Sarah Hays Coomer is a health journalist, author, and Mayo Clinic- and National Board-certified health coach with a Masters in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins University. 

While coaching hundreds of clients over 20 years and interviewing people about why making time for exercise is so difficult, Sarah always asked, "What would get you off the couch and away from your desk? What would feel easy and freeing?" The answer was almost always: DANCE. 

But they didn't want to go out partying, and they didn't want to follow complicated choreography. They just wanted to gather, dance, escape stress for an hour, and go home.

Sarah's co-founder—social worker, disability rights advocate, painter, and small-scale flower farmer, Linnet Overton—also spent decades noticing that her neighbors and surrounding communities were craving inclusive, accessible, and joyful shared experiences. Through her work and personal life, she has witnessed collective creativity increase strength and a sense of belonging, expand solidarity, and facilitate healing. 

Together, Sarah and Linnet decided silent disco was an obvious and accessible way to get people together and dancing without the pressure of gym culture or the fatigue of night life.

Sara Champagne came on board with a passion for expanding connections, decades of work in hospitality, and deep expertise in marketing and sales through her company Misguided Spirits. In her work, she has also seen the power of play to build community. 

From many different directions, all three saw the damage done by isolating, self-punishing "wellness" practices—and the enormous value and power of social wellness. 

GrooveRx is the first of many JoyRushLab projects focused on bringing wellness off the internet and into joyful, community activities that are rooted in both arts and science.