Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Sorotsky
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am currently General Manager and Instructor with FIT4MOM Westside (Los Angeles). I started teaching with FIT4MOM a little over 3 years ago after being a client for several years attending fitness classes with my two children Hayley (8) and Hunter (6). Prior to having kids I had quite a few different careers: first as an actress and dancer in New York City, then working in Sales for luxury hotel brands, and finally as an elementary school teacher. While my husband is an airline pilot for United Airlines, I was a stay-at-home mom until both kids were old enough for school, at which point I started to wonder what I would like to do next. I knew fitness was an important part of my life and I loved the community I had become a part of with FIT4MOM, so when the franchise owner approached me and asked if I’d like to become instructor, the answer seemed obvious. Being a fitness instructor with FIT4MOM feels like I get to use all of the skills I’ve gained through various experiences and jobs I’ve had throughout my life. I am so passionate about what I do and I hope to continue sharing my love of fitness in a larger capacity with FIT4MOM and beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was act, sing, and dance. I grew up watching “Kids Incorporated” and “Mickey Mouse Club” with Justin and Britney and wanted so much to get to do that. We lived in Maryland, a bit too far from Hollywood, but I had the opportunity to perform in many dinner theater productions in elementary and middle school. I had to take a break from theater when I found out I had scoliosis and had to wear a back brace for several years during high school. My passion was ignited once again in college, when I attended New York University to study acting. I spent those years, and about 7 years after graduating, performing and auditioning for theater, film, and tv roles. Eventually my passion started to wane and it felt like I was giving up on my childhood dream; I had to follow my gut instinct to try something new. I got a job working for a luxury hotel brand in Sales, and the consistency of a steady paycheck felt quite nice. After a few years behind a desk, I knew I needed some creativity back in my life and to feel like I was doing more to give back to my community and help others. I found Teach for America, an non-profit organization that provides college graduates with the opportunity to teach full-time in public schools with fewer resources, with the mission to improve educational opportunities for children living in poverty. This program allowed me to jump right into teaching while pursuing a Masters in Education. I taught 2nd and 3rd graders in Baltimore City for several years until I had my first child. At that point I suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, and returning to work seemed impossible. We ended up moving to Los Angeles when my husband got a job flying for United Airlines out of LAX. It was a scary move for me but I was excited for the new possibilities it would bring. We moved here when my daughter was about 1 year old and I quickly found the local FIT4MOM community through my friendly neighbors in Playa Vista. This community has been life-changing for me as a mom, and because it was so helpful for me during a challenging time in my life, I am grateful to get the opportunity to help other moms and to share my experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety. Because moms are able to exercise with their babies in strollers, I get to connect both with the moms and with their little ones, keeping them entertained through songs, nursery rhymes, and lots of bubbles. I believe childhood Kristen would be so excited and so proud to see what she’s doing with her life, and I know there are many more exciting things to come!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
FIT4MOM started with classes called Stroller Strides, where moms could come together and get a workout in while they push their babies in strollers. We have grown into a national franchise organization with even more class options and styles specifically focusing on pre and postnatal fitness. We offer moms a supportive community during what could be a very challenging and isolating time in their lives. We have playgroups and moms only activities as well, basically a one-stop-shop for all things mom life.
As an instructor with FIT4MOM Westside, I teach the Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre, and FIT4BABY (pre-natal) classes that we offer. My classes are filled with a variety of exercises and movements specifically designed for pre and postnatal health, including modifications and progressions to serve women at all stages of motherhood and fitness levels. I also include songs, movements, and props like puppets, scarves, and musical instruments, that keep the little ones entertained so mom can relax a little more during her workout and really get in some much needed “me” time. While it is important to get an exercise in, I also make it as fun as possible for the moms and try to get them laughing. If I can get your mind off both “momming” and how hard it might feel to move your body, I feel like I’ve taught a successful class.
In my newer role as General Manager, I work with our franchise owner, Kellie Fell, on new member development, member retention and community partnerships. We partner with the local farmers market to provide children’s activities about once a month, and we partner with several other women-owned businesses to help our moms find great resources for pre and postnatal health, breastfeeding support, and comfortable fitness gear. I absolutely love getting to help and support our moms even more through this new role!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
To me it seems like I was destined to end up in Los Angeles. As a kid I told my parents I wanted to move to Hollywood, but its interesting that I ended up here in a completely different capacity than I imagined. I love getting to be so close to the excitement of the film and tv universe, but far enough away that I am not inundated by it. Playa Vista in particular offers walkability and a bit of a small town feel in a city that otherwise feels vast and polluted with noise and traffic. I love the options we have so close for great food and entertainment, but I hate how expensive it is just to get a night out. I love the diversity of the people both from here and transplanted from all across the world who have come in search of a dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://westside.fit4mom.com
- Instagram: @f4mwestside
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIT4MOMWestside/
