Angela Holm, a mother of five from Utah, has addressed online criticism after a video of her exercising on a treadmill while holding her five-month-old daughter, Zayla, went viral. The clip, shared earlier this month, showed Holm bringing her infant to the gym and initially placing her in a stroller beside the treadmill. When the baby began to cry, Holm picked her up and placed her in a carrier against her chest for the remainder of her workout.
The video sparked a significant backlash, with many commenters deeming the activity unsafe and criticizing Holm for bringing a baby to a public gym, particularly late at night. Some users branded her actions as 'selfish.'
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Holm explained her reasoning for bringing Zayla to the gym. "As a mom-of-five, sometimes bringing my baby with me is just what makes it possible for me to get a workout in," she stated. She added that Zayla is breastfed, making it easier to manage her feeding schedule when she brings her along. Holm emphasized that her baby is with her most of the time, and she found a way to incorporate workouts into their routine.
Addressing concerns about safety, Holm asserted that she would "never intentionally do something that would put her in danger" and remains highly aware of her surroundings. She clarified that during the video, she was walking slowly and carefully, not running or engaging in an intense workout while holding her daughter. "I personally felt comfortable with what I was doing," she said, acknowledging that other mothers might not share the same comfort level.
Regarding concerns about germs, Holm stated she is as conscious of hygiene as she would be in any other public place. She also pushed back against accusations of selfishness, arguing that a mother taking time for self-care does not make her selfish, especially while still attending to her child's needs. Holm mentioned that she did not anticipate the video would generate such a strong reaction and viewed it as a normal part of her day.
Holm concluded by stating that people will always have opinions about content shared online and that she remains unfazed by the scrutiny. She stressed that parenting approaches vary and that what works for one family may not work for another. "I know my baby, I know what I’m comfortable with, and her safety is always my priority," she said, adding that there is no single correct way to be a mother and that judgment should be reserved for actions that harm a child.