Interview with:

Rachel Goodale Owner of Stroller Strong Mamas

When and why did you start your business?

I gained many fitness certifications before getting pregnant; fitness and being an instructor was already ingrained in my lifestyle. After I had my son in 2015, I wanted to continue working out and teaching classes but did not want to leave my baby with a sitter to do so or wait until nap time to try to workout at home. I discovered babywearing early on and was rocking my son to sleep while he was in the baby carrier. Once he was sleeping, I grabbed some weights and realized I could get a workout in while he was on me. A lightbulb went off and that was where I began teaching babywearing fitness classes at the fitness studio I already worked in, Aerial Fitness in Riverhead. Once the weather started to get nice out in early spring, I took classes outdoors and started "Stroller Strong" classes. We have been going strong and building Stroller Strong Mamas ever since. We recently opened our brick and mortar studio in Mattituck where we have expanded even more!

What's your story? 

I am an open book so ask me anything and I'll tell you all my stories! I will focus on my career story and how I built Stroller Strong Mamas. I had a huge career change when I was 30 years old, stepping away from teaching in an Elementary School to start a family with my husband and having his support to try to explore my passion for fitness as a career. After some struggles getting and staying pregnant, I finally had my children exactly 2 years apart, in 2015 and 2017. I began to combine my family life and new career path. After my daughter was born, I struggled hard with postpartum depression and anxiety. I sought help and found that in my classes, surrounded by the community or "mom tribe" that was built, was my happy place. Being in the moment with my kids in those classes and leading by example was a huge focus on finding myself again. I share this because I know so many moms that have found the same benefit from classes. Getting out of the house, focusing on yourself in class, chatting with other moms, leading by example and working out with our kids makes for a much happier mama! It was always a dream since beginning this little business of mine to open my own studio and offer a variety of things to have a place for moms to come for so many different reasons.     

What do you offer?

Our studio in Mattituck has become a hub for parent and me classes of all kinds! We offer so many fitness classes; outdoors in Riverhead, indoors in our studio and virtually. We have several instructors teaching everything from yoga, pilates, pelvic floor core work to strength training, barre, cross training, cardio sculpting, hiit and circuits classes. We offer meditations, sound healing and informational workshops, pre and post natal support. We have expanded to offering kids' programs and classes; preschool preparation, music classes, sensory play, playgroups, kids fitness, storytime yoga and more. The list is endless!

What else do you want people to know?

We are a welcoming crew! I know how hard it can be to walk into a class for the first time, especially with babies in tow. I am always available to answer questions, worries or concerns about our classes and want to help with any physical limitations. I offer free 1:1 postpartum evaluations to help guide new moms into returning to their fitness regimen safely and effectively. 

Pricing: We have drop in prices, discounted class packs of 5, 10 and 20, virtual memberships and an all-inclusive membership

Schedule:

Click here to see our full schedule

Upcoming events:

Fridays 1/10-1/31 11 am Little Moments Sensory Playgroup

Saturdays 1/11, 1/25, 2/8 10:30 am Storytime Yoga

Saturday 1/18 2 pm Snow Ball Party

Tuesday 1/21 6 pm Pelvic Floor Health Q&A

Tuesday 2/4 6 pm Reiki Healing Circle

Friday 2/7 9:30 am Strong Mamas, Valentines Day Playgroup and cookie decorating with Little Moments

Saturday 2/8 11:30 am Love; mind, body workshop- sound healing, restorative yoga and guided meditation 

Wednesday 2/26 6 pm Mom Burnout Workshop with Jill Griffin

Friday 2/28 11 am Free Breastfeeding Support Group 

Contact:

Website: www.strollerstrongmamas.com

Email: strollerstrongmamas@gmail.com

Follow us on FB/IG @strollerstrongmamas