Photos by Ralph Freso
Maria Sartin is used to clearing hurdles on the track.
But in the business world, the Grand Canyon University graduate student is striving for new heights in the established and competitive women's activewear industry.
In less than a year since arriving at GCU, Sartin’s Uncontainable company has made such an impact that it moved into the university's Canyon Ventures startup business accelerator.
It is quite a testament to the determination of Sartin, who often heard she was facing insurmountable odds against women’s apparel titans, such as Lululemon.
“I feel like I got told that a lot,” Sartin said at her Canyon Ventures work station. “Actively, there's so many big companies that you hear, ‘You'll never do good, good luck,’ like doubting what I do.
“It was something that I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do and do it for the purpose of spreading Uncontainable to other women and just helping them feel good about themselves. I guess when I'm doubting, I'm (thinking), ‘OK, if I doubt, then how are other women not going to get past that doubt?’”
Sartin, who grew up in New Zealand, started her business at Concordia University Irvine in Southern California, where she earned a degree in finance and marketing in 2024 and holds the school record for top time in the indoor 400 meters (56.73 seconds).
She gained experience in business by working for her parents’ business, which imports American products to grocery stores.
Her clothing business was launched as a passion project during her freshman year at Concordia, but she wanted to elevate it after earning her bachelor’s degree.
GCU was an option because she had eligibility left to compete for the outdoor track team as a hurdler. That option became a reality once she learned about the student marketplaces conducted by the IDEA Club through a friend who attended GCU.
“Uncontainable is more than athleticwear. It’s a symbol of purpose,” Canyon Ventures Director Robert Vera said. “Every woman who chooses Uncontainable is on a journey to fulfill the greatness God has planted within her. Maria Sartin believes in God’s powerful plan for her life and lives like it.”
Enrolling at GCU has enabled Sartin to run track this spring, complete her requirements for a master’s degree in business and expand her business through marketplaces and Canyon Ventures.
“I was just looking for a holistic program,” Sartin said. “And I love how it's a big Christian university and incorporates servant leadership and Christian principles in business, which is really unique.”
And she takes pride in making a distinction between her clothing line and competitors.
“We promote all different kinds of models, whether that's different diversity backgrounds, different shapes, different sizes,” she said. “And then we did it last semester, but we're starting up our women's free community yoga as well.
“So we have that every week. Basically, it's just bringing all types of women together to empower one another, support one another, grow together through yoga and community.”
Specifically, Sartin is building a brand that helps women believe in themselves.
“It's more than just like an activewear brand,” Sartin said. “I feel if I just had an activewear brand, I probably wouldn't believe in myself. But we're trying to grow community and help women love who they are.”
Former GCU sprinter Macie Evans loves the Uncontainable wardrobe because of its comfort, value and customer service, the latter a big perk for GCU students who may have limited transportation options to sample similar clothing from competitors.
"I wanted to support a local small business, and the quality is very good," Evans said. "I run track with her, and there's not a lot of clothing brands that you can wear thoroughly and run track. They look amazing, and it's a woman-supporting business, which is awesome."
Sartin’s roots in helping others stem from her education in New Zealand, where a Māori perspective of Hauora (it translates to "health and well-being") was part of the curriculum.
“It’s all about your whole well-being is made out of your physical, spiritual, social and emotional self,” she said. “I feel anyone can reach their fullest potential when they try to take care of each person.”
Uncontainable’s new line of clothing includes an emblem, or affirmation, that encourages women to be strong and embrace their power.
“More purpose,” she said with a smile.
She is also grateful that it took her about nine months before moving into Canyon Ventures because she did not think she was immediately ready.
“Now I feel ready and ready to grow even more with my business while spreading good vibes and helping women, said Sartin, who runs the business with occasional assistance from her boyfriend.
“My dream is to create an Uncontainable center where we have a gym for women,” Sartin said. “We would have social events that we call to connect women, like hormone seminars, financial planning or wellness stuff that women don't really know about.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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