Dr. LA Thoma Gustin is a physical therapist and trainer who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Grant Gustin (Glee, The Flash) and their two children, Juniper (almost 4) and Arthur (9 months). Being a mom and focusing on your own needs can feel mutually exclusive, and Thoma Gustin says she totally understands where her clients are coming from when they share the struggle. “It is really hard, bottom line. And it’s my actual job, to work out! I think that giving yourself grace through this time period (when your kids are young) is huge. Ten minutes is better than 0 minutes, 5 minutes is better than 0 minutes,” says Thoma Gustin, who has created a popular fitness app, Dare to Be Active. (Use code LOCALMOMS20 for 20% off an annual subscription!)
We asked the mom of two to share more about motivating her clients (and herself), her go-to 5-minute workout, and more.
What is the key to motivation when you don’t feel like working out?
I think one of the biggest factors of finding motivation is finding a type of movement that brings you joy. If a client likes pilates, then I will incorporate some of those movements into the workout. This is also why we have a wide variety of workouts on my app.
As a PT and trainer, what do you tell people who are just coming back to fitness after a break?
First of all, I would say take the break. The only way to integrate fitness and movement over the span of your lifetime is to take breaks. And know that your motivation and dedication to movement will ebb and flow and look different depending on the chapter you are in.
As you do come back into it, start slow, and ramp up slow. You need to give time for your body to adapt to new stresses, and know that you might deal with some soreness or discomfort as your muscles and joints grow and change. We have a whole section for beginners on the app that is appropriate for those just getting back into the swing of movement.
Can you please share a great 5-minute workout?
I love this circuit because you can literally do it anywhere—on the couch, at your desk, in your (parked) car, etc. I think short mobility circuits are an amazing place to start because they are easy and feel great to do. When your body and mind start to associate movement with feeling good, you reinforce those positive pathways and will be more likely to seek movement in the future!
What are “movement breaks” and why are they so great for moms?
We love movement snacks at DTBA. They are great for anyone and everyone, but especially for those who are super busy, like moms. The best way to get the most out of movement snacks is by sprinkling them in often throughout the day.
Research shows that light activity every 30ish minutes can improve blood sugar regulation and boost circulation, leading to increased focus and alertness. It has also found that brief bouts of movement throughout the day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers . Similarly, movement snacks have been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity, contributing to better overall health .
Here is a link to some of our “Movement Snack” highlights! https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17910976097908564/
How would you describe Dare to Be Active?
I started DTBA because I wanted to help bridge the gap between people who are already into fitness and those who are just getting started—or maybe haven’t worked out in a while. With a team of coaches who are also licensed physical therapists, we provide expert guidance throughout each workout class to ensure safe, effective training that delivers results at home. Our workouts are designed to be relatable, approachable, and grounded in real-life functionality, making fitness accessible to all levels.
With 2 out of the 4 coaches on the app being moms of multiple kids, we were able to film workout videos in real time during our pregnancies. These can all be found in our ever growing pre/postnatal library that provides support through all stages of pregnancy and beyond.
What are a few things every mom should do daily that are easy, but will make your life better by the end of 2025?
- Start incorporating “Exercise Snacks” into your daily routine. It will go such a long way especially on the days when you have no time to workout!
- Stop comparing yourself to other moms you see on social media. Everyone’s journey is different, and we are all just doing the best we can!
- Not an everyday thing, but find at least ONE thing during the week that is just for you. It is harder than it sounds in my experience. But you can not show up fully as a mom unless your bucket is also full.
