I first met today’s Fit Mama Friday, Jenny Malone, through the Elf for Health holiday challenge I’ve taken part in the last couple of years. This past December, when round two partners were assigned, my elf was incommunicado when I received a message from Jenny: “Would you like to be partners for this round? I didn’t get paired with anyone.” We supported and encouraged each other through the challenges and I got to know this amazing lady, who is one of the strongest, kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Jenny, a fit mama of three children, son Chip 20, daughter Charlotte 19 and daughter Ivy 15, went through some incredibly tough personal issues last year, yet she was able to remain positive, be loving and generous to others and her innate kindness showed through – so much that it was no surprise to me when she was the overall winner of the Elf for Health challenge!
Meet Jenny.
Jenny, tell me more about what you do for a living – I know you work as a teacher’s assistant, but you also do some work in the fitness industry, right?
I do a variety of things. I am a full-time kindergarten teacher’s assistant, part-time aquatics specialist. I am also a consultant for a leading skin care line. In the past, I worked as a P.E. teacher for six years. What an awesome job that was, teaching kids how to be fit and have fun at the same time. When I was in that role, I started a run/walk club as well as founding (and coaching) the elementary cross-country team.
When did you start working as a fitness professional? Was that a lifelong dream, or something that you gradually became interested in doing?
I started working at a resort right after college on the ocean. I started with water aerobics, aerobics, fitness attendant and then personal training. I always wanted to be in fitness one way or another. It all started with my love of running in high school.
Has fitness always been part of your life, then?
No, I have not always been fit. My mom kept almost no junk food in the house and I grew up in the very early stages of fast food. I was quite lean as a child, however I was very uncoordinated and not good at sports. Running became popular in the late 70’s so I gave it a try. I loved it from the very beginning. I could do it – all I had to do was put one foot in front of the other. I ran all through high school and was good enough to run in college on scholarship. After college I started doing triathlons. I did stay fit, but my nutrition was never great.
So you were primarily a runner – what distances would you run? Did you race?
I did race. My best marathon time was 3:32 minutes, however I ran so out of my head in my first marathon my half time I think was 1:25. When just racing the half marathon (not as part of the marathon) my PR was 1:27. During that speedy marathon I was trying to qualify for the Olympic trials, but I hit the wall of course. Once I got into swimming, I swam an ocean marathon swim of 2.5 miles. I also did several triathlons before children.
You were obviously fit before you had kids! What was life like for you then?
I got married three days after I turned 30 and moved to Mississippi where I was a full-time aquatics specialist. After a year I became pregnant with my first child and was teaching about three hours of water aerobics a day, as well as swim lessons. I believe that was the best thing for my pregnancy. During my next two pregnancies I also taught water aerobics. I was less fit with those pregnancies due to having other little ones to take care of. I did let myself go a little during those days when they were little. I also wish I have the nutrition knowledge I have now. I HAD A TERRIBLE DIET!
I think when you have three little kids, it’s hard to take care of yourself as well! What are your eating habits like now?
When I turned 49, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, so that was when I kicked it up a notch. I started focusing on great nutrition. I’m now working with an outstanding nutrition coach who has helped me into an intuitive eating lifestyle. I eat when I am hungry and stop before I get full. One half of my plate is veggies, one-quarter is protein and one-quarter is starch and or grain. I always add a little fat at each meal. I don’t eat meat, however I do try to eat some fish each week. I also practice an 80/20 rule: 80% whole foods and 20% fun foods.
When did you get into swimming? Is it your favorite way to workout?
I grew up in Florida, so I was around water all my life. I learned how to swim when I was little, but I wasn’t a great swimmer. I started lap swimming right after college and yes, it was because I wanted to do triathlons. I remembered my first triathlon. I did the whole swim portion side stroke. It was then I taught myself how to lap swim and then I joined a master swim program.
Swimming is not my favorite way to workout. I am a runner at heart. I love to bike and do weights as well as boot camp classes at my local club. Swimming however feel the best on my body and I like to do it in between weight days.
Lots of people take up swimming seriously only when they decide to do a triathlon – do you train people in technique? What are your best tips for someone who wants to improve their swimming for competition?
Yes, I do get those runners and bikers who want to do triathlons who ask me for swimming help. I do help with swim team so I do some swim technique. The best advice I can give someone who wants to improve their swimming is Number 1: Get in the pool and Number 2: Relax and breathe. The rest should follow with practice.
Have your kids grown up with an active lifestyle because of you? Do you inspire them?
My kids have always seen me in some sort of fitness and they naturally followed. I would drag them to road races, cross-country meets, kids triathlons and swim meets. They each found their own niche. My son played soccer, basketball, football and tennis and now plays tennis in college on scholarship. My oldest daughter was my runner, she played soccer as well as tennis. My youngest is my swimmer, she also plays soccer and tennis. They are not natural athletes, but they love it. Hopefully they learned that from me.
And what about your workout routine now? What do you do to stay fit and what’s your schedule like?
I work out because I love it! I still love running, biking and swimming and I’m looking forward to a sprint triathlon this summer. I am strength training three times a week and if I feel brave I will let my son work me out! I try to swim a mile two to three days a week. I am in a fun team training class which is like boot camp that meets two mornings a week at 5:30 am. My future goal is to complete an indoor Ironman length triathlon. I can’t wait to rock the Senior Olympics in two years!
Time is my biggest challenge. I still have one daughter in school and I am trying to stay as involved in all her activities. If I don’t work out at 5am I have a lot of trouble fitting it in.
Jenny, thank you so much for being part of the Fit Mama Friday series! You know it’s an honor for me to feature you – I really am inspired by your drive, your positive attitude and your energy.
Wow!! I can’t believe how fit (and speedy!) you were while not having good nutrition. You must have felt like a superstar once you turned your diet around! I love how you taught through all of your pregnancies and how all your kids are fit, healthy and happy. Great job mama!!
Allie recently posted…All the Cool Kids Are Turning 40
I love reading about grown kids who’ve been so influenced by their fit mama! It’s the best.
Great story! I love reading about women who are my age–umm, a little older–who are still getting it done! Thanks for sharing!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions for March
Yup, Jenny is awesome! Exercise is the fountain of youth, right? 🙂
How cool she was a P.E. teacher. I think that would be the only kind of teacher I could ever be. I loved teaching my fitness classes I use to do. Wish I could’ve did it full time.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…A Runner’s Anticipation of Spring
I think it would be such a great job, too!
I did something similar in my first (and only) marathon…PRed for my half and hit a wall right around mile 16. I felt like my legs were wooden blocks. And I was sore for a long time after. LOL
I love that your kids are following in your fitness footsteps. My husband and I both have been running since high school, and running has always been a part of our married life as well. All of our kids have tried multiple sports. Two are now running but our oldest hates it, unless it involves chasing a soccer ball. 🙂
It was definitely an inspiration to read this…these last couple years I’ve been kind of lax about my workouts and this makes me want to get that consistency back. Awesome job!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…7 Ways to Rock Your Disney Princess Race Experience
The marathon has to be the hardest race to negative split in. It’s that unknown of the last 6 miles or so that messes with everyone’s pacing, right?
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