Motivational Mom of the Month - Allie Smith

Megan Ford

Happy April! It's finally feeling like Spring and we are so excited for all the new classes being added to our in-person AND virtual schedule! We're also so excited to introduce you to our Motivational Mom of the Month, and newest instructor, Allie Smith!

How did you find FIT4MOM Richmond and how long have you been a part of our village?

I heard about FIT4MOM Richmond from Lindsey Brown, a childhood friend of mine! She posted on her instagram how she was treating herself to Body Back after Christmas 2019. I had just had my second baby and was not loving how I felt and looked, so I decided that this would be something awesome to invest in for myself in the new year! I started with FIT4MOM RVA in January 2020, so it's been a little over a year!

What do you love most about being part of this community?

What I love most about our community is how everyone is in the same phase of life and understands what it is like to be a mom. I love that we all share the connection of motherhood. The bond and understanding between mothers is something that is so beautiful and I love that FIT4MOM focuses on fostering those relationships. It's because of all this I finally found a workout routine I can not only commit to, but believe in. I loved FIT4MOM so much, I ended up wanting to work for Natalie so I could give to other mothers what this community has given to me.

How did you find FIT4MOM Richmond and how long have you been a part of our village?

I heard about FIT4MOM Richmond from Lindsey Brown, a childhood friend of mine! She posted on her instagram how she was treating herself to Body Back after Christmas 2019. I had just had my second baby and was not loving how I felt and looked, so I decided that this would be something awesome to invest in for myself in the new year! I started with FIT4MOM RVA in January 2020, so it's been a little over a year!

What do you love most about being part of this community?

What I love most about our community is how everyone is in the same phase of life and understands what it is like to be a mom. I love that we all share the connection of motherhood. The bond and understanding between mothers is something that is so beautiful and I love that FIT4MOM focuses on fostering those relationships. It's because of all this I finally found a workout routine I can not only commit to, but believe in. I loved FIT4MOM so much, I ended up wanting to work for Natalie so I could give to other mothers what this community has given to me.

Who are you a mom to?

I am mom to Theodore ("Theo") who is 3 and Shepard ("Shep") who is 20 months old!

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

Oh gosh, this is the hardest question because I am obsessed with being a mom haha. I think I can narrow it down to 2! First, I love watching my children experience new things. It is so amazing to see them make connections, learn something new or do something I did or even never did as a kid myself. Second, I love watching my kids play together, there is no joy like seeing your children interact and love one another.

Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or one hundred duck-sized horses?

Lol. This is hysterical. A giant duck sounds awful, so probably 100 duck sized horses because I love a horse, haha!

How do you stay fit when you're not working out with FIT4MOM?

I teach hip hop dance 2 times a week so choreographing prep and dancing in class helps! Also, I am forever chasing around my 2 toddlers, playing outside, or going on walks with them. It's rare I am EVER sitting down during the day. I think that counts! :)

How do you practice self-care?

Oof, I am not the best at self-care. I am a major do-er and list maker. Usually, any free time I have I try to be productive. My husband tells me I need to work more on just "relaxing" and he's right. SO, since Tuesday night is the only weeknight I don't work, I try really hard to relax on Tuesday evenings. Sometimes I just stay in with my hubby or sometimes I have wine night with friends. Also, on weekends, I TRY to stay off my phone and be present with my family as much as possible.

Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Richmond?

I actually grew up here in Richmond, VA! I went to college at James Madison University and ended up going to graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University. After grad school, I started my school counseling career here, as well. I've always wanted to try living somewhere else, but with kids, it is so convenient and important to me to raise them here near our family.

How did becoming a mother change you?

I love how much motherhood has changed me because it makes me want to work on myself and be a better person every day. Being a positive role model to my kids is so important to me and pushes me to be the best version of myself. I am much more patient than ever. I am also WAY more "go with the flow" as a mother. This is probably because you have to be haha, BUT I also think life is so much easier and stress-free when you learn to be flexible and not sweat the little things.

What is the last great book or television series you've read/watched?

The last book I read (all the way through haha) was Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. For TV series, I watch a lot of reality TV because at the end of the day, I am too exhausted to follow a story! Lately, we've been watching Married at First Sight or 90 Day Fiance.

How did you meet your husband?

Drew and I are high school sweethearts. He went to a different high school than I did, but saw me playing at a volleyball game one night. He went home that night and told his mom he saw the "prettiest girl he had ever seen". She then told him his sister's friend, Abbie, had a sister who played volleyball for Freeman High School. As it turned out, I was the same girl! My mom told me the story, I thought it was cute. We messaged on MySpace (embarrassing and sketchy I know lol). We met up at a high school party one night and were inseparable ever since. :)

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a veterinarian forever. I would hook up my stuffed animals to "IVs" and loved watching Animal Planet.

If your five-year-old self suddenly found themselves inhabiting your current body, what would she do first?

Probably go buy whatever animals/pets I wanted. I told you, I was OBSESSED. ;)

Oh man Allie - major flashbacks to the MySpace days! I love that you and your husband are high school sweethearts 🥰 And I agree, it's SO wonderful to watch your kids play together!

Allie, you are such a wonderful addition to the FIT4MOM Richmond team and we are so glad you listened to Lindsey and joined us!

-megan