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Team Spotlight - August 2022

This month, the spotlight is on....

We have such a crazy amazing, dedicated and talented team of instructors and playgroup captains here at FIT4MOM | MOCO + FREDERICK. I love giving everyone the opportunity to get to know a little more about each one of them, and this month we're going to continue our instructor spotlight with.....Marcie Koehler!

Marcie and I first met during some of the strangest times....nothing was normal, I was nervous to meet new faces as we merged two amazing teams into one; and even though meeting anyone over Zoom can be overly awkward, she was just so easy to talk to and so kind. That's the thing about Marcie - she's just so easy to talk to, and she has the kindest heart.

It doesn't stop there though! Marcie is an amazing instructor. Her classes are always so well thought out + her cueing is spot on. I love that she's always so willing to help when team members need it, or when I need it. I can't even tell you the number of times I've reached out to Marcie to ask if she'd be willing to do ______ (insert something crazy about launching a new class or covering for someone, or basically anything....), and she is so generous with her willingness to help! She understands what we stand for at FIT4MOM, she knows how important this village is, and I'm just so grateful for her being part of this team.

So go on, read on and learn more about Marcie and her experience with FIT4MOM. And then, you know what I'm going to say: go take her class!

xo, Heather

Who are the members of your family?

My husband Steve and I just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary! We have 2 kids, Jackson (6) and Emma (4).

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Where can people find you, i.e. what’s your role within FIT4MOM | MOCO + FREDERICK?

You can find me in Urbana or Frederick teaching Body Boost, Stroller Barre, or Stroller Strides. Currently, I’m teaching boost Thursday nights and the occasional Saturday in Urbana!

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Tell us your {entire} FIT4MOM story!

I can’t believe I started FIT4MOM 4 years ago! I guess my story starts before that though. I’m a born and raised New Yorker (Long Island). After having Jackson, I researched fitness groups for moms and came across fit4mom. But maternity leave went faster than I thought, I went back to work and pushed that out of my mind. Fast forward about a year and a half, we decided to move to Maryland for Steve’s job when I was six months pregnant. We had Emma in May and after I was cleared for exercise I decided I was going to “wake up before the kids” to exercise. No surprise but after sleepless nights and early risers, that wasn’t happening. I went back to researching fit4mom since I remembered reading about it in NY and was happy to see there were classes nearby. My first class was Stroller Barre with Meaghan and I loved everything about it! I am definitely a mom that came for the workout but stayed for the community. Meeting other moms in my new area was a lifesaver, especially during those early postpartum months as a new stay at home mom to 2 kids 2 and under.

After a few months, I joined the team as a playgroup captain. I loved being able to lead fun activities for the kids and plan MNO! My favorite playgroups involved getting messy (sorry moms!) Continuing my journey, an opportunity came up to be an instructor. I decided that I wanted to teach classes because I found a passion for fitness within this amazing community of moms!

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What is your favorite exercise/activity to teach?

I love a good theme! Over the years I’ve taught letter of the week strides, boy band barre, dinosaurs, cars/trucks, gender reveals, back to school, sports classes, and my all time favorite, Laurie Berkner music class! As for exercise, you probably won’t make it through one of my classes without some sort of deadlift because it’s my favorite!

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What do you love about being part of the #dreamteam?

I’m amazed at what the #dreamteam can accomplish daily. Seeing the creativity and collaboration within this group of mamas is motivating! I have learned a lot and everyone is so willing to help and work together!

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How has FIT4MOM or this village helped you during such unusual times?

I can’t express the impact FIT4MOM has had on my life. Moving to a new state and not having my family/friends around was so isolating. Just having a place to go everyday and talk to other moms was key for my physical and mental health. I have met some of the most amazing moms over the years and they all have taught me so much. I met my “friend family” as Jackson likes to call it; my close friends and my kid’s best friends in the area, who are now our family. Even Steve met other dads he’s friends with through FIT4MOM!

The last couple of years have obviously looked…different. Having virtual classes during the early days of the pandemic provided the connection that I was looking for. I was able to see all my friends and still get a good exercise in! Being an instructor during this time gave me something to look forward to and some normalcy in very unusual times. I LOVED being able to run a Body Well session virtually to help other mamas feel their best when so much was uncertain and STRESSFUL!

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What’s your why? Why do you keep doing what you do?

My why has definitely evolved over the years. When I first started, the connection to other mamas kept me coming back. After a few months, my why became-me. I participated in a body well session and found myself again instead of my only identity being Jackson and Emma’s mom.

What keeps me doing what I do are my kids and other moms! There’s nothing better than watching my kids play “stroller strides” or them knowing movement is a part of our daily life. Being an instructor and able to pass along my enthusiasm for exercise and health keeps me motivated!

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What is a fun fact that our village may not already know about you?

I love to travel and explore new places! My husband and I like to rent bikes or do biking tours when we travel. It keeps us active while away and we get to sightsee as we go. One of our favorites was biking through Tuscany!

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Is there anything else you’d like our village to know?

Come join us! Getting to that first class is hard but you won’t regret it! It’s truly a place you can come as you are since everyone is a mom and understands what it takes to get to get out the door. I always feel welcomed by the group and of course, the exercise is always challenging!

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