- Every month we get to shine a light on someone who embodies what FIT4MOM Oak Park River Forest is all about. This month, that’s Catherine. She’s a 5:30am virtual class regular who keeps showing up week after week, and joins classes and events whenever she can with positivity. Her consistency doesn’t go unnoticed. Catherine, thank you for being such a beautiful part of this community.
- Tell us about your family!
- My family is my world. This year, will be celebrating 10 years of marriage to my husband, Ethan. I have 2 daughters, Olivia (8) and Vivian (4.5), who rule and run my world! We've lived in Oak Park for the last 10 years and have made it our home. I'm originally from Michigan, and my husband is from Missouri.
- Current/previous career?
- School Psychologist in Downers Grove
- What does motherhood mean to you?
- Oooohhhh it means so many things to me... Motherhood is something that I couldn't wait for, and now that I'm here, it's the best job yet. It's tiring and exhausting, but also fun and adventurous. I've learned to embrace the chaos. I describe it like this journey where I am constantly learning, yet amazed and in awe of what my husband and I have created. I love watching my girls grow into these humans, where they are individuating (and tell myself these stubborn and strong-willed traits will come in handy later on in life, just not right now), and watching their personalities come out. At times, I laugh because I can see which traits are mine, my husband's, and then laugh when it's karma! Shoutout to all the mamas out there, this job is hard, and no handbook came with our children when they were born (I tell my students this that even in the toughest of times their parents are doing the best they can with what they have).
- Favorite local spot?
- Maya del Sol, Giordanos, Peterson's ice cream, the library, (depending on weather and season) all the parks, Thatcher woods and anywhere outdoors (can you tell that winter is not my favorite season?).
- How did you find Fit4Mom?
- A friend of a friend recommended Fit4Mom back in 2019 as a way for me to connect with local moms.
- What's the best part of Fit4Mom?
- Getting to meet and know so many different moms in this community, the classes esp. the 530 am workouts w Christina (and sometimes Sarah), and the outings (when I can join).
- Favorite class/exercise?
- Ha, right now it's the 530 am classes on Wednesday and Friday through Zoom. I love that I can get my workout in before my work day even starts and before the rest of my family is up. I do enjoy the Sunday night yoga classes at Lively with Kristen now too.
- Proudest moment?
- Finishing 2.5 marathons, becoming a mom, and sticking with my profession (bc there are days and years where it's hard).
- What is something that would surprise us?
- I became an avid gardener after my mom passed away 5 years ago, and I make the best guacamole around (or so I've been told).