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!
November's featured Mom of the Month is our newest Instructor,
Valerie Liberto!
Valerie has been participating in our programs since this past spring when she completed our 8-week Body Back program for moms with fabulous results. This summer and fall she joined our Running Mamas 5k Training program and just completed her 5k race this past weekend, congrats! She and her adorable son Kai have recently joined us at Stroller Strides as well, and we are excited to welcome her on board as our newest Stroller Strides instructor, active this week. Her background and degree in exercise science and work in physical therapy will serve her (and our moms!) well as she begins teaching our fitness classes.
Join us in welcoming Valerie and read on to get to know her a little better!
Hometown: I claim Raleigh as my home but I did live in Orlando for about 10 years before moving to Raleigh in 1997.
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: On the Raleigh side of Jones Franklin Road by Crossroads Shopping Center in Cary
Education: BS in Exercise Science with minors in Psychology and Biology from Appalachian State and an Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant from Nash Community College
Stroller Strides Member since: BodyBack (July 2012), Running Mamas (Sept 2012) and Stroller Strides (Oct 2012)
Members of your Family: My hubby John, son Kai and our dog Riley
Tell us about your child: Kai was born on June 10, 2011 at Rex Hospital. He is all boy! Has lots of energy, always running or climbing, likes to make sounds that he hears and only has 2 back molars to go before having all his teeth ;)
Current/previous Career: I used to be a full time Physical Therapy Assistant at a skilled nursing facility prior to having Kai. I went back to work after my maternity leave but just found myself loving motherhood too much to give that up full time. Now I'm a SAHM to Kai, work on Sundays as a PRN Therapy Assistant, and starting as a new Stroller Strides Instructor
What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to help others and when I was little I wanted to be a nurse just like my grandmother
What does motherhood mean to you? I thought that being a PTA was the most rewarding experience I would ever have but motherhood has far exceeded that. I feel so fortunate to be able to spend all my time with my son and to watch him grow every day
What is the furthest you have been from home? Europe. My dad lived in Amsterdam for a few years with work and I was able to travel there to see him some. My dad also took me to London one year, which I loved! And on December 30, 2006 my dad took my hubby and I to Paris for New Years where my hubby proposed
What has Stroller Strides done for you (or meant to you)? I've been able to get my weight loss and workout program back on track! Its hard to do everything on your own. With the help and support of everyone I've become stronger, more confident and met great friends that I can always count on.
What is your favorite exercise? Forward lunges with upper body rotations. Love to hit different major muscle groups at one time.
What is your proudest moment? Besides the birth of my son, graduating with my Physical Therapy Assistant Degree. I spent 2 years (5 days a week) commuting from Raleigh to Nash to complete the degree while maintaining 2 jobs.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Ipad, camera, Pinterest
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique: I was a pitcher on a fast pitch traveling team when I lived in Orlando. That summer before moving to Raleigh, we played in the National Championship Series and placed in the top 10 teams. I continued to pitch for my school and another travel team in NC until I tore my rotator cuff and had surgery on it in 2001.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? My hubby is always telling me that I'm great at organizing, multitasking and taking care of others.
What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Losing weight and getting back into shape takes time, sometime its more time then what you were hoping for. But if you hang in there, give it 110% percent and have a great support system then you will be reaching your goals in no time. And don't beat yourself up, we all have those bad days. Just remember, tomorrow is a new day!!
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: On the Raleigh side of Jones Franklin Road by Crossroads Shopping Center in Cary
Education: BS in Exercise Science with minors in Psychology and Biology from Appalachian State and an Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant from Nash Community College
Stroller Strides Member since: BodyBack (July 2012), Running Mamas (Sept 2012) and Stroller Strides (Oct 2012)
Members of your Family: My hubby John, son Kai and our dog Riley
Tell us about your child: Kai was born on June 10, 2011 at Rex Hospital. He is all boy! Has lots of energy, always running or climbing, likes to make sounds that he hears and only has 2 back molars to go before having all his teeth ;)
Current/previous Career: I used to be a full time Physical Therapy Assistant at a skilled nursing facility prior to having Kai. I went back to work after my maternity leave but just found myself loving motherhood too much to give that up full time. Now I'm a SAHM to Kai, work on Sundays as a PRN Therapy Assistant, and starting as a new Stroller Strides Instructor
What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to help others and when I was little I wanted to be a nurse just like my grandmother
What does motherhood mean to you? I thought that being a PTA was the most rewarding experience I would ever have but motherhood has far exceeded that. I feel so fortunate to be able to spend all my time with my son and to watch him grow every day
What is the furthest you have been from home? Europe. My dad lived in Amsterdam for a few years with work and I was able to travel there to see him some. My dad also took me to London one year, which I loved! And on December 30, 2006 my dad took my hubby and I to Paris for New Years where my hubby proposed
What has Stroller Strides done for you (or meant to you)? I've been able to get my weight loss and workout program back on track! Its hard to do everything on your own. With the help and support of everyone I've become stronger, more confident and met great friends that I can always count on.
What is your favorite exercise? Forward lunges with upper body rotations. Love to hit different major muscle groups at one time.
What is your proudest moment? Besides the birth of my son, graduating with my Physical Therapy Assistant Degree. I spent 2 years (5 days a week) commuting from Raleigh to Nash to complete the degree while maintaining 2 jobs.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Ipad, camera, Pinterest
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique: I was a pitcher on a fast pitch traveling team when I lived in Orlando. That summer before moving to Raleigh, we played in the National Championship Series and placed in the top 10 teams. I continued to pitch for my school and another travel team in NC until I tore my rotator cuff and had surgery on it in 2001.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? My hubby is always telling me that I'm great at organizing, multitasking and taking care of others.
What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Losing weight and getting back into shape takes time, sometime its more time then what you were hoping for. But if you hang in there, give it 110% percent and have a great support system then you will be reaching your goals in no time. And don't beat yourself up, we all have those bad days. Just remember, tomorrow is a new day!!
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