I Own a Fitness Brand—And Here’s How It’s Helped Me Grow as a Mom

When people hear I own a fitness brand, two barre studios, and a wellness brand, and have two young kids, their first thought is “is she crazy?” And honestly, sometimes, I can’t disagree with them!

Owning my own businesses definitely comes with its ups and downs. While it’s rewarding and purposeful, it’s also time-consuming and can be very stressful, something all small business owners can probably relate to. However, once I identified some core personal philosophies and starting implementing them into my lifestyle, owning my businesses actually became the catalyst for shaping me into a more present, self-aware, and purpose-driven mom.

Rewriting the Narrative Around Body Image

Before owning True40, I hadn’t fully examined the way I viewed my own body. In full transparency, it felt like a lot becoming the face of a fitness brand. I felt like I had two different directions that I could go: I could take the “traditional” path of fitness — one that focuses on high performance, aggressive work outs, and puts pressure on women to punish their bodies to "bounce back". Or could I take the unpaved road and lead from a place of compassion, strength, and celebration? Could I make working out something that we do because we love our body, not because we’re trying to change it?

I chose the latter—because that’s the kind of example I want for my kids. At True40, our mission is to celebrate movement, not chase perfection. And that belief has seeped into how I speak about my body at home. My kids see me move because I want to, not because I have to. They hear me say things like, “I’m proud of my strong legs,” or “let’s go on a walk and see how good we feel after.” And I hope that over time, this helps them build a relationship with their bodies rooted in gratitude, not shame.

Taylor Grater Photography

Finding—and Creating—Community

One of the greatest gifts True40 has given me is the reminder that we are not meant to do life alone. The women who walk through our doors aren’t just clients—they’re friends, encouragers, and lifelines. I’ve seen firsthand the healing power of women coming together, especially in motherhood.

It’s made me intentional about fostering a community for my kids, too. Whether it’s playdates, preschool friendships, or just being around other families who love and support one another—I want them to grow up knowing how to connect deeply and give generously. At work, I’m reminded every day that showing up for each other matters.

Embracing the Myth of Work-Life Balance and Sharpening My Focus

Let me say it louder for the moms in the back: there is no perfect balance—at least not one that stays the same from season to season. Some days, I feel like I’m nailing the work part. Other days, it’s all about being present at home. Often, I feel like I fall short in both areas.  But True40 has helped me see that it’s not about splitting myself evenly—it's about being honest with myself in each season.

There are times I want to give more energy to growing the business, and others when I need to scale back and just soak in these fleeting little kid years. I’ve learned to listen to my inner compass more than outside expectations and not judge myself. And I hope that as my kids grow, they’ll see that being fulfilled doesn’t mean doing everything—it means stay in your authentic alignment. 

Additionally, running True40 has taught me to be laser-focused on what I’m great at—and unapologetic about delegating the rest (admittedly, this is a work in progress but hey, the intention is there!). If something doesn’t light me up or align with my strengths, I either systemize it or hand it off. That same principle has been a game-changer in motherhood.

At home, I’ve had to ask: What do I really want to give my energy to? Maybe it’s reading bedtime stories or intentional playtime—but not necessarily doing every load of laundry or cleaning the baseboards. I've learned that outsourcing isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a strategy for sustainability. The clearer I get on what matters most in each role, the more present and fulfilled I feel.

Modeling Passion Beyond the Home

Something I’ve become more and more proud of: my kids know that their mom is passionate about something. They’ve seen me lead classes, plan events, take calls, and light up when I talk about True40. I want them to know it’s okay—wonderful, even—to have dreams and pour energy into things that light them up.

And more than anything, I hope they grow up with the confidence to chase their own passions, whether that’s starting a business, playing music, raising a family, or something I can’t even imagine yet.

At True40, we’re all about whole-person wellness—movement, mindset, and meaning. And as a mom, that mission hits home more deeply than ever. I’m not just growing a business—I’m growing as a mother, a leader, and a woman committed to doing things differently.

If you're ever looking for a community that celebrates the strength of women—in every stage of life—you’ll find it at True40. And if you're a mom reading this, just know: you're doing better than you think. And your growth? It’s unfolding in beautiful, everyday ways, too.

This post was written by Kaitlyn Bentley, Owner of True40® Studio and The Wellness Passport