Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’m originally from the eastside of Cleveland (Mentor/Kirtland area) and actually moved out to Arizona where I stayed for 6 years! My husband and I always felt pulled to raise our babies in Cleveland, so after we got married we moved back and built a home in North Ridgeville 3 years ago!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Layla will be two in October!
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Walks at the park, the zoo, farms, The Children’s museum.. we love getting out! But while at home, we love snuggling up on the couch and watching Moana or Frozen.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I used to be an elementary school teacher! I taught first and second grade in Phoenix, Arizona for 6 years.
What are some of your favorite things about NE Ohio?
Where to begin! I am a die-hard Cleveland sports fan, so I love going to catch the Indians and Browns any chance we get! I LOVE all the metroparks and am beyond blessed that we are surrounded by all this green and wildlife. And honestly, one of my favorite things about NE Ohio are the people. Cleveland is home, and the people here make it feel like home. The mom friends I have made since living here are some of the most cherished friendships I have!
Please tell us about Mighty Mama CLE! Why did you start it and how did you know this is what you wanted to do?
Mighty Mama CLE provides a welcoming and judgement-free community for moms who want to come together in fitness, motherhood, and comradery. We offer fitness classes specifically designed for moms so that they can safely and effectively rebuild their full body strength that may have been lost during pregnancy, childbirth, or throughout the roller coaster of mom life. We really focus on alignment, proper form, core engagement, and pelvic floor contraction to not only build body confidence for our moms but to provide them a program that targets their specific needs.
I felt SO strongly about providing something like this for moms because there is so much pressure on “getting your body back” after having a baby. This statement alone gets me all heated! Because we created a miracle, you guys. Our bodies somehow connected every little scientific wonder that one day turned into a human. We then grew that human for a LONG time and then that human exited our body. THAT’S JUST INSANE! I think we sometimes forget that every stretch mark, scar, saggy boob, and mom pooch is a symbol of this miracle. That we don’t have to fight to get our “body’s back” to what they used to be before having a baby. Because WE AREN’T WHO WE USED TO BE before having a baby.
So Mighty Mama CLE is my vehicle to inspire moms to appreciate all their body has done and to FIGHT for that inner Mighty Mama. Through our workouts and our community we want moms to connect with the confidence, the strength, and the courage they already have to feel whole again! That’s why at Mighty Mama CLE, we make our fitness routine work for you. Not only do we offer virtual options, but we also offer classes like “Stroller Strong” which is our mommy and me class! So whether you want to rock it at home, sweat through our in-person classes, bring your kids along, or come to one of our special events at a local winery, ALL THE MOMS are welcome!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I wouldn’t have the confidence I have without this amazing community! It takes a lot of courage for a mom to come to a fitness class or meetup group. But these moms on the westside of Cleveland are just like me! We are looking for mom friends because we know we can’t possibly do this alone. And not only are we building our own relationships, but our kids are too! My daughter has made some of her bestest friends through Mighty Mama CLE and every time I think about it I get chills! These kiddos are going to grow up with each other all while watching their mamas take care of themselves and release that inner Mighty Mama!
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Honestly, I’m most proud about the community we’ve created. From the start of my business, I full-heartedly decided to be real in motherhood by sharing struggles and setbacks. I didn’t want to represent a fit mom as someone with abs who doesn’t eat cupcakes. Cause that just ain’t me! Voicing these mom truths attracted REAL moms to our village! And now, these MIGHTY MAMAS feel confident in voicing their struggles, setbacks, but also rejoicing in their accomplishments, victories, and progressions as well!
What was your biggest failure?
When I first thought of this idea of wanting to support moms in fitness, I spent a lot of time trying to make this work with franchises or already established corporations. I quickly realized that I couldn’t be 100% myself or focus on things that felt good to the soul; so that’s when I came up with Mighty Mama CLE!
How do you juggle being a working mom?
It’s an everyday struggle of knowing I need this business for myself and community but also feeling a ton of mom guilt. One of my mighty mamas reminded me today that taking time for yourself as a mom isn’t selfish, but it’s necessary (Shout out to Carrie!) Having a task or a job or a workout that doesn’t involve your children actually makes you more patient, energetic, and present as a mom. So constantly reminding myself of this and asking my husband, my family and my neighbors for help has relieved a lot of this stress!
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Man, that’s a big question, ha! Honestly, I’ve learned as a woman that life often takes you in different directions. We don’t always have control of which direction we travel, but we have control of how we decide to feel and how we choose to move along that path. Whatever I’m doing in 10 years, I hope to continue making a positive impact on women, especially in Cleveland, Ohio, by helping them uncover their true strength and release their Mighty Mama! My hopes and dreams would be growing Mighty Mama CLE to a bigger platform by owning our own space, welcoming new instructors onto our team, providing more classes for ALL THE MOMS, and offering HUGE events that not only focus on fitness but motivation and community!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
There are SO many I’d thank like my own parents, in-laws, family, friends, neighbors. But especially my husband who has been such a huge support and continues to walk right alongside me in this roller coaster of parenthood. Not once has he doubted a decision or idea that I’ve come up with while unrolling Mighty Mama CLE. He is my biggest cheerleader and I honestly wouldn’t be as confident as I am now without him.
To connect with Danielle & Mighty Mama CLE, visit her on Instagram: @mightymamacle or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MightyMamaCLE
