- Some people stay with you from the very first time you meet them. Seven years ago, we walked through the park reading Nothing is Scary with Harry, a book she wrote herself. I remember thinking how special her story was. I was so impressed then, and I'm still just as impressed now. Over the years, she's grown through the FIT4MOM classes right alongside me, and you'll find her at Body Boost on Monday nights and sometimes at Sunday morning classes or virtual too. We are so happy to celebrate her as our FIT4MOM OPRF Mom of the Month!
- Tell us about your family!
- My husband, Dan, and I have been married for 19 years, and we’re coming up on our 20th anniversary in July 2027. I absolutely cannot believe it. Dan is an instructional coach and teacher in Forest Park. We have three kids: Maggie (12), James (10), and Graham (7), who attend Julian and Beye. We’re currently pet-free since our sweet 19-year-old cat passed away in February, but the kids beg for a new pet on the daily. Life with my crew is insanely busy, exhausting, wild, and fun. We're also lovingly referred to as “The Ghostbusters House” or "The Ghostbuster Family" (if you live in central Oak Park, you probably know where we live) due to our intensely themed decorations.
- Current/previous career?
- For more than 25 years, I’ve worked full-time in advertising. I started as a copywriter and worked my way up to Creative Director at various levels (VP, SVP, and beyond). Within the agency world, I’ve had the chance to work on some amazing brands, including McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, OREO, Chips Ahoy!, Ritz, and Kellogg’s. Last year, I made the jump to the client side, and I’m currently the Creative Director for Aspen Dental. On the side, my passion is writing children’s books. My first book came out about seven years ago, and while getting the next one published has been a challenge, things are looking promising for some new releases in 2027. {fingers crossed}
- What does motherhood mean to you?
- Motherhood is everything. I always wanted to be a mom, but for a long time I worried about how I’d juggle a career and a family. Turns out I was right to worry, as it's pretty much impossible. But somehow, I’m doing it. Every day is equal parts thrilling, heart-melting, and hair-pulling as I watch these little pieces of us figure out the world. I love being a mom and always try to put my family first.
- Favorite local spot?
- There are so many amazing options, but you can’t beat Whirlwind. They have the strongest, most delicious coffee in town.
- How did you find Fit4Mom?
- I’ve been with Fit4Mom for a decade. When James (my middle) was born, I was looking for a workout I could bring my baby and toddler to, and that’s when I found Fit4Mom. That was about three owners ago (it’s been so fun watching it change hands over the years), and back then there were only a fraction of the classes and options there are now. I was just thrilled to have a way to work out, meet other moms, and keep my little ones right there with me. For the past ten years, I’ve loved watching Fit4Mom grow right along with me and my kids.
- What’s the best part of Fit4Mom?
- I love how flexible Fit4Mom is. It’s always there when I need it! I’ve gone through phases where I’m doing multiple workouts a week, and others where I can only make the occasional drop-in class (or maybe just book club!). Having so many options for times, locations, and formats makes it easy to fit in, no matter how crazy life gets. And whenever I do show up, I know there’s a good chance I’ll see a friendly face I know.
- Favorite class/exercise?
- There are so many good ones, but I love Melissa’s Body Boost! I know I’m going to get a killer workout and be entertained at the same time.
- Proudest moment?
- It might sound cliché, but my proudest moments were the 24 hours after each of my kids was born. I know women have babies every day, but when you live through a pregnancy and birth, you realize how hard it can all be and how many things can go wrong along the way. In those first 24 hours, I was just so in awe that I was able to create another human and so proud to hold them in my arms.
- What is something that would surprise us?
- When I was in college, I came down with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare and incredibly dangerous condition that attacks the nervous system. Within a single weekend, I went from a healthy college kid to being completely paralyzed from the waist down. After my diagnosis, doctors told me I would get better, but that I might spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was devastated, but I worked my butt off in physical and occupational therapy, and I made a full recovery. Today, I’m so thankful that I get to use my body, be a mom, and be part of this amazing community. And most people have no idea that I spent months completely paralyzed.