April Mom of the Month: Alexandra

Hometown: Capistrano Beach, CA

Education: BA in Business Management at Coastal Carolina University

Stroller Strides Member since: October 2010

Members of your Family: Kostas and Sia

Current/previous Career: Software Sales for Kronos Inc. 

What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to be a mom and have lots of babies.  Now a lot has turned into 2 maybe 3:).

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood to me means loving and caring for someone more then you ever imagined possible.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Rhodes, Greece

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides made me get out of the house very early and it introduced Sia and I to many wonderful friends.

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides? Step Ups on the park bench or planters.

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class? I enjoy running and golf.

What is your proudest moment? Sia, of course.

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do? Sneak out of the house.

What are three of your favorite things? Swimming in the ocean, golfing with my dad and dancing.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Usually people are surprised that I played softball in college.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? "I'm a good mother and kind".

March Mom of the Month: Barbara

Hometown: Boston, MA

Education: BA in Communications, Boston College

Stroller Strides Member since: June 2010

Members of your Family: Michael, Sophia and our orange tabby cat, Jax 

Current/Previous Career:
After graduating college, I worked as an Account Executive at an advertising agency. The long hours and very demanding clients wore me down after a few years. I decided to enter the more introverted side of my profession, enrolled in an arts program at Massachusetts College of Art and changed careers to Graphic Design.  

What was your childhood ambition?

I loved singing, dancing and pretending I was performing on stage in front of an audience. I had a small microphone from a broken recording device (think 1970s electronics) that I always sang into. Fast forward to today and I cannot carry a tune and I get sick at the thought of being in front of an audience.

What does motherhood mean to you?

Knowing the true meaning of unconditional love.  

What is the furthest you have been from home? 

The farthest I have gone is Greece.

What has Stroller Strides done for you?

Stroller Strides has allowed me to set a good example for Sophia by making fitness & exercise a part of our routine. It also has given me the opportunity to be part of a community of strong and very caring women.

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides?

I don’t know the name of the exercise, but it is the one where we attach the band to a fence and pretend that we are crushing a walnut with our shoulders. Imagining that always makes me feel strong. Superhero strong.

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class?

Taking walks with Sophia that usually end up with me running after her in all different directions.  

What is your proudest moment?

Everyday with Sophia is my proudest moment.

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do?

Move 3,000 miles away from me.

What are three of your favorite things?

Music, art and brooding teenage vampires.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. 

When I was 20something, I followed my favorite band on tour through five states. 

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say?

Street smart & organized (Umm…Ok, so he values that I put away his stuff and can defend myself if someone jumps me while doing it). 

February Mom of the Month: Joanna

Hometown : Hacienda Heights, CA

Education : BA in Liberal Studies with emphasis in Dance @ Chapman University; Masters in Education @ Azusa Pacific University

Stroller Strides Member since: Spring 2009

Members of your Family: Chad, Chloe (3) and Burklee (18 months)

Current/previous Career: Before I was an elementary teacher.  I taught 3^rdGrade and Kindergarten.  Now I am a “Domestic Goddess” and fitness instructor through Stroller Strides and 24 Hour Fitness 

What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a lawyer or a professional dancer.  However, I always wanted to be a mom!

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood is the most rewarding  

What is the furthest you have been from home?  We went to China when Chloe was 8 months old.

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Strollers Strides gave me a workout option with kids, a place to go with little babies, and great friends for my girls and myself!

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides? I love them all…but I guess my favorite is wall sits!!

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class? I love to water ski and snow ski (however it has

been awhile as I have been prego for years!).  I enjoy taking walks with my girls. 

What is your proudest moment? The birth of my little girls.

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do? I hope my girls never pick up a cigarette.

What are three of your favorite things?  Musicals, movies, scrapbooking (however do not ask to see a

scrapbook of the girls cause they have not been completed yet!!)

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.  I had the opportunity to study abroad in college.  I studied theater in London for a summer.  During that summer I got to travel everywhere in Europe (except for Italy) and see a least 2 theatrical performances a week!  Chad proposed to me in Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower at the end of the summer as he realized he could not live without me! Now I still have the urge to live abroad.  I still think it would be amazing to live in London.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Compassion and caretaking

January Mom of the Month: Tamar

Hometown: Brighton, MI

Education: Mechanical Engineering

Stroller Strides Member since: June, 2009

Members of your Family: Ashley, my husband and my two girls, Harper & Scarlett

Current/previous Career: Global Quality Engineering Manager, Black & Decker

What was your childhood ambition? To be a doctor.  I was actually pre-med my first year in college, but had to change to engineering after volunteering in a hospital.  I was either passed out on the floor at the sight of blood or crying because I was so sad about all the sick/hurt people.

What does motherhood mean to you? So much I don't even know where to begin. It's the happiest, sweetest, purist moments and the hardest, most challenging moments all wrapped up into two cute little bundles. 

What is the furthest you have been from home? China. During one work trip I had to fly to Hong Kong, catch a taxi to the ferry, take a ferry to mainland china and find my driver to take me to the supplier I was going to see. All by myself!!!! 

What has Stroller Strides done for you?  Introduced me to amazing friends, my daughters to their best friends, allowed me to exercise, to be outdoors with my girls and have them see how important staying active is. 

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides?  Monster mommies.  I love watching the kiddos giggle in anticipation of being tickled.  

