How many kids do you have and what are their age(s)?
A daughter, Hayden, soon to be 1. Fastest year of my life!
How long have you lived in Stamford? What made you decide to live here?
We moved to Stamford 2 years ago. After 7 years in Manhattan, we were ready for a change of pace (and some space!) At the time of our move, my husband and I were both still working in the city and we liked how easy the commute is from Stamford to NYC.
What’s your favorite family activity in Stamford?
This summer, we enjoyed going to the Beer Garden at Shippan Point. We love how family friendly it is with games / food trucks / music and love being near the water! This winter, we have enjoyed the events/activities at Mill River Park. It is within walking distance from our house which makes it very convenient!
Where’s your favorite place to shop or eat in Stamford?
I LOVE the tenderoni pizza and arugula salad from Fortina… ever since Hayden has been able to sit in a high chair and started eating solids, it has become a lot more enjoyable to go out to eat. This winter, we have been ordering meal kits from Hello Fresh – it takes the shopping/planning out of the equation so we can focus on cooking!
What are your diaper bag must haves when you leave the house?
Water wipes, books, a bib, and her Wubbanub giraffe pacifier!
What’s been your favorite “mommy moment” so far?
My favorite mommy moment has been less specific and more overarching. Hayden was 5 weeks early and spent two weeks in the NICU. Upon reflecting on our first year, I am most thrilled by the thriving little girl that we have! I did not know what to expect given how she came into this world and am so happy and proud of how she has blossomed.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me time?
I like to take an exercise class or get a manicure or get a facial! Pretty much any sort of pampering!
Tell us about your career?
I graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Villanova University and began my career in human resources/staffing at an advertising agency in NYC. I then decided to pursue my dream of becoming a psychotherapist and earned by MSW from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services. I am a licensed social worker (LMSW) and worked on a medical/surgery unit at Mount Sinai Hospital for three years prior to Hayden’s arrival. I am now studying for my clinical social work exam which is scheduled in a few months!
What made you decide to open Orangetheory Fitness in Stamford?
My husband has run operations in the fitness space for a decade with some of the most premiere brands (SoulCycle, Equinox). We had both been passionate about Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) for years and pursued the opportunity to a become a franchisee of this cutting edge fitness company! We have an open OTF studio in Milford, CT which turned 1 at the end of 2018! Given that we reside in Stamford and are familiar with its demographics and fitness scene, we immediately felt that OTF belonged here and have been working for months on finding/securing the right location.
Tell us about Orangetheory and what makes it unique.
Orangetheory is a science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout designed to produce results from the inside out. New York Times has described it as the best one hour, workout in the country. It is a one hour, full-body workout centered around different training metrics – endurance, strength and power. What makes OTF unique is that the workouts are based on heart-rate based interval training which has been proven to burn more calories post workout (and tailors the workout to each participant’s fitness level). Your results are displayed in real-time on monitors throughout the studio so you can track your performance during class. Certified personal trainers or “coaches” ensure you do not over or under train and provide modifications as needed.
What I love most is that the workout is truly for ALL fitness levels (walkers, joggers and runners) and that the workout changes daily so there is always variety which makes it both challenging and fun! Each studio becomes its own little community and watching members become friends while meeting their goals is so rewarding!
How do you balance career & mommyhood?
I have been fortunate to spend much of this first year focused on Hayden and learning how to be the best mom I can be! This fall, I started to have a small itch to get back into the working world. Owning our own business has made that both easy (access to work from home!) and very challenging (access to work from home!) That being said, I have truly enjoyed immersing myself in OTF. My focus is mostly on operations, marketing and personnel management. I have struggled with finding ways to carve out time to focus on work while being home full-time with Hayden. My goal for this year is to be more present when I am with Hayden and the same for when I am working!
What’s your secret for fitting workouts into your busy schedule?
I made a commitment to myself to prioritize my overall wellbeing, and fitting in my workouts is one small component of this. In September, 7 months post-partum, I made it a goal to do a 30-minute workout a day at home. I bought some free weights and a jump rope and started with online videos! I was surprised by how quickly my mentality changed about working out. I also spend Thursdays in our Milford OTF studio and always make sure to jump into a class! I am lucky that fitness is part of my job. I am SO excited for our Stamford location to open so that I can take classes multiple times a week! OTF is by far my favorite and the most effective workout I have ever done.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
The best piece of advice I received from another mom was that babies mature and reach milestones at their own time and pace, not those prescribed by charts/books. This has given me piece of mind about Hayden’s development and has helped me slow down and enjoy each stage as it comes!