Shortly after we moved to Norfolk 10
years ago, I had our daughter, Grace. We
had moved to a town where I knew a few friends, but we were starting in a new
city in a new neighborhood with a new baby girl while I worked remotely from
home. So, when a friend asked if I
wanted to try Stroller Strides, I thought it would be a good way to meet other
moms in the area. Looking back, it’s
easy to see that it was one of the best decisions I made as a mom. Not only was it a great workout (I was a
distance runner until this point and never did any sort of strength training),
but I quickly met some of my closest friends to this day and it has set a
wonderful example of the importance of fitness (and friendship) for our kids.
Fast forward to a year and a half later
and we had our second baby, Andy. The Stroller
Strides community was amazing! They
delivered meals and we were fed for months (literally!) and the support I felt
was incredible. I began teaching
Stroller Strides classes when Andy was 4 months old and was empowered and
strengthened by the other moms in the group.
I would leave each class feeling energized and happy (which is saying a
lot when you have two kids under two with you!).
Then we moved to San Diego where we had
our little Lucy, then to Maryland, and back to Norfolk. When we moved back, I was ecstatic! We were moving back to a city where I still
had close friends and FIT4MOM was there to welcome me once again. A friend planted a seed about the opportunity
to lead this group of mamas and after some thought, I quickly decided to go for
it. That was 10 months ago and what a
blast it’s been!
I honestly wake up every morning
excited about the FIT4MOM village. I
LOVE my job! I love that it’s a way I
can combine my love for my family, friends, and fitness. I love seeing other moms benefit from our
classes the same way I have for the past 9 years. I love being a part of the local community in
this capacity. I love that the kids create
their own Stroller Strides and Body Back workouts at home and that they
themselves love fitness too.
How do I balance being a mom and
working? It helps that I can teach with
Lucy in the stroller or bring Andy to the park to play with friends while we
have class over the summer or have Grace participate in Run Club. I find myself doing the majority of the
organizational work while Lucy’s napping and late at night when the kids are in
bed. It’s a lot of early mornings and
late nights, but I truly feel rewarded and honored to be a part of this village
when I see the sense of community it gives our moms.
My biggest challenge is balancing
family time and FIT4MOM time. I want to
be present with my kids during the time I have with them. I truly feel like I blinked and now have a 9
year old. I don’t want to miss any of
the time I have with these sweet (well, most of the time they’re sweet)
kiddos. I love what I do so I find it
easy to pour myself into emails and teaching and organizing. My goal is always to find time for a few date
nights a month with Matt, one on one time (and family time) with the kids, and
time where I can just focus on FIT4MOM.
My absolute favorite thing about this
job is watching two moms connect in class and smiling to myself, hoping they
are finding some of their greatest and most meaningful relationships in that
moment. I hope my kids find the same
friendship and happiness I have through FIT4MOM and reap the rewards of
physical activity – the same rewards I’ve enjoyed over the past 9 years!
Thanks Caitlin! Check out my posts on Fit4Baby, Stroller Strides, and Body Back 8 week transformation. The first class is always free, let me know if you're interested in trying one!
If you're interested in being featured in She Works Hard for the Mommy, contact me! :)
Thanks Caitlin! Check out my posts on Fit4Baby, Stroller Strides, and Body Back 8 week transformation. The first class is always free, let me know if you're interested in trying one!
If you're interested in being featured in She Works Hard for the Mommy, contact me! :)
