Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Fox.
Hi Melanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I became a mom, everything changed for me. Everything from questioning if I wanted to continue working full time in cooperate America to how do I manage to take care of myself and a baby. I really was just trying to survive. I stumbled upon a fitness class called Strollerfit at my local recreation center in East Dallas, where moms could bring their babies with them to class in their stroller and workout with them by their side. I loved this class. I had one hour of my day that I was taking care of myself, not feeling mom guilt for leaving my kiddo in childcare or being called to go pick my screaming baby up from gym childcare. I also made mom friends that were right where I was in life. Conversation, emotions, struggles, and celebrations were all shared around this little workout class.
When my daughter turned one, I made the decision to stay home with her full time and about that same time, the owner of this particular Strollerfit franchise put her business up for sale. I jumped on the opportunity to own my own business, utilize my degree in Exercise Sports Science that had been pushed to the back burner and stay home with my daughter. From that moment, I fell in love with training women in all stages of motherhood. Over the past 12 years as a trainer, I have met so many amazing women and seen a community of moms start that is like no other. I eventually left the franchise portion of my business and that is when Created Strong Fitness was born in August of 2019. I have expanded past just new moms in the stroller years (although many of my clients are in this phase) to moms of all ages and stages.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business definitely has its ups and downs. Overall the past 12 years have been awesome. Just like any small business, there have been many successes and a few failures. I know the community of women God has placed along my path through Created Strong Fitness has made all the struggles seem easy. My business was created for moms by moms… me. I started Strollerfit, then we transitioned to Baby Boot Camp for eight years and then I left the franchise and went out on my own as Created Strong Fitness. This has probably been my biggest struggle. Growing a brand that moms recognize and respect can be very challenging in a world that has fitness classes on every corner. It took years before I realized that moms didn’t join Created Strong Fitness for the name, but instead, they feel known here.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner/creator of Created Strong Fitness. I train moms in all stages of motherhood. My goal is to empower moms through group fitness to find their strength, exemplify a healthy lifestyle to their kids, and create a community for moms to connect with like minded women. I specialize in women’s fitness – I train moms with their bodies in mind. No matter if they are pregnant, newly postpartum or 30 years postpartum. I see moms every day that are thrown back into life after baby with no direction or path to heal their bodies or regain the core strength they lost during pregnancy.
I have become very passionate over the years to teach women about Diastasis Recti (the separation of the abdominal muscles) as well as pelvic floor health (women do not have to live with peeing while moving for the rest of their life after baby!) Many fitness programs are presented in a way that can make moms feel like if they are not back to where they were pre-baby or pushing harder, they are weak or less than. I have created a space for moms to take the time they need, moving in a way that is honoring to their new bodies and at a pace that is beneficial to lifelong wellness. Also, moms want to be able to come workout in a place that there are no expectations of you ‘having it all together’. Created Strong Fitness is a safe place for moms to grow, push hard, slow down, ask questions, laugh, and know they are seen just where they are in life.
How do you think about happiness?
My faith is the ultimate reason for my happiness. Through my faith in Jesus, I am free to do what I love and be who I was created to be without the burden of trying to measure up to the world. That is true happiness to me. 🙂
Pricing:
- Unlimited Month of classes plans starting at $65/mo. (One time enrollment fee of $45 for new members which includes equipment kit)
Contact Info:
- Email: melanie.fox@createdstrongfitness.com
- Website: www.createdstrongfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createdstrongfitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createdstrongfitness
Image Credits
Rawl Photography – Claire Jackson
