Raffaela Jeurissen-Oratmangoen (age 31) is the perfect example to show that it is completely fine to train at the gym, even while pregnant. She is proud to show that a pregnancy is not an excuse to get out of shape. Regretfully, many women think that they can’t work out anymore when they are a few weeks into their pregnancy.
Raffaela lives with her husband Andre Jeurissen and daughter Lotus in Roermond, The Netherlands. Raffaela met her beloved husband ten years ago while she attended GoGo Dance lessons instructed by Andre. Together, they are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their second daughter.
Both Raffaela and her husband want to let women know they can continue working out, unless they get physical complaints and that if you exercise safely, your recovery after your pregnancy will be much faster and you’ll be back in shape in no time.
“Teaching and helping people better their lifestyle is our passion” says Raffaela. She and her husband feel they should be an example to the patrons of their gym, Sport & Wellnessclub Feel Good, since their customers see both of them as role models.
Raffaela’s husband had worked as a freelancer and a personal trainer for a number of years. It was his dream to start his own fitness center and Raffaela fully supported this.
In the beginning, they offered work-outs at conventions which they found to be very educational, motivating and lots of fun. Rafaella started taking courses so she could start teaching at their center as well.
For the past eight years they have been running a very successful business and although, in the beginning, she preferred to stay in the background, she finally decided to step up and become a role model to help people gain a healthier lifestyle.
She is very passionate about teaching and loves having such a positive influence on the lives of her customers.
During her first pregnancy, Raffaela taught body pump lessons up to 2 days before giving birth. Although, her second pregnancy is physically harder, now at 36 weeks, she is still able to do all the exercises. She enjoys getting many positive reactions from the club’s members and has observed that more women will want to continue exercising even after they are with child.
It’s Raffaela’s goal to inspire women to continue exercising. Her message to everyone, pregnant or not is: “Continue to exercise to keep your body healthy. You only have one body; cherish it like a temple”
Raffaela hopes that with support of Bella Petite and the beautiful pictures by John Glantz of Glantz Media Productions, will encourage all women ‘no matter your height’ around the world to keep moving despite their pregnancy. “It will keep you fit and beautiful.”
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Awesome! What a great example!
Very nice!! A huge compliment for John Glantz, my niece Raffaela and her family! It was an honor to do the Make-up/hair also for my pf.
We are very proud of our beautiful niece Raffaela as the model for your magazine. Also proud of my sister Yana Toatubun who has done the Make-up for this Photo shoot.
Thanx Liesje! <3
This is very inspiring news and helpful! I feel good about being pregnant and agree with staying fit and not gaining too much weight and using my pregnancy as a reason for being overweight it is just pure laziness.
This real and honest thankful for this read! It’s the truth!