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class?  I love running!

What is your proudest moment? Graduating with my Mechanical Engineering degree. After years of nonstop studying, I was so proud I did it!

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do? Getting giant ear gauges so their lobes stretch out. I could handle pretty much anything but that. 

What are three of your favorite things? Beverly Hills 90210, wine and champagne. 

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I have an unhealthy obsession with Beverly Hills 90210. It's bad. 

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? My love for our children, my frugalness, my cooking and my "catalogue" butt.......For those of you that have run behind me, you know what he is talking about. ;)

December Mom of the Month: Chantel

Chantel, we are so thankful for you! Your kind, positive attitude is always great to be around.  Seeing you make fitness a priority in your full life as a wife and mom to three is inspiring!  Congrats:)!

 

Hometown:  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Education:  Cal. State Northridge, B.A. in Psychology
Stroller Strides Member since- April 2011
Previous Career: Marketing Director for a Homebuilder
Childhood ambition: to be a chef

What motherhood means to me:  to love and support unconditionally
Furthest I have been away from home:  Greece,  island of Santorini- on our honeymoon
What has Stroller Strides done for you:  been a great support system for advice...and of course it is always
fun to chat over anything :)
My favorite exercise in Stroller Strides:  lunges
What other ways do you enjoy being active outside of class:  dance and just running around with the kids
My proudest moment:  Giving birth to my 3 wonderful children
What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do?  Lied a ton to my mom about where I was at night when I was a teenager
What are 3 of your favorite things:  food, wine, and being with family and friends
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us:  Won the showcase showdown on "The Price Is Right" when I was 19 years old
Asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are:  loyal to family and friends, great cook, great choice of character (because I picked him of course!!)

November Mom of the Month: Mia

Mia with Joseph & William

Hometown: Diamond Bar, Ca

Education: UC San Diego, B.A. (Political Science); Syracuse College of Law, J.D.

Stroller Strides Member since June 2010

Members of your Family: Me, Joseph (Hubby), William and our two dogs Ruby & Rinney

Current/previous Career: Attorney 

What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a police officer.   

What does motherhood mean to you? This is such a hard question to answer.  It means so much to me.  It means talking about topics that I thought I would never discuss in public; such as poop.  It means becoming the crazy obsessed helicopter mom that I swore I would never become.  It means becoming a crying mess when thinking of your little one going off to college even though that event is sixteen years down the road.  We won’t even discuss pre-school. 

What is the furthest you have been from home? Bora Bora

What has Stroller Strides done for you? I can’t even tell you how thankful I am for stroller strides.  I love starting my day with all of you girls.  I have met some amazing people and made some great friends.  I am so grateful that I start my day off with positive energy and a sense of accomplishment. 

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides? There are so many.  I love Lauren’s curbside step-ups.  I don’t know the name of the exercise, but I am usually sore for days.  I also love the catch phrase that ends each session, “Don’t forget your most important stretch; your smile.”  It makes me laugh every time. 

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class? Right now my activities are limited to sitting on the couch.  But when I am not pregnant I love running and yoga.   

What is your proudest moment? Bringing William home from the NICU.  I still tear up just thinking about that day. 

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do? I really believe that you should live life without any regrets.  That being said, here are a few things I hope my children do not do: 1.  Move across the country to go to school.  UC Irvine is great!  2.  Make up a cheer to “Whoomp There It Is” and share it with the entire school at a pep rally.  What was I thinking?   3. Wear overalls  over the age of 5.  They were a staple in my wardrobe in college and law school…so tragic.

What are three of your favorite things? 1. Morning Dance party with Will and Joe 2. Football season 3. Eating an apple and a twix bar….yum!  Sorry that is my latest craving. 

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Dance has always been a huge part of my life.  I was always a member of a dance squad even in law school.  I was on the Syracuse dance team my last year of law school while I worked for a federal judge.  

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? “There are so many I don’t even know where to begin.”  That is what he better say!

October Mom of the Month: Jen

Jen, Mike & Jacob

Hometown: Sacramento 

Education: B.S. General Biology at UCSD and B.S. in Nursing at Johns Hopkins 

Stroller Strides Member since: May 2011 

Members of your Family: Me, my husband Mike, baby Jacob and our lab-mix Maggie 

Current/previous Career: I worked as an ICU nurse at Anaheim Regional Medical Center. I used to be a travel nurse and had contracts in different parts of the state. 

What was your childhood ambition? It was to be an Ob/Gyn; my friend and I in elementary school thought that more women should be Ob/Gyns and we wanted to open a practice together 

What does motherhood mean to you? Loving another person so much and the amazing responsibility of caring for and shaping that person. 

What is the furthest you have been from home? Took a tour of Italy, France and Spain about 10 years ago. 

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Given me a huge reason to get out of the house in the morning and the opportunity to meet great moms to share stories with and get advice from 

What is your favorite exercise in Stroller Strides? Leapfrog, squats while singing "Head, shoulders…" to our kids 

What other ways do you enjoy being active outside class? Running, yoga 

What is your proudest moment? The same as everyone else! Giving birth to my son 

What is something that you did that you hope your child does not do? Wasting time in college by having too much fun and getting terrible grades 

What are three of your favorite things? The beach, sushi, shopping

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I've never seen the Sound of Music (my husband doesn't know how this could have happened!)

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Probably kindness and being a good nurse.