You probably already know this, but we have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Katie Henry!

...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for April! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Joanna Band!

Joanna is fun, full of energy and cheerful, pushing herself through each SS class. Even when she was going through a rough time with her son Harrison not wanting to be in the stroller, she never gave up. Having both of them in my classes is a true joy. Me and Harrison became friends from the very first class, I enjoyed holding him (and working on my biceps at the same time) and talking to him. Thank you for being part of our Montgomery Mall crew Joanna. The best part is , you are not going anywhere , we will get to see you with double stroller soon :) ~ Instructor Ewa

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We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Ginny Meyerhuber!

It is such a bittersweet month, spotlighting one of our team members who brought so many smiles to families around her in her playgroups and interactions. With this spotlight, we'd love to wish Ginny the very best as she takes off her playgroup captain hat and gets ready to move back to California next month.

Ginny, it's been an absolute pleasure having you and your beautiful girls here in our village. You've been a wonderful addition to our #dreamteam, and please know you always have a home here with us at #fit4mommoco! Please don't be a stranger! I'll miss you! xoxoxo

~Heather

1. Who are the members of your family?

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for March! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Stephanie Schoop!

Stephanie has such a kind, generous spirit! She has been truly dedicated to Body Back and it is amazing to see how hard she works in class and how strong she has become.~ Instructor Claire

Stephanie's cheerful energy is contagious! She fully immersed her self in Body Back, pushing herself in each class and it's paying off. I can't imagine our classes without her friendly smile and wonderful presence. ~ Instructor Dana

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Check out what we have going on this month!

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Claire Barry!

...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for February! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Dana Quass!

It is always a pleasure having Dana and Kirwan in class! I admire her dedication. Most of us with older kids know that there is usually a brief but challenging phase when your toddler goes through separation anxiety and doesn't want to stay in the stroller. I admire how Dana has seemed so cool and relaxed helping her son get through that stage. She has been a great example of keeping your sense of humor with one of those developmental stages that we have almost all been through with our babies (or will experience eventually!).~ Instructor Ashley

Dana is such a joy to have in class. She always comes ready to work hard no matter how hot or cold it might be outside. She also pushed through when her son was in that lovely...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Ann Jackson!

If you know Ann, you know she's one of those people who you just feel lucky to know. She's high-energy, high-fun, and she cares so deeply about the moms and families in this village. Ann is our Playgroup Captain at Westfield Wheaton, so you'll always find her there on Monday mornings, but she frequents many other classes throughout the week as well. Thank you, thank you Ann for your dedication and commitment to providing fun hands-on activities to our families! We are truly so lucky to have you as part of our team here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County. Read on to get to know more about this incredible mama!

xo, Heather

1. Who are the members of your family?

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for January! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Sarah Dorris!

Sarah is one strong mom, and I don’t just mean physically, although her push ups are always impressive! She has a positive attitude in everything she does from motherhood to her business and workouts. She comes to class ready to work and is a consistent smiling face at our Clarksburg classes. We love having you in our village! ~Instructor Katie Henry

Sarah is one of those people that I just feel honored to know. She's kind + caring, and her determination is off the charts. She comes to class every chance she gets, and when she's there she W O R K S. Hard. She inspires those around her, and I couldn't be happier that she's part of this village! ~Instructor Heather

We asked Sarah a few questions so we can all get to know...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Jessica McCann!

If you attend our Saturday family class on a regular basis, then you probably know Jessica! While she works full time during the week, we're lucky to have her teach a weekend or two each month!

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for December! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Marlene Campbell!

I remember Marlene’s very first class like it was yesterday (it wasn’t!)...and she’s been coming regularly ever since! We were recently talking about having multiple little ones at home (and the chaos that can ensue as a result), and her attitude about motherhood + coming to class as part of her daily routine is just SO refreshing. She works hard in class every morning, she’s an amazing mama to those two {{gorgeous}} girls, and she’s fun to chat with too! ~ Instructor Heather

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for November! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Cathrina Gaba!

Cathrina is a ball of sunshine and energy, and she radiates her positivity every time I see her. Her presence in class always brings laughter, smiles, and a good time. Stroller Strides at Montgomery Mall is not the same if she isn’t there!~ Instructor Lyndsey

Cathrina is full of positive energy. Her beautiful smile is contagious! Both her and Jack are always so super happy. From the first day she started coming to SS she was, and still is, fully committed to all workouts! I absolutely love having Cathrina in my classes! ~ Instructor Ewa

Cathrina has made this community her village from day 1! Her generous, warm, fun loving spirit is such a joy to be around! I love seeing her gaining strength and confidence in class!...

