WHERE MOMS GET FIT

               AND KIDS HAVE FUN!

Alexa Borisjuk Smith

I am a certified group fitness instructor through American Council on Exercise. I am also CPR and AED Certified. I have a bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies and a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education.

Once we started our family, it became more difficult to coach. I wanted to find something I could do with children in tow in which I could continue to use my expertise to help others. Teaching stroller fitness classes is the perfect fit. I get to inspire moms and work with children at the same time!  I began teaching in Hawaii where I owned and operated Sunset Stroller Circuit on the North Shore of Oahu. When we moved to the south side of the island, I was an instructor for Stroller Strides of Leeward Oahu.

kim’s Story

I will never forget my turning point.  Six weeks after Cody was born, we traveled to New York.  Joe was running the 2010 New York Marathon.  I remember standing near the finish line – hanging onto over thirty pounds of baby weight with baby Cody in the Bjorn, while I dropped powdered sugar (from the FUNNEL CAKE) I was eating all over his head … while we waited for my (one legged!) husband to complete his 26.2 mile run in under 4 hours.  That is when I asked myself – “Kim what are you doing? You have got to get this under control!” Right then, I vowed to get the baby weight off and to be the fit, fun mom and wife that I wanted to be!

A couple of months after this realization, Joe deployed to Afghanistan.  I used that four month time frame to really concentrate on the goal at hand.  I started my fitness journey with the Couch 2 5K program.  I cannot say enough about this program – it changed my attitude from severely disliking formalized exercise to truly enjoying a workout.  Couch 2 5K builds a solid base so you can better accomplish your exercise goals.  This sense of accomplishment was something that had not happened for me in quite a while!

Since completing the program, I continued to build upon my runs and added “workouts.”  While on the search for a workout program to fit my new lifestyle as a mom, I stumbled upon a group that was just starting up in my area called “Stroller Strong Moms.”  I was hesitant to show up to the first class because I didn’t know anyone, I wasn’t sure how my kids would do and the instructor looked pretty intimidating from her bio! I thought I would never be able to keep up! Since she was offering prizes, I bit the bullet and showed up.  (I mean, who can resist a free prize and the possibility of winning more in participation prizes?)

I couldn’t wait to get home and tell Joe all about the class, and I was even more excited to attend my next class! Stroller Strong Moms was a perfect fit for me – we are all in the same boat with our babies.  Some days its smooth sailing; and on others, it’s a contest to see who is more needy.  At the end of the day, we are all moms who are striving to reach a mutual goal – become healthy, happy mamas!

Through Stroller Strong Moms, I have gained so much. The classes are challenging and help me to maintain my fitness goals and the camaraderie that we all share as moms is invaluable.  Since joining Stroller Strong Moms, I have competed in many 5k’s and have completed both the Soldier Half Marathon and Seaside Half Marathon. 

I have earned my Group Fitness Certification through the American Council on Exercise and CPR/AED certification through the American Heart Association.  I am excited to join Stroller Strong Moms as an instructor and to introduce moms to this fun experience while helping them to stay active and healthy!

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."  

~ Bill Phillips ~

jill’s Story

My name is Jill McCabe.  I am a proud army wife to my husband Kevin, and a mom to our 10-month-old daughter, Teagan.  We have lived in Columbus just over a year and a half. Prior to this we lived in Savannah, GA. This is our second time living in Columbus. We previously lived here back in 2008 after we were married and this was our first duty station! Columbus is where we started our new life together and I am excited to be back.

I am a certified group fitness instructor through the American council of Exercise. I am also CPR/AED, ACLS, and PALS certified. I have earned a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. I have five years of experience working as a registered nurse in both pediatric and adult intensive care.

I was born and raised in Circle Pines, Minnesota. I was actively involved in sports growing up. My two main sports were softball and ice hockey. I played ice hockey all throughout high school and was lucky enough to continue playing one year of college hockey for the College of St. Benedict.  It was during my freshmen year at college that I met my husband Kevin. After a year at this school I had decided to pursue my nursing degree and transferred to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. They didn’t have a hockey team here, but I joined the women’s club rugby team and played for three years. Besides sports I also would run on my own and throughout the years have participated in many 5k, 10k, and 10-miler races.

