February 26, 2026
Mom Groups and the Power of Community: Podcast Episode #331
Mom groups have been making headlines lately, and not always in a positive way. While stories about mom group drama and social tension can get attention, they don’t reflect what supportive communities are truly about. The right mom group can be a lifeline during pregnancy and postpartum, offering connection, encouragement, and practical support when families need it most.
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere of Gold Coast Doulas sits down with Sarah Greidanus, Owner of FIT4MOM Grand Rapids, to discuss the real value of mom groups and how to find one that feels welcoming and supportive. We discuss how structured mom groups help reduce isolation, build confidence, and create meaningful friendships during a major life transition.
You’ll learn what to expect from FIT4MOM classes and meetups, how community support improves both physical and emotional wellness, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can make motherhood feel less overwhelming.
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adjusting to life with multiple children, this episode will help you understand how to find your village and why positive mom communities matter more than ever.
This conversation is a reminder that motherhood was never meant to be done alone.
This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.
Hello, hello! This is Kristin Revere with Ask the Doulas Podcast, and I am thrilled to chat with my friend Sarah Greidanus. Sarah is the director and owner of FIT4MOM Grand Rapids, and she stepped into that role in 2020. She’s been an instructor with FIT4MOM for 12 years. Her passion for growing a fitness-based mom community started with her background in Calvin College and a kinesiology degree and an ACSM certified exercise psychologist. So Sarah has a wealth of experience to bring to the organization. And after having her daughter, Abby, and her son, Nico, Sarah became more excited than ever to create community for all the moms. Sarah’s always had a passion for kids and healthy living that FIT4MOM fully embraces. You can find her being silly with her kids and their dog, Indy, getting out in nature and eating great food.
Welcome, Sarah!
Thank you! Thank you so much for having me!
It has been a bit since I’ve had you on the podcast, and our topic is so timely and relevant with the media attention on mom groups and mom friends. The attention has been rather negative with the Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, circle of mom friends and some of the information that came out that has been hot news. But I feel like the community you have created, since I’ve participated as a vendor at events and spoken at your classes – it’s so unique. I strongly believe as a doula and educator that we aren’t meant to do this mom role alone, and we need friends who are going through the same thing at the same time as us. I still have friends who are child-free or have kids in college or adult kids, but I am closest to moms who have kids in the same age group as my own because you can fully relate.
So you created this amazing community not only of moms walking through pregnancy, but moms with kids of all ages. So first of all, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on all of the attention on mom groups right now.
Yeah, coming from a place where our mom group is awesome – I mean, we have some awesome moms in our group – it’s hard to believe that there can be negativity in that. Not to say that there isn’t drama in things. I mean, we all see it every day. There can be drama. But when I first read about it, I was like, this is so sad. Mom groups can be the best. They can be the ones that see you day in, day out, at your best, at your worst, least amount of sleep, food in your hair – and they know exactly where you are. They’ve been there, and they just see you for who you are, which is, I would say, a magical thing. Sometimes it’s hard to show your true self, but motherhood kind of makes you do that a little more.
So yeah, I was saddened by the negativity that’s surrounding mom groups now because they can be such a place of growth and connection. And like you said, moms are not meant to do this alone, so yeah, I was happy when you reached out to us just to kind of change the narrative a little bit on this and refocus it, that they can be a positive thing, and having those mom friends can be life-giving not only for you but also for your kids in a way. They can be a positive thing.
Exactly. And it is interesting to me because Ashley Tisdale – like, a lot of the moms in that group were child stars. She was, and Mandy Moore and so on. So they could relate, and then they had children in the same age group, and it seemed like there were cliques within the group, and there were also stylists and people who worked in a similar circle. So in theory, that would be ideal, but I have found, as an older mom myself – I used to always say that when my kids were in elementary, I was one of the oldest moms on the playground. But I could totally still relate with the younger moms because, again, we were going through the same thing. But we sometimes outgrow friends, and it’s not even for drama, like what is described in the media. It could be your kid changes school districts, or you don’t have the same sports anymore. Like, maybe you were basketball moms at one point, and then one kid changes to, say, hockey or something. There are a lot of ways that people come in and out of our lives, but you have created such a group that’s filled with longevity. And for our listeners across the world, but certainly many in the US, there are FIT4MOM groups all over the country. I would love to have you describe not only the pregnancy but maybe the stroller sessions and the all ages fitness groups that you have, and in that postnatal and early motherhood phase.