This village is FULL of talented writers, and it's time we start showing off some of your blogs and websites! Today's entry (our very first Contribution from Our Village!) is an oldie but GOODIE taken from Andie's blog, A Brighter Little Home. There's a chance we were a little biased, but we just LOVE how this entry spotlights our classes and what a mom can expect in class. Thank you Andie for spotlighting OUR classes - we are so thankful!

Striding with a Stroller: One mom's journey from exercise-hater to working out 3 times a week

Originally published August 23, 2016

A couple of months ago, I saw a friend on Facebook tagged in a post about this CRAZY-SOUNDING exercise class called Stroller Strides. Although, I have hated pretty much all forms of exercise apart from yoga during my whole adulthood, I must admit, I was immediately intrigued. During my last pregnancy, I dealt with borderline gestational diabetes (borderline because I vomited through...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Dana Adebiyi!

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for October! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Jessica Hillenbrand!

I vividly remember one of the first times Jessica came to class. She came with a sense of calmness and worked hard from the start. Over the last year and a half I have been lucky enough to see Jessica tackle motherhood and fitness with a great sense of humor and perspective. She is a fun and supportive mom in our village!~ Instructor Katie

Jessica is a strong, amazing momma! She pushes herself during workouts and to accomplish goals. She crushed her 5k with run club last year! She is also hilarious, and her dry wit makes every work-out with her a blast. Chase is unbelievably lucky to have her as his mom!~ Instructor Andie

We asked Jessica a few questions so we can all get to...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and we thought it would be nice if everyone could get to know a little more about each one of them. We're excited to continue our spotlight this month with our INCREDIBLE owner Heather Galladora!

Heather is a warm hearted, generous and motivated woman and mother. I will never forget first meeting her at a Fit4Mom table in Rockville Town Square. I picked up on her friendliness and genuine care for others that day and it shows through in every conversation she has. She is a true inspiration to me as a mother and instructor, Seeing her do everything she does as a mom, wife, fitness instructor and franchise owner makes me want to be the best that I can be. I'm thankful to have such an amazing lady leading this Village, because we all know...it takes a village! ~ Instructor Lyndsey

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for September! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Katie Delaney!

Katie always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face during the hardest parts of any workout! She is encouraging and inspiring when everyone's muscles are burning.~ Instructor Andie

Katie is very dedicated , strong , friendly and fun to be around. We went through one session of BB together and I'm still impressed by her over 4 minutes of high knees at final assessment. She is very consistent and comes to multiple classes. I'm always happy to see her and chat with her! ~ Instructor Ewa

Katie is one strong mama with awesome form! She consistently works hard and has been a part of the Fit4MOM village for years. It's refreshing to have her in my classes! ~ ...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Sharon Goebeler!

I met Sharon at a Mommy & Me event a little over two years ago, and I just knew from that moment that she'd be an amazing addition to our village. Fast forward a few months from then, and I was asking her to lead playgroup in Arora Hills because I had no doubt she'd be the PERFECT addition to the team! Sharon may be one of the most organized, kindest souls I've ever met, and she's always coming up with fun things for kiddos and for us! Sharon, I know I'm not the only one who appreciates all of the time, energy and creativity you dedicate to FIT4MOMMOCO. We are so fortunate and lucky to have you and the girls in our lives! Thank you! :)

1. Who are the members of your family?

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for August ! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Fabiana Silva!

Fabiana is absolutely wonderful , warm and super friendly ! She always has good advices for other moms . I love talking to her after class . I've met her few years ago and I'm so glad that she still comes to SS, even though her kids are already at school!~ Instructor Ewa

Fabiana is warm and friendly and smart! In addition to being a fun person to work out with, she also gives great mom-to-mom advice. She faces every challenge with a smile. I love her longtime dedication to our village!~Instructor Ashley

Fabiana is such a ray of sunshine! Every class she attends she is always smiling and motivating fellow mamas. We are so lucky to have such a great mama in our tribe!~Instructor Lyndsey

We asked...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Maya Ammons!