Although I have always been an active person, my weight has always been a constant yo-yo ball. After getting married in 2007 and starting my career in nursing I found it difficult to balance working and fitness. It was easy to come up with excuses…I’m too tired, it’s too hot, I’ll do it tomorrow. I had difficulty motivating myself to workout on a regular basis. It was always helpful to have a workout buddy or be in a class, but these usually only came in spurts and would last for short times before my lazy habits returned.

We were excited about starting our family when my husband came home from his deployment in 2010. We welcomed our daughter Teagan, in July of 2011. When I stepped on the scale after she was born I almost passed out…I had exceeded the 200 lb. mark, which I never thought would happen. Eating unhealthy foods and limited exercise during pregnancy took its toll. I knew I needed to not just  ‘workout’, but that it was time to make a lifestyle change. I promptly researched fitness classes in the Columbus area and found my answer: Stroller Strong Moms.  I have been attending since Teagan was about 2 months old and it has changed my life! I have lost over 35 lbs. and feel healthy and strong! I’ve met so many inspiring and amazing moms!

Stroller Strong Moms has been the beginning of what is now a whole new lifestyle for me. Fitness and nutrition are much higher priorities on my list. It has pushed me to exceed goals I’ve set for myself. It gives me the desire to push harder, go deeper, and become stronger. I recently completed my first half-marathon and can’t wait to do another! I have been so inspired by the results I’ve seen in myself and in others.

I am excited to become part of the Stroller Strong Moms team and look forward to taking what I’ve learned and worked hard for to help others achieve their fitness goals. I’m looking forward to meeting new moms as well as working with some of the awesome women I have met so far. See you in class!

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Rebecca’s Story

My name is Rebecca Paull, and I am a born and raised Columbus girl. My husband, Joe and I reside in the Lakebottom neighborhood with our two daughters, Josie (born in 2006) and Neena (born in 2010) and our sometimes ferocious, but mostly affectionate schipperke, Kody (2008). I am certified in Group Fitness through the American Council on Exercise and I am also certified in CPR/AED through the American Heart Association.

My entire life I have been walking a thin line between underweight and extremely underweight. The funny thing is, I ate. I ate a lot! Being the youngest of 4 children and only girl, I could always hold my own at the kitchen table. My being super thin was never a big self esteem issue however, when it’s all said and done, I do want to feel good about myself. I have always been an active person. I played softball for nearly 10 years, until my junior year at Pacelli High School. Now that I’m a mother, I realize organized sports are an awesome way to get your kids playing outside. I thank my mom for all of those early mornings and late nights at the ball field. I probably wouldn’t have fully realized my love for outdoor sports had I not “lived” at the little league.

My name is Alexa Smith and I am the owner of Stroller Strong Moms LLC. I have two children, Destry (born in 2009) and Velzy (born in 2010).  I am a proud Army wife to my husband, Tony. We have been married since 2004 and we have lived in Columbus, GA (three times), Colorado Springs, CO and Hawaii. We have just recently moved from Columbus, GA to Savannah, GA where we will reside for the next two to three years.

I have always been very active and involved in sports. Growing up, I was a swimmer and a soccer player. I pursued soccer which allowed me to play Division I soccer at the University of Connecticut, and then go on to play professionally for two years in the first ever pro league, Women’s United Soccer Association. I then got married, but continued to be involved in the soccer world through coaching for Columbus State University Women’s Soccer and many youth teams in Georgia and Colorado. I also ran speed and agility camps for young athletes while we lived in both places. 

I started Stroller Strong Moms on September 12th, 2011 in Columbus, GA with hopes of becoming an established business that would help tons of moms to reach their fitness goals. I was so pleased to see that Stroller Strong Moms has done just that. So many moms have been able to reach goals they never thought possible. I love being able to motivate moms. Fitness is my passion and it is so great to be able to share my knowledge with tons of other moms who are committed to working out, improving their fitness and losing that baby weight! Not only that, but they are able to be inspiring role models for their children as they demonstrate the importance of health and fitness. 

Our stay in Columbus was too short and the Smiths have moved again.  We now reside in Savannah, GA and I started SSM here in September. I look forward to getting to know a whole new group Stroller Strong Moms in Savannah while watching SSM of Columbus continue to grow under the guidance of an amazing SSM team!  Go SSM!

