Mike's Toddler Training Session

Mike arrived at Shepherds Daycare with a bright red gym bag and an infectious enthusiasm. His muscular frame seemed almost comically large next to the tiny toddlers, but his approach was gentle and playful.

“Alright, little athletes!” he called out, spreading a colorful mat on the floor.

Mitchell, always eager, was the first to scramble over. The other toddlers followed, their energy matching Mike’s excitement.

Mike’s “personal training” session looked more like organized chaos. He demonstrated simple movements - stretches that looked like animal poses, jumps that resembled playful hops, and “strength training” that was essentially glorified playtime.

“Let’s do bear crawls!” Mike demonstrated, getting down on all fours and moving across the mat.

The toddlers mimicked him, their uncoordinated attempts bringing peals of laughter. Some went sideways, some rolled over, but all were moving and having fun.

Jumping jacks became a wild flailing of arms and legs. Squats turned into bouncy toddler dance moves. Mike kept it light, encouraging every attempt with high-fives and enthusiastic cheers.

“Great job, team!” he would shout, making the children feel like champions.

By the end of the session, the toddlers were breathless but happy, their energy redirected into something that felt like both play and exercise. Mitchell, in particular, seemed to have found a new hero in Mike - the coolest personal trainer in the world.