I've known Maya for a little over four years now, and I've been lucky enough to see her step into the role of instructor, where she truly S H I N E S. She loves what she does, and that's clear in every class she teaches. She is one of those people who has a gift - the ability to make anyone around her smile (and hold that plank for an extra second). Her energy is amazing (& contagious!), and I'm so thankful to have her on this team! She's often a sounding board for me, she listens to my ideas (even when they're crazy), and she often has amazing ideas to bring to the table herself. Thank you, Maya, for all you do for FIT4MOMMOCO, for our team, and for me! If you haven't tried one of Maya's classes yet, get out there and give one a try! xo, Heather

Read...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for July! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Judith Shattuck!

Judith is so fun to have in class! You can see when she sets her mind to something and gets fierce about her workout! She is a strong and thoughtful individual and mother.~ Instructor Claire

Judith is hilarious and she is a joy to have in class! She always works hard and helps make new moms feel welcome. She sets a great example for her kiddos by showing them how much fun a healthy lifestyle can be! ~ Instructor Adrienne

We asked Judith a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband Jay, Sophia (5) and Houston (2)

2. What is/was your career?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....our newest addition to the instructor team, Andie Burke!

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We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for June! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Susan Dutra!

“Susan is such a committed member! She isn't super close to any location but that doesn't hinder her in the least! She has done it all- Strides, Body Back, Run Club! And it's a family affair for her too as her adult daughter and husband also come to class!” ~Instructor Claire

“I wouldn't be surprised if Susan went from Stroller Strides straight to the hospital to deliver her new bundle of joy, that is how dedicated she is. Susan is always in class ready to work hard with a smile on her face! Her hard work is inspiring to all moms and moms to be.” ~ Instructor Katie

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We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Lyndsey Neal!

I vividly remember meeting Lyndsey at Mommy & Me at Rockville Town Square about a year ago. She had just moved to town, and I was SO excited to find out that she already knew about FIT4MOM! Lyndsey and Brynn were an amazing addition to our classes from the get-go, and of course they still are! Lyndsey has a way of spreading such happiness and joy to others around her, and it wasn't long after she joined that I knew she'd be an amazing Playgroup Captain. Since she started, she's come up with countless fun activities, field trips and crafts for us. She loves working with kiddos, and that is evident by how she does so. If you haven't had the opportunity to join her for playgroup, head to Montgomery Mall on a Thursday morning. There's sure to be something fun for your little one(s)...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for May! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Andrea Kenny!

"Andrea always has a smile on her face. She makes the effort to come to both Stroller Strides and Body Back throughout the week ready to work hard despite being busy with her own business. Andrea is an awesome addition to our village! " ~Instructor Katie

"Andrea is a consistently hard worker and always positive!" ~Instructor Maya

We asked Andrea a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband Mike, daughter Charlotte (3) and son Owen (18 months).

2. What is/was your career?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Adrienne Settles!

I remember Adrienne's first few classes like they were yesterday! From the very beginning Adrienne always brought her contagious smile with her, and I always loved the energy she brought to my classes! When I became the owner of FIT4MOM Montgomery County I had a vision for what I wanted playgroups and Our Village to be...and I knew that I wanted her to be part of it! While Adrienne is an amazing Playgroup Captain (and now instructor! yahoo!), she's always done so much more than what you actually see from the outside. She's been a sounding board for me, someone who I know will understand and support my crazy ideas, and I cannot express how thankful I am for her! Adrienne talked about wanting to become an instructor for years, and how lucky are we that she was able to go through...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for April! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Christine Greaney!

"Christine is never late and is always ready to push hard! " ~Instructor Ewa

"Christine wins the awards for best attendance and for punctuality! She is a consistent, positive presence at class! I can always rely on her to show up, literally and figuratively...she happily works hard!" ~Instructor Claire

We asked Christine a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Me, my husband Jeff, and Madison (15 months)

2. What is/was your career?

I was a Kindergarten and Pre-school teacher, but am currently a stay at home mom.

3. When was your first class and what do you remember about it?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Ewa Kowalska!

I can remember meeting Ewa soon after I started attending Stroller Strides classes, way back in our White Flint days. She always brought such a positive energy to class, and it was contagious - just as it is now! Ewa is always smiling, and she is one of the most genuine and caring people I know. She's a wonderful instructor, a baby-whisperer (have you seen how amazing she is with the littles in her classes?! They all love her and flock to her for good reason!), and an amazing role model. I am beyond lucky to know her, and I'm thrilled she's part of our team here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County. If you haven't been fortunate enough to attend any of Ewa's classes, I highly recommend you do! She teaches Stroller Strides at Montgomery Mall on Thursdays, and she can be found teaching early...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for March! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Beth Hoffman!

