Meet A Mom: Jessica! | Stamford Moms

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two boys, ages 7 and 11.

How did you end up in Stamford?
I used to work in White Plains and my husband worked in Norwalk. We researched everything in between and landed on Stamford.

What do you love about Stamford?
I love the diverse community. There are so many family-friendly things to do. Plus the proximity to other cities makes it an ideal location.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Stamford?
Barcelona has been a personal favorite for years.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me time”?
I’m a podcast fanatic. I also love to dance which happens a lot in my kitchen.

Tell us about Fit to the Beat.
Fit to the Beat is my fitness business. I offer in-home Personal Training. I lead “Tribe Training Sessions” which are essentially small group training sessions. I’m also a Zumba instructor managing a variety of programs like local kid camps, school programs and birthday parties. I also specialize in organizing charity, corporate-wellness, and social Zumba events for adults. 

While not a part of my own business, the Stamford community may also know me as a Zumba Instructor at the JCC and the IC. These “jobs” are actually my hobby!  I love dance fitness and remain committed to sharing that passion.

What are your “Tribe Training Sessions” all about?
I’m hoping the word “Tribe” says it all. These small group training sessions are meant to create a community of women looking to connect and get fit. Many people are intimidated by gyms and large group fitness classes. So I decided to rent space (not in a gym) in order to create a place where positive-minded women can feel comfortable, work hard without judgement, laugh when it gets hard, and have fun TOGETHER. Each session is a total-body workout set to upbeat music and no workout is ever the same.

What do you love about dance fitness?
Dance Fitness is everything to me! It goes beyond cardio. Learning the sequences of the routines is also great for mental health. For me, it’s an hour of time I feel free and pure joy. Girl, I may not dance like Shakira or Beyonce, but I feel like I do!  

What’s your advice to moms trying to get fitness into their routine?
Small steps first. Don’t get overwhelmed by the details or feel it’s all or nothing. Find what you love to do that involves movement and start there. It’s a journey. Not a race. Progression is important. Not perfection.

How do you juggle your career and mommyhood?
I try to be intentional with my time. Each night I use an old school planner to plan the next day in detail. I try to keep business and family time separate. I set realistic expectations of myself each day.  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Always take care of yourself. There may be some really hard seasons. It’s ok. Give yourself grace. However, exhaustion and complete burnout may mean your family isn’t getting all the parts of you they love. If your family is truly your number one priority, the best contribution you can give is 100% of your best self.

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