“DANCING AND BEING ACTIVE HAS MADE MY THIRD PREGNANCY THE EASIEST ONE YET.” – SHARI LOEFFLER
Last week, Olivia and I had the pleasure of interviewing Sharareh “Shari” Loeffler for our #DWMFAM stories series. It’s not every day that you see an eight-month pregnant woman compete at a ballroom dance competition, but if you know anything about Shari, a little [read: huge] pregnancy isn’t going to stop her from pursuing her goals.
This wasn’t the first time I’ve seen this. About two years ago a Dance With Me SoHo student named Claire Ziegler, had danced our Summer Invitational while being eight months pregnant. Back then, it was Claire’s first child, and we didn’t have a blog. Today, we have a blog and this is Shari’s 3rd child. THIRD CHILD.
A few weeks ago, Kenny Herbert showed me that he’s more fit than me while being twice my age. Now Shari inspires me even further by besting me in the fitness category, while also outscoring me three pregnancies to none. Talk about style points.
I love Shari’s driven, expressive personality and admire her hunger for achievement. She simply wants to be the best that she can be while showcasing her individuality and creativity.
Watching Shari dance with a nine-month old child inside of her makes my heart skip a beat, as if to match the syncopated rhythm of her footwork. In reality, I’m just praying that nothing goes wrong.
As a man I can only imagine what its like to harbor a child. I wanted to get a female point of view on Shari’s experience. Here is what Olivia Windisch had to say about this awesome #DWMFAM story:
“There are so many inspirational stories told on a daily basis, but this particular one happened to resonate with me in a different way.
When this woman walked into the studio I couldn’t believe my eyes. I saw her step onto the dance floor and rock every routine with precision, personality, and style. The reason I thought my eyes were playing trick on me is because her figure shouts “I’M NINE MONTHS PREGNANT!”
Her name was Shari. When I had a moment to sit with her and find out how this was all possible, she explained that this third pregnancy was actually her best one yet. Don’t worry, of course she had her doctor’s approval, and we learned that dancing (and other fitness activities) has actually made this pregnancy a breeze.
I think that the two thoughts that most women have once they get pregnant is “There goes my body”, and “There goes my personal time”. However after speaking with Shari, suddenly those fears that I had myself seemed to simmer down. She showed me that it is still possible to focus on yourself, and create the energy to keep up with your children.
Shari has 2 children with another one on the way, participates in spin and barre classes, works out with her personal trainer, and on top of that, finds the time to dance! It’s hard to believe right?
Check out Shari’s story about how dance has helped her embrace her pregnancy, showcase her individuality, and fuel her sense of achievement.
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Love you Shari! you are an amazingly inspiring woman.