Conversations with the Inspiring Monique Haithcock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Haithcock.

Monique, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a wife, special needs mom, IT specialist and recently, spin enthusiast. My husband and I met in high school and now have two boys.  Eight years ago, my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism.  We never envisioned being special needs parents but this new normal opened our lives up to a whole new world.

When we first started this journey, we needed help but didn’t know how to ask for it. We wanted to be superhero parents, that could do it all. And after a bit of debt and some tough times, we quickly came to terms that we needed support too. That’s when I realized more than ever, that giving back was important and we felt it was significant to spread awareness too.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey to living a positive & healthy life became more and more significant everyday.  Because of my son’s diagnosis, I felt defeated by life and all the goals for him, the different types of therapy, the materials to support him and the debt from it all, etc.  With all of this and a stressful job, I wasn’t my best self for my family.

January of 2018, I created my very first vision board and told myself, “You can’t fake this smile anymore.  It’s time to find my happy again not only for my family but for myself.” When I needed it the most, my husband’s friend, Stephanie “Botts” Kelly introduced me to spin and I ended up loving everything about it.  It challenges me & motivates me to be a strong person.  It became my happy hour, my therapy. The music, movement and the community makes me happy, feel ALIVE and strong again.  Spin and charity rides truly helped me fall back into love with life again.  I now smile like I mean it again.

The momentum of my story was ignited by hosting my first Autism Awareness charity ride which lead to promoting and supporting other causes.  It started with an Aids Research ride with Kiehls, Breast Cancer Awareness ride and Cycle for Survival with Equinox in Huntington Beach. I didn’t want to stop there!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into NFAR – National Foundation of Autism Research story. Tell us more about it.
After high school, I went straight to work and fell into IT support.  Currently, I support General Atomics as a System Administrator and have been in this industry for over 13 years.  My work motto has always been, “Work hard, Be nice.”

When I’m not working on my son’s various developmental goals, I’ve found a new love for being a brand ambassador for cycling & charity rides at CycleBAR.  For someone who didn’t work out for 35 years, I never envisioned becoming a brand ambassador for fitness. But this is one wild ride, I don’t want to get off! Bringing people together for a cause is rewarding and gets me excited about giving back.

When supporting a cause, my main goals are raising awareness and being a top fundraiser. This year, I raised over $1,016 for Cycle for Survival and over $6,000 for NFAR (National Foundation of Autism Research) for Race for Autism and rewarded with being their top fundraisers of 2019.  As special needs parents, it was important for us to know exactly where those funds go. My husband and I met with the founders of NFAR, toured their facilities where we learned that funding for various autism programs, resources and support, all stays here locally in San Diego while supporting families like mine.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Every day, I’m inspired by my mom, my mother-in-law Randi, my aunt Pam and grandmother Victoria. They’ve gone through so much and have shown us all nothing but love and strength.

Every week, I have my amazing cycle instructors, fun cycle squad and community.  Their positive energy, strength and motivation make life that much better.

I’m also motivated by the Female Founder Collection & the Women in Fitness Association.  With their inspiration I know what I dream, we can make a reality. Walt Disney said it best, “You can design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream come to a reality.”

IT is not my passion, it’s what I know. Being an advocate for my son, the Autism community, cycling & motivating the community by giving back have all become my true life passions. And even though it took me 35 years to discover this, I can personally say it’s never too late to find yourself.

After our kids are all grown up, it’s my dream to open my own indoor cycling studio.  I want to expand my involvement within the health & fitness community, as well as mental wellness.  Maybe create an athleisure company that gives back to charities.  Or hosting international charity rides around the world with my cycle babes, Stephanie “Botts” and DJ LannaB. It’s time, I leave IT behind to spread the love, awareness & shift my energy into my true life passions.

When your child is diagnosed with Autism, so many tell you, “You are your child’s voice now.”  So, here I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nfar.org/
• Phone: 8586920237
• Email: mdhaithcock@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhaithcock/

                  Image Credit:
Self and CycleBAR Associates

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