Meet a Mom Laura Kovall owner of The FitCo in Pleasantville! She has built a community of moms who love to laugh and workout for 30-45 minute classes. Learn more www.thefitconyc.com and follow along on Instagram
Where are you both from originally and how long have you lived in town?
Born and raised in Manhattan. I moved to Pleasantville in 2019
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Sophia (age 13)
Three stepdaughter Nadia (20), Ava and Lila (twins age 18)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you both…
I have run ten marathons and am not done yet 🙂 I used to work at ABC and CNN. I also studied Russian
in High School and Arabic during my graduate program at Columbia, and worked in the Intelligence
Division at the NYPD as an analyst in terrorism related cases.
Sophia recently won the World Championship for World Ninja League Tier 2. She also plays soccer,
lacrosse, and is very artistic.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I truly believe it has taken a village and I am fortunate that I have a lot of people to thank 🙂 My
parents go above and beyond to help, whether it is to drive Sophia from NYC to Pleasantville or to take
us to Citi Field. Sophia’s father; we are divorced but he is truly a very involved and fantastic father and
co-parent. My husband who treats Sophia like his own and is excellent at anticipating her needs. And
Janet who is Sophia’s caregiver since birth and has always been by her side.
Favorite things to do with your children?
Our family trips to Sag Harbor, going to Citi Field, taking her to a playground after
Frannies Frozen Yogurt to watch her turn structures into Ninja obstacles. Also! LOVE
binge watching shows while eating popcorn and chocolate chips. Our show right now is
The Pitt on Max.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Community is everything. When I moved to Pleasantville in 2019, I was immediately greeted with
open arms. My daughter does not go to school in the district, yet we quickly felt embraced by her
soccer teammates and parents in Pleasantville and at The Grit Ninja. I first opened the doors at The Fit
Co in January with our official ribbon cutting in March. Immediately my clients opened up to me and
welcomed our concept. Our classes are challenging yet fun as it is an environment where people
know each other and look forward to working out in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Tell us about The Fit Co and what was your inspiration
For my entire life- both as a three sport Varsity athlete in High School and as an adult for the
past 25 plus years- fitness has been the cornerstone of my journey. Whether it was my time
producing live news at CNN, or working as an analyst at the NYPD, working out was
essential. There was always an excuse NOT to workout; so I got into the consistent habit of
NEVER making one.
In 2011, during my pregnancy with Sophia, I vowed that even motherhood would not prevent
me from a regular fitness routine. And, I wanted to encourage others to do the same. This is
why in 2013 I launched my first fitness company, focusing on new moms. The workout was
efficient, total body, minimal equipment and could be done anywhere, with anyone, at any
time.
I soon realized that it was not just new moms that struggled to find ways to integrate fitness
into their lives. In fact, it was -and is- a struggle for more or less everyone. Whether it’s
work, family, illness, injury, lack of motivation- you name it- exercise is often a casualty of a
busy life.
AND! It does NOT have to be.
Since 2016, I have expanded my fitness philosophy. The best workout is the one that fits into
your life and I now work with individuals age 12 through mid 80s. Whether it is in person,
livestream- which I have done since 2017- The Fit Co will meet you where you are. We also
know that physical fitness is only one pillar of wellness. Therefore we offer recovery- from
yoga and pilates- to sound healing, compression boots and red light therapy.
Tell us about mom entrepreneur life and how do you balance it all?
It is incredibly rewarding, exhausting, inspiring, stressful and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I am
not afraid to rely on others or ask for help. AND I make sure to take time for myself and have my own
goals that are unique to me. More often than not time to myself may only mean a run, a coffee in my
backyard, or watching a show or part of a Mets game but I know that I need time- even if it is just a
few moments- to myself. I have also learned to say NO! That is huge for many moms!
Tell us your faves:
Favorite date night spot- Lexington Grill (Mt Kisco) or Zero otto Nove (Armonk)
Favorite restaurant to go as a family: Craft, Quaker Hill Tavern
Favorite place to go out with friends: Craft, Pub Street
Favorite place to go to have fun as a family: Dolphin South, Chatterbox