"Beth is in class consistently, whether she has Austin with her or not, and when she's there she WORKS! She's always enthusiastic and welcoming to other moms, and she's so much fun to have in class! " ~Instructor & Franchise Owner Heather

We asked Beth a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My family includes my husband Cory (March 10th is our 10 year wedding anniversary), Bella (9 years old) and Austin (2 years old).

2. What is/was your career?

I've always been a stay at home mom and have loved every single minute! I met my husband while he was active duty in the US Air Force ...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for February! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Laetitia Poturoglu!

"Laetitia does an absolutely great job pushing herself during classes, always with a smile . She is a dedicated mom and wife . Her healthy and so very well organized lifestyle inspires many moms! She is very determined and strong . Having Laetitia, Dylan and Juliette in class is a true pleasure, I must admit she is my favorite French person I've ever met ! ~Instructor Ewa

"I am impressed at how Laetitia doesn't let anything stop her from participating in class. If Juliette is hungry or needs some comfort, she finds a way to give that attention while still getting her workout in! Her ability to multi-task is awesome!" ~Instructor Claire

We asked Laetitia a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for January 2017! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Ginny Meyerhuber!

"I am so impressed by Ginny's intensity! You can see when Ginny lights a fire under herself and really goes for it. So awesome! She brings that same intensity to loving and nurturing her family." ~Instructor Claire

"I love how Ginny challenges herself by making fitness goals that go outside her natural comfort zone. Watching her push herself to new levels is inspiring ." ~Instructor Ashley

"Ginny is strong and sensitive at the same time. She never gives up and always tries her hardest at workouts. Comes to class on a regular basis, always ready to sweat! Ginny is dedicated to her new passion - running! And she is fun to hang out with after class !" ~Instructor Ewa

We asked Ginny a few questions so we can all get to know her...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for December! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Andie Burke!

"Andie is so dedicated to her fitness goals she would often do Stroller Strides and Body Back in the same day. Now that's impressive! Go Andie!" ~Instructor Jessica

"It has been incredible to see Andie grow as an athlete over the last few months. She pushes herself out of her comfort zone and it shows. Keep up the hard work, Andie!!" ~Instructor Katie

We asked Andie a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Stephen (my husband of almost ten years), Amelia (2 1/2 years), Emerson (8 months), and Kuzco the Dog (9).

2. What is/was your career?

...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for November! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Pia Chirinos!

"All it took was suggesting to Pia one time that she should try Stroller Strides. She came the very next time and has been a regular since! Pia had to take a break from classes over the summer when her older kids were out of school but she was back the very first day that schools started this Fall! She and her adorable daughter, Abby share the warmest smiles with their Fit4Mom friends and have become vital parts of Our Village! ~Instructor Claire

We asked Pia a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

The members of my family are Andy (my husband) , Sergio (10) , Leah (7) and Abby (19 months).

2. What is/was your career?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Katie Henry!

Katie joined us as a Stroller Strides client last winter in Clarksburg. I remember her first day vividly even though I wasn't even in town that day! But she reached out to me to let me know just how much she loved her first class experience -- enough that she already knew she wanted to become more involved. Fast forward almost a year, and she's teaching Stroller Strides classes and getting ready to jump right in as a Body Back coach. That's right! She just finished her Body Back co-teaching this morning (yahoo!), and will be teaching a few more times a week for us beginning next week. If you haven't been to Katie's class yet, I recommend you do! She is full of energy & enthusiasm, and she'll make sure you and your little(s) have a great experience in class!

Read on to get to...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for October! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Colleen Church!

"Colleen is a rockstar. She is always yelling motivating and inspiring sayings to push a fellow mama. She really tries her hardest at workouts!" ~Instructor Maya

"Colleen has absolutely jumped in at 100%. She's the cheerleader several mamas need some mornings (myself included)! " ~Instructor Heather

We asked Colleen a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

The members of my family include my husband Tyler, our daughter, Lillian (17 months) , and our dog, Oscar (4 years).

2. What is/was your career?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. I'm excited to continue our spotlight this month with....Kristy Morales!

