Hi everyone! I’m Marrissa Gonzalez, and I’m so honored to be FIT4MOM’s Mom of the Month for August!

I was born and raised in Merced, California, and I met my husband when we were in high school. We’ve truly grown up together. We became a military family in December 2017, and over the years our journey has taken us to many places. We lived, were stationed, and even got married in Hawaii, a place that will always hold a special place in our hearts. Today, we’re grateful to call San Diego home and look forward to continuing to build our lives here.

As my husband was transitioning out of the United States Marine Corps and beginning his career in the United States Coast Guard, we found out we were expecting our first child, Maverick. Like many first-time parents, we had no idea what was ahead. Around 18 months old, we began noticing developmental differences, and our lives changed as we navigated evaluations, therapies, and eventually an autism diagnosis.

Those early years were some of the most challenging of my life. There were so many moments of uncertainty, countless appointments, and a steep learning curve as I tried to understand how to best support my son. Looking back, I wish someone had handed me a roadmap. Instead, I learned through experience, research, and connecting with other families.

Because Maverick required so much support, my husband and I made the decision to wait before growing our family. We wanted to ensure he had the services, routines, and community support he needed before welcoming another baby. Once we felt confident he was thriving both at home and in the community, we felt ready for that next chapter.

During that season, I also decided to invest in my education. I earned my Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education, followed by my Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Studies and Infancy. Throughout my education, I discovered just how many incredible resources exist for military families and th resources I wish I had known about sooner. That inspired me to begin advocating for other parents, educating friends and military families near and far, and helping connect them with services so they wouldn’t have to navigate everything alone like we did. Education has become a lifelong passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing that journey by pursuing my master’s degree in the near future so I can further expand my knowledge and continue serving children and families in meaningful ways.

While trying to conceive our second child, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It felt like another obstacle, but it also led me to an amazing women’s holistic physician who helped me better understand my health. Less than four months later, after many prayers and with the right support, God answered those prayers, and we were blessed with our sweet daughter, Malia.

Motherhood has shaped every part of who I am. Between raising two incredible children, supporting military families, continuing my education, and learning to advocate for others, I’ve discovered a passion that I know will be part of my future. My dream is to continue working with children and families, advocating for them, helping them access resources, and making sure no family feels alone in their journey. As I continue growing both personally and professionally, I plan to pursue my master’s degree while continuing to serve military families and advocate for children with diverse needs.

One of the greatest blessings along the way has been finding FIT4MOM. What first drew me in was the opportunity to stay active while bringing my children with me. What I found was so much more than a workout, I found a village. FIT4MOM became a place where I could connect with other moms, build friendships, gain confidence, and be reminded that motherhood isn’t something we’re meant to do alone. The encouragement, support, and genuine community have meant more to me than I can put into words.

Looking back, every challenge has helped shape the woman, mother, advocate, and friend I am today. My faith has carried me through the difficult seasons and reminded me that there is purpose in every part of the journey. I am so thankful to be raising my family here in San Diego, and I’m excited for what the future holds as I continue advocating for families, serving my community, and helping parents feel supported and empowered.

Thank you, FIT4MOM, for creating a place where every stage of motherhood is celebrated, supported, and strengthened. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this amazing village and can’t wait to continue this journey alongside all of you!