West Seattle businesses: Stroller Strides owner wins national award

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Athena Frederick)
Congratulations to Athena Frederick, whose Fit Family, LLC, is the Stroller Strides fitness program’s franchisee in West Seattle (and 7 other parts of the city) . She’s been chosen as Stroller Strides Franchisee of the Year, out of almost 300 nationwide. Judging criteria, according to the Stroller Strides news release: “Business acumen, her successful fitness program and enthusiasm, and involvement in the community.” Frederick’s franchise has supported nonprofits from the Salvation Army’s domestic-violence programs to WestSide Baby to Autism Speaks to well-building. We featured Stroller Strides when it first offered classes here in 2008; it’s a group-fitness program that new moms can do with their babies.

GlacierK December 13, 2011 (3:49 pm)

Congratulations Athena! Stroller Strides has been a great addition to my life for the past few years. It is a fabulous way for moms to exercise without having to drop the kids off at gym day care and is an awesome support network. Great work!

Shannon December 13, 2011 (3:57 pm)

Way to go, Athena!! Stroller Strides has been such a lifeline to me and to so many other moms. It is such a relief to be out with other moms who understand the challenges that come with being a mom. And the workout is amazing! Thanks to Athena, I completed my first 5k, 10k and half marathon. We are so lucky to have SS!!

Bonnie December 13, 2011 (4:10 pm)

Yay Athena!

Athena December 13, 2011 (4:17 pm)

Thank you so much for posting about our win! We have 4 West Seattle moms on our team. We love it here & are excited to offer this program to moms in the community. Come visit us for the rest of 2011 for FREE classes.

Athena December 13, 2011 (4:18 pm)

our promotional video for FOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb293KWcPzs

Jocelyn December 13, 2011 (4:18 pm)

Way to go Athena! This business changed mine and my daughter’s life last year. Shortly after moving to West Seattle from Tennessee, my partner was deployed. We were alone in a strange place, thousands of miles from family. This program helped me get back into shape after having a baby, I made good friends and fought off a sure depression that would have come as quick as the rains! This is a great program for moms and kids. A gym can’t hold a candle to what Athena offers. Seriously, she’ll kick your butt. West Seattle has a true gem in her and her business. :)

Julie December 13, 2011 (4:40 pm)

It is so great to see this story on the blog. Athena has done a great job with her business and works hard to inspire moms to get fit. It is also a great way to meet moms in your community. Congratulations, Athena!

Madison Parent December 13, 2011 (5:22 pm)

Athena, you inspire me in so many ways. Your ability to take on hard challenges while having fun is contagious – Way to go!

Julie December 13, 2011 (5:57 pm)

Yay, Athena! Your program has re-inspired a lifelong commitment to fitness for me. As a working mom, I was having trouble fitting in exercise until you started offering the W. Seattle 6am Body Back class. Now I’m not sure what I would do without it! I love how you are always changing it up to keep us challenged. You rock!

Claudina December 13, 2011 (6:18 pm)

I’m so proud of Athena, she inspires women to do their best at every workout. Coming for another Country, I find SS such a blessing for meeting great people and gave you the family feeling sometimes we miss of being homesick. :) Congrats Athena!!!!

Heather December 13, 2011 (7:48 pm)

Congratulations Athena! Stroller Strides has been such an important part of my life these last two years! I’ve made some amazing friends through this group!

Cassie December 13, 2011 (8:17 pm)

Huge Congrats to you Athena!! Stroller Strides and Body Back have allowed me to get a great work-out in while juggling the demands of being a fairly new mom. If you don’t think you can sweat while pushing a stroller, than I dare you to try a class! You and your instructors are a breath of fresh air and challenge me to do my best. Going to the gym is boring now. These classes, and this time set aside to work-out, have definitely allowed me to be a better mom and a better wife. Additionally, I’ve met some wonderful ladies that I truly enjoy being with! Thank you for offering this in West Seattle and beyond!

