We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Louanne Hardtke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, LouAnne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is so mom’s don’t ever have to say, “I wish someone would have told me” in relation to pre- and postnatal fitness. All my life I have been active; going to the gym 3-5 days a week since I’ve been 18. When I was pregnant in 2021, I still stayed active, but there was so much mixed information about exercise and pregnancy so I took my intensity way down. Then after I had my daughter, I truly didn’t know what to do with my new body, so I was inactive for 6 months. When I got back into fitness, I pushed my new body in ways I shouldn’t have and ended up with pelvic organ prolapse, which is very common for women who give birth. That is when I personally said, “I wish someone would have told me to work my pelvic floor.”
I want to provide moms with workouts that push their bodies, but also help them heal and better understand their postpartum bodies.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is LouAnne Hardtke and I am the owner of Pink Fitness Florida. I offer full body group fitness classes for pregnant and postpartum women, with a focus on core and pelvic floor. My classes are low impact, with moderate to high intensity to help prepare for labor and to also help heal the body postpartum.
I am a mom myself and went through all of these changes and even have some of the problems that I hope to try to prevent in other women. I also want to create a community of women who are in the same stage of life and who can support, challenge, and uplift each other through this challenging, yet so rewarding, time of life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Previously to starting my business, I was an elementary teacher. After I had my daughter, it did not make sense financially to continue to teach and pay for childcare, so I pivoted to nannying for 2 years, which allowed me to raise my daughter alongside other children. Although I loved nannying, I missed teaching and knew I could use and develop those skills into helping moms, like myself, who don’t know how to navigate the changes in their body. That is when I decided to create Pink Fitness Florida.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

My favorite marketing story is having a booth at a local market called “Winter the Wood”. I signed up for the market just to get my name out there and allow women the opportunity to ask me questions.
This was essentially a Christmas market, so needless to say, I was a bit out of place and it was so nerve wracking putting myself out there to potentially fail.
Much to my surprise and excitement, so many people seemed interested and excited that I was starting something that really needs to be addressed for pregnant and postpartum women.
After the market, my mentality shifted because all my life I have been a perfectionist and have limited myself to things I can be successful at immediately. Through my business journey, I am opening myself up to failure because that is how I will learn and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www..pinkfitnessflorida.com
• Instagram: @Pinkfitnessflorida
• Other: Email: [email protected]