I remember when Kristy first started attending classes in Downtown Silver Spring (wah...I miss teaching down that way!) years ago. Thankfully, she decided to join us as a monthly member, and then she started coming All. The. Time. She became a regular in class, worked hard & socialized hard, and when I was in the process of buying this business I knew I needed her to be on my team! Kristy has a sense of humor that is impossible to resist. Just try, but you won't be able to leave her class without smiling and laughing a LOT. Kristy teaches Stroller Strides, but she's also an amazing running coach. Haven't tried one of her classes? I recommend you do! You can find her in Silver Spring, at RIO for Running Moms' Club, and on the Saturday Stroller Strides schedule now and...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for September! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Chrissy Fleishman!

"From the minute I met Chrissy at Stroller Strides I was instantly drawn to her positive attitude and love for her son, Bram. The more I learned about her, the more I was inspired by her story. It's rare you meet someone with such a unique journey to motherhood, it makes me feel even more grateful to have such a wonderful mom like Chrissy in our village. I always look forward to seeing her at the Saturday class. Keep up the good work, Chrissy! You deserve this recognition." ~Instructor Jessica

We asked Chrissy a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

...

We have an amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County, and I thought it would be nice if we could get to know a little more about each one of them. So....I'm excited to announce that beginning this month, I'll choose a team member to spotlight each month, and this month we'll put the spotlight on Claire Barry.

I first met Claire in 2012 at my very first Stroller Strides class (hello, White Flint!). She was incredibly welcoming and encouraging even then, before she ever became an instructor. Little did I know that she would be the wonderful instructor she is, let alone on my team. She's always been so positive, easy to approach, and so down to earth. She's a great listener, teaches a killer (always creative!) class, and is a great friend. Most importantly, she's an awesome mom to Sylvia and Hazel. If you haven't had the opportunity to take one of Claire's classes, I suggest you check the schedule and go! You won't be disappointed. :)

Read on to get to know more about Claire and her time with...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for August! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Tien Tran!

"Tien is a very dedicated, strong and amazing person ! Fun to be around ! I love to hear all about her homemade food! Each time you see her or her kids snacking on something, it is probably made by Tien! I tried a few recipes she sent me ☺️ Absolutely great! I always laugh when she says that Lucas is a trouble maker, every time I see him he is like an angel 😇 " Instructor Ewa

We asked Tien a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My family includes Michael (my husband), Madeline (almost 5), Lucas (3), and myself.

2. What is/was your career?

I was a Portfolio Manager for an ETF company, now I'm a sahm.

3. How long have you...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for July! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Alice Hughes!

" Alice started Stroller Strides when her daughter Harper was only six weeks old. Even though she was new to motherhood she jumped right into Stroller Strides with everything she had. She works so hard during class and is so fun to hang out with after class (Harper too!). I'm so glad she has continued with us even though she is no longer within walking distance to downtown Silver Spring :)"~Instructor Kristy

We asked Alice a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My little family includes my husband, Adam, our 4 month old daughter Harper and her puppy brothers Zeus and Foster.

2. What is/was your career?

...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for June! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Kathy Blake.

" Whether at Stroller Strides or run club Kathy is always pushing herself further. She is a veteran of both and continues to show an increase in strength and endurance at both. While I'm sad her time at Stroller Strides is winding down, I'm so excited to be able to see her continue on with run club and crush her goals!!" ~Instructor Kristy

"I love how consistently Kathy attends class, and how she's always smiling no matter how tough the workout. Because Ethan is her youngest child and she has two "big kids", she also has a great perspective on parenting to add to our Fit4Mom village." ~Instructor Ashley

"Kathy approaches her work outs with a no-nonsense attitude. She is there to push herself and she does!" ~Instructor Claire

We asked Kathy a...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for May! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Rebecca Nigmann.

"Rebecca has been an active Stroller Strider for quite some time now, and she's an inspiration to others around her. I can always count on her to work hard in class, ask for modifications if she needs/wants them, and she shows up regardless of the elements. When it's pouring outside and class is still outside, Rebecca is there - with a smile and a great attitude! I'm fortunate to know Rebecca, and I love having her in classes!" ~ Heather

We asked Rebecca a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Myself, my husband Bernd, and our sons Matthias (10 years next month) and Lukas (4 years).

2. What is/was your career?

...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for April! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Sara Lunzer.

