Our Moms are heroes. All around us are women who are making an impact and making a better place in their communities. Learn more about two Moms in our community that inspire us!

Hi! I’m a holistic wellness expert and owner of the brand and online health business Be Naturally Fit. I live in Vancouver with my family and love that I get to swim in the ocean and play in the mountains in the same day!

I have immersed myself in the health world for over the past decade. I seek out to empower and support women in the continual evolution of their bodies, minds, and souls, so they can connect with the power of their femininity and pass their learnings on.

I wake up at 5am, hydrate, take a cold shower and then head straight to my mat (well sheepskin) to meditate and practice Kundalini yoga with my husband. This is the most important hour of my day as it gives me the energy clarity and focus I need to show up as coach, mom, wife and friend. Then I enjoy a delicious coffee and have breakfast with my girls before they head off to school.

I teach online group fitness, coach 1:1 and run multiple health programs for women during the day. Then try to shut down the work by 4pm and connect with my girls until after dinner which is when I always get out for a walk in nature! Then I spend a little time wrapping up my day with answering emails etc. Finally I have a pretty solid bedtime routine with a cup of tea, some reading, perhaps a bath or infrared sauna and lights out by 9:30pm.

Yes, it truly is a juggle and the more clarity, energy and purpose you have the easier it is to stay on top of the constant needs of the family while growing as person yourself. That’s why I ALWAYS recommend a morning routine and meditation. Spend at least 20-30 minutes with yourself, filling up your cup, setting intentions and breathing long slow and deep.

Also - ask for HELP. We were never meant to do it all alone!

And lastly, as cliche as this sounds, make a list. It can feel so overwhelming at times, and just putting it on paper can help with the forward momentum.

I think self-care for most moms feels like another to-do on their list, so I would suggest reframing their mindset on self care first. You can’t pour from an empty cups mommas!!! You need to be taken care of and it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself. Think of self care as small wellness moments that increase you mental health, energy and joy instead of another task to add to your day.

Add in little daily rituals (just as you would brush your teeth) and be consistent with them. Change is hard, but not taking the time for yourself actually makes everything harder in the long term.

Self care isn’t always getting your nails done or vacations, it’s buying yourself healthy snacks, sipping your coffee slowly with no phone in hand, stretching while you watch Netflix or going to be early:)

SAT NAM - which means “truth is my essence” and is a seed mantra that reminds me to stay connected to my soul and destiny. I repeat it while I mediate and if I need to reground myself.

I also use the word VICTORY! Remember to fold the laundry - Victory! Create a new program for my business - VICTORY! Make it through another day as a human - VICTORY! You get the point lol. It really helps me be grateful and celebrate the small wins.

MOMS - we need you and your ideas in the world! There is a new way of doing business and creating something special that is emerging where moms and other women are leading with heart and on a mission to make the world a better place. The two worlds of motherhood and entrepreneurship are merging in this new paradigm and it’s exactly what the planet needs right now.

Don’t hold back - start small, give your business or idea life each day just the way you nourish your children and watch your business grow. We as women are mutli-dimensional beings who have it in us to birth newness into the world.

If you have an idea for a business that will serve your mission as a mom, women and human on this Earth, you need to step into that scary yet powerful world and build it yourself. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.

My name is Cindy, I was born and raised in Australia. I immigrated to the United States at age 12. I have two very hard working and service driven parents. They raised me with those same values. I have 5 other siblings. Life for me growing up was very difficult and full of challenges and heartbreak. I struggled with a learning disability and dropped out of high school my sophomore year to pursue my dreams.

My adult life was also filled with heartbreak and many challenges. I found myself a single mom of four daughters at age 26. I was single for a total of 11 years. My focus was working as hard as I could and raising my daughters. I have learned many skills, as l followed my dreams of being an entrepreneur. I joined the tile and brick layers union at age 29. I knew nothing about the trade but convinced someone to hire me and let me prove myself first. I told him I would work for free for 2 weeks. If he thought I could do it he would put me on full time, or fire me. He hired me and this led me to a very successful business and allowed me to raise my girls and start my own company.

This life was good for me until I wore my body out and needed double knee surgery at age 37. I met my husband soon after and we fell in love and married, joining two families. We blended 7 children and we were soon blessed with one more son. My daughters were soon growing older and more independent and blessing me with grandchildren. While I looked at my empty bedrooms I had a grand idea to foster to adopt. We were soon blessed with 3 more children. The most amazing thing is, my children are also the same age as my grandchildren.

My whole life I have been searching for my purpose. I discovered late in life I find the most joy in serving others. Especially those that in society are the unpopular ones. My heart breaks for them as I see so much of my own pain in their stories. My desire to help those in my community lead me to started a non profit Lighthouse Charities to serve the refugee population. Those that are experiencing pain and suffering from war and religious persecution. Lighthouse Charities empowers refugees through comprehensive services so they can rebuild their lives, prosper and contribute to the vitality of our community. Honestly, after I made the decision to start Lighthouse Charities I thought life would get easier. Right?

This is where the real challenges began in my life. But I know for a surety, if you work hard enough, you can attain anything in this life.

I wake at 4:22am. Leave for work at 4:45am. At work, I get bakery catering orders started and prepare the warehouse for a day of production. I leave work at 6:45am to pick up my 2 youngest and get them to school by 7am. Then I head back to Lighthouse Charities at 7:15am to bake 200 cookies for orders going out.

I spend a few hours at my desk and taking calls. At 10:15am, I transport a catering order to a high school for teacher appreciation. The rest of my work day will consist of driving a forklift to load and unload linen for production, putting out fires and keeping production moving.

Today, I will leave the office at 4:15pm to pick up my son's tux for prom, get home by 5pm to start dinner and get on top of the kids' homework. Feeding and caring for our little farm house consisting of chickens and horses and one dog.

I will get everything ready for the next day and hop into bed by 8:30pm and start all over again the next day.

There are many super moms out there, I don't have one in particular. I would like to focus on the many out there that are single raising their kids, or the working mom trying to find balance and the moms that put everything before themselves. Or the moms that have a special needs child that keeps hope and dreams alive for their child. The moms that are suffering through depression and anxiety while still maintaining a career and home.

The moms that are fearing the safety of their children while in an abusive relationship. The moms that are living in fear while trying to survive a war or persecution. The moms that are living with a handicap or debilitating illness.

They are all my heros and are super moms in my eyes.

I provide a lot of Chocolate for the women here. I express to them that family comes first. I believe you can still accomplish your career goals and provide for your family, I have created family friendly workplace, the kids can come and help.

Self care doesn't mean you need weekly pedicures or trendy beauty treatments. Self care to me means meditation time and time away from the phone, just unplug!

My idea of self care is working on projects around my home. I especially love my garden time. I always bribe my girls nightly for back massages and brushing my hair, this is enough for me.

I listen to my inner spirit, I take time to pray and listen. I read my scriptures or listen to those that have positive examples and experiences to share. I love TED talks and podcasts, but mostly positive and uplifting shows on TV, shows I could watch with my children, not anything I would be embarrassed or have to watch behind closed doors.

Words of wisdom? Hmm, I have spent the better part of my life raising children and working. It's ok, you are enough!! Get your acceptance and validation from God.

Ignore all the other voices telling you that you're failing and you are not pretty enough or are not skinny enough. Just be you!!  

When you reach a point in your life that you want to do more, reach out and help those that are innocent victims. They are all around us. There are many women that are in the middle of their mom journeys and need to be lifted and accepted

There are millions that are displaced and are in need of a hand up, all you need to do is look in front of you. Stop looking inward!