Katherine Zeh

The best way to describe this month's team member is selfless, but thoughtful, authentic, and warm are all good adjectives too. If you have apprehension about signing up for a class, Katherine will make all of that melt away within the first few minutes.

Hometown: Madisonville, KY

How long have you lived in Louisville? 6 years

Tell us about your family: I’ve been married to my husband, Evan, 12 years. We have three littles, Elliott (7), Claire (4), Graham (8 months), and one pup child, Bella-basset hound mix (9).

Current/Previous career: I taught kindergarten for 9 years before staying home with my kids.

What did you want to be “when you grow up”? I wanted to be a dentist for the longest time. It wasn’t the right path for me, but I did end up marrying someone that became one and then an orthodontist 🤣😉

What is the furthest you have been away from home?I’ve traveled to Europe a few times with my family and Evan’s.

What is your favorite thing to do? I love to run with friends and go on walks/hikes with my family.

What is your favorite local restaurant to eat at? What is your go to order? Evan and I love to go to River House for lunch. I always get the Shrimp and Grits and we like to split a Bourbon Flight.

What is the best thing about living in Louisville? I grew up in a small town and if I’m honest, I couldn’t wait to leave. I love everything that Louisville has to offer and how big it can feel. There are so many opportunities, events, culture, a Target ☺️, but it can also feel like a small town as well when you’re in a community like F4MLou. It’s the best of both worlds.

What is your favorite color? Blue 💙

What is your favorite song or artist? Billie Eilish and Sara Bareilles are my current go tos, but honestly I’m usually listening to what my kids like or podcast/audiobooks.

What TV shows are you currently watching? Drive to Survive (my husband is a huge F1 fan and he’s sucked me into being one too)

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: My drink of choice is bourbon on the rocks.

If someone had to describe you in one word, what would it be and why? Helper. I feel like I’ve always been a helper and it gives me great joy to help. Enneagram 2 here 😬

How did you find FIT4MOM Louisville? When we first moved here, I had an 1.5 year old and a lot of time on my hands after I stepped away from teaching. We went to Beckley Creek Playground almost every day and I awkwardly tried to make friends with other moms as I was desperate for a community here. I quickly noticed the Stroller Strides Class. After a few weeks of stalking them, I googled “stroller workout parklands” and found F4M. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and signed up for a class immediately.

How long have you worked for FIT4MOM Louisville? I’ve been a Play Date Captain for 4 years and a Stroller Strides Instructor for 2.

How has FIT4MOM Louisville changed your life? It has changed it in so many ways. It has given me life long friends, a community, and my kids a community! It has supported me through all stages of motherhood with Strides, Fit4Baby, Body Well, Boost, Run Club. If I ever needed anything, I have an endless list of people I could reach out to for help, and I have and they’ve come to my rescue. I love that I can be my true authentic self around them and they love and value me for it. It’s also brought me the love of running and exercising. Shout out to the most amazing run coach and friend, Steph! Running has changed my life so much and makes me feel alive. So grateful for everything F4M has given me and my fam!

What was the first class that you attended and/or taught? Stroller Strides for both!

What was the last class that you attended and/or taught? Nikkie’s Body Well class was the last I attended (ps she’s an incredible coach and friend) and SS is the last and only I teach.

What classes do you currently attend and/or teach? I teach Thursday morning Stroller Strides and attend SS, BW, 360, the occasional Boost, and cannot wait to start my 6th round of Run Club. You will also find me leading play dates after morning Strides and posting tons of cute pictures on Facebook.

What is your favorite workout move or class layout? I absolutely love 360 and have been known to mix the Strides and 360 format together ☺️

What workout move or class layout makes you feel strong? Same as above!

March questions:

If you had to decorate a Mardi Gras float, what would be your theme? I’d probably go with something with rainbows, flowers, bright cheerful colors and glitter because this warm weather is giving me life lately.
Favorite good luck charm? My new little baby, Graham. He’s my sweet unicorn babe!
King cake or green beer? Both ☺️, but green beer if I had to chose.
March 20th is spring - what is your favorite season and why? Spring! I love being able to be outside more with my kids and seeing everything bloom again. It reenergizes me!

F4M Louisville Member Commentary - from Christina Kapfhammer

Kind, positive, and genuine are the first three words that come to my mind when I think about Katherine. She has a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off her back. Katherine was my first ever F4MLou instructor in my very first Stroller Strides class in 2021 at King Louie’s. I was newly postpartum with my second baby and going through all of the emotions that newly postpartum mamas go through. I was in major need of an outlet for myself and thought it was wonderful that in Strides kiddos could come along, too.

I signed up for my first class after finding out about Fit4Mom through a friend that spoke so highly of it – shout out to Andrea Heaton! I was nervous to arrive to the group being brand new with people that I didn’t know, but I shouldn’t have been. I remember how welcoming Katherine made me feel. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and had the appropriate modifications for that time. When it was time to walk around the turf, she made a point to come alongside me to try to get to know me better. I even remember my two-year-old at the time getting upset at one point and Katherine reaching down for a toy to try to help. All of this is not surprising now as I have gotten to know Katherine over the last two years. She organizes play dates for the kids and both of my kids enjoy this play and interaction with the others so much.

In the end, Katherine is just the kindest human. I am so grateful to have met all of the wonderful people that I have met in this village and I truly think it is because of Katherine that I did not hesitate for a second to join (I signed up that same day!) She really is amazing. Cheers to you, Katherine!

F4M Louisville Teammate Commentary - from Nikkie Harvey

You know that one friend who is just the best person you know? The one who always has a kind word, a hand to help (even when she’s juggling 3 kids and a million other things), an encouraging text? If you’ve been lucky enough to meet Katherine, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Katherine truly has the most generous heart and makes everyone at her classes feel included and special. She remembers all of the Strides kiddos and who they belong to, organizes the cutest playdates, and plans classes that will kick your butt. In class, when there's 20 seconds left of an exercise and you're just done- Katherine is the one shouting all of the encouragement and reminding you that you are strong, and you can do hard things. I could literally go on forever about how awesome Katherine is. We are so lucky to have her in this Village and I am so incredibly thankful to have her as a friend.