In this episode of the BossMom podcast, Dana Malstaff chats with Gina, a military veteran, fitness coach, and founder of MamaStayFit. Gina’s story is an amazing example of starting a business during maternity leave and finding balance as a new mom and entrepreneur. If you’ve ever felt the urge to build something of your own while raising your little ones, this episode is for you!
Gina’s fitness journey didn’t start with a gym membership—it started in the military! As an active-duty Army officer, fitness was a huge part of her life. But once she became a mom, she felt the need for something more, something that would help her connect with other moms who were navigating the same postpartum challenges.
“I was on maternity leave, trying to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up,” Gina laughs. She loved being home with her newborn, but she realized she needed a creative outlet too—something for herself. And from that realization, she built a fitness coaching business focused on prenatal and postpartum women. What began as a small side hustle quickly grew into a thriving business, all while she figured out motherhood alongside other new moms. If starting a business during maternity leave sounds daunting, Gina’s story shows it’s not only possible, but it can also be deeply fulfilling.
One of the things Dana and Gina touched on that so many moms can relate to is the identity crisis that often comes with motherhood. Dana points out that a lot of moms feel guilty for wanting more than just being a mom, and Gina admits she’s felt that too. “Being a mom is the greatest adventure of my life, but I knew I needed something for myself,” Gina shares.
There were definitely moments of guilt, where Gina felt like she wasn’t giving her baby enough attention because she was working on her business. But, like so many of us, she learned to balance those feelings by setting boundaries and giving herself permission to pursue something she was passionate about.
Gina had to learn one of the hardest lessons for any mompreneur: setting boundaries. When she first started her business, she wanted to help everyone and be everything to everyone—sound familiar? Whether it was offering childcare for a single mom or trying to support women whose husbands were deployed, Gina quickly realized she was spreading herself too thin.
“I had to set boundaries and recognize that I couldn’t be everything for everyone,” she explains. And it wasn’t just about keeping clients happy—she needed to make sure she was prioritizing her family and her own well-being too. Guess what? Setting those boundaries didn’t make her lose clients; it made her business more sustainable and her life more balanced.
Dana shared her own experience with setting boundaries too—she stopped scheduling meetings on Mondays so she could truly enjoy her weekends. A small change, but one that made a huge difference in how she approached her work-life balance.
So, how did Gina start getting clients while on maternity leave? She kept it simple! In the beginning, she relied on word of mouth and social media to get the word out about her fitness classes. Working out of a local gym, she built connections with other moms, and slowly but surely, her business grew.
But Gina didn’t stop there—she began expanding her offerings online, creating courses that helped her reach an even bigger audience. And, as she openly admits, her first online course wasn’t perfect. “We didn’t have mics, and we filmed the whole thing in just a few days, but we had 100 people sign up!” she says. That’s a big takeaway—don’t wait for perfection. Just start!
As MamaStayFit grew, so did Gina’s responsibilities, and she quickly realized she couldn’t do everything on her own. Learning to delegate was a game-changer for her. “If I have three employees, I have three times as much time during the day,” she jokes.
Delegating tasks not only gave Gina more time to spend with her family but also allowed her to focus on the parts of her business that truly needed her attention. It’s one of those key shifts every mompreneur has to make to stay sane—letting go and trusting others to help.
Gina’s success isn’t just about her expertise in fitness—it’s about how real and relatable she is. Whether she’s posting workout tips or sharing personal stories, she shows up authentically, and her audience loves it. “I just throw my hair up in a messy bun and show up however I am,” she says, laughing.
This authenticity has helped her build a loyal community of moms who trust her. People don’t want perfection—they want real, and Gina’s story proves that showing up as your true self is one of the best ways to connect with your audience.
As we wrapped up, Gina shared some great advice for moms feeling overwhelmed by everything on their plate. “Your workouts aren’t going to look the same as they did before kids, and that’s okay,” she says. It’s all about managing expectations and being flexible. Whether it’s involving your kids in your workouts or scheduling time to prioritize self-care, it’s doable—even if it doesn’t look perfect.
Gina’s story is such an inspiration, especially for moms thinking about starting a business during maternity leave. You don’t have to choose between motherhood and your dreams—you can have both. With the right mindset, clear boundaries, and a little creativity, you can build a business and a life that fulfills you.
If you want to learn more about Gina and her fitness programs, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For info on her prenatal and postpartum fitness courses, childbirth education, or professional training, head to her website at MamaStayFit.com.
This BossMom episode is full of insights for moms looking to build a business while navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Thank you, Gina, for sharing your journey with us!
And there you have it, moms—another amazing story of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and balance. If you’ve been feeling that tug to start something of your own, let Gina’s journey inspire you to take the first step. You got this!