It may have taken more time than expected and a lot of dedication, but by the time I had baby number two in 2010, I considered myself a runner. I also started developing muscles. I was finally bulking up, and this to me, was cooler than puberty. I was beginning to realize that I was able to take control of my body by living a healthy, physically active lifestyle. I also came to the conclusion that food intake was only half the battle with my weight, and by being active, I could gain muscle and body mass according to how much energy I was using. For me, might I add, the psychological aspects of exercise are an added bonus!

The first time I showed up for Stroller Strong Moms in November of 2011, I was a little apprehensive about it; even my husband tried to get me to only pay for a few classes. Well, turns out- I LOVED IT! It was amazing how motivated I felt surrounded by a group of mothers who, like myself, were trying to get fit and improve their bodies. Bringing a baby (or 2, or 3) to a fitness class is genius. I believe it’s my responsibility to set a good example for my daughters, and having them with me at Stroller Strong Moms allows me to set that example. Being a part of the SSM team, my body has changed dramatically due to the different muscle groups used. I am motivated to go outside with my daughters to hike, swim, and play because I genuinely feel great!

My pre-SSM 5k personal record was 27:55. My new P.R. for a 5k is 22:15. I have run in more 5k races in the past 6 months than I can count. I have participated in a duathlon, a sprint-triathlon and I am registered for a ½ marathon in November 2012, one year after beginning Stroller Strong Moms. I love being a part of SSM, and I know I will have so much pleasure in instructing any mother that decides to join!

As an adult, my husband has been my biggest motivator to get out of the house. After we had our first daughter, my husband (and avid runner and former high school cross country team captain, aka Captain Blood) talked me into going for a jog. I remember running! Like from 1st base to 2nd! Yeah, he didn’t mean that kind of jog. Maybe he had it in his mind that I would make a good runner; tall-ish, thin, wears t-shirts. Back to the jog-I hated it! I whined, complained, cried, and maybe I even fake dry-heaved. So what? I was trying to get out of it! Thankfully he didn’t give up on me, even when he caught grief from onlookers as to why he was trying to whip his skinny little wife into shape. A common misconception people have: skinny people are healthy people. That is far from the truth, I realized, through that experience.

“Laziness may appear to be attractive, but only hard work gives real satisfaction.”  –Anne Frank

Julie’s Story

My name is Julie Morelli, and I am a born and raised Georgia peach! I am the proud wife and mother to two amazing men! My husband, Steve, is serving in the army and we have been married for 5 years.  Our son Samuel (Sammy) was born July 11, 2011, and he has brought so much joy to our lives!  We moved to Columbus in Feb 2011, and we lived in Savannah prior to moving here. We keep joking that we joined the army to see the world, and we have not left Georgia.

I am a certified group fitness instructor through the American council of exercise. I also have my CPR and AED certification through the American Heart Association. I graduated from North Georgia College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Before having my son I worked as a labor and delivery nurse, but now I stay home with Sammy!

I have always led an active life, and been involved with sports. When I was younger I played basketball and was on swim team. I coached 6 and under for both swimming and basketball for a season. When I was in college I was involved with all the intramurals.  I was even a referee for flag football during my freshman year!

After I graduated I started to become a little lazy, and I did not work out like should. I ate the same as I always did, but I was less active than I had been. After I had put on a little weight I decided to try to start running to live a healthy life. At the time my husband was deployed, so it gave me something else to do besides work and hang out with friends. When my husband returned we got pregnant that same month, and I decided to take it easy during pregnancy so I stopped running. I worked out sporadically throughout my nine month break, and after Sammy arrived I realized I needed to get my life together.

I started running around Lake Bottom Park, and I would always see a group of women with their strollers having a great time while working out. Jill and I went and checked it out together one time, and I have been to almost every class since then. Between changing my diet and finding a fabulous group of women to work out with, I am finally living a healthy life! Stroller Strong Moms really did change my life. I never thought I could be as fit as I am today, and I never imagined being able to run as fast as I do now! I feel great and I have so much more energy than I ever did before, and we all know Moms need lots of energy! I look forward to meeting new Moms, and to continue to motivate the wonderful Moms that have already joined!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”-Albert Einstein