“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet Carlee Georgas just once and you can see how the quote above, which is listed at the bottom of her email signature, is quite frankly… her. Carlee is the very definition of the word SPUNK. The fitness instructor and mother of two boys and three future step sons 😱, exudes ENERGY and PASSION, and embodies the very essence of her favorite inspirational quotes (see more below). You want Carlee as your fitness instructor, trainer and friend. She’s just lovely and we are so pleased that you get to meet her in this Meet a Mom series interview! Meet Carlee!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’m originally from the northwest side of Chicago and have been living in glenview since November
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have two boys 12 and 9. I also have three future step sons ages 12, 10 and 8!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you (ie. Race runner or swimmer, triathalete, world traveler, actor, perfect score on your SAT, etc.) …
I love my reptiles. Grew up with frogs and turtles and now have a bearded dragon that runs around our house like a dog but no hair to clean!!!
Your favorite mom hack…
Ok!!!!! My best mom hack is that I always fed my kids healthy to begin with so they got use to the healthier options. Hopefully they continue to enjoy these foods as they grow up!!! For example, I never bought or used sour cream for tacos or anything that called for sour cream….I always used plain Greek yogurt which is loaded with protein and no sugar. My boys love it and still use this as a weekly staple in our home with tacos. Also, I make a great Greek yogurt fruit bowl that we all enjoy all the time!!!
My favorite thing in life……..
my boys. They are my world 🌎
Favorite place to take the kids?
I love taking them anywhere outdoors where they can run and be free. We spend a lot of time at the hockey rink and I love watching how motivated and good they have become. Fishing is a favorite!! Florida is my favorite for vacationing with all 7 of us!!!!
Guilty pleasure…
- Chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.
- Cleaning and organizing and cooking.
Go-to cosmetic “tired eraser”?
Self tanner for the face in the winter.
Favorite family movie?
Mall Cop and Major League.
Favorite book for you?
I don’t read books I actually enjoy articles for improving health and ways to create a better class for all my clients especially those with restrictions and pregnancy. I’m also very into reading inspirational quotes every day to keep me level headed, strong and motivated to be the best mom, instructor, and woman I can be. Love reading them and finding my few I choose to live by. My 4 favorites are……
- “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” -Marilyn Monroe
- “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” -Maya Angelou
- “You have brains in your head. Feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.” -Dr. Seuss
- “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” -George Bernard Shaw
Favorite Children’s book?
The Giving Tree
A perfect day with the family is….
Everyone at home hanging out together either building something or playing baseball in the field; BBQ and eating outside and later grabbing ice cream while listening to all the crazy boy story’s they have to share. They are my pure joy and entertainment.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My mom and dad. They helped watch my boys while I taught my classes at the gym which allowed me to focus on my passion. They still help now when needed and are always around with all the boys. They are the greatest to my family and extremely generous. They have been there every step of the way and I cannot thank them enough for all their support and love. I couldn’t be where I am today without all they have done for all 7 of us!!!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes! I have been a Group Fitness Instructor for 23 years! I lead classes at 3 suburban gyms and train moms over the summer!!
That is where I met you and your energy and cheerfulness is contagious! Do you have any advice you can offer our readers with respect to your living a healthy lifestyle?
The gym is a great place to help you feel better and healthy in so many ways! A work out routine:
- Mentally relieves stress.
- Physically allows the body to move better and look better.
- Keeps you youthful and more mentally focused.
- Should be a part of daily routine in some way.
- Instills feelings of success!
- Is a GREAT way to set goals and see results.
I also want to add that a gym can be a great place for camaraderie; a gym family is who you see the most!!! Once you join a gym you see what that means and not only do you want to attend for yourself but you feel good coming to class and seeing how much your gym family expects to see you there.
We push each other hard to do better and we do it together. No one fails, we all succeed. That feeling is priceless and golden. Classes are fun and challenging but also comes with a ton of laughter and crazy hard work.
What’s on the horizon (with respect to your endeavor; future plans or goals)?
I will continue to teach the growing classes at all 3 gyms and provide my clients with the most up to date formats
Bringing knowledge to each class so they may work out correctly on their own
Future plans to just continue to keep bringing the energy I have to class and making their experience so amazing they keep coming back for more.
