Motivational Mom of the Month - Kathryn Shapiro

March is upon us and we are looking forward to warmer weather (hopefully) and all the exciting things we have coming for you this Spring!

More classes with more locations which means more time to love on our Mamas like this month's motivational mom, Kathryn! Please join us in getting to know her a little bit better!

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

I found F4M when I was pregnant and desperately searching for prenatal exercise classes. After giving birth I fell in love with stroller strides and have been doing the classes very regularly since! I guess I officially joined in November 2020.

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

I love getting to meet other moms and learn from their experiences. I would never have had the confidence to do BLW if it weren't for the fellow moms in stroller strides that I've talked to about it. People are always so nice and willing to share their experiences.

Who are you a mom to?

Arthur Basil Shapiro - 10 months as of 2/9!

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

Baby snuggles!

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

One horse-sized duck - easier to have just one enemy to deal with!

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

I take classes or swim at the Northside YMCA. I also try to run or do yoga at least a few times a week (emphasis on TRY).

How do you practice self-care?

My husband and I set aside almost an hour each night to read before bed. It was something we both really missed in the newborn phase that we're REALLY excited to have back in our routine.

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

I grew up in Silver Spring, MD. I went to the University of Richmond, which is where I met my husband. Even after moving to Williamsburg for grad school my husband wanted to move back to Richmond, so here we are!

How did becoming a mother change you?

My sister said it's made me nicer :)

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

Book: A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum (probably my favorite book I read in the Pandemic) TV Series: my favorites are a toss up between Jane the Virgin and Downton Abbey

How did you meet your husband?

We were set up in college my freshman year and have been dating basically since then. Crazy how time flies!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

So many different things...I always loved performing and ended up in school counseling. I think I'm still trying to figure out what comes next!

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

Probably just wander around the house and make a mess looking at what's there. I have always been good at that!

Kathryn, I spit out my water laughing when you said you sister said becoming a mother made you nicer! As the mean older sister, I wonder if my little sister would say the same thing! I always love when people find their way back to Richmond whether it be they were from here or were here for college like you and I love that you found your way to FIT4MOM Richmond!

Thank you for sharing a little bit more about yourself and thank you for being a a part of Our Village!

- megan