Yeah. So we are based out of California, but there are franchises in every state or multiple in every state. I know there’s four in Michigan, but lots more throughout the country. So definitely check it out and see if there’s one close to you. We have a prenatal class called Fit4Baby, which is an amazing time of just connecting, kind of starting off that mom group for you because you’re all in the same space of creating life and things like that. So we start with that, and then we go to our Stroller Strength class. It’s after baby comes and you’re rested and kind of regained a little bit. We have Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre, which is where you bring your child in the stroller, and we provide a full body workout for you – cardio, strength, core. But we also have you engage not only with the instructor and other moms but also with your kiddo. So maybe it’s giving little tickles as you run down and back in your cardio, or squatting down and up and you’re singing the ABCs kind of thing. So really each of those classes, we’re trying to build a connection between you and your baby, you and other moms, and then also the instructor, as well.
From there, we kind of move into, okay, kids are kind of moving into school or older kids, so we have a Strides 360 class, which is where you don’t have to have kiddos to come, but you can still bring them. We still have moms that bring kiddos to Strides 360. This is more of a cardio based class. And then we also have mom-only classes: Body Ignite, which is a strength-only class. Honestly, it’s kind of one of my new favorite classes, as we just get to chat and hang out and lift weights. It’s kind of a two for one in that. And then Body Boost is our HIIT-style class. Again, these are mom only, so these are more of our evening or early morning. Maybe moms are headed off to work, or like you said, kids are in middle school, high school, that kind of thing. We actually are releasing a new stage: Stronger Every Season, so it’s moms moving into the perimenopause and menopause phase. So there is a new kind of growth going on in FIT4MOM right now. You’re still a mom!
I’m in that phase, so I totally need your class!
Everyone is a mom, regardless if your kids are off to college or still in the stroller. You’re still a mom. So we just recently launched that this week, so I’m pretty excited about that program. It’s an online program that will be connected all across the country, which will be really exciting. They’re bringing in experts, and Lisa Druxman, our CEO, will be leading that, as she’s going through that herself as well. So I’m excited about that program, as well, and it’s just exciting to see that FIT4MOM is not something that’s just for you and your kids in the stroller. We grow with you through motherhood. It’s really exciting to see because in class, we’re going to have moms of different ages and stages, as we like to say, but we’re all in motherhood together. So it’s really magical to see that through all of our classes.
I love it! So one thing that I love about FIT4MOM is when I have spoken at your events, you incorporate both outdoor fitness, as well as indoor options, and in Michigan, we often in the winter like this need to be indoors and warm. But you also allow people to take it virtually. You mentioned the menopause/perimenopause being fully virtual. But there were women, while your live, in-person class was going on, that were taking your class from home, which is helpful if you’re commuting and don’t have enough time to drive or just have a busy schedule, to give all of the options, which is rare with group-based fitness.
Yeah. So we offer virtual and then in-person. We kind of started that out of necessity out of COVID. We switched fully to virtual then, and we actually still offer recordings from COVID, which are kind of funny to go back and watch now. But we have two virtual classes in the morning for those moms who need to get up and work out early, and then whenever there’s a snow day, like we’ve recently had here in Michigan, we try to offer the class virtually, as well, and make it more of a family wiggle session, get all the wiggles out if you’re stuck at home.
We do offer virtual for our Fit4Baby clients, as well. Sometimes getting out of the house can be a little tricky. But it also allows us to reach a little further than some people outside of Grand Rapids. With us being one of only four franchises in Michigan and kind of only on the west side right now of Michigan, it allows us to get people that might not be able to make it. Their drive is maybe 45 minutes; they’re more north or south of us. So those virtual options – once I kind of find out where people are located, I always like to give them that option, and our instructors are awesome. We try to include the virtual people as much as possible and work through whatever technology issues pop up. But for the most part, it is a great way for our moms to still get connected, still get a chance to work out, just from their own home.
