This Mother’s Day, we’re shining a light on the unstoppable force of fit moms — women who prove that strength, dedication, and self-care are powerful tools for leading by example. Our “Fit Moms” feature celebrates mothers who prioritize their health not just for themselves, but their families and communities. They rise early, push through challenges, and show up every day with grit and grace. By making wellness a part of their lifestyle, they inspire those around them to do the same. These women don’t just juggle it all — they thrive, reminding us that the strongest foundation we can give our families starts with taking care of ourselves.

Dericka Tillman, 34: The Grit & Grace Mom 

Up before dawn and pouring into her faith, family, and fitness — Dericka does it all with heart, hustle, and unwavering purpose

FITNESS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST TODAY — IT’S ABOUT GENERATIONAL HEALTH, SETTING AN EXAMPLE, AND ENSURING THAT I’M STRONG AND CAPABLE FOR THE FUTURE I’M BUILDING.

A COHESIVE FAMILY UNIT: My family consists of my husband, Memphis T. Jordan; our two children, Virse, 5, and Lyric, 2, along with our honorary member for the past two years, Mrs. Jordan, who is 88 years young, and my sweet grandmother-in-love. And then there’s me, an entrepreneur, owner, and founder of Flawless&Brwn, an organic skincare brand. In addition to running my business, I’m an Associate of Economic Mobility for United Way of the Mid-South. I help connect individuals and families to the resources they need to improve their lives.

THE ETERNAL BALANCING ACT: My day starts early. I wake up at 4 a.m. to prioritize myself before pouring into others. From 5 to 7 a.m., I dedicate time to working out, including meditating, grounding myself, doing my devotional, and running and/or strength training. This time is essential because as soon as the house wakes up, my role shifts to serving others, which is a blessing. My time is split at home between running my business, caretaking, teaching, and managing household responsibilities. A

DIVERSE FITNESS ROUTINE: My fitness routine is a mix of intentional movement, highlighted through shooting hoops, strength training, yoga, running, Pilates, and walking.
I train at the YMCA and Kinetics Fitness with coach Kenny Fleming. I also run with the 901 Run Club.

IT’S NOT SELFISH. IT’S SELF-CARE: Outside of fitness, my favorite form of self-care is time with my self-care products, Flawless&Brwn. This brand was born out of my need for safe, organic skincare during the pandemic — a solution for myself and my son. What started as a necessity has become a ritual of healing, restoration, and self-care.

POWERED BY PURPOSE: My mental health was the biggest inspiration for prioritizing fitness as a mom. My husband encouraged me to prioritize it; over time, I’ve realized that fitness is a grounding point in my life. It’s a moment that belongs solely to me and something no one else can do for my body. As fulfilling as my roles as a wife, mother, caretaker, and entrepreneur are, I understand that true fulfillment starts from within —from God and myself.

TRAINING FOR LONGEVITY: I’ve always trained with longevity in mind, but since becoming a parent, my choices around how I eat, move, and train are more intentional. I want to be mobile, flexible, and resilient, ensuring I can keep up with my kids and fully participate in life’s physical moments. Beyond that, I think long-term. Fitness is about more than just today — it’s about generational health, setting an example, and ensuring that I’m strong and capable for the future I’m building.

By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens