How many kids do you each have and what are their ages?
1 daughter, Remi! She’s a year old.
What are your favorite family activities in Stamford?
We lived in Harbor Point for 7 years and loved walks by the water! Now when we visit (we moved to Darien in 2020), it’s typically for dinner or to see friends still living in the area. Kouzina is our go-to, alongside Riko’s for their salad pizza.
What do you like about living in this area?
I love the community of like-minded individuals — it’s such a wonderful place to live, work and raise kiddos. We are beach bums so you simply cannot beat waterfront access! My husband, Mike, and I are active (and foodies!) so there really is an endless list of to do’s!
How did you get into the fitness industry?
I started my career working in publishing, at FITNESS Magazine. Sweat-testing/reporting on the latest and greatest workouts with celebrity trainers/top fitness professionals was one of my favorite parts of the job so when Mike’s job brought us to Stamford, I decided to shift gears and dive into my passion for exercise full time. It has been an incredible 8 year ride, starting in group fitness before pivoting to my own private training business with a focus on pre and postnatal fitness.
Tell us about your personal training business.
I like to think of myself as a traveling boutique fitness studio. With my backgrounds in yoga, barre, HIIT and strength training, I develop completely customized, one-of-a-kind routines for my clients. I believe in keeping the body guessing for change — plus want to keep fresh — so no two workouts are ever the same. The hour-long sesh blends multiple modalities to check all of the boxes both physically and mentally, so my clients a) never get bored and b) actually enjoy working out! A year before my TTC journey, I set out to learn about all things pre and postnatal exercise — both for my clients in that phase of life and for myself. Supporting women in the exciting journey has been so fun (I’m beyond fortunate to have been step in step with so many fellow mama clients!) and beyond rewarding.
How has becoming a mom changed your approach to fitness?
Oh my goodness, I think I could write a whole book on this! Where do I even begin?! One obvious change is time and — well — we no longer have have an hour+ a day to devote to ourselves, let alone for exercise! Thinking quick yet effective workouts with exercises that target more than one muscle group at a time is essential to not only check “work out” off of the to do, but also see change in your body with a little one running around. It is so easy to “save” working out for nap time but as we all know, some days it’s not that easy. That’s why I often wake up early to get it done before Remi is up to ensure I give myself that time. With all of that said, I’ve always been ab-focused when it comes to my programming for others and myself but knowing what I know now, I cannot drive home the importance of strengthening your core prior to conceiving, keeping things [safely!] going through pregnancy and recovering properly postpartum to move through the 4th trimester strong/pain-free. As I prep for round two, my goals and focus have completely shifted from a physique standpoint to getting my body, especially core, in pregnancy shape.
What are some of your favorite exercise for busy moms who need to pack everything in, in a short period of time?
Don’t overcomplicate things when you’re in an exercise pinch: Squats, lunges, push-ups (should you not have diastasis recti!), planks, bird dogs and wall sits are all favorites of mine because you can do them anywhere at any time. For those looking to add weights, add an overhead press to your squat, bicep curl to your lunges, renegade row to your push-ups, etc. to tackle multiple muscle groups at the same time.
What is your number one piece of advice for moms who want to get into a fitness routine but can’t find the time?
Schedule it and make time. I know that sounds harsh but if there’s a will, there’s a way, right?! Enlist a fellow accountability [mama] buddy or your spouse so there are no excuses! As I mentioned earlier, getting it done before anyone wakes up may not sound like fun but ensures you do something for you regardless of what your day throws at you so set that alarm and get sweatin’.
How do you juggle work and mommyhood?
They say, “It takes a village,” and boy, were they right! I’m very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband, family members who love babysitting and a better-than-Mary-Poppins nanny that keeps us afloat! I’m also grateful to have the ability to make my own hours and show up to work in gym clothes otherwise I don’t know what I would do! In all seriousness, a lot goes on when the sun isn’t up to ensure that my “Remi time” is uninterrupted and I wouldn’t trade being a working mama for anything. Both my daughter and career give me an indescribable love, purpose, motivation, etc. — it’s oftentimes not easy balancing the two but I can’t imagine my life without them.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
“It’s okay to ask for help!”
“Your baby, your rules.”
“Take care of yourself and keep dating your husband.”
“Get used to poop.”