At first, Jody’s motivation was clear: “My ‘why’ was wanting to stay home with my new baby!” But over the years, as her family grew to include two more children, her “why” evolved. The flexibility to be present for school drop-offs, chaperone field trips, and volunteer in the classroom became even more invaluable. “Outside of part-time preschool for my kids when they were toddlers, I have never had to use daycare or babysitters,” Jody shares. “Being able to spend time with them when they are little has been such a gift that FIT4MOM gave me all these years!”

However, Jody quickly discovered that her passion for FIT4MOM was more than being present for her kids. "When I first started, a new passion for fitness began," she recalls. “I had always loved attending group fitness classes but never dreamed I would teach them.” Over time, she fell in love with leading classes and witnessing the transformations in the moms who attended. “I fell in love with seeing moms push themselves and overcome fitness challenges or start a new health journey.”

Yet, the most powerful transformation was something more profound than fitness. “It didn’t take long for me to see that community of moms building and how important it is for moms to find their ‘village.’” That sense of community—creating a space where moms can find physical and emotional support—became the core of Jody’s work. “Whether the key driver has been building community or empowering moms to prioritize their health, both have ignited a purpose in me that I didn’t know was there.”