The Active Moms’ Club Story
The Active Moms’ Club was born in 2008 when our founder, fitness trainer Cassandra Hawkinson, discovered that her postnatal clients wanted something more than just another stroller workout class. They wanted mom-centered fitness activities and an opportunity to connect with other moms and their children. Their voice inspired the three facets of the Club: fitness, wellness and community.

In 2003, Cassandra began training moms when she received her perinatal certification and started Baby Buggy Bootcamp, now known as Biceps, Babies & Buggies. At the time, Baby Buggy Bootcamp was one of the first stroller fitness classes in Chicago. Over the years, our stroller workouts evolved to offer more value. Moms were looking for Cassandra’s approach to training: Not one exercise works for all, but all moms enjoy working out together. Today, all classes are led by certified personal trainers or equivalent to ensure each mom gets a personalized workout.

Working with moms also inspired other types of fitness programs designed for prenatal women and postnatal mothers. Before birth, busy women can train in small groups at times convenient to their schedules. Shortly after birth, mom and infant are guided through a progressive class designed to restore the core strength and pelvic floor muscles safely. At any time, any mom can join an indoor or outdoor class based on her (and her child’s) schedule and fitness level. Babies and small children typically play alongside mom during class, or make new friends while she gets a great workout.

More than fitness, Active Moms’ Club hosts wellness workshops on a variety of topics important to moms. We are connected to a diverse group of experts who share their knowledge on hot topics like establishing healthy sleep habits, fostering positive eating habits and developing and honing parenting skills. Moms’ night out is another popular event that creates community.

We are proud to provide a supportive group environment — centered around fitness — where moms can build self-esteem and confidence in a community of their peers. This is how we achieve our mission: Healthy mom, healthy baby, and happy family!

Coach Cassandra, Founder AMC
Cassandra’s desire to help people achieve their fitness goals started as a hobby in 2001 when she moved to Chicago from the east coast. Never an athlete in her youth, she began her athletic journey teaching weekly Spin classes, and found it incredibly rewarding. Her appetite to inspire others continued to grow, and, in 2002, Cassandra received her personal training certification through the American Council of Exercise (ACE). In 2003 she became certified through Healthy Moms® for perinatal training. She also has specialty training through the Women’s Health Organization for the Total Control™ Program — a comprehensive pelvic fitness and wellness program.

In 2003, Cassandra took a leap of faith. She left a steady paying job as a graphic designer, and set out to pursue her true passion of fitness and established Coach Cassandra, an independent personal training business. The Active Moms’ Club was born in 2008 after many of Cassandra’s clients expressed their strong interest in all the elements the Club now offers.

Cassandra thoroughly enjoys participating in endurance events. Her athletic resume includes: 3 marathons, 8 half marathons, 2 Ironman Triathlons, 7 Half Ironman Triathlons as well as numerous other road races and shorter distance triathlons all since her first road race in 2002! Cassandra and her equally athletic husband enjoy training together…their first date was a 50-mile bike ride.

Coach Candrice
Candrice is both a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor and enjoys teaching bootcamps, full-body strengthening classes and kickboxing. She is inspired by helping clients find their potential through fitness, which is especially true when working with moms; they seem to bring out her best. Candrice views fitness as a part of one’s life strategy and is something that should be personalized for maintaining physical, mental and emotional health.

The 5K is Candrice’s favorite event because it’s short and fast. She has completed a sprint triathlon, two half marathons and numerous 5Ks and 10Ks. She and her husband live in Bucktown and expecting their first child in September 2010. 

Coach Jill
Jill so much appreciates the physical and mental benefits of exercise that she left her job as a Financial Analyst in order to pursue Personal Training full-time in 2008. She is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

As a competitive swimmer, soccer player and gymnast growing up, Jill transformed these skills and has completed three sprint triathlons, a half marathon and many 5K-10K races as an adult. Jill stayed very active throughout her pregnancy with running, swimming and extensive walking, and found the Active Moms' Club to be a great way to get a well-rounded workout and meet other moms after her son Teddy was born in October 2009. She is excited to be part of the AMC Team!

Coach Megan
Megan found so much satisfaction in instructing fitness that she left her finance job to pursue her hobby full-time…she has not looked back!  She is a certified Group Fitness, Spin, and Pilates Instructor. You can find her at a few health clubs around the city and instructing privately at a Pilates studio.  She enjoys watching her clients find success and strength when building a balanced exercise regimen, which includes cardio, strength training, stretching and a lot of core work!

Megan has completed several 5K and 8K races as well as the Danskin Sprint Triathlon, but she is looking forward to doing some longer races this year. In her down time, she and her husband can be found relaxing along the lake front.

Coach Tina
Tina is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys running, Spinning, Pilates, and yoga, both teaching and taking these classes. She is an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor and teaches Spinning, muscle work, BOSU, and crunch classes, just to name a few.

Tina is an accomplished athlete, completing three marathons and many half marathons in fun places like Bermuda and San Francisco. Wanting to get back in shape after having Lily in July 2009, Tina signed up for FROM THE CORE and was hooked into AMC’s approach to fitness and wellness. She returns as an AMC coach.

Coach Tricia
Tricia enjoys fitness and helping others achieve their goals. After her son Connor was born in May 2009, Tricia became certified as a personal trainer through the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and also has a specialty certificate through Healthy Moms® for working with pre- and postnatal women.

Tricia’s first road race was the 8k Shamrock Shuffle in 2002. After a few more races, Tricia found herself on a beach one fall morning in 2005 anticipating the start of Ironman Florida. Her athletic resume has not stopped expanding since then. During her pregnancy, Tricia was happy to stay active by running and swimming. She discovered that fitness is something that women can do safely during pregnancy and soon after giving birth. She brings this perspective to the Active Moms’ Club.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH, AMC Wellness Consultant
Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is an Educational and Wellness Consultant who helps women, moms, children and families achieve healthier lifestyles. Her mission is to teach women to take charge of their health and well-being.

Jasmine has a BS from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Public Health from Benedictine University. Prior to establishing her own business, she spent ten years in both corporate and commercial fitness. Jasmine’s services include preconception counseling, prenatal fitness, postpartum weight loss, infant, toddler and children’s nutrition. Her client focus is on counseling and directing families to understand the importance of healthy eating, fitness, allergy-free diets with a holistic and realistic approach achieving their goals.

As a professional speaker, she conducts on-site workshops and seminars for corporations, wellness and fitness professionals and the general public. She has her own column as the Family Health Expert for the Chicago Examiner and is the Program Coordinator for an online certificate course she authored in Women’s Exercise Training and Wellness.

Suffering from bi-weekly migraines and digestive issues, Jasmine took charge of her health after conventional medicine failed her. She follows a gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free diet and has freed herself from migraines, fatigue and pain. In her spare time, she loves being outdoors with her family and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. Jasmine lives in Chicago with her husband Jeff and daughter Lilly.