There comes a moment in life when you realize your identity is expanding. You’re a fitness instructor. A motivator. A playlist curator. A mic-wearing, cue-shouting, “four more counts!” kind of person.

And then…

You become Grandma.

Suddenly, your life includes tiny socks, crushed Goldfish crackers in your purse, and saying things you swore you'd never say, like: “Don’t lick the dog.”

Some grandma comments: 

•    • I used to think teaching fitness classes required maximum energy. Then I became a grandma and discovered a whole new level of cardio.
•   • Forget burpees.
•   Try chasing a toddler who just learned to run and has absolutely no concern for personal safety.
•   Forget balance training.
•   Try standing on one foot while holding a baby, reheating your coffee for the third time, and explaining why crayons are not food.
•  And flexibility? Oh, I’m more flexible now than ever. Not physically—I still make strange noises getting up off the floor—but mentally. Grandchildren have a way of rearranging priorities in the best possible way.

The funny thing is, being a grandma and being a fitness instructor actually go together pretty well.

As instructors, we spend our days encouraging people to stay active, keep moving, and embrace every stage of life. We tell our participants that movement is about function—not perfection.

Then grandchildren arrive and become tiny little reminders of that philosophy. Because suddenly, staying strong isn’t just about teaching squats. It’s about being able to squat down to build blanket forts… and then somehow stand back up again. It's about stamina for playground adventures. Core strength for carrying babies on one hip. Mobility for getting on the floor—and praying you can get back up gracefully.

Grandchildren don’t care what your resting heart rate is or whether your leggings are the newest style. They just want you to play.

And maybe that’s the beautiful thing.

As fitness professionals, we spend years helping others age actively. Then one day we realize we’re living it ourselves. And while we may now carry snacks instead of lip gloss and know all the words to children’s songs we never intended to learn, we’ve discovered something:

   Being a grandma doesn’t replace the fitness instructor in me. It just adds another class to teach.

And this one keeps us on our toes… literally.

Now if you'll excuse me, we have a very important appointment. Someone needs me to attend a tea party with stuffed animals.

And apparently, there’s no sitting allowed.

💛