In this episode of Frum Women in Motion, host Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Sarah Wizman, a dedicated mother, experienced runner, and fitness instructor. Sarah shares her personal journey, including her marriage of 34 years, raising six children, having five grandchildren, and her professional transitions to becoming a fitness instructor and life coach.  Sarah delves into her passion for exercise, recounting her achievements in marathons and how running has positively impacted her life and mental toughness. Sarah offers insights and advice for women starting out and exercise's uplifting effect on life and relationships. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction 00:33 Spiritual Focus and Personal Prayers 01:09 Sarah Wizman's Background and Family Life 01:43 Journey into Fitness and Teaching 02:55 Running and Personal Fitness Routine 06:52 Mental and Emotional Benefits of Exercise 12:05 Running Community and Marathons 17:53 Advice for Beginners and Encouragement 23:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Check out KosherCasual.com and their social media sites for the Swim and Sport Skirts with Attached Leggings that Sarah loves to run in and stay tuned because in an upcoming episode, Frum Women in Motion is doing a collaboration with Kosher Casual and YOU might win that exercise skirt! Sarah would love donations made to  Ezer Mizion (EzerMizion.org), the world’s largest Jewish bone marrow registry and an organization that does tremendous good for sick and disabled people across the lifespan in Israel.

Embracing Exercise: Libi Frager's Journey in Running and Spirituality (Before- and After- Giving Birth) In this episode of 'Frum Women In Motion', host Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Libi Frager, a wife, mother of five, and medical office administrator. Libi shares her journey from feeling stuck in the daily grind to achieving personal empowerment through running and fitness. After running a 2K race, she ambitiously trained for, and completed, half marathons in 2023 and 2024. Libi's youngest child just turned one and she is slowly returning to exercise. Libi's story emphasizes pushing physical boundaries to bring holistic benefits to oneself and one's family. We will be checking in with Libi periodically to see how her postpartun journey back into motion goes! 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:56 Meet Libi Frager 01:48 Spiritual Focus and Dedication 02:44 Libi's Journey to Fitness 06:33 Discovering CrossFit and Running 10:09 Training for the First Race 17:50 The Jerusalem Marathon Experience 21:02 Our Half Marathon Experience 21:40 Signing Up for the Dead Sea Marathon 22:32 Running in the Forests of Israel 23:22 Finishing the Jerusalem Marathon 25:03 The Dead Sea Marathon Adventure 28:45 Spiritual Aspects of Running 31:56 Supporting Family in Running 34:15 A New Beginning in Fitness 35:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of 'Frum Women in Motion,' Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Rifky Obstfeld, a wife, mother of three, and program director at a martial arts school. Rifky, a third-degree black belt, shares her inspiring journey from starting martial arts at age 18 to representing the USA in the Maccabiah games in Israel, where she earned two silver medals and one bronze. She discusses balancing her Orthodox Jewish faith with her passion for karate, the challenges and triumphs along her path, and how fitness can be a spiritual endeavor. Rifky also talks about her daily routine, curriculum development for her karate students, and the importance of setting and achieving personal goals. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and spiritual strength and encourages women to start their fitness journey with achievable steps. The podcast supports the Bat Melech organization, aiding women in Israel from abusive homes. 00:00 Meet Rifky Obstfeld: Martial Arts Mom 00:28 Balancing Faith and Fitness 01:51 A Day in the Life of Rifky 02:41 Spiritual Dedication and Fitness 03:19 Developing Karate Curriculum 04:28 Rifky's Martial Arts Journey 10:28 Competing in the Maccabiah Games 14:28 Family and Fitness 23:36 Encouraging Women in Fitness 27:13 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Temima Miller: Balancing Work, Family, and Athletic Leadership Temima Miller, also known as Coach T, is a wife and mother of two who balances multiple roles including managing a group home for adult Orthodox Jewish women who are developmentally disabled and serving as the athletic director of girls high school.  In this episode of 'Frum Women in Motion', Ellen Goldberg interviews Temima about her dedication to fitness, spiritual growth, and community involvement. Temima discusses her background in sports, her efforts in building a successful athletic program at Shulamit High School, and her volunteer work with the Five Town Chevra Kadisha and as a former EMT. She shares insights on how physical activity can enhance one's spiritual well-being and offers advice on incorporating fitness into daily life. 00:00 Introduction to Temima Miller 00:35 Balancing Multiple Roles 05:03 Early Life and Sports Journey 08:23 Building a Championship Program 11:30 Incorporating Spirituality in Sports 16:15 Volunteer Work and Community Service 22:45 Israel Activism and Family 25:41 Advice for Aspiring Athletes 27:23 Kosher Casual Contest info and conclusion!  Thanks for listening!

Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Maayan Beitsch, a molecular neuroscience research scientist, histology specialist at the Weizmann Institute, and seminary teacher, who is also a wife and mother. Maayan describes how she fell in love with sea kayaking after joining a Weizmann team and now kayaks at sunrise with a women’s group in Ashdod, finding it spiritually grounding, supportive of nervous system regulation, and a way to daven while alone on the water. She shares that kayaking helped her recover balance after a stillbirth, months of bedrest, and a traumatic October 7 birth amid sirens and hospital chaos, and she connects kayaking’s “flow state” to improved stress handling and work focus. She discusses kayaking during wartime near Gaza, hopes to start a kayaking group for frum women, and recommends donating to Keren Shemesh, which supports Beit Shemesh families affected by the Iran war and missile damage. 00:00 Meet Maayan Beitsch 00:31 Podcast Mission Intro 01:29 A Pasuk in the Sea 02:06 Davening Dedication 02:42 Family and Career Snapshot 03:27 How Kayaking Began 04:27 Sunrise Routine Logistics 05:08 Ocean Mindset and Thrill 07:05 Gear and Sea Kayaks 10:02 Hashem in the Water 11:20 More Than Once a Week 12:42 Letting Go of Control 13:40 Kayaking During Wartime 14:57 Sirens on the Sea 15:49 Kayaking as Me Time 16:14 Loss and Bedrest 18:09 October 7 Birth Crisis 21:06 Kayaking Finds Her Again 22:20 Flow State Survival 23:51 Rescues and Training 24:24 From Control to Presence 24:58 Flow at Work Not Home 25:58 Brain Benefits of Exercise 26:48 Community Support Donation 28:14 Movement and Sisterhood 29:12 Final Wrap Up

Meet Chana Faiga, a newlywed first-year corporate attorney who is redefining what it means to be strong, modest, and unapologetically Jewish at the gym. In just seven months, Chana Faiga has grown her Instagram account, Scarves and Squats, to over 2,500 followers — inspiring frum women everywhere with her tagline: coverd and confident / strong, not skinny. In this episode, Ellen and Chana Faiga discuss:How she navigates the gym in a tichel and skirts — and why modest doesn't mean you can't be cuteHer journey to deadlifting 200 pounds (yes, really!)Her favorite workout brands and what works for tzniusdik exercise wearBringing spirituality into fitness — from Asher Yatzar to finding bracha in movementBalancing long hours as a lawyer, newlywed life, and late-night gym sessionsHer healthy relationship with food and body imageWorking out with your husband — and why it's surprisingly romanticNavigating chagim and cheesecake season without derailing your fitness Plus — a giveaway with Qualify Protein Powder (Chalav Yisrael certified!) and a shoutout to Gift of Life bone marrow registry.#FrumWomenInMotion #ScarvesAndSquats #JewishWomen #TzniusFitness #FrumFitness #ModestFashion #StrongNotSkinny #JewishPodcast #FrumLife #WomenWhoLift