Our Story
Jarreau Pelote
Sarah Pollak
Build UP Fit was born before sunrise one morning outside Sarah’s shop—her window shattered yet again. As she waited for sunrise and repairs, a passerby remarked on the criminals behind such acts, wondering aloud why they didn’t just get jobs.
Sarah knew a thing of two about the answer to that question, and would like to thank that strange
Build UP Fit was born before sunrise one morning outside Sarah’s shop—her window shattered yet again. As she waited for sunrise and repairs, a passerby remarked on the criminals behind such acts, wondering aloud why they didn’t just get jobs.
Sarah knew a thing of two about the answer to that question, and would like to thank that stranger! She understood the many barriers that prevent people from any employment, much less meaningful employment where they feel valued and motivated to excel.
What the passerby didn’t know was that Sarah had been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for a young man aging out of foster care—a young man whose life had been shaped by systemic incarceration and who had faced time in custody himself. He was also charming and polite and had, in their weekly meetings over the years, coached her in pool, basketball, and fitness.
Inspired by his story and so many others like his, Sarah envisioned something more for her city—a place where people from all walks of life could come together to build strength, community, and purpose. That vision became Build UP Fit: a space for physical and mental growth, where connection, resilience, and transformation are part of every workout.
Welcome to a fitness community where everyone has a place—and a story worth building on.
Sarah Pollak
Jarreau Pelote
Sarah Pollak
A longtime San Francisco entrepreneur, Sarah built a successful retail business, Mom's the Word, while raising two children—one born just eight months after opening her shop. From day one prioritizing the client experience was paramount. She achieved continued success by curating an exceptional collection focused on quality and style,
A longtime San Francisco entrepreneur, Sarah built a successful retail business, Mom's the Word, while raising two children—one born just eight months after opening her shop. From day one prioritizing the client experience was paramount. She achieved continued success by curating an exceptional collection focused on quality and style, and by prioritizing people over profit, offering above market wages, benefits-health insurance and an IRA, and flexibility to staff.
In 2020 when retail was closed and people were not getting dressed, she became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth) for a 17-year-old who had,and still is, navigating many systems. He and the other young people she met through him showed her what resilience, care, and commitment truly look like.
Jarreau Pelote
Jarreau Pelote
Jarreau Pelote
Raised in Sacramento and shaped by time spent in Massachusetts, Jarreau Pelote brings years of experience as a personal trainer and coach. His childhood love of sports, instruments and theatre are still a part of him.
His personal training journey began at Inner City Weightlifting, where he used fitness as a tool for empowerment—lifting
Raised in Sacramento and shaped by time spent in Massachusetts, Jarreau Pelote brings years of experience as a personal trainer and coach. His childhood love of sports, instruments and theatre are still a part of him.
His personal training journey began at Inner City Weightlifting, where he used fitness as a tool for empowerment—lifting both himself and others in the process.
Since then, Jarreau has continued to build his own training business, remaining committed to the same purpose: growth, strength, and transformation.
His goal is to help people develop the mindset and skills they need to thrive both inside and outside the gym. This is what really drives him, being with people, being of service and building strengths.