We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelly Starkey. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kelly, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. To me, doing the right thing even when no one is watching is one of the most important character traits a person can have. As a mother, it is my job to raise my children to make honest and responsible choices throughout their lives and instilling this early helps them build trust with others and become dependable, respected adults.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kelly Starkey and I am a mom to 3 amazing children, living in Orlando, FL. Since April 2022, I have been the proud founder and owner of FIT4MOM West Orlando, a local prenatal and postnatal fitness group designed for moms at every stage of motherhood. We aim to provide strength in motherhood by offering fitness classes, a supportive community, and resources for moms to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
What makes FIT4MOM special is that we aren’t just a fitness class with child care—we integrate motherhood into the experience. Whether a mom is pregnant, newly postpartum, in the stroller phase, or has older kids, we have classes that will be a great fit for them. All of our instructors are trained in pre- and postnatal fitness, so exercises are safe, scalable, and effective for moms’ changing bodies.
They say “it takes a village” and we want to provide moms the opportunity find theirs. At FIT4MOM, we provide moms a place to find friendship and support, a place for their kids to socialize, play, and to see first hand their mom prioritizing her physical and mental wellness. We are proud to be a community where fitness, friendship, and motherhood is rolled into one.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
From a young age, my parents instilled in me the belief that I could do hard things. The older I got, the more I appreciated this philosophy because it wasn’t just about being anything I wanted to be but rather that if I wanted to do something or be something, I was going to have to work hard to get there. This helped to shape my desire to work for the things I want in life and know that even when times get tough, I can work through these moments and never give up.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to be perfect. I spent much of my younger years trying to be perfect, never make mistakes, and always being a people pleaser. While I still like to do things right and make people happy, I now know that no one and nothing is truly perfect and making mistakes is okay. In fact, mistakes are opportunities to learn, grow, and try again.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The idea that women have to “bounce back” after having a baby. This mindset can be harmful, unrealistic, and dismissive of the real physical, emotional, and mental journey of postpartum recovery.
Pregnancy & postpartum permanently change a women’s body. The goal shouldn’t be to “get your body back,” but to build a strong, healthy version of yourself. While movement is essential, postpartum recovery involves more than fitness—you also need rest, nutrition, emotional support, and sometimes professional help like pelvic floor therapy, physical therapy or counseling.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When have you had to bet the company?
I bet on FIT4MOM West Orlando when I made the decision to open the business. As a mother, I knew there was a need for a space where moms didn’t have to choose between taking care of themselves, spending time with their kids, and socializing with other moms. It was a case of believing that if you build it, they will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://westorlando.fit4mom.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fit4momwestorlando
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/fit4momwestorlando
Image Credits
Cannonfire Photo
