Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Folk.
Julianne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Sports and exercise have always been an important part of my life, from gym sessions and weekend runs to sporting events and HIIT circuits. Movement is critical to my daily routine. However, when I became pregnant with twins, I found the vast majority of books and literature contradicted everything I had ever read or believed about fitness. With so many unanswered questions, I decided to take matters into my own hands. With the help of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Knocked Up Fitness, I can accurately clear up many misconceptions and myths when it comes to exercise in general, as well as, exercising during pregnancy.
Since the birth of twins and later two more babies, my fitness mindset (and body) have completely changed. My days of 2+ hour workouts in the gym are something of the past. My new reality is chasing four kids, a puppy, and an active husband around the house. I want all my clients to know you can feel your best, strongest, and still have your best body yet, even after kids. Come join the Folkinator team and I’ll show you how!!!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m a mom of four kids five and under. Getting five minutes to wash my hair is a fairytale, let alone spending two hours in the gym or taking up a new hobby. When I decided I wanted to pursue this new fitness goal, I had everything working against me. Three babies two and under, a husband who played professional football, packing up and moving around the country with no family in the same state to help with the kiddos. I was waking my already sleep deprived body up at 4:45 a.m. every morning to study and do school work while staying up until 11 p.m. every night (when the rest of the house had gone to sleep) to complete the next chapter. I look back now on all those sleepless days and nights and thank the good Lord for inventing coffee. In reality, it was the support of an amazing husband and family cheering me on that got me where I am today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about What The Folk Fitness – what should we know?
My passion is for motivating women to stop making excuses and just get moving. Since having babies, my workout motto is: EVERYTHING ADDS UP. Whether you get in a little run here, or a few squats there, anything is better than nothing at all! As a mom, I get how easy it can be to say, “ I’ll come back to it later… dishes need to be done, clothes folded, dinner still needs to be prepared.” My hope is to inspire you to put the excuses away and in the words of Nike, JUST DO IT! I encourage my clients to embrace the chaos of daily life. Doing squats while holding your baby will always get you a high five, and doing pushups with your kids riding on your back gets you two big thumbs up. Through competitive/HIIT based training, my goal is for you to leave my workouts feeling motivated, energized, sweaty, and proud of yourself all while asking yourself, WHAT THE FOLK just happened?
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
My degree is in sports broadcasting. I have always worked in a predominately male environment. Whether working for the NFL, NBA, or the Dallas Cowboys, I have always been the gender minority, and to be honest, I think it has helped me thrive. Maybe it’s my competitive nature, but I love when the underdog wins. Give me a challenge and I’ll step up to the plate. The women trainers of today are here to change peoples perspective. The days of strong not being sexy are in the past. Throw in a strong mom who has muscles and can chase five kids around the house… now, that’s cool!!! So, here I am, tackling the fitness world like I would any challenge… head on, full force, and unfazed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.whatthefolkfitness.com
- Email: jay@whatthefolkfitness.com
- Instagram: whatthefolkfitness and juliannefolk622
- Facebook: what the folk fitness
Image Credit:
Alexia Ellesse
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