I love it. So as far as connecting at events, I know that you have celebration events; things beyond the classes – anniversary events and so on, open houses. Is that the best way to make mom friends, other than taking the same class at the same time with other moms?
Yeah. So honestly, we find that the moms that commit to even just one day a week – this is my class; this is my time; I’m going to go make the most connections out of it – not to say you can’t bounce around classes and try different ones, but we find the ones that commit and stick to a routine have the best. But the other half of FIT4MOM, I think, is kind of the secret sauce that we like to have: our community. We call it our village, and we offer weekly play groups, monthly mom’s night outs, a field trip at least once a month. We just went bowling for the first time with kids five and under, and it was honestly the cutest thing we’ve ever done. Not only in classes, but connecting with moms in those settings. So maybe it’s just sticking around for the craft after class, or when we do move outside, we usually try to be at parks with playgrounds, so maybe sticking around if naptime allows, sticking around and chatting with moms while your kids are running around on the playground. Those are the best ways to get connected. We always say you’ve got to put a little work into every friendship, and mom groups are just the same. You kind of have to put yourself out there a little bit. Our group – I mean, I think I speak for every FIT4MOM group. Our moms are so welcoming, and they kind of see you where you are. You’ve had four hours of sleep, or you’ve got a full night and you’re feeling fully rested – they kind of see you where you are and celebrate the little wins and also support you when you need it. So getting involved in those Our Village community events is also a great way to connect with moms through FIT4MOM.
And since you’ve been involved in FIT4MOM for 12 years, I would love to hear personal stories of the friendships that you’ve seen grow through the community. And I’m sure they’re having multiple babies together?
Yes! So when I started, I didn’t have any of my own kiddos. It was kind of a unique experience. I was nannying at the time, so I would bring the kids I nannied for, which was super fun. And the moms were more than willing to give me all the tips and advice, which was so fun. We had a lot of moms – again, this was kind of pre-COVID – that were staying home, until they would come multiple days a week. So our group was great.
COVID happened and we kind of transitioned a little bit. I feel like also the working mom has kind of transitioned a little bit in that. But one group that started when I was teaching – so they’ve all moved on from FIT4MOM. Their kids are – the youngest is probably 8 or 9. But they still get together for birthday celebrations. They go on one or two trips a year together. They’re still friends, and they all became friends because of FIT4MOM. And, I mean, they celebrate kids’ birthdays togethers. It’s awesome to see. We still see them posting on social media and stuff like that. It’s so fun to see that. They all started because they all decided to show up to a stroller class in a park many years ago. It’s really fun to see those and how it’s blossomed outside of FIT4MOM. So yeah, it’s fun to see moms just connect in class. They end up walking next to each other, realize their kids are the same ages, and it kind of blossoms from there. They’re meeting at a park after class or on a day that we don’t have class. It’s fun to see the connections blossom and grow outside of FIT4MOM as well, and kind of move through life together, which is so exciting to see.
It really is. I have a few stories, similarly. When I had my daughter – whose birthday is actually today. She’s 15! I took Lamaze during my pregnancy with her, and the moms – well, the instructor, for one, was really great at making community. Of course, dads were in the class, but the moms bonded, and many of us were first-time moms. There were a couple seasoned moms in the group. But we kept in touch outside of class, and there was a reunion after we all had our babies, and we brought our babies and told birth stories, which I thought was so special. So we got to hear from each other on and cheer each other on. And when I was in the hospital delivering, another mom in my class was leaving as I was entering the hospital, so it was wild! And my daughter has gone to school with one of the boys from that group, and they have known each other since the womb, essentially. They joke about it.
Oh, my goodness. How cute, and just so fun for you and her!
