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!
February's featured Mom of the Month is Julie de Silvia!
Congrats, Julie!
Julie has been a Stroller Strides member for over a year and a half now, and she and Annabella bring smiles and great attitudes to our weekly workouts & meetup activities. Julie works hard at each and every workout and is one of our dedicated, frequent attending Stroller Strides moms. She has made great strides in fitness, motherhood, & life over the past year and a half, including great accomplishments in running. Her latest goal in progress is training for her first Half Marathon, with the support of our Raleigh Running Mamas programs. Join us in congratulating Julie and read on to get to know her a little better!
Mom of the Month Questions:
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary
Education: Undergraduate degree at Duke University. Veterinary school at St George's University in Grenada
Stroller Strides Member since: July 2012
Members of your Family: Nick-Husband, Annabella-daughter, Ritz-dog (12 year old grenadian pothound), Frac and Nutmeg-cats
Tell us about your children: Annabella is a sweet and loving child. She is very empathetic and concerned about how everyone around her is feeling. If you're sad, she'll give you a cuddle to make you feel better. She loves books, tea parties and her animals.
Current/previous Career: Veterinarian (currently part-time at a clinic in Carrboro)
What was your childhood ambition? To be a veterinarian!
What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood is the most special thing that I have ever done. It also helps me to be better in the other aspects of my life as well.
What is the furthest you have been from home? I lived in Germany for 6 months when I was 15. Veterinary school in Grenada (not sure which was further!). But Norway may have been even further.
What has Stroller Strides done for you ? Stroller strides has been and continues to be an awesome experience for me. It got me out of the house and exercising, which has been great. More importantly, it has surrounded me with wonderful women who I learn so much from. I am pretty shy and find it hard to make friends but Stroller Strides has given me the opportunity to open up and make friends. I love being able to exercise with my daughter. It gets to be a bonding experience, not something that I leave her behind to do. I also love the example that it sets for Annabella. She gets to see lots of mommies taking care of themselves and this makes exercise an important part of her life.
What
has your experience with Running Mamas been like? Prior to Running
Mamas, I had only every run a 5K. Running is not my forte. I loved
having the structure that Running Mamas brings and being accountable for
my runs. I am only doing the virtual training for the half marathon but
love being able to converse with other running mamas. If it wasn't for
this program, I would
never even consider running 13.1 miles!
What is your favorite exercise? Honestly, I love and hate any exercise Devon makes us do!
:)
What is your proudest moment? Before Annabella, it was being accepted to Duke. I have never been so excited. But that pales in comparison to holding this little person and watching her grow into an amazing little girl.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Reading, sewing, and Duke basketball
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. My marriage and my wedding took place 11 months apart and in 2 different countries.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say?
My moral code, honesty, and kindness (That's what he said)
What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Just do it! You will never regret it.
