Our latest Meet a Mom interview is with Jill Valente, the Founder of “Soul Much Jill”. She is a Health Coach and Fitness Instructor and such an inspiration to us moms who are struggling to make self care a priority. Read more about the services that she provides and be sure to follow along on Instagram and check out her website.
Mention Sound Shore Moms to receive $50 off the “Fall in Line” package!
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am originally from Harrison, New York. After living in Manhattan for over a decade, my husband, Jeff, and I returned to Harrison to raise our family.
That is so special to raise your family in your hometown! How many children do you have and what are their ages?
We have three children. Our daughter, Addison, is almost 14 and our identical twin boys, Benjamin and Connor, are 10!
How did you get into Fitness and Health Coaching?
My career in fitness began 10 years ago when I auditioned to become a SoulCycle instructor. I worked at SoulCycle for almost four years, and it was one of the greatest professional experiences of my life. Ever since then, I’ve been on an extraordinary journey with health and fitness, mental wellness, accountability and coaching – all the things that push us to the next level within our own bodies and minds.
What does your fitness and self-care routine look like? Any advice for us moms that are struggling to make time for ourselves?
My fitness and self-care routine is probably on the more high-maintenance side because I am in the industry, but also because I have made it a priority in my life. I am a better mom after I have exercised. I am a more productive person when I am eating properly. All these tools that sometimes feel like they take up too much time can actually save you time in the end because the better you feel, the more you can accomplish.
That is so true and something that so many of us struggle with. Tell us about the services you offer!
I offer weekly group fitness classes and private training sessions. (see website www.soulmuchjill.com for schedule and pricing). I also offer health coaching which is like writing a love letter to yourself and addressing your own needs. As moms, we often fall victim to taking care of everyone else first and just giving ourselves whatever is left over. That is extremely evident when it comes to eating. The food we put in our mouths is too often literally the leftovers of what we serve our kids. How sad is that? We deserve to be put first, especially when it comes to health and wellness.
Health coaching is all about that, giving you the tools to never settle for the scraps, whether it be at mealtime or the more serious times in your life.
The services I offer range from health coaching to personal fitness assessments to pantry makeovers. Health and wellness look different to everyone so this can fluctuate based on each client’s needs.
What does a typical session of your class entail?
SMJ45 class is a music driven, 45-minute, full-body workout. Curated fitness journeys that are customized with music and movement are very powerful – it’s basically the essence of a SoulCycle class without the bike. We do a mixture of dance, cardio, sculpt and HIIT.
You will walk out feeling physically exhausted but mentally revived.
How do you juggle motherhood and work? Any tips for keeping it all together?
Juggling motherhood and work is a specialty that no one has mastered, NO ONE! Lean into help, stay organized and prioritize your own needs. Be prepared to drop the ball on most days and have gratitude when you don’t.
Put on your own oxygen mask first. It is impossible to help others in your household, community or on a larger level, if you are gasping for air. Breathe. Take care of YOU so you can take care of them.
Making time for yourself as a mom is the greatest gift you can give to not only yourself but your entire family. As moms, we all too often get wrapped up in taking care of everything for everyone else. Nothing will change that. It seems to be a part of our DNA. But prioritizing yourself is what makes us capable of doing more. As time goes by, you begin to figure out what makes you tick and what feeds your soul. For me, it’s always been fitness and movement but it’s also other things like having my hair blown out!!! Put your needs on the calendar just as you would soccer practice for your daughter or music lessons for your son. It’s just as important, maybe even more.
Thank you Jill for this amazing advice and for taking the time to speak with us! We are so lucky to have you as part of the Sound Shore community.
Mention Sound Shore Moms to receive $50 off the “Fall in Line” package!
Interview by Kelly Postiglione. Photos by Erin Borzellino.