"Sara has been an active member of Stroller Strides since last year and she has completed almost 2 sessions of Body Back. Sara hardly ever misses a class, it's only when she or one of her family members is sick. She is a dedicated mom and wife and her healthy lifestyle inspires other moms. She continues to set goals, work hard, and encourage those around her! Her constant smile and positive energy burst out of her and spread around other people! I'm glad that I met Sara and Link at one of her first classes last year and I'm so happy that she joined me at our AM session of Body Back! Congratulations Sara! You are amazing in so many ways!" ~ instructor Ewa

We asked Sara a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for March! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Jen.

"Jen comes to every single Lakeforest/Rio class. She is a strong mom and works hard every time (and is early every class!)" ~ instructor Maya

"I was impressed with her plank time. A few times I had the group hold plank for as long as they could. She was one of the longer times within the group and definitely wanted to challenge herself. She's truly there to workout and is dedicated to coming to class." ~instructor Jessica

We asked Jen a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband Keith, our daughter Zoey (9 months), and myself.

2. What is/was your career?

I was a research analyst. Now I’m a stay at home mommy.

3. How long have...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for February! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Kristen.

"Kristen comes to class each time ready to work HARD! She engages her daughter Colette throughout class to keep her happy and entertained. I appreciate her great energy when I'm teaching and it certainly pushes me when I'm workingout in class along side her!" ~Instructor Claire

We asked Kristen a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Myself, my husband Geoff, and our daughter Colette who is 13 months old.

2. What is/was your career?

I’m a social worker. Although now I’m a stay at home mom but previously I spent almost 10 years working in Child Welfare Services as a foster care social worker.

3. How long have you been a member of...

Well it sure is cutting it close for this month, but regardless we are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for December! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Crimea Turner.

Crimea is one inspiring mama! She comes to class with a smile on her face, and boy does she know how to WORK for the hour she's there! She can multitask like nobody's business - and she's so calm with all three kiddos in tow. Thank you, Crimea, for inspiring me and the other moms in Our Village! ~Heather

We asked Crimea a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Myself, David, Brooklyn, Leilani, and Rockey

2. What is/was your career?

My career currently is ABA Therapist; I’m finishing up my masters to be a licensed Board ...

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for November! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Melissa Gilley.

Melissa is such an inspiration to all of us! She is strong, energetic, and her smile is contagious! Despite the heartache and struggles she's been through, she has changed her lifestyle and is a true role model of what healthy living looks like. She even motivates and encourages others to make healthy changes in their own lives! ~Instructor Ewa

We asked Melissa a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Chris (husband), Emberlyn (5) & Wyatt (35 months)

2. What is/was your career?

Before kids I worked in the hotel industry in various positions. I am currently a stay at home Mom looking to find a new career since my kids are in school.

3....

We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for October! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Mary Maiberger.

Mary was one of our founding members of Body Back in January 2014, and she's been going strong ever since! She's already completed (almost) 4 sessions of Body Back, and she and her daughters come to Stroller Strides anytime they can. She truly is an inspiration to me and to other moms - she is always optimistic, wearing a smile and is certainly a positive role model of how to live a healthy lifestyle! ~Heather

We asked Mary a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Patrick, my husband; Madeline, my 5 year old daughter, and Katherine, my 2 year old daughter.

2. What is/was your career?

...

After falling behind the past few months, we are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for July! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Danielle Shenk.

Instructor Claire says, "She watched classes from afar and couldn't wait to join us after Noah was born. She also came to her first class on her birthday and has been consistent ever since! Danielle baked and stuffed for the Tour de Cookie, which I totally appreciate! Came to that MNO ready to help and to socialize!"

We asked Danielle a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband Neal and our son Noah (5 months).

2. What is/was your career?

pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant nurse

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides of Montgomery County, and what has it done for...

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for April! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Amy Holcomb.

Instructor Ewa says, "She was part of stroller strides with her older kids, and when she had another baby she came back. Every day she gives everything she has. She really pushes herself. I love to see her at my classes. She brightens the "room" with her smile. She is very friendly and won't hesitate to help if needed (Well, all SS moms are like that!). She is never late for a class, and she jumps right into each workout. I'll definitely miss seeing her at my classes when she goes back to work, but hopefully she will be coming from time to time. I'm not sure, but I don't think she missed a single class at LF this winter! It was great having her back even for such a short period of time."

We asked Amy a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to...

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for March! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Emily McDougall.

Instructor Claire says, "Emily has attended consistently since her very first day! She always shows up with a positive attitude and works hard! It is awesome to see her take advantage of all the benefits of stroller strides; challenging herself during the workout and staying after so Teddy can play and she can socialize with new friends. Emily is a motivating example of how to embrace the Fit4Mom mission!"

