There’s no role in life as essential as motherhood. But mothers can’t pour from an empty cup. Kareen Duffus knows all too well about achieving this integral balance. The personal trainer and gym owner shares a few ways moms can incorporate exercise into their daily routine.
“Exercise releases endorphins. And that release provides a sense of well-being and accomplishment. Even if it means walking around your complex, apartment or room. Just move,” the owner of Ultimate Fitness Gym told Lifestyle.
With the emergence of online groups and virtual trainers, not having time to enrol in a gym is no longer a problem. “As soon as the baby naps, grab your mat and do some crunches or standing knee lifts; you will be surprised by the benefits to your mood, skin and body,” she added.
Duffus’ interest in fitness came about by happenstance. “I was visiting another country and saw a bus with an advertisement on the side that said ‘Make money by looking good’. I called and they were looking for people to train to become aerobics instructors. This was 1996.”
Over time, she not only worked as a home personal trainer, but also went on to run her own gym.
She was eager to take on the role of a boy mom, and from the very beginning, Zackely, who goes by the stage name Kogency, completely took over her life. “From meat cravings during my pregnancy – I’m a pescatarian – to attending football practices at 6 a.m., and embracing dancehall, since he’s now a recording artiste.”
The moment she became a mother, she understood firsthand the struggles that women face in trying to juggle it all. “Life demands more of us, so it is much harder as a woman. I wanted, and still want, to be an anchor for other ladies; a safe place to unpack some of the burdens. A personal trainer will tell you, we know many secrets,” she said with a wink.
As far as balancing goes, Duffus says there’s no blueprint. “Some days you are crushing it, and some days it crushes you. The goal is to always show up for yourself first. Zack would be in his car seat tucked into a corner of the gym back in those early days.”
According to Duffus, her son’s growth in the gym over the years is very apparent. “The body he has carved for himself gets noticed by the ladies,” she shared with a laugh, adding, “He has seen the good, the bad and the ugly, but he has never seen a quitter. I lead by example. So, we would be in the gym together working out, experimenting with new programmes and nutritional supplements. He has always had a healthy appreciation for the gym and he knows fitness is lifelong.”
The male-dominated wellness industry does not faze this entrepreneur. In fact, she sees this as her superpower to create gender equality across the board. “I focus on my strength and advise any female in a male-dominated industry to focus and ignore the hype. I have nurtured trainers who are now at other gyms and who are not afraid to state where they started, [using] the many nuggets of knowledge taught by me. This industry is big enough for us all.”
She’s honoured to provide a similar safe space for gym enthusiasts – men and women alike. But she admits that mothers hold a special place in her heart, as they often put their children’s needs ahead of their own.
“As moms, it’s hard to keep up since we no longer think of ourselves first. I am no longer alone; someone is dependent on me. So I have to show up for this person. Incorporating exercise will provide stability and balance, traits that aid in any profession, including motherhood. Clarity, health and that sense of accomplishment goes hand in hand with working out,” she added.