Sarah Livingstone, MSW
Founder & CEO of ARE U Motivated — facilitator, educator, and the person behind The Connection Hour.
Sarah Livingstone, MSW
Sarah Livingstone is the founder and CEO of ARE U Motivated. With more than 20 years of experience working with diverse populations, her work began with youth and families and later expanded in 2022 to include teaching employees and small groups practical skills related to burnout awareness, de-escalation, and prevention.
Through ARE U Motivated and The Connection Hour, Sarah facilitates guided, discussion-based sessions that support both families and organizations. With teenagers and their guardians, sessions focus on building healthier communication, strengthening emotional awareness, and developing practical life skills for everyday challenges. With employees and small groups, discussions emphasize recognizing early signs of burnout, improving communication, and responding to stress in ways that prevent escalation.
Sarah has worked with youth and families through numerous organizations, including Partnership For Strong Families, Alachua County Public Schools, the Rutgers University TRIO Program, the Child Advocacy Center, O2B Kids!, Take Stock in Children of Florida, HOPE Worldwide, UF College of Education's Akwaaba Freedom School, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and Trinity United Methodist Church.
She has also provided training for organizations, colleges, and professional groups — including the University of Florida's William & Grace Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce's Greater Gainesville Young Professionals and Small Business Support Group, The Children's Trust of Alachua County, the Florida Public Relations Association Gainesville Chapter, The Founders Group, and Alachua County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force.
Credentials
- Master of Social Work (MSW) — Concentration in Management & Leadership
- Bachelor of Science — Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Associate of Science — Elementary Education
Experience
Partnership For Strong Families • Alachua County Public Schools • Rutgers University TRIO Program • Child Advocacy Center • O2B Kids! • Take Stock in Children of Florida • HOPE Worldwide • Akwaaba Freedom School • 21st Century Community Learning Centers • Trinity United Methodist Church • The Founders Group • Alachua County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force
Grounded in What Works
Sarah's work is grounded in social work principles that she brings into every Connection Hour session — not as theory, but as a practical lens for how people are seen and supported.
Strengths-Based
Focusing on existing abilities, resilience, and potential rather than deficits — because every person already has something to build from.
Person-in-Environment
Understanding that people exist within families, communities, and systems that shape their experiences and choices.
Developmental Awareness
Tailoring discussions to reflect the emotional, cognitive, and social realities of participants — meeting people where they are.
Empathy & Nonjudgment
Creating spaces where people feel safe to reflect, share, and explore new perspectives without fear of being judged.
Skill Development
Emphasizing practical, repeatable skills rather than one-time insights — because real change happens through practice.
Community Partnerships
Bringing The Connection Hour to organizations wherever people gather — in-person or virtually, across communities and settings.
Testimonials
"We had the chance to work with Sarah Livingstone from ARE U Motivated for a burnout training, and it was exactly what our team needed. The training was engaging, easy to follow, and full of practical takeaways. Sarah broke down burnout in a way that made sense — what it looks like, why it happens, and what we can do about it. She gave us realistic tools we can use every day, both individually and as a team."
"I found the workshop to be deeply useful and engaging. Sarah's professional yet conversational style was able to not only hold our attention, but made us learn deeper. Her use of various scenarios was meaningful and relatable. As an academic with both scholarly and administrative responsibilities, I found it to be very useful for my career. I highly recommend Sarah Livingstone!"
"Her style is deeply compassionate and engaging, and she led all of us through several very useful exercises that we will return to again and again. I would highly recommend Sarah Livingstone to any organization or group looking to go a little deeper with one another to build a culture of self-care."
"Sarah was a fantastic speaker for my group of professionals. She delivered her message in a way that was both engaging and entertaining, helping the group really understand what burnout is and how to manage it. The discussion during her presentation was lively, and everyone was truly engaged."
Ready to Bring The Connection Hour to Your Organization?
In-person and virtual sessions available for youth organizations, schools, workplaces, nonprofits, and small groups.
Inquire About Booking Learn About the Program