One of our favorite things about publishing Macaroni Kid is the chance to connect with other parents in our community. Often times these connections inspire us and remind us of the ability of one person to make a difference. In September 2015 we launched the Mom on a Mission series as a way to share those stories. In fact, we shared the stories of 20 incredible local moms! This year - in 2017 - we've decided to expand and re-brand and launch a new article series called PARENT WITH A PURPOSE.
Our hope is to introduce you to some amazing moms and dads living right in our communities who not only are doing unique and wonderful things but also deserve to have some attention brought to their mission.
I am honored to share some thoughts from Katy Taylor, our latest Parent with a Purpose. I have known Katy since I started publishing for Macaroni Kid ... just about 7 years ago. I met her as a small business owner who was helping moms find the best possible baby carrier. I remember our 30 minutes together - chatting and trying on various carriers - felt therapeutic to me. She listened, commiserated, and showed true empathy to this tired mom of a preemie who just needed a few hands-free hours in the day. Both the connection and the carrier were a turning point for me in my motherhood journey. Since then it has been a pleasure for me to witness Katy's journey - mainly via social media, which led to her becoming the franchise owner of FIT4MOM Issaquah, Sammamish, SnoRidge. There's so much more to her story, but I asked her to share with our audience the passion she has for building community and supporting moms in every stage of motherhood. These are her words, and I know they will resonate ...
FIT4MOM is the nation’s largest wellness company designed for moms, by moms and is dedicated to the Strength In Motherhood by providing classes and support for moms in every stage of motherhood. Through Fit4Baby's prenatal fitness classes, Stroller Strides, Body Back, and Our Village, women have the opportunity to have a workout and support system that is flexible around motherhood.
I found Stroller Strides when my middle daughter was six months old in my own search for strength and the ability to button my jeans again. I always joke that I went looking for a workout, not friends. What I found there was a support system I didn't know I needed. I have been involved with FIT4MOM since, and through those years, I have found so much inner strength right alongside the muscular strength and endurance. The women I met at Stroller Strides held me through a surprise pregnancy, my first 5k, 10k, and half marathon. They were there with me (heck, it was their idea) when I crossed my first marathon finish line. They helped me lose almost 40 pounds and find myself somewhere amidst the pounds shed. They stood by my side when I walked away from a 10-year marriage with my three young girls in tow, and they stood by me when I chose to commit myself to love again last summer. The friendships I made in Stroller Strides are some of the strongest I have. And to think I walked in just looking to get sweaty.
My passion has always been helping parents, especially mothers, find grace and strength in parenting. I have taught childbirth and early parenting classes at Evergreen Healthcare for nearly 10 years. When I saw FIT4MOM aligned so well with that, it seemed a given that I should be involved in a bigger way. I was honored to be asked by my own FIT4MOM leader to become an instructor. I LOVED that role: leading moms, inspiring them, holding them up so they can do what needs to be done for their own. I am there for the moms. The babies are great (I do love to snuggle a fresh newborn), the toddlers crack me up (they're funny when they're not yours), but the mamas—they're such a big part of my why. If I can give them what they need today, they can do for others. If I can fill their cup, hold space for them to vent, hold their kids so they can have a minute to themselves, they'll be able to handle whatever else the day throws at them. My WHY is a combination of things: the strength we help moms find; the communities we facilitate; the healthy families we encourage; and of course, my own four girls.
Purchasing my own franchise was a leap of faith for me. I'd just stepped out of a marriage. I was short on time and money and long on dreams and passion. I knew I wanted something more for my life—that working a random 9-5 wasn't going to cut it. Maybe I'm idealistic, but I wanted my kids to see that it was possible to have passion AND a paycheck. This business is a curious one. On the one hand, it's a business, plain and simple. I am CEO, CFO, VP of Marketing, Sales and HR.
The title on my business cards says "Chief Inspiration Leader” because that's such a huge part of what I do. I make an effort to know each of my clients and their kids. Because it's important to me that they each know that I couldn't be here if not for them, and I am here because of them. No one is a just a number here. My instructors are carrying that forward as this business grows to a point where it's becoming more and more difficult for me to know everyone personally. They all know how important that is to me: we aren't a big box gym, and that personal touch is what sets FIT4MOM apart from other businesses.
One of my biggest joys is to watch these instructors take off and fly on their own. Watching one this morning, I saw in her bits from my mentors, and little things that she gleaned from me. It's a gift to watch them spread this FIT4MOM love throughout our communities. I have learned so much about the logistics of running a business, and two years in, I feel like I've finally got a handle on it all and have hit a groove. But it's the other stuff - watching this community form, seeing friendships made out of thin air, being a party to moms connecting in real ways, in person, away from screens is where I learn the most.
I work hard to lead by example. My instructors look to me to set the tone that they will then set for this franchise. My job is to make sure it’s a good one...and to remember to show my screw ups every so often. We all need reminders that we're not perfect - and me pretending to be isn't going to do anyone any favors. So I let the hot mess show. And I am real. So that we all feel safe being real. Because isn't that the most important thing?
Part of what I truly love about this job is that I can be involved in my kids’ lives, in little and big ways, without worrying about taking another day off, or having a big meeting I can't get out of. I set my schedule, and I can work around my kids' activities. If one of my kiddos is sick, I can work from the couch next to a feverish babe. When a week like this current one hits, I can get to Field Day, 5th Grade Graduation (sob!), the Preschool Carnival and Promotion (double sob!) and one last Art Docent lesson without missing any classes. Sure, I may work a little less this week, but it's OK—I'll pick it up next week. It's rare that I have things that are so time bound that I can't get to my kids' stuff. I have an AMAZING instructor team (SHOUT OUT!) who teach many of our classes, and work on special projects like our SnoRidge Grand Opening that we held last month, our Summer Kick Off last week, and our Sammamish Grand Opening we're hosting next month.
My advice for parents - find time for you, both as a couple and individually. Self care is CRITICAL. If I don't get my "me time," it's a bad thing. My favorite way to get back to me is running. It's my thing - I even have a shirt that reads "I run to burn off the crazy" from my friends at Unpreparathon. Because that's truly where I leave it all. Besides running, I love being with my two life partners: my husband Ben and my BFF Julie. Good thing they get along; it works out nicely. Hiking, camping, skiing, shopping, going out for a drink with a good friend—I'm nothing if not social so being out and about is a favorite way to fill my cup. Every so often, I like I good junk movie binge with popcorn and licorice on the couch. Whatever feeds your soul, find time for you in this crazy thing called motherhood. Being a martyr for our kids does everyone a disservice.
I love how Mac Kid promotes and shares community: events, businesses, resources - I love together we share that focus! MK can help us out by continuing to share our fun events and direct new mamas to our fitness programs and Our Village events! Parents need a village - not just to raise their babies but to become these new people that they need to become. And finding that isn't always easy. We try hard to make it easy. Being the leader of this tribe is a gift. And the best part about the village? There’s always room for more.
Whether you're expecting, in the throws of toddlerhood, or have both kids in school full-time, Macaroni Kid encourages you to connect with Katy and FIT4MOM Issaquah, Sammamish, SnoRidge via Facebook or online.
