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Rid the Guilt
Tennielle has a Bachelor of Physical and Health education from Laurentian University and a Masters in Teaching from Griffith University on the Gold Coast of Australia. She is a Physical Education teacher and Athletic Coordinator in Oakville and dedicates each day of her career to inspire youth to join her in the pursuit of health and happiness. Tennielle believes moms should get rid of the guilt they feel when taking time for themselves (especially for working out), and champions the importance of leading an active lifestyle and instilling healthy habits in young children.
Tell us about being a director of the non-for-profit “Shaping Her Esteem”? What is this NPO about and how does it seek to help increase the health and well-being of young women?
Shaping Her Esteem is a grass root initiative, founded by Laura Sanhueza- Miller/ Ironmom. Our goal is to offer our free fitness programs, StronGirls, and cultivate a positive community for young women. StronGirls is an after school fitness program for girls aged 8-13 aimed at empowering young women to be the leaders of tomorrow through physical activity and mindfulness. We also offer a junior instructor program for StronGirl alumni, where we train and mentor girls who have graduated from the program, teaching them how to instruct and lead StronGirls classes.
As a mother, what do you feel parents can do to bolster children’s’ self esteem and make them aware of the self esteem of others?
I am such an advocate for physical activity and the positive connections that are made within a team setting. Learning the concept of winning and losing, being a supportive teammate and developing empathy to the opposite team or competitor are highly valued in my opinion. Trying new activities at a young age and providing exposure to a healthy lifestyle, also shape and support children as they grow. Exploring various activities, and discovering something that motivates children is so powerful. I love watching the communication and empathy develop through play and sport.
In addition, lead by positive example and be kind to yourself. Teach your children about their beautiful bodies and how to respect other body types as well.
Exploring various activities, and discovering something that motivates children is so powerful. I love watching the communication and empathy develop through play and sport.
In addition to being the director of the NPO, you’re also a PE teacher for elementary school kids. Do find being a teacher prepared you at all for motherhood? If so, how?
It allowed me to really think about what kind of parent I will strive to be. I’ve taught many amazing kids, with super-parents who have provided me with a plethora of advice that I’ve got tucked into my back pocket. I get the inside scoop and have had hundreds of conversations with families regarding their outlooks and opinions on parenting strategies. It has helped cultivate who I am as both a teacher and parent 100%.
How do you balance these different roles in addition to being a mom?
It’s a work in progress. There are 2 major things that help me:
1) I LOVE and NEED to stay busy and connected. It keeps me grounded and strong as a woman and mother, to be able to wear an array of hats in a day. I don’t think I’ve got a system quite figured out, but I do know that taking time for myself to lead with SHE or check in with my school, are both components of my self-care practice that make me a better mother and wife. I strongly feel that taking time for yourself is key in being able to balance life and maintaining positive mental health practices.
2) I have a strong support system that allows me to take time for myself. My husband is my number one fan, and also believes that I am my best self when I am able to take time for myself. We work together to create a schedule that allows me to take time to dedicate to SHE, especially while I am on mat leave and need to tap out in order to rejuvenate.
Exploring various activities, and discovering something that motivates children is so powerful. I love watching the communication and empathy develop through play and sport.
Can you share with us one of your biggest challenges you faced in motherhood thus far?
Breastfeeding. Nothing has ever brought me such discouragement, pain, shame and guilt. We battled for 4 months with 4-8 pumps a day, shields, lactation consultants, Domperidone, and supplements. It has been my greatest battle as both woman and mother. After realizing my mental health was a stake, and I was able to get past caring what other people think, I gave it up. We are now 100% bottle + formula feeding. We are both happy, healthy and thriving. Having gone through these low points, have only made me realize how strong and utterly amazing women are. Not only do we build and create a human being within our own bodies, and we birth them out of our bodies. We are super humans, and I’ve realized that this is my bad- ass super power. It’s given me a new form of confidence and identity. I now know that I can do anything, and can plan for nothing.
What are your go-to mom and baby activities during maternity leave?
I’ve been so thrilled to take advantage of getting out and about with Griff. I’m currently training for a half marathon, so Griff and I have been out for many runs this summer and fall. We do longer runs outside, and head to the velodrome in Milton for speed workouts. We also do mama + tot swim, sensory yoga, and stroller-fit HIIT class. My husband and I love to travel and find new adventures, so anytime we are able to introduce Griff to something new, we jump on it. Griff flew to Nashville when he was 6 weeks old, and has embarked on numerous road trips.
I’ve been so thrilled to take advantage of getting out and about with Griff. I’m currently training for a half marathon, so Griff and I have been out for many runs this summer and fall.
How do you maintain an active lifestyle while on maternity leave? And what are some of your favorite snacks?
Being active is something that my husband and I value. We want to expose Griff to as many outdoor activities and sports as we can, in hopes that this early exposure will help shape him into an active person as he grows. Instilling these values are a high priority for us as a family. We make it our goal and priority to get outside every day for a walk or a run. I love watching him discover the leaves on the trees, or the blades of grass around him when we stop and take a break on our walks. Taking him to swim or yoga are exciting adventures for me, as I crave connection and activity. Knowing that these activities are benefitting his development, empowers me to get out of the house, even on harder, difficult days.
In order to fuel my body, I ensure that I start my day strong. I have a smoothie every morning which consists of Vega Vanilla protein, spinach or kale, berries, chia or flax seeds, almond butter and skim milk or almond milk. Now that the fall weather is here, soups are my go to. It’s such a great way to get your veggies in. Carrot + ginger or butternut squash are my go-to lunch meals at the moment.
What is your most memorable motherhood learning experience so far?
My labour was difficult. It was 33 hours, 2 epidurals, (my first one fell out at 10 cm, and allowed me to feel EVERYTHING) endless vomiting, and 3 vacuum attempts before Griffin entered this world. I must have listened to my hypnobirthing podcast every night for months leading up to his birth, I spoke to my therapist about affirmations and chants that I would repeat during labour. My naturopath gave me a list of acupressure points my husband could use to help me through contractions. I didn’t use any of these. The minute my water broke on my bedroom floor, my earphones went flying across the room and the hypnobirthing and acupressure plan went with it.
Labour takes you to a place you’ve never been, with surprises along the way you could never imagine. For a long time, I was angry at my body for not doing what I had expected it to do naturally. I learned that in trying to imagine and plan what labour would look like, I set myself up for failure and disappointment. I finally have come around to owning my story and labour, it brought me wisdom and strength and also my perfect little boy, who I am wildly in love with. I would do it all over again in heartbeat.
