My Passion

---

 As a wife and mother of two, I know just how busy and hectic life can be. I understand that moms need a break, and for me, prioritizing my self-care is nonnegotiable. Whether it’s to have adult interaction, enjoy a coffee while it’s still hot, go for a run, lift some weights, read a book, take a nap, go shopping… Anything that gives you the opportunity to recharge.

After my first born, I experienced severe postpartum depression, which lead to years of internal  suffering. In time, I found that the time I spent filling my cup would make all the difference in my mental and emotional state.; it just so happens that majority of that time was found in the gym. I also made it a priority to go back to school and commited to graduating with the degrees I had started years prior.

Fast forward several years to pregnancy number two. Aware of my history with depression, I knew I had to better prepare for what may occur again. I continued to exercise throughout my entire pregnancy, and at forty-one weeks pregnant, I was still lifting weights and moving my belly as much as I could. 

My labor, delivery, and recovery experience was overall a breeze - and I firmly believe how my body responded was a product of the work I put in during my entire pregnancy. 

At three months postpartum I finally got myself together and headed back to the gym. Overall, I was doing well and feeling semi-normal, but I knew I really needed to refocus on myself again. Personally, those first few months always seem to be the most difficult; nursing every ninety minutes, countless sleepless nights, all while maintaining laundry, our other daughter, and a marriage. That can be a recipe for an overload disaster. Thankfully, I have a very supportive husband that encouraged me to get back to what I enjoyed, and he always found time to take the kids off my hands while I got my workout in. Once I was back in the groove, building my strength and feeling stronger, I realized (again) just how important it was to have my ME time.

It didn’t take long for my interest for prenatal and postnatal fitness to dramatically increase, and my passion grew, yearning to help and support other women. During that time, I also realized just how important fitness can be for moms and moms-to-be. Even more, just how under marketed and under educated the world of pre and postnatal fitness is. I continually found myself having conversations with other women who had no idea what to do or where to begin with fitness while pregnant or postpartum.  

Since becoming a Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness and Nutrition Specialist, and founding Mama Fit USA, I continued to learn more and more every passing day. I enjoy educating myself on all the ins and outs of exercise, and how it pertains to the woman’s body and hormones while pregnant and post delivery. More so, I’m very passionate about empowering other women and educating them on all that I know. This lead to my certification as a Menopause Coaching Specialist; to have the ability to connect with women in all seasons of life. 

 In addition, with my schooling, I soon found that wellness counseling added extra benefits to the women I coach. I beleive that there is so much more to life than fitness, as what you fill you body (nutrition) and soul (mindset) will make you stronger than ever. The amazing part about my story is how all of that led me to where I am today... I took my knowledge and experience, and grew to training all women, not just moms. What began as prenatal focused became an entire women's specialty training.