Team Spotlight - January 2023
by Heather Galladora
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.....Marie Marino!
When you read Marie's answers below, you'll see that they're so very representative of who she is. For starters, they're well-thought out. She took the time to carefully craft her words, just as she mindfully crafts each class she teaches, and her humor shines right through. She motivates and inspires with her words below, just as she can reach moms in class with her encouraging cues. Marie is one of the most thoughtful and genuine people I've ever met. She feels deeply, and she is full of wisdom. Her classes are challenging, and I've never left one feeling anything less than strong and capable. That is a gift that she both has and works to maintain, and I am so proud to have her on our team as both an instructor and manager.
Marie, you are an incredible human, a wonderful mom to your beautiful kiddos, and you continue to inspire me in my many roles. I am so thankful for you, and I sure hope our community loves reading about you as much as I did. The marathon you speak of is the most noble race of all, and I'm just honored that FIT4MOM (and I) can be part of it!
xo, Heather
Who are the members of your family?
Team Marino is myself, my husband, Mike, our 8 year old daughter, Aubrey, our 6 year old son, Jack, and our crazy puggle, Sophie!
Where can people find you, i.e. what’s your role within FIT4MOM | MOCO + FREDERICK?
People can find me every week teaching Express Ignite Tuesday nights at Lakelands/Rio and Body Boost Saturday mornings at Rio. I’m also proud to be on the Manager Team as the Fitness on Demand Manager. I attend as many classes as possible in person and virtually so you can find me here and there, too!
Tell us your {entire} FIT4MOM story!
I had a 2 year old and infant when I found Fit4Mom. I was overwhelmed with the drive to be able to live the longest, healthiest, strongest life for these little beings. I wanted to be able to keep up with them- physically, mentally, and emotionally- through all their phases of life. I knew that I needed to find self-worth and self-care in order to be the most present mom possible for as long as possible. I had never really worked out before and had zero confidence in my ability to do so, but I took the risk and showed up for a Boost class to see if it could help me find myself and my future. That class was a therapeutic experience and opened up my eyes to the fact that I needed that movement, encouragement, and community more than I even knew to discover the best version of me for my family.
What is your favorite exercise/activity to teach?
I am obsessed with all things core and love challenging the women warriors in class with a good plank challenge.
What do you love about being part of the #dreamteam?
I hit the jackpot when I found this team of fitness queens. We fix each other’s crowns without telling the world they were ever crooked.
How has FIT4MOM or this village helped you during such unusual times or beyond?
Fit4Mom has served me well in so many different ways in the various chapters of my motherhood experience so far. When I needed to find self-confidence, it served me. When I was focused on discovering health and nutrition, it served me. When I set new goals of running and strength training, it served me. When I needed to stay connected to others during the pandemic and when I was ready to ease back into the world with familiar and trusted people, it served me. When my kids were becoming more independent and I was ready for nights out with best friends, it served me. And when I wanted to give back to this community as an instructor, it served and continues to serve me in every single class I teach. Fit4Mom is not one thing. It grows with you.
What’s your why? Why do you keep doing what you do?
My why has been the same as the one that pushed me into my first class: Life is beautiful. I want to live the longest and healthiest one possible. I want to stay actively engaged with my children as they grow and someday even want to be able to run and play alongside their children. This is a lifestyle and a marathon and I’m in it till the end.
What is a fun fact that our village may not already know about you?/Is there anything else you’d like our village to know?
I knew I wanted to be a special educator as early as 5 years old. My years as a classroom special education teacher were glorious and fulfilling. When I had my own kids, I stepped out of the classroom and into school administration roles. I love my career and I’m proud of what I do, but I also 100% NEED to teach. It just HAS to be a part of my life. Teaching group fitness classes on nights and weekends fills my bucket and completes my heart. I am SO grateful for every single person who shows up to one of my classes. You give me so much just by being there and I hope to give that feeling back to you.
January Extras!
New Year Resolution: Any fitness or F4M-related goals for the year?
My New Year’s Resolution is to fight all or nothing thinking and be OK with a plan B, or C, or Z. I can aim for the 5:30am class. But if it doesn’t happen because my kids needed me overnight, I can always go to the 7:30pm class. And if that doesn’t happen because I need to finish up something for work, then I can do a Video on Demand workout at 9pm. And if I’m too tired by then and no workout happens, then I can at least treat myself to an early bedtime because that’s just as important for my body. There is no such thing as a “lost day” and there is no one right or best way for self-care. Never give up on yourself for the day!
What is your coziest item of winter clothing?
I am a sucker for Lululemon’s buttery soft fabrics. I have a couple of their sweatshirts that I live in. Don’t be surprised if I run up to you at some point and make you feel my sleeves.
Read by the fireplace or watch a movie under a blanket?
I’ll one up you: Watch a movie by the fireplace under a blanket while reading the closed captions because my kids are asleep in the next room.
