Meet A Mom, Ali Naglee, Mom to DJ and Dylan, Wife to her husband Phil, currently residing in Fayetteville. Ali Naglee is a Health Life Coach that is now is helping kids at Cleveland Elementary “build confidence, feel seen, and have a sense of belonging”. In our Q&A with Ali, she shares her story and why she chose to pivot her career along with her favorite “Working Mom Tips” and “Mom Hacks” below.
Q&A
Hi Ali, please share your background and tell us about your career.
I’m a Holistic Health Coach but decided to take a step back a few years ago. There are always things happening in the world that feel heavy or out of our control, but during this particular time, it really affected me. Sharing recipes and promoting my business all of a sudden started to feel almost tone-deaf and out of touch, so I gave myself permission to pause and reconnect with why I started coaching in the first place. Coincidentally, I had just wrapped up a private client and completed a group coaching program when, almost serendipitously, I was offered the opportunity to interview for a new position at my kids’ elementary school.
I still remember the front office staff joking, “You’re here all the time volunteering anyway—you might as well get paid for it!” After lots of prayer and thoughtful reflection, I decided to apply. Through my coaching work, I had already been leading workshops for kids focused on empowerment, confidence, resilience, self-love, and nutrition, so I knew how much I enjoyed connecting with and uplifting young people.
Ultimately, I realized my heart was being pulled toward pouring into the next generation—helping kids build confidence, feel seen, and have a sense of belonging. I decided to take the leap, joined the amazing team at Cleveland Elementary, and haven’t looked back since!
What is the best thing about your job?
One of the best things about working with young kids is witnessing their pure curiosity and joy for learning. Everything is new and exciting to them — they find joy in the smallest moments, whether it’s discovering a new word, making a friend, or realizing they can do something on their own. Their honesty, creativity, and resilience are contagious, and being part of their growth — academically, socially, and emotionally — feels incredibly meaningful.
There’s also something deeply rewarding about knowing you can help shape the foundation of who they’re becoming — teaching not just academics, but kindness, confidence, and empathy. Every day brings lots of laughter, surprises, and a reminder of what really matters. It’s also been very special to work in the same school as my boys – even though one has nowleft me for middle school!
What is your best “working mom” tip?
The best working mom tip I’ve learned is to take care of yourself first. It’s easy to pour all your time and energy into your job and your family, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing rest, movement, and moments of calm isn’t selfish — it’s essential. When you make space to recharge, you show up as a more patient, present, and happier version of yourself for everyone else.
What is your favorite “mom hack”?
On the practical side, my husband and I sit down every Sunday to look over the week — who’s taking who where, what activities are coming up, and what meals we’re cooking at home (or running to CFA for)! It doesn’t always happen perfectly, but when it does, the whole week runs smoother and feels a lot less chaotic.
On a personal side, I think it’s incredibly important to set goals for yourself — I personally like to focus on a yearly goal. Time flies so quickly, and we often find ourselves looking back, missing the days when our kids were little. But if we’re not intentional with how we spend our time, we risk looking back again years from now wishing we had done the thing, gone to the place, or become the version of ourselves we dreamed of — all while our kids were growing right alongside us. As women, it’s easy to lose a sense of self the moment we become mothers. Our lives instantly revolve around our children’s needs and milestones. But one day, those babies will grow up and move out — and we don’t want to look back and feel like we lost ourselves in the process. We want our kids to see us doing the things we love, setting goals, and going after our dreams, no matter how big or small. The more fulfilled we are, the better we show up for everyone around us — and what a powerful example that sets for them.
But my favorite nontraditional mom hack is knowing when to apologize to your kids. We’re not perfect, and our children need to see that. Saying “I’m sorry” to your kids shows that you respect them and models how to take ownership and make things right. It teaches empathy, humility, and emotional maturity.
And when I don’t show up as the mom I hoped to be, I remind myself that mistakes are part of life — for me and for them. Offering myself grace and helping my kids see their own mistakes as opportunities to grow helps us all build a stronger, kinder foundation together.
What do you love about Peachtree City and the surrounding areas?
I’m originally from New England, so when my husband and I we were living in Atlanta and decided it was time to expand our family, I trusted my husband’s instincts in choosing this area to settle down. I remember driving down from Atlanta every weekend looking for homes and I never wanted to leave! We’ve fallen in love with the small-town vibe and big community feel — it truly feels like home.
As a family, we love to travel, go on hikes, take day trips to explore new places in Georgia and cheer on the Atlanta Hawks and Falcons. Our boys are active in sports and Boy Scouts,which keeps us busy in the best way. We’re also involved in our church and school, assisting in scouting & coaching basketball (my husband) and try to volunteer in the community as a family in different ways when we can, too. It’s been such a blessing to raise our kids here.
What TV show are you loving right now? Book? Movie? Podcast?
I love listening to podcasts about all things health and wellness, parenting, and creating systems that make mom life run a little smoother. Some of my current go-to’s are Systemize Your Life, Good Inside, and The Liz Moody Podcast.
I read a little bit of everything when it comes to books – all genres, all styles. But one book I used to gift every private coaching client was Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s a game changer for creating practical and sustainable strategies for growth. And another must-read I’ve been recommending for years, especially if you have kids, or are a teacher/coach, is Mindset by Carol Dweck. It’s also eye-opening just on a personal level!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our Moms?
Taking care of yourself is taking care of your family. When you’re nourished, rested, and aligned, you show up more patient, present, and joyful for the people who matter most.
Start small — do you need to drink more water? Move in a way that feels good to you? Get more sunshine? Rest? Health isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention.
Stay open to new experiences and listen to your gut — it always knows what you need. When you’re open, the universe has a funny way of showing up with exactly what (or who) you need next. My career path is a perfect example of that. And don’t be afraid to honor your “no.” Protecting your energy is part of protecting your health.
The days are long, but the years are short — not just for our kids, but for us, too. So stay curious, take it one day at a time, and remind yourself often: you are worth the effort.