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!
October's featured Mom of the Month is Lisa Qualls!
Congrats, Lisa!
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary
Education: BA in French from the University of Virginia
Stroller Strides Member since: 2012
Members of your Family: 4
Tell us about your children: Many of you have met Elliott, who'll be 3 in November. He is usually very outgoing and introduces himself to people everywhere he goes (he's probably hugged your child--hopefully, without knocking him/her to the ground), loves Thomas the tank engine and any kind of music, and always asks us over dinner, "Mommy and Daddy, what was your favorite part of the day?" Josh, my 10-year old stepson, who has joined me for just a few classes and loved them, is a very soft-spoken, bright 5th grader who loves reading, playing soccer, and participating in Cub Scouts and has recently taken up an interest in drawing cars. If you every have any questions about Pokemon, Legos, Star Wars or Bakugan, he's your guy!
Current/previous Career: This is an easy question that's tough to answer. Most of my career has been in marketing for tech companies. Then, I started my own business, Monkey Lisa, for which I design and make fashion and home accessories, and I did some marketing consulting for tech companies on the side. Then, I had Elliott and had no time for any work. Now, I'm doing a little bit of Monkey Lisa work, volunteering my marketing services for a non-profit, and working as a neighborhood coordinator for The Produce Box. And looking for a marketing job.
What was your childhood ambition? To be an actress (I did some community theatre a few years ago, so I consider that done) and to see John Travolta and Olivia-Newton John in concert (I was/am a Grease junkie and I saw ONJ in concert a few years ago, so I consider that done, too!).
What does motherhood mean to you? Expressing love for someone in so many ways I never thought possible. Hugs, kisses, holding tight, letting go, words, silence, action, inaction, planning for the future, and taking care of myself.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Austria
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides helped my days return to "normal" after Elliott was born. It's a four-way tie between the benefits that I immediately got out of SS: social time for me, social time for Elliott, exercise for me, and time out of the house for both of us.
What is your proudest moment? Besides giving birth with no epidural (not by choice), I'd say it was when I signed a licensing agreement for my Cranklz straps (reversible, stretchy straps for Crocs which you can find on www.monkeylisa.com) with a company that took my product to the international retail market.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Leisurely mornings at the beach, dark chocolate, and hitting a winning shot on the tennis court with my killer backhand.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Je parle franรงais.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Integrity, compassion, creativity and family-focused. (Yes, I asked him.)
Lisa has been a Stroller Strides member for over a year now, and she has also recently been helping out as a Playgroup/Meetup organizer for our free local Moms Group (with some fabulous activities at and around the Carpenter Village area, including the recent fun outing to the Fire Station among others!). Lisa has made great strides in fitness, motherhood, and life this year and even completed our Raleigh Running Mamas race training this spring and ran her first 5k this summer, and she's recently started up with our Body Back bootcamp-style health & fitness program for moms as well. In addition to being a strong and healthy mom, what you may or may not know is Lisa is also a successful business owner and entrepreneur, in many areas including her Monkey Lisa products that are great for moms (Crankles straps for Crocs, wristlet stretchky key chains that are great for moms with full hands--some of you may remember these from last year's SS Christmas gifts for members!, and more).
Lisa and Elliott bring such a positive vibe and energy to our weekly Stroller Strides workouts, and we are glad to have them in the group! Please join us in congratulating Lisa, and read on to get to know her a little better.
Mom of the Month: Lisa Qualls
October 2013
Hometown: Newport News, VA
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary
Education: BA in French from the University of Virginia
Stroller Strides Member since: 2012
Members of your Family: 4
Tell us about your children: Many of you have met Elliott, who'll be 3 in November. He is usually very outgoing and introduces himself to people everywhere he goes (he's probably hugged your child--hopefully, without knocking him/her to the ground), loves Thomas the tank engine and any kind of music, and always asks us over dinner, "Mommy and Daddy, what was your favorite part of the day?" Josh, my 10-year old stepson, who has joined me for just a few classes and loved them, is a very soft-spoken, bright 5th grader who loves reading, playing soccer, and participating in Cub Scouts and has recently taken up an interest in drawing cars. If you every have any questions about Pokemon, Legos, Star Wars or Bakugan, he's your guy!
Current/previous Career: This is an easy question that's tough to answer. Most of my career has been in marketing for tech companies. Then, I started my own business, Monkey Lisa, for which I design and make fashion and home accessories, and I did some marketing consulting for tech companies on the side. Then, I had Elliott and had no time for any work. Now, I'm doing a little bit of Monkey Lisa work, volunteering my marketing services for a non-profit, and working as a neighborhood coordinator for The Produce Box. And looking for a marketing job.
What was your childhood ambition? To be an actress (I did some community theatre a few years ago, so I consider that done) and to see John Travolta and Olivia-Newton John in concert (I was/am a Grease junkie and I saw ONJ in concert a few years ago, so I consider that done, too!).
What does motherhood mean to you? Expressing love for someone in so many ways I never thought possible. Hugs, kisses, holding tight, letting go, words, silence, action, inaction, planning for the future, and taking care of myself.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Austria
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides helped my days return to "normal" after Elliott was born. It's a four-way tie between the benefits that I immediately got out of SS: social time for me, social time for Elliott, exercise for me, and time out of the house for both of us.
What was your experience with Running Mamas like?
The most mentally challenging physical activity I've ever done. The
running was hard, but making myself complete each run was harder. Jen
K. and the other mamas were so positive and inspiring, though. I am
proud that I started running and am still loving the results.
What is your favorite exercise? Tennis, but in SS, one of my favorites is the jumping jack/high
knees/skier pyramid. Not only do I feel satisfaction about finishing,
but if I can remember which one comes next, that's an added level of
accomplishment!
What is your proudest moment? Besides giving birth with no epidural (not by choice), I'd say it was when I signed a licensing agreement for my Cranklz straps (reversible, stretchy straps for Crocs which you can find on www.monkeylisa.com) with a company that took my product to the international retail market.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Leisurely mornings at the beach, dark chocolate, and hitting a winning shot on the tennis court with my killer backhand.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Je parle franรงais.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Integrity, compassion, creativity and family-focused. (Yes, I asked him.)
What advice would you give to moms looking to start a healthier
lifestyle? Find a workout outfit you feel good in, be brave, and walk
into a Stroller Strides class. (Or a gym, or around your neighborhood.)
That first step is important, but so is surrounding yourself with
like-minded people who are committed to a healthy life style. It's easy
to learn from their examples, osmosis, and, yes, peer pressure, but
it's also comforting to know there are others in the same boat.