We asked Emily a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

The members of my family are my husband, Mike, my son, Theodore (Teddy) who is 16 months old, and me.

2. What is/was your career?

I am a registered dietitian though I currently am staying home with my son. Before having...

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for February! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Dana Tompkins.

Instructor Maya says, "Dana has been such a consistent hard worker. She always tries a level 2/3 option, and never complains! We love that she always bring Luke's toys to share with friends, whether it is playgroup, or the children are just hanging out after class! My favorite Dana moment was in a Silver Spring class I was teaching. As soon as the class was over, Dana pulled out a box of Starbucks coffee for everyone! It was such a delight and sweet surprise. Dana, you are an amazing Mom and strider!"

We asked Dana a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband, Tom, our son, Luke (21 months) and two very furry dogs, Milo and Sawyer

2. What is/was your career?

Before Luke, I...

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for January! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Monique Fields.

Instructor Cara says, "Monique has been a part of the Stroller Strides family for as long as I have! Not only has she been an amazing fitness role model for everyone - always giving it her all-- she has also been welcoming to new moms, sweet to all the kids and hilarious. It is wonderful to see that after 6 years, Monique is still such a pivotal and enthusiastic part of the Stroller Strides community! Plus, she is great at shutting your car door if you inadvertently leave it open in the mall parking lot....bonus! Thanks Monique for all the great workouts and here is to many more!"

We asked Monique a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

Our family is made up of 4 people & 2 dogs....

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for December! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Kim Kehr.

Instructor Dana says, "Kim is so very friendly with everyone. I like that she just jumped right in, new to the area and to our Stroller Strides family with a new baby of her own, and somehow she still finds time to deliver meals to our new moms!"

We asked Kim a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My husband, Clint, and I have been married for 6 years. Our son, Jonas, is 2. Our daughter, Aria, is 5 months.

2. What is/was your career?

I was a Special Education teacher for 6 years before I started my "new career" as a full-time mom.

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides of Montgomery County, and what has it done for you?

When I realized we where moving, I...

We are excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for November! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Jen Fiorentino.

Instructor Ashley says, "Jen has shown such dedication to Stroller Strides for years now. I remember meeting her way back when we were having Saturday classes at Ken-Gar Park. Isabelle was just a little baby and she was working full-time back then but would still always make it out to Saturday classes. Now that she has both Isabelle and Charlie and is at home with them she's a regular and is at class several times a week!"

We asked Jen a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family?

My awesome family includes Rob (my husband), Isabelle (2 1/2 years old), Charlie (12 months old), and our two cats (Chewbacca and Ace).

2. What is/was your career?

I am an attorney, but currently a...

I had the opportunity today to learn about a wonderful new charity that is co-founded by one of our very own! Maya and two of her friends recently launched ShareBaby, a nonprofit organization that donates gently used baby/children's gear to local shelters. I know that Maya, Kristin & Kate are super excited about it, and I can't help but feel the same way for them (& about it)!

Fit4Mom Montgomery County will be having two playdates in December that will also serve as collection sites for this wonderful group. Read on to see what they're about and what WE can do to support them as they help families in our community.

ShareBaby collects gently used and new items such as diapers, clothing and basic goods for children between the ages of 0-5 and distributes those items to Maryland homeless and domestic violence shelters. Maya will be collecting these items during the first week of December playgroups: Tuesday 12/2 at Silver Spring and Friday 12/5 at Rio.

The Wish List (used and opened is fine, just please wash it in hot water with...

We are excited to begin a special Motivating MOM (Mom of the Month) program at Fit4Mom Montgomery County! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local Fit4Mom Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor Wanda Durvasula.

Wanda never skips a beat. She's dedicated, hard-working and shows such love and compassion for everyone she gets to know. We are excited to have her as our first Motivating MOM!

We asked Wanda a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

1. Who are the members of your family? Suri, Kiran (5 y/o), Avani (3 y/o), and Maya (1 y/o; for 1 more month!!)

2. What is/was your career? ER Nurse

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides of Montgomery County, and what has it done for you? 20 months and it has CHANGED MY LIFE! I was a runner before Kiran was born but did not exercise throughout, or between, any of my pregnancies. Once I had Maya I knew I had to get back in shape. SS has not only made...