Spotlight: Ash Iovino

INTRODUCE YOURSELF: YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU’RE FROM

Hi, my name is Ash. I am originally from Jo’burg but I now live in beautiful Cape Town.

HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW, CAREER-WISE?

I originally studied an honours degree in finance & then went on to study foundation phase teaching. So it’s been a long road to get to where I am today!
I have always been a fitness fanatic. After having my first child in 2012, i became a sweat1000 instructor. I finally felt like i was truly doing what I love & therefore went on to study personal training, specializing in pre & postnatal fitness.
I started Fitmom in 2015 after having my second child. I was originally a “mobile trainer,” driving to my clients’ homes with all of my equipment in my boot! When I look back now it always amazes me how much Fitmom has evolved!
I now have a studio at home, a trainer who works with me, and I have also just recently launched the Fitmom app. This enables me to train women all over the world, which has always been a dream of mine!

TELL US ABOUT ASH FIT MOM

I’m a certified personal trainer and the creator of Fitmom. As a mom of 3, I have made it a priority to balance family life with keeping fit. It’s my way of keeping sane. I have trained hundreds of women as they have powered their way through their unique fitness journeys.

I don’t believe in “quick fixes.” I am all about balance, hard-work, consistency, and healthy living.

I haven’t always been a personal trainer. But for as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to health and fitness. I have a deep love for road running and have run many marathons, ultra marathons & The Comrades Marathon. When I’m not training myself, I am sharing my passion & expertise by training other women.

I am a qualified SWEAT1000 and Barre Body Instructor, as well as the “fitness expert” for Wellness in the City which is a health and wellness blog based in Cape Town.

I understand that life is busy and that we all have phases where we don’t make time for ourselves. But I believe that health and fitness should always be a priority. Our bodies were designed to move, and it is my mission for every woman in the world to experience the power of feeling physically fit and healthy.

WHAT DOES YOUR AVERAGE DAY LOOK LIKE AT THE MOMENT?

I have 3 young children so my life is pretty chaotic! I like to train early in the morning so that I can be available for my kids before school.

A typical day usually looks like this:

6-7am: train/run

7-8:30: get kids ready & drop off at school

8:30-12:30: work/meetings

12:30-2pm: fetch kids & feed them lunch.

2-5pm: extra-murals for kids & squeeze in work in between if there are any gaps!

5-7pm: bath, dinner, chaos!!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WORKOUT?

I am a complete HIIT junkie (high intensity interval training) so anything that gets my heart rate soaring & makes me nice and sweaty! I have an “evil” workout called “the pyramid” which is always a great one & makes me feel on top of the world afterwards.

I am also completely passionate about running. It really is my happy place & special time which I dedicate to myself. It’s a huge stress-reliever for me & makes me a better mom, wife & friend!

DO YOU FOLLOW ANY DIET?

I don’t believe in diets, so the answer is no! I believe in balance, consistency and healthy living. I eat well & fuel my body with wholesome, delicious food. The minute people start talking about “quick fixes” & deprivation, my alarm bells go off as I know that it won’t be sustainable.

I eat well 80% of the time – but I also love my chocolate, rusks & wine! Everything in moderation, right?

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A MOM OF THREE?!

Time. There aren’t enough hours in the day & there isn’t enough of me to be available to each of them all the time. The juggle is real! Thank goodness for my very hands-on husband who equally shares the load with me. But it’s tough & more often than not, I feel exhausted!

IF YOU COULD HOST ANYONE FOR DINNER, PAST OR PRESENT, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

My brother. He lives in London & because of Covid, we haven’t been able to see each other this year. We are very close & I miss him terribly. I would love to have a relaxed dinner, just the two of us, catching up on everything that we have missed this year. Wow, 2020 has been crazy!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO ON VACATION AND WHY?

My in-laws live in a beautiful little town on the south coast of KZN called Southbroom. We go there at least once a year & it really has become a magical little place for us to relax & create family memories. It reminds me of my childhood for some reason – just a proper South African beach holiday! What more do you need!?

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW.

I am born on the 29^th of February, so I am a leap year baby! This means that this year I turned 9!

ONE BIT OF ADVICE FOR WORKING MOMS WHO WANT TO STILL STAY ACTIVE

There is never going to be enough time so if you want it badly enough, you have to make the time. Whether this means early mornings, training in your lunch hour, or meeting a friend after work and asking your partner to cover for you. We prioritize the things in life that are important to us! Having a supportive partner is also key in being consistent and successful!

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS’ TIME?

I definitely won’t have any more children! We are moving to the UK in April 2021 for a little adventure so I genuinely hope that in 10 years we are back in Cape Town, as we love SA more than anything!

I hope that Fitmom continues on this trajectory of expanding & inspiring women all over the world. It would be a dream come true if it became a global brand.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT IN 2020?

We are more adaptable & resilient than we ever thought.
“Teamwork” as a couple with children is everything.
It’s ok to slow down – it can actually be really good for you and your family unit.
Exercise really can save your sanity!
I will always remember 2020 as a challenging yet incredibly special year for our family, as we spent so much quality time together, which would never have ordinarily happened.
Sunrise tea & rusk missions in the treehouse on a random Tuesday are always a good idea!

Ash is wearing our Bloom Power High Waisted Leggings and Bloom Energetic Crop Top as well as Berry Power High Shine High Waisted Leggings & Berry Invincible Sports Bra