Manchester-based wellbeing professional embraces massive leap out of comfort zone with exciting new identity
Sara Kay, founder of Serious Laughter and acclaimed Laughter Yoga Teacher accredited by the FHT, has officially changed her name to Sunny Turner, marking a significant personal milestone that coincides with the first day of summer.
The decision, which Turner describes as both “scary and exciting,” represents a massive leap out of her comfort zone and the culmination of years of daily challenges with name pronunciation and confusion.
“If you can imagine the same question being asked every day – ‘Are you a Sarah or a Saaaara?’ – it has taken a huge amount of time, energy, patience, resilience, and polite correction,” explains Turner. “It happens everywhere: at the bank, doctors’ appointments, with neighbours, during networking events, client meetings, phone calls, emails – even at Mum’s hairdresser!”
Turner estimates she has faced this pronunciation challenge more than 20,805 times throughout her career. “I felt unable to escape from it, but then thought, wait – it is possible!” she laughs, embodying the joyful spirit that defines her work.
The timing of the name change holds special significance, taking place on the summer solstice – a symbolic fresh start that aligns perfectly with Turner’s mission to bring the benefits of laughter and lighten up people’s lives.
As the vibrant founder of Serious Laughter, Turner has built a reputation for her empathetic approach to wellbeing, having entered the Laughter Yoga world through her own experience with depression. This personal journey has given her profound understanding of those who may be sceptical about unique wellbeing workshops.
Turner delivers conference ice-breakers, talks, wellness workshops, and Laughter Yoga Leader Training courses both in-person and online to businesses, mental health organisations, and community groups across Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, and throughout the UK.
Her speciality lies in Laughter and Deep Relaxation methods for stress relief, helping people cope with life and work challenges. Through simulated laughter exercises creating genuine hearty laughter without the need for jokes, comedy, or humour.
“You don’t need to be happy to laugh,” Turner emphasises, reflecting the core philosophy that has made her workshops transformative for over 13,000 participants since 2017.
“I chose Sunny as a symbol of brightness and positivity, like a personal affirmation, after hearing the song of the same name by Bobby Hebb.” She goes on to explain about her choice of surname “Turner happens to be my mother’s birth name and it feels like a strong stage presence for my favourite work delivering from the stages around the country.”
The name change represents more than just administrative convenience – it symbolises Turner’s commitment to authenticity and her willingness to model the courage required to make positive life changes, however daunting they may seem.
The journey from Sara Kay to Sunny Turner exemplifies the transformative power of taking decisive action, even when it feels scary. Her story serves as an inspiration to others who may be contemplating their own life changes, demonstrating that sometimes the biggest leaps lead to the brightest outcomes.
About Sunny Turner and Serious Laughter:
Sunny Turner is a Museum of Happiness Facilitator and FHT-accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher with a driving passion to make a difference to lives. Through Serious Laughter, she serves Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, and the whole UK, offering innovative wellbeing solutions that combine professional expertise with genuine empathy and understanding.
