I’m Connie Pastorius and I believe women deserve better for themselves.
Hey Mama - I see you.
You're tired, and you want to have more energy.
You're strong, but you've been treading water for far too long.
You're stressed, and want to be able to enjoy quality time with your kids and family and friends.
I know you want to excel in your career, you want to be healthy for their kids as they grow, and perhaps you want to be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant again. Or perhaps, you've had your kids and want to reclaim your body as your own again.
My guess is you're tired of feeling like shit and constantly eating foods that you know know are bad for you. You feel like you never have enough hours in the day to actually do the things you need to get done.
I feel you on all of this - and I've been there. This is why I've developed the Strong as a Mother Coaching Program. Because I believe moms like you deserve to not just barely survive motherhood, but you deserve to live a fulfilling life that is curated BY you, not demanded OF you.
How?
By learning how to become the hero of your story, and not the victim.
Sound familiar? Don't you want to stop feeling like exercising is a burden? You realize it’s time to change that, but you’re nervous. You know you need to start working out again but wonder what is involved, or where to even start.
Your questions include:
>>>>> Do I need to give up chocolate and bread and coffee?
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>>>>> Do I have to eat only chicken and broccoli for the rest of my life?
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>>>>> I know what I should be doing...but why is it so hard to just do it?
My Story And How It Can Help You
Consider allowing me to become your guide on your health and fitness journey. I’m Connie Pastorius. And I’m a lot like you. I’ve had my struggles. Let me set the scene:
I was 5'8" and plus-sized since middle school, AKA taller and bigger than all the guys and most of my friends. I wasn't sporty, I ate too much, and had the bar of my self esteem set low by being teased for how I looked. The home I was raised in didn't care for being healthy, and having a plus sized father who refused to get help for it set me on a mission: to learn how I could fix him.
After high school I decided to take my health into my own hands and fell so hard in love with fitness that I ended up studying Health and Physical Activity at university and became certified in Yoga. My plan was to learn how I can help my dad, but after learning that I can't change people who don't want to be changed, I opted to teach others who were READY how to change from being TV-addicted, chronic pain suffering, members of fast food nation into healthy & happy men and women. I also achieved certifications in the TRX training system and became an Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. With all of my credentials, I went into the world and worked as a Yoga instructor, personal trainer and health center manager for several years.
Then I moved to NYC, and shortly after came my daughter. And let me tell you - my postpartum health experience SUCKED.
I'd like to share with you my 6 week checkup experience. The appointment that every mom knows about...
Where the doc (hopefully) checks to see that you're healing, that everything is back where it should be, and whether you are showing symptoms of postpartum depression.
I was nervous because I was eager to start moving, and to be able to exercise was a way to feel in control of my body, but things didn't feel right just yet.
I liked my OBGyn practice to this point. But I wasn't visited by my doctor. It was a PA I never met, who didn't palpate for DR (until I asked her to), no internal exam, she did ask if I felt depressed, but then that was the end of it. 5 minutes in and out.
uhhhh...okay?
I just went through the most traumatic physical experience of my life and you just ask a few questions and let me go? I felt crushed.
At the time I knew my limitations as far as my fitness education goes, and I wanted help from the professional that I hoped would reassure me. I did not get that help.
And that was the point where I shifted from coaching everyone, to focus on training and coaching moms.
Because we can't be expected to just up and start exercising again after childbirth. We need guidance from someone who advocates for SAFE fitness and nutrition practices, so women can start their journey back to themselves and heal properly in a way that can SUSTAIN them through motherhood.
But living healthy all the time is so hard, right?!
No, not really. What alot of people don't understand is that they've been conditioned to think that you need to spend tons of money and hours in the gym to get what you want. My Strong as a Mother Program offers the best of health coaching in a way that helps you become your best self, once and for all.
And there are many misconceptions about what a "healthy life" really is. You may think that it's doing back-breaking workouts and drinking kale smoothies, but there's so much more to life than being on a weird diet all the time. And you have so much more cool shit to accomplish in your life than wasting time micromanaging every calorie in and out.
What living healthy simply comes down to is taking a proactive approach to your life, instead of a reactive one. That's how you become the hero instead of the victim. And I want to show you how.
I am a no-bullshit, nurturing fitness coach who integrates healthy habits, evidence-based behavior-change methods and yoga philosophy into my coaching practice and daily life.
Oh, And It's Not Just Me Helping You...
