Ambassador’s Corner: Sapien Center

Hello, AFM! My name is Shayne Cerebe, and I’m one of the newest AFM ambassadors.

As a fitness enthusiast living in Austin, you’re in luck — this city is home to some of the best outdoor workout spots in the country. And now, there’s a new player in town that’s taking the fitness scene by storm. Introducing Sapien Center, a unique social club dedicated to ancestral health practices and healthy living.

Formerly a body shop, this space has been transformed into a hub for the health-conscious community, thanks to the vision of founder Brian Sanders. You may recognize Brian as the renowned podcast host of “Peak Human” and owner of Nose to Tail, a premium grass-finished meat delivery company. At Sapien Center, you’ll find a welcoming community that values healthy living, sustainable practices and nose-to-tail consumption of meat.

Brian believes ATX is the best city for his “third space” community dedicated to ancestral health and offers a wide range of health and wellness workshops, classes, and events for members and non-members alike. 

This Ambassador’s Corner is supporting We Are Blood. Thank you for your generosity in the work to provide access to blood for patients in Texas when they need it most. Every donation counts as we work to provide the community with a healthy blood supply. You can donate blood right here in Austin on North Lamar.

Shayne’s Chosen Nonprofit: We Are Blood

Click here to donate!

Now, onto the recap!

I was curious about this new space, so I decided to check it out for myself. Walking into Sapien Center, I was immediately greeted by a range of Nose to Tail products — raw milk, meats, natural body creams and deodorants. Ranch Rider, an ATX seltzer company, is also a sponsor at Sapien. It’s clear that this space is not just a gym but a full-fledged community center, complete with an indoor coworking space that doubles as an event space in the afternoons and evenings. Members and non-members can share and partake in various health and wellness workshops and classes like mobility or somatic breathwork. The event space can hold up to 75 people and is equipped with couches, tables, whiteboards and a giant TV.

One of the standout features of Sapien Center is the beautiful outdoor area adjacent to the indoor space, which can fit up to 100 people. The space is lined with string lights and features a turf ground for exercising. You’ll find the gym, sauna and cold plunge here, along with outdoor showers, smokers, grills and a fire pit. The Center even has a private chef for their BBQs, butchering events and grill-outs.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to do a killer kettlebell flow and workout with Brian’s right-hand man, Matt Grebosky. He’s been working with Brian for just over a year and moved from Charleston to Austin to help bring Sapien Center to life this past October. Together, Brian and Matt opened Sapien’s doors in about four months. And now, the space is booming with events nearly every day of the week.

Sapien Center truly has something for everyone, whether you’re a member or not. You can attend classes like Monday night’s mobility, use the workspace, take a sauna break and participate in events.

Additionally, the Center’s sauna and cold plunge take your experience to a new level, as these sessions are a fantastic way to relax and rejuvenate your body after a workout or to improve your overall health. I felt like an energizer bunny for the rest of the day after just a short session.

In short, Sapien Center is a unique and valuable community hub for anyone interested in ancestral health practices and sustainable living in Austin. And the best part? You don’t have to be a member to enjoy all the amazing events and activities happening here. Just follow their Instagram account @sapiencenter to stay up-to-date on all their exciting happenings. 

So, what are you waiting for? Check it out for yourself and experience the power of ancestral health practices. Hope to see you there!