May 11, 2015 9:52 am Party with Moms Interviews StrongMom Founder, Erin Marich
What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?
Dance parties! My 2 kids, Ben (3) & Hadley (2), and I all love to bust a move. Watching them move their little bodies with pure happiness and without inhibitions is heart-warming and hilarious at the same time.
I wish that everyday of their lives they’re able to laugh that same honest belly laugh that they have at ages 2 & 3.
When and where are you the happiest?
Water skiing. So random, I know, but if I’m water skiing it means it’s summertime, we’re at a lake house with family, we’re barbecuing, the kids are running around outside, perhaps margaritas abound… all of my favorite things.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
To the bathroom by myself… or Costa Rica. It has it all- surfing, zip lining, beautiful beaches, horseback riding, hiking, etc.
Who has had the biggest influence upon you? And what quality do you most admire in a mother?
My mom has had the biggest influence on me, or more so, has the outlook on life I want to have. She made our childhood magical and made everyday special with daily finger plays, picnicking on the living room floor in the winter sunshine, tasting an exotic ‘fruit-of-the-week,’ and marveling over little creatures we’d find on our adventure walks. I often have to tell myself to slow down and marvel with my kids… even if it’s over half of a worm.
This is what I admire most in a mother- being able to slow down and cherish those fleeting, everyday, very-special moments with your kids.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love taking cardio kickboxing classes with high-energy music. It reminds me of my days on my high school’s pom squad (go redwings!). When I can, I’ll jump into a class with a bag- there’s something about hitting a bag that’s exhilarating and empowering, and it’s a great release of aggression (who knew this lady had so much pent up aggression?).
What is one of your favorite books? Movies?
Ha! I honestly haven’t read a book in 3.5 years… coincidently coinciding with the birth of my first child. My favorite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. My favorite movie will forever be The Sound of Music. My sister and I can recite lines in our sleep- “It will be my first party, father!”
Besides motherhood, what other careers/opportunities have you enjoyed? What are your strongest qualities?
StrongMom! One year ago I created a boot camp for moms here in Greenwich. I knew exactly what I was looking for and couldn’t find it, so decided to create it myself. I wanted a down and dirty workout for ME, where I’d be motivated and inspired by those around me. Oh ya, and as a stay-at-home mom I wanted my kids with me, but not so close that I’d stumble over them during my walking lunges. This is when StrongMom was born. We work out in Bruce Park with fun toys like battling ropes, tires, medicine balls all while our kids are having a playdate of their own with a sitter 30 yards away. It’s a win-win for all.
My strongest quality is that I’m easygoing. As the middle sibling of 5 kids I learned to go with the flow, not to sweat the small stuff and keep the big picture in mind.
What is your favorite type of food and what do you love to cook?
I love Mexican food and my personal gourmet specialty is a taco dinner from the Old El Paso dinner kit. If I want to get really fancy I’ll mash up some avocado to go with it. My sad recipe book is a work in progress.
What is your favorite time of the day and why?
In the evening, after the kids’ bath time. They’re squeaky clean, happily exhausted, and want to snuggle… which somehow always turns into a wrestling match in their pj’s on our bed, body-slams and all. I love it.
Where is your favorite place to Party with Moms and what’s your favorite drink?
I love any drink with champagne in it. I’d keep a Poland Springs water cooler filled with mimosas if it were acceptable.
Right now my favorite place to Party with Moms would be Rye House in Port Chester. In fact I held our last StrongMom Night Out there. I love a place where I can wear sneakers and jeans.
Learn more about Erin’s very cool company here-