This is way beyond personal training. Meet the Strong as a Mother 12 Week Program Coaching team and see why having them in your corner would be a total GAME CHANGER:
Nutritionist Coach Erica Shulse:
Erica is first and foremost a Doula, but even though she doesn't bring those services into the coaching program, her empathetic approach and understanding of the complexities around motherhood and taking care of the whole family make her the perfect fit for moms who are looking to make the most of their time in the kitchen and learn how to fit the fun foods into a diet that also can support your fitness goals.
Her superpower is being able to work with you through your struggles with finding the right foods until you land on what works best for you AND your family.
Coach Connie Pastorius (that's me):
I help moms achieve their fitness goals by working to solve the two main problems keeping them from achieving them:
1. finding time in your day to actually work out
2. desigining workouts that fit into that small window of time that ACTUALLY result in the weight loss/strength gain that you've been wanting
My superpower is being able to look at your whole day from start to finish and find opportunities for you to start replacing unhealthy habits that got you to where you are, with healthy ones that help you feel better almost instantly.
Dr. Helene Darmanin
Dr. Helene is a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist. She is the newest member to the coaching team and she plays a VERY important role in the Strong as a Mother program.
Moms who are being held back by postpartum symptoms such as leaking, diastasis, cesarean pain, low back pain, they might not know that these can be managed with proper exercise and support from professionals. So together we designed a pelvic floor & core program specifically for any mom (symptoms or not) who want to feel stronger and more confident from (literally) the inside out.
Dr. Helene's superpower is her expertise in the female reproductive anatomy and being able to help women minimize if not eliminate postpartum symptoms that otherwise have been holding them back from feeling complete and whole.
So not only do you get a comprehensive program designed by three expert (and might I add BADASS) women, but they are there to support and guide you along your journey from start to finish.
Why Choose Us As Your Coaches?
Personalization: Everyone is different and has a different exercise history, injury record, ability level and time availability. We work together to create a comprehensive, personalized approach to your goals.
Eat Your Favorite Foods. While what you do in the gym is extremely important, what you put inside of your body is equally important. But do you enjoy having an occasional glass of wine or iced cream sandwich? We can make it work.
Moms coaching Moms: Dr. Helene and I are moms. We know and understand that your struggles with health and fitness as a parent are different and unique. Coach Erica is a Doula and has helped more moms prepare for motherhood than anyone I know. Your journey through motherhood is something that can only be understood by moms, and with us you get a whole community of moms ready to cheer you on.
Accountability. Most people who go at it alone end up bailing on their goals because there's no one there to cheer them on and keem them on track. We have multiple levels of accountability check ins so you work PAST your barriers, not get stopped by them.
Why Online Coaching Is The Answer
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Cost
Training with me in person, hiring a nutritionist, and seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist (almost ALWAYS out of network) adds up REALLY fast. That’s a lot of money to fork out 30 mins at a time. For much less, you can invest in yourself by signing up for my Strong as a Mother Signature Coaching Program and have unlimited access to all three coaches. -
Time Management
No mom I know has the time to schlep all over town for multiple appointments. Instead of getting help in 30 or 60 minute increments, you can have virtual 1-on-1 appointments with your coaches, all who are trained and experienced in delivering equally effective and helpful support as an in-person meeting. (And did I mention- we have far more flexibility with hours since we don't have to go anywhere either!) -
Expertise
Not to be immodest, but I’m not a beginner. After spending a decade in the fitness industry, I happen to know what it takes to get you to where you want to go. If you're committed to change, I'm committed to your success.
The Last Program You Ever Need
I designed the Strong as a Mother Program to be the last fitness and nutrition program you need to pay for. I WANT you to matriculate from this program, and not feel like you NEED to keep working with us, but have the choice to WANT to keep working with us (because we're kindof an awesome group of badass moms that you'll want to hang with).
I believe women have the potential to achieve such amazing things in their lives, and you've spent too much of your time and energy trying to diet and "get it right."
My clients aren't simply told WHAT to do, they're taught HOW to take a proactive approach to their health and their lives. That way, they never have to buy another fitness program or opt into a an insane diet ever again.
Let's Do It!
To review, the Strong as a Mother online coaching program:
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Is more cost-effective than individually hiring 1:1 in-person training, physical therapist and nutrition consults
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Allows schedule flexibility.
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Empowers you to take control of your health and fitness.
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Is a comprehensive fitness, nutrition, and women's health program.
Which leaves only one question...