Hilary December 13, 2011 (8:54 pm)

I’m thrilled that Seattle Stroller Strides and Athena were nationally recognized. Stroller Strides has changed my life. While I love being a mom, having a baby changed everything. Out of shape, lost identity, changed priorities – I was struggling to find me and felt isolated in my new world. Stroller Strides was my anchor: the anchor to getting my body back and providing me with the strength for motherhood. I’m now an instructor with Athena and this year completed my 1st sprint triathlon and 1/2 marathon. Athena walks the walk and talks the talk. She has supported women through the maze of motherhood by being an example of keeping it real with honesty and hard work. She is a constant inspiration and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I say big cheers to Seattle Stroller Strides & Athena!

Heather December 13, 2011 (9:02 pm)

Congratulation Athena!! Stroller Strides has been such an important part of my life these past two years. I’ve made such an amazing group of friends through this group!

Abigail December 13, 2011 (9:43 pm)

Congrats Athena!! I love getting to be a part of Stroller Strides. I am continually impressed with the challenge of the workouts and love getting to know other moms and families in the area. Thanks for all you do for our community Athena!

Tenley December 13, 2011 (9:57 pm)

Congratulations Athena! Athena is one of the most hard-working, inspiring, kind, enthusiastic people I have ever met. She has not only made Stroller Strides successful, but has changed and inspired lives. She (and her boys) deserve this award for all of their hard work and kindness. Love you!

Alex December 14, 2011 (6:54 am)

“Stroller Strides” is one amazing program because of Athena! I had people ask “is Stroller Strides all you do for fitness?” not too long after having my son because i was able to get back into shape so soon after a C section. She is always trying to find new and effective ways to change up a workout which is so important. Athena is so positive and is just an all around inspiration and wonderful person. You rock, Athena!

Carrie Ann December 14, 2011 (1:07 pm)

I’d briefly heard about this, but never got around to signing up for it. Now my kids are 7 and 4, and I wish I had! Anyone have a baby in a stroller I could borrow? ;D Congratulations, Athena!

Shannon December 14, 2011 (2:02 pm)

Carrie Ann, come join us for the 6 am Body Back class. No stroller necessary and it sure is nice to get the workout in early in the day. I feel so much more present for my kids when I have done something good for myself.

Lindsey December 14, 2011 (9:08 pm)

Stroller strides Seattle has been an amazing experience for not only me, but for my family as well. When we moved to Seattle I was homesick and missing friends, but I quickly found a great community through this stroller strides group and Athena became a fast friend. The gray days can get old after a while, but I find that as long as I make it to stroller strides class and get a great workout in, fresh air, and time with my friends then my day is set in the right direction. I found this to be especially true after the birth of my second daughter when I struggled with post partum depression. Athena and my stroller strides community encouraged and supported me as I adjusted to life with a newborn and toddler. I am beyond thrilled that Athena gained national recognition for her hardwork, dedication, and passion for motherhood, exercise, and the Seattle community. She is a blessing to so many women and West Seattle should thank their lucky stars that she resides in their neighborhood.
P.S. My children play stroller strides at home where one is the instructor and the other is the mommy working out. They can do a mean wall sit, plank, and overhead press. I am grateful that this is one of the things they are learning from me!

Deborah Fisher December 14, 2011 (11:26 pm)

Love, love, love Stroller Strides! Athena & her team of instructors are really awesome and give a remarkably hard yet enjoyable workout! And with Alki beach often as the backdrop – who can beat that??

Randy December 16, 2011 (12:55 pm)

As a husband of a stroller strides mommy/baby, I can say I too love Athena and SS, we’ve made some great friends, and love to hear the stories of what my daughter did at class. That and getting my own SS workout when I take my daughter for walks, running, stretching, jumping jacks, etc etc. I think I get a free workout all the time. And I always enjoy the conversations when we (husbands/wives/children) all get together. We’ve made some fantastic friends over the years. Thanks!

Holly December 17, 2011 (6:41 am)

We are so lucky to Athena as a vibrant part of our community. Because of my (and my husband’s)work schedule I can’t attend Stoller Strides classes, but I’ve become a regular at the free Saturday morning running club. Because of Athena I’ve trained for and run 2 half marathons this year! (having only done a few 5Ks previously.) Her enthusiasm for life is contagious and her friendship (as well as that of all the other moms I’ve met) has been invaluable. Congratulations Athena!

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