Team Spotlight - September 2022
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.....Sierra Simmons!
Sierra is such a breath of fresh air! She always brings such high energy and such a positive vibe with her, no matter where she is. Sierra has been an instructor for about a year now, and I'm so thankful for her willingness to step up and help out when a change is needed or we need some extra hands on deck. Her smile is contagious, and I love how welcoming she always is. I loved getting to chat with her more recently when we were at an event, and I can't wait for you to get to know her better too! So read on below for now, and then when you're done be sure to look up one of her classes to go take. She and those beautiful boys of hers will make sure you have a great time getting your sweat on!
xo, Heather
Who are the members of your family?
Our family consists of myself, my husband of 10 years, Joshua, and our boys Kaleb (4.5) and Kannon (2). Come year end we will be a family of 5 as we are expecting our third baby sometime around the new year!
Where can people find you, i.e. what’s your role within FIT4MOM | MOCO + FREDERICK?
I teach Stroller Strides and am currently teaching weekly Monday mornings in Urbana. You may also see me pop up at Rio, Clarksburg, Urbana, and Frederick as a Stroller Strides sub from time to time.
Tell us your {entire} FIT4MOM story!
WelI -- I took some time to reflect on my {entire!} FIT4MOM story-my Gmail may have helped me jog my memory...and I am now glad that I am bad about deleting old messages! It was really interesting to realize the pattern of the fall season in my journey. Keep reading (and reading-whoops I can get long winded) to see what I mean...
I first learned about Fit4Mom when I met Christine working a table at the annual Birth and Babies fair on Carroll Creek. I reached out to her that same week after our introduction and was in my first class a few days later. This was October 2018 when Kaleb (my firstborn) was 9 months old. My first class was Stroller Strides with Meaghan and I just remember her having good energy and being quite welcoming. Being October, it was requested that we bring a pumpkin for that day's workout, which is fun and right up my alley! I really enjoyed my workout, but was also in the routine of attending group fitness classes at my local OneLife where I would leave baby Kaleb in Kids Klub.
Fast forward to the following Fall (2019) and my husband gifted me a 10 class pass for my birthday after I attended another fun fall class with Marcie. Giving someone something fitness related for a gift can be tricky, but he knew I would be thrilled to receive that as a gift! I attended classes weekly and continued to mix them in with my gym routine. Before I knew it the weather lended itself to indoor classes and I was attending Strides at Francis Scott Key Mall. I thought this was unique and different. It was always a treat to end class by the inside play space and let Kaleb run with the little tots while I got to connect with the other mommies.
Come the beginning of March 2020 I began taking Fit4Baby classes with a good friend and a few other Mamas. I was due with my 2nd at the end of that month! I loved that Fit4Baby gave me confidence to continue with strength and core moves that I would have otherwise questioned the safety in me executing that far into my pregnancy. Just someone showing me and saying it was okay was the extra nudge I needed. Unfortunately, we all know what happened a couple weeks into March 2020- the world shut down. FIT4MOM classes moved online. I then welcomed my second son, Kannon, April 1, 2020 and would not find my way back to class until...another fall! September 2020 we were back outside! I started back attending classes on Wednesdays and liked that they were at 11:30 am which was a good time for me getting out the door with two littles.
When FIT4MOM Frederick and Montgomery merged November 2020 I found myself becoming a monthly member for the first time. I continued to workout outside (shocking to myself who likes to be warm) all that winter. It was a nice piece of stability in my new founded pandemic routine. By now I was taking class multiple times a week. That summer when I saw the call for interested instructors I knew the time was right to do something for me. I had always had a desire to teach a fitness class and FIT4MOM also married it with my current season of motherhood. Win-win!
I became Stroller Strides certified FALL 2021(full circle) and have been loving my role as an instructor on the #dreamteam ever since!
What is your favorite exercise/activity to teach?
I love the cardio catch up section of Stroller Strides. I like to provide some uptempo music that you can’t help but want to move to. It’s fun to catch the littles bobbing their heads and seeing the music fans in class.
What do you love about being part of the #dreamteam?
I love being part of a team of mom’s who are rocking it not just in their motherhood, but within their fitness goals too. The #dreamteam truly works collaboratively and there is always someone willing to help when someone has a need. I’m thankful to be amongst such inspiring women.
How has FIT4MOM or this village helped you during such unusual times?
FIT4MOM really gave me consistency during the height of the pandemic. There weren’t many activities one could do (or felt comfortable doing) and I was so grateful to be able to maintain my fitness regime, get fresh air, and still connect with other ladies. Friendships were deepened for sure during that time and my boys loved the routine/predictability of attending classes alongside me.
What’s your why? Why do you keep doing what you do?
I want to be the best version of myself. Fitness or sports of some form have been a constant in my life. It allows for my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I’m happy that I’m still attaining new goals in my 30’s and not just holding onto the yesteryears. Stepping into my role as an instructor has also allowed me to fulfill my creative side (I love planning a good themed class). I am happy to maintain my passion for health and fitness at this current stage of life and still feel that I am strong in my pursuit of it.
What is a fun fact that our village may not already know about you?
I've lived in every region of the United States and love calling Maryland home!
Is there anything else you’d like our village to know?
FIT4MOM's "door" is always open. Life ebbs and flows. I like how throughout the years people may come and go depending on whatever factors. But, when you pop back into a class you can pick up like no time has passed.