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.

Melissa Meadows, 46: The Zen Matriarch
Rooted, radiant, and real, Melissa’s yoga journey is about so much more than movement. She’s found peace, purpose, and power in her practice — and passes it on to her girls.

“I LOVE TO SEE A WOMAN WHO MAY HAVE LOST A LITTLE OF THEMSELVES TO MOTHERHOOD, A JOB, OR A RELATIONSHIP FIND THEMSELVES IN MOVEMENT.”

HEAD OF THE GIRL GANG: I have three daughters. Emma, a senior at Mississippi State, will be headed to the University of Georgia in May for Graduate School. Hannah is a sophomore at the University of Memphis pursuing a degree in Psychology. Reese is a high school sophomore involved in sports journalism and reporting at Bartlett High School. All three were involved in club and school soccer, which has kept us extremely busy over the years.

FINDING HERSELF THROUGH YOGA: When I moved to Memphis 18 years ago, I worked outside the home full-time for about six years. With three little ones and extended family living hours away, we felt the need for me to be home. During that time, my youngest was diagnosed with epilepsy, and then my middle daughter received the same diagnosis. During that difficult time, I found yoga at the Jewish Community Center. Being a full-time mom was challenging, and I think I had lost a little of myself, my sense of being, and my spark. I fell in love with the ritual of yoga, and it became a great way to decompress. In 2016, I discovered heated power flow yoga at Hot Yoga Plus, and something just clicked. I dove into teacher training, and I have been teaching ever since. HYP is my happy place, and I love teaching my clients about the mind, body, and spirit connection through the practice of yoga.

FROM CHASING SKINNY TO CHOOSING STRONG: I think my generation was obsessed with being thin. I have worked through a lot of disordered eating and body dysmorphia, and as a mom of girls, I think it is important for them to see me exercise but not obsess over weight and ridiculous body standards. My number one priority is strength. I will move my body as long as possible because movement is medicine.

MAKING THE TIME: Time is precious for a mom—life is so busy with school, sports, etc. Being an instructor can also impact me because I spend so much time pouring into others that I can leave too little time for my personal yoga/ pilates practice. So, I have to be diligent about scheduling time for myself, sticking to my rule of physical movement five times a week.

FINDING HER FLOW AND PEOPLE: Finding yoga was a pivotal point in my life. It was a healthy outlet for a busy, struggling mom like me. It also gave me a community of like-minded teachers, yogis, fellow moms, and clients. My core group of yogis is always women, and I love to see a woman who may have lost a little of themselves to motherhood, a job, or a relationship find themselves in movement. We have all grown so much together over the years, and they have been the best cheerleaders for my daughters. My girls have a big group of yogis, turned family, looking out for and supporting them.

By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens