Meet Mom Next Door, Maria Kang

 This Elk Grove mom/fitness enthusiast has motivation to spare!

Maria's husband, David Casler, nominated her “because she is simply amazing.” One fit and energetic mommy, Maria is the kind of motivated gym-goer you want to pick first for your team. She is also the driving force behind several community projects furthering physical education and fitness for local kids—moms, too! But she wasn’t always the picture of health and fitness.

At her website, FitnessCure.com (“A cure for the common couch potato”), Maria describes herself as “a kid raised on McDonald's who never played a sport” then suffered through extreme dieting. But in turning her health and fitness habits around and finding balance, Maria also discovered her passion and went on to become a personal trainer, fitness advocate and health writer. “I’m a person who understands what it means to be challenged, unmotivated and unsuccessful,” she writes on her blog, “[as well as] happy, inspired and accomplished.”

Today, in addition to managing a residential care home for the elderly in Elk Grove (it’s called Comforts of Home), Maria has her own non-profit: She started Fitness Without Borders in 2007. Its programs include TRI(y!) Fitness 4 Kids and C.O.R.E. Clubs, aimed at empowering high school students to find their inner athlete, get active and try sports. The organization also provides fitness field trips and sports equipment for underprivileged kids.

In 2009, Maria launched a Mom-ME Fitness Group in Elk Grove, thanks to a grant from First 5 Sacramento. “We are on our second year,” she is happy to report. “While it took a lot of effort initially, I’ve met so many mothers and developed lasting friendships … We meet every Tuesday at 10am at Kunsting Family Park off of Whitelock Parkway.”

“There is so much to say,” David told us. “I get lost in all that she does while still being this super mom.” Their first son, Christian, turns two this month; little Nicholas is 9 months old. Maria says moving back to Elk Grove from the Bay Area to raise her family was one of the best decisions she ever made.

I like living in Elk Grove because…
I grew up in Elk Grove—I love the “small-yet-big town” feel of Elk Grove and feel blessed to be here and giving back.

One of my proudest moments was…
receiving 501(c)(3) status for my fitness nonprofit, Fitness without Borders!

The best part of being a mom is…
unlimited hugs and kisses.

The toughest part is…
overcoming guilty thoughts.

If I could choose any superpower, I’d pick…
the ability to freeze time, so I could capture moments longer.

The best parenting advice I ever got was…
to create a routine for your kids and stick to it.

When I need to relieve stress, I head straight for…
the gym.

A day with plenty of “me-time” would involve…
sleeping, working out and writing.

When it comes to quality time with my family, I love…
morning times, when we all just awake and are playing in bed.

I am currently addicted to…
Pinkberry.

Life has taught me…
that everything is a blessing if you choose to see the positive.

Do you know a local mom or dad you’d like other readers to meet? E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .