Celebrating International Women’s Day: Empowering Women and Children in Zurich
In a special podcast episode for International Women’s Day, Monica Shah from Children First and Sandra Heim from Mrs. Sporty explored how women’s empowerment, physical well-being, and childcare are deeply connected.
Their conversation highlighted the importance of supporting working mothers, promoting postpartum health, encouraging physical and cognitive development in children, and strengthening female leadership. Together, they shared insights on how community partnerships can create a healthier and more balanced life for families in Zurich.
About Children First & Mrs. Sporty
Both Children First and Mrs. Sporty are celebrating their 20-year anniversaries, making this podcast collaboration especially meaningful.
Children First provides full-day kindergarten programmes, forest education, and personalised learning journeys for children while helping parents balance career and family life.
Mrs. Sporty is a women-only fitness concept that specialises in strength training, pelvic floor health, and hormone-focused programmes. Its efficient 30-minute workouts are designed to support women and mothers at every stage of life.
Together, both organisations promote physical health, mental wellbeing, empowerment, and strong communities for women and families in Zurich.
Supporting Working Mothers
At Children First, childcare goes beyond supervision. The organisation provides full-day programmes, personalised learning, and strong communication with parents to support working families.
Monica Shah explained that their approach allows women to pursue their professional goals while ensuring that children grow up confident, active, and resilient.
Regular outdoor learning experiences — including weekly forest mornings — help children develop physical strength, independence, and problem-solving skills.
Monica Shah:
“You can juggle all of these responsibilities, make mistakes along the way, and still be a great parent. What matters most is your state of mind and your physical well-being.”
Women’s Fitness and Confidence
Sandra Heim emphasised the powerful connection between physical strength and personal confidence.
Mrs. Sporty specialises in strength training programmes are designed specifically for women’s health. These workouts help improve energy levels, resilience, and overall wellbeing — allowing women to thrive both professionally and personally.
Functional training focuses on movements used in everyday life, while expert sessions on hormones, physiotherapy, and women’s health address the unique needs women experience throughout different life stages.
Sandra Heim:
“When women feel physically strong and healthy, their confidence grows. That confidence influences how they show up — at work, at home, and in their everyday lives.”
Postpartum Recovery and Long-Term Health
Postpartum recovery is a central focus at Mrs. Sporty, particularly rebuilding the pelvic floor, which is essential for long-term health.
Specialised equipment such as magnet stimulation technology helps women strengthen muscles safely and effectively after childbirth.
Sandra Heim explained that building strength early — before and after pregnancy — plays an important role in preventing long-term health challenges and supporting women through future life transitions such as menopause.
Sandra Heim:
“Rebuilding the pelvic floor after childbirth is essential. A strong body supports women through every stage of life — from motherhood to menopause and beyond.”
Physical and Cognitive Development in Children
At Children First, daily outdoor activity and nature-based learning are an integral part of the curriculum.
Through forest mornings, structured play, and active exploration, children develop:
- Strong bone density and motor coordination
- Cognitive and emotional development
- Stamina and resilience
- Social skills and independence
Sandra Heim highlighted that outdoor activities benefit the whole family.
Sandra Heim:
“Go outside with your children — play, hike, move together. It’s not only good for the body; it’s also good for the brain and the soul.”
Women in Leadership: Empowerment and Mentorship
Both leaders stressed the importance of mentorship and empowerment among women in the workplace.
Physical wellbeing contributes to mental strength and leadership confidence, helping women make decisions, take responsibility, and support others in their professional development.
Recognising achievements and fostering intrinsic motivation are key to nurturing future female leaders.
Monica Shah:
“One of the most rewarding moments as a leader is seeing a young employee grow into leadership — when she realises she can trust her own decisions.”
Partnership and Community Impact
With Children First opening a new location in Seefeld and Mrs. Sporty located nearby, the partnership between the two organisations creates new opportunities to support working families in Zurich.
Their shared vision is simple but powerful:
- Children grow through learning, play, and physical activity
- Mothers maintain health, confidence, and balance
- Families benefit from a strong and supportive community
Together, they believe in a simple truth:
Strong women raise strong children — and strong communities.
Find out more about Mrs Sporty here: www.mrssporty.ch
