August Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

August's featured Mom of the Month is Shannon DeMeo! 

Congrats, Shannon!

Shannon has been a member of Stroller Strides since we started workouts at The Streets at Southpoint in South Durham, in February.  She is also our Playgroup Organizer for the Durham area and has led tons of fun events for moms and kids, including after-class crafts and storytimes, field trips, Moms Nights, and family outings.  She and Maddie are a consistent and smiling presence at Southpoint workouts and we're glad to have Shannon as part of our group!  Congrats on the strides you've made in fitness, motherhood, and life! 

Hometown: Kearny, New Jersey - about 20 minutes outside of New York City

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Durham
 
Education: B.A. in Studio Art from Drew University in New Jersey and M.S. in Art Therapy/Counseling from The College of New Rochelle in New York
 
Stroller Strides Member since: February 2013
 
Members of your Family: My husband, Steve, and daughter, Maddie
 
Tell us about your children: Maddie will be 2 in October - learning more and more words everyday and has made life so much fun!
 
Current/previous Career: Before having Maddie, I worked as a Child Life Specialist - helping hospitalized children cope during their stay by teaching them about medical procedures they had to go through so they would having better understanding of what was happening to them as well as trying to make the hospital as fun as possible!
 
What was your childhood ambition? To be a nurse - and a Mom!
 
What does motherhood mean to you? Putting someone else's needs before your own because you love them so much you always want the best for them.
 
What is the furthest you have been from home? Ireland for a week when I was 17
 
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides has been a life saver for me this year - moved into the area last June and was really having a hard time settling in here even 6 months later. Finding SS has given me the exercise routine I was looking for since Maddie was born which has helped me feel better about myself. Most importantly though, Maddie and I have found a group of friends that has helped make North Carolina feel like home :)

What is your favorite exercise? Our paper plate cardio workouts are always tough but the soreness the next day means they were worth it :)
 
What is your proudest moment? Definitely having Maddie! Most recently though, when she used the potty for the first time I almost cried I was so proud (I remember thinking I can't imagine what I will be like at high school graduation if this is what I'm like over the potty!)
 
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Dessert, shopping and bad reality television
 
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Because I was an outgoing toddler, my mom put me in a modeling agency - over the years got to be in a few commercials and an extra in a movie with Al Pacino!
 
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Honest and selfless

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape?  Having a set routine every week of classes to attend has made all the difference to me. If I just planned on exercising at home while Maddie was asleep, I would always find something else to do instead. Setting aside the time to get out of the house and exercise (and having a group to do it with) keeps me motivated!