Stroller Strides: Jacksonville

Contact: Catherine Schaefer
Phone: (888) 824-5737
Email: cjs@strollerstrides.net

The Stroller Strides Team: (Photos below)

CATHERINE SCHAEFER, OWNER & INSTRUCTOR
I’m so excited to have the opportunity to offer Stroller Strides classes in the Jacksonville area! I’m Catherine Schaefer, wife to Paul, mom to Alexis (born 2001) and Zachary (born 2009), and stepmom to Alexandria(born 1996) and Grace(born 2000). I grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and moved to Tampa, Florida in 1995. In 2002, shortly after the birth of Alexis, I moved back to Indiana to be closer to family. By that time, my blood had thinned and the snow and I did not mix well so in 2004 I returned to Florida choosing Jacksonville as my home. I met my wonderful husband in April of 2005 and in July of 2006 we flew to Vegas and were married in a small ceremony at the MGM Skylofts. Our lives have been busy, busy ever since with my graduation from college with honors, Paul becoming a CPA, opening our own accounting firm, watching children grow, and deciding to add little Zachary to our family. I am lucky enough to add Stroller Strides to our mix. I am looking forward to meeting other mommies who share the same vision of making fitness fun for themselves and their babies.
Looking forward to seeing you at class!

EMILY CARPENTER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & INSTRUCTOR
I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Penn State. After graduation, I moved to NYC and eventually went to work for Royal Caribbean International in a four person improv comedy troupe, where I met my husband. After my first baby was born, I immediately felt the pull to be with her as much as possible. I was the first Stroller Strides member in Wilmington, NC when it opened in January 2008... Zoe was 6 months old. I got certified and began teaching in October 2008. We moved to Florida in 2009 and I was thrilled to become part of the Stroller Strides here. I loved teaching through my second pregnancy (daughter #2 arrived in 2010) and am happy to be setting an example for my daughters to get outside in the fresh air and be active. (Zoe pushes her doll stroller everywhere doing lunges!) I am a Certified Stroller Strides Instructor as well as infant, child and adult CPR certified. I love Stroller Strides and the fulfillment it brings to moms... myself included! See you at class!

TARA BANTA, INSTRUCTOR
I am a Navy wife and stay at home mom. I found Stroller Strides after relocating to San Diego. Most of my friends worked and I was starting to feel blue. My one SAHM friends suggested I come to class with her. I was instantly hooked! Not only did I get a great work out, it felt SO great to be around so many other moms and kiddos! When we relocated this past November, my number one concern was if there was Stroller Strides in Jacksonville. I was so happy to find a franchise up and running. When I was given the opportunity to become an instructor I jumped on it. Fitness has always been important in my life. Becoming a mom I really had a hard time fitting it in. I am so happy to help other moms get excited about fitness and being a mom at the same time. I also love that it has given my three-year-old daughter an appreciation of exercise. She “teaches” her own Stroller Strides class to her stuffed animals! I taught all through my second pregnancy--til 38 weeks (baby #2 arrived summer 2011). We are all so happy to be part of Stroller Strides of the First Coast. See you at class!!

JESSICA BISHOP, LUNA MOMS CLUB (Playgroup) CAPTAIN
I grew up navy, but have called Jacksonville home for most of my life. I attended Florida State University where I got my degree in psychology with a focus on children and development. While at FSU, I decided that I'd rather teach, so I moved back to Jacksonville with my then-fiance, now-husband to pursue a degree in early childhood education. I taught preschool for a year and a half before Ben was born in July of 2010. I always knew I'd stay home with him, but since I was the first of my friends to have a kid, it was hard to find other mom friends. Enter Stroller Strides. Not only have I found a great group of girls, but I've also gotten in shape! And now, as playgroup captain, I get to indulge my love for children's projects and activities.

JOCELYN GREENE, INSTRUCTOR IN TRAINING
Coming soon.

AMY STONE, INSTRUCTOR IN TRAINING
Coming soon.