches women how to get stronger physically with exceptional form, feel better mentally, build habits that fit real life and stop starting over.”
What distinguishes HRM is its emphasis on social connection as a core pillar of health. Women from across Canada and around the world come together in a private, supportive space, sharing not only their fitness journeys, but their lives. Bonds are formed that often extend far beyond the digital space, evolving into lasting friendships.
Gilks points to a guiding principle that reflects this ethos: “Surround yourself with people who have the habits you want to have yourself. You’ll rise together.”
Her own life mirrors the structure and intention of the program she leads. Whether she is studying to support individuals in eating disorder recovery, filming content for upcoming HRM journeys, or spending time outdoors hiking and paddleboarding, her days are grounded in movement, mindfulness, and connection. She trains alongside her community, dedicating under an hour each day to workouts, while also prioritizing meditation, journaling, and time outside.
At its core, Gilks’ work is about helping women reconnect with their deeper motivations for health. “The best thing women can do to recharge and reset is to get clear on why their health truly matters to them. Not just ‘I want to lose weight’ or ‘I want to fit into these jeans,’ but deeper reasons like energy, confidence, family and quality of life.”
Through HRM, Sarah Gilks is not only reshaping how women approach fitness, but also how they see themselves, building a model of wellness that begins locally, and continues to resonate globally.