Yeah, we used to meet up at different members’ homes, or one of them lived on a farm, and we had our kids as toddlers go visit all the animals on the farm and walk around. It was just such a fun time, and then there were two of the students in the class that I was friends with – we were pregnant with our second at the same time and told each other at one of the meet-ups. It was so special. I started teaching Sacred Pregnancy classes when my son was about four months old, and I wanted a similar community. There weren’t a lot of communities in Grand Rapids at the time. My classes were eight weeks, women only, other than the relationship class, and they had strong connections. So we had a reunion class, similar to what I experienced in Lamaze, and everyone was able to tell their birth story, bring their baby, catch up on life. And some of the early classes, they are still, as you mentioned with your students, getting together. They go to 4th of July parades and their kids are friends. It’s so important to have those similar interests and life experiences, and when your kids are friends, it’s even more beautiful than having your mom group. So I love that you do bowling outings and so many fun things that are family-friendly but also a way for moms to have that support emotionally with a group that is like-minded, supportive, affirming. Everything you’re doing is so needed, and I can’t fill that void anymore, but I enjoyed it when I could!
Yes! It’s fun to see on my end but also to be a part of it. It’s magical to see those connections build and how moms can come together. It is a very positive thing. It’s something really special. I hope every mom finds their mom group or even just their mom bestie. Like you said, it’s going to change as your kids grow, but just finding a friend who can do mom life is great.
And honestly, fitness is one of the best ways to release stress, feel good, and reduce anxiety. I mean, there are so many benefits beyond health, and to be – I don’t want to say self-care because it’s overused, but to have some self-care time and make friends is a win-win.
Yeah, we like to say you come for the fitness, you stay for the community kind of thing. Fitness is a great way. Rarely do I see a mom leave a class that isn’t a little happier or just has a little more excitement for the day. Either the community that she connected with, or like you said, just getting out and kind of releasing those anxieties and kind of – yeah, and just giving you a little more energy to tackle whatever your kids may bring that day or whatever the day may bring for you. It’s really fun to see that aspect of it day in and day out with the fitness classes. And like I said, all of our classes, our instructors teach to whatever level you’re at, so if you come and you’re like, I got two hours of sleep – our instructors know exactly what to do and can help you kind of take what you need from that class and build from there. So yeah, it’s really special to see that. But then also the community – not only for moms, but we also see a lot of friends for the kids. They get to class, and they’re like, oh, so-and-so is here, or I want to go play with so-and-so today. It’s that social aspect for you kids once they get out of the stroller and walking a little bit. They kind of create their own friend group, as well, which is super fun to see, both moms and kids gaining that community out of it, just because they came to a fitness class. They stay for the community!
I love it! And I love your tagline at FIT4MOM: Strength and Motherhood. It’s so true. You’re getting strong with fitness, but there’s strength in the community that you build. So many positives. It’s brilliant.
Any final tips for our listeners, Sarah?
I would just say, if you haven’t found your mom group, definitely keep trying, be it FIT4MOM or a local library group or a book club. Find that group and then just commit to putting a little time in, maybe once a week or every other week or whatever it may be. Just putting in the time, because once you find it, it’s definitely life-giving, not only for you, but for your kids, as well. And I just thank you for having me on here!
Excellent advice! Well, thanks for chatting with me. Before we go, please share how our listeners and our doula clients can connect with you at FIT4MOM Grand Rapids and also how our listeners who live elsewhere can find a FIT4MOM franchise near them.
So the best way to find our franchises is to go to fit4mom.com. There’s a location finder there. You’ll just type in your ZIP code. From there, it will pop up the nearest franchise for you or the nearest location that a franchise is meeting. So if Michigan people on the west side of Michigan want to connect with FIT4MOM Grand Rapids, we’re just at fit4momgrandrapids.com. You can go there. We have free classes. All franchises offer at least one free class you can go check out. So yeah, I encourage you guys to check out a fitness class or a playgroup that your local FIT4MOM is offering and see if they’re a good fit for your mom community.
I love it. And you’re also quite active on socials, so if you want to share some of your favorite social channels?
We specifically are @fit4momgr, all lowercase. And if you want to follow more of the national FIT4MOM, that’s @fit4momhq. They post a lot of stuff, as well, on there.
Thank you for all of your stories and the way that you support moms so beautifully at any stage in motherhood! We’ll have to talk again soon, Sarah!
Thank you!
IMPORTANT LINKS
Birth and postpartum support from Gold Coast Doulas