In a world where we see people through the lens of their Instagram posts, its easy to feel like your life doesn't measure up. But lets just remind ourselves of the reality of it all. No one can be put together all the time, and we have to be okay with that. That is why we came up with our "Leading Ladies" series. 

Leading Ladies are not just winning Academy Awards. They are the momma's, teachers, students, executives and founders of companies. They are the women (and sometimes men) in our lives who inspire us. Most of them live their life under the radar, making the world a better place one step at a time. And we want to know what they think, what they wear, what they love. These are the women we want to emulate and support.

So to kick this off, I can think of nobody better than my friend Molly.  She is an inspiration to the team at Styleshack and we hope she insipres each one of you…

Molly Reeser is a mom, wife, and founder/Executive Director of Camp Casey. Camp Casey is a 501c3 non-profit horse back riding program for kids with cancer and their families. They have been featured on the Today Show, Huffington Post, Horse Illustrated and many others. But make no mistake – building and growing a grass roots non-profit like Camp Casey has been no easy feat. 

Molly has worked her behind off – constantly raising money, writing grants, networking, training and activating a network of volunteers. With this type of organization one is always focused on where the next dollar will come from. But thats nothing compared to the emotional roller coaster it can be to work with kids who are sick, some of whom are terminal. 

But those smiles. And the laughter and excitement makes it all worth it. Camp Casey provides families with an opportunity to take a break from cancer and just enjoy being a family. So figuring out how to raise the money and deal with the crazy emotions is a small price to pay, to help these families in their time of need. 

On top of all of that, Molly is an extremely supportive wife to Nick, who has a demanding career as a doctor. And most importantly, she's Mom to two incredibly adorable, sweet and funny little boys.

So we asked Molly to take a break from her hectic life and give us a peek at how she manages all of it and what helps to keep her going (and sane!)…

{SS} Tell us about your typical day: 

{Molly}: I like to get the hardest part of my day over with as soon as possible so I take a 6AM fitness class every day. I follow the hardest part of my day with the quietest part of my day as I tip-toe around my house trying to squeeze in as much home alone time as possible before my babies get up to raise hell.

Once breakfast is served, dishes are done, and I somehow make it out the door, I head to work where I'm surrounded by a passionate staff of young women who work to better the lives of local children with cancer at Camp Casey.

{SS} What is your biggest hurdle as a mom and as Executive Director of a program like Camp Casey? 

{Molly}: I try to be the best mom, professional and member of society as I can be but it's impossible to be everything to everyone at every time. While I'd like to give my all to everything I set out to do, I've learned that it serves no one to bite off more than I can chew. Saying no to things I wish I had the energy to do is both a hurdle and a blessing.

{SS} What do you do to mentally prepare yourself to overcome those hurdles/daily struggles? 

{Molly}: Making sure to prioritize me everyday is something I do to keep both my mental and physical self healthy. It's never easy to see the number 5 on my alarm clock (especially after a night with a teething toddler) but committing to "me" time first thing every day allows me to put myself first which ultimately helps make everything a little bit easier.


Photo via Equilibrium Pilates Studio

{SS} What would you like to tell yourself on the days where you feel like the hurdles are too high to get over? Or what is your favorite quote/motto? 

Molly: Because I work with sick children, it's easy for me to reflect on a memory of one who has lost his/her life too soon and remember that my family and I are healthy and that's all that really matters. 


Photo via Camp Casey

{SS} What is the thing that you are awesome at – the thing that makes you happy and you know you are the best at it? 

{Molly}: I think I'm awesome at engaging others. When I'm passionate about something, I like to share it and help others realize why they should be passionate about it too.

SIDENOTE: I can attest to this! Just check out this video Molly put together: 

{SS} Who inspires you and why? 

Molly: I'm inspired by anyone who puts their mind to something and actually makes it happen. With enough confidence and determination, I believe anything is possible. 

{SS} Running an organization, being a wife and mom can take its it toll. What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful, confident and ready to take on anything?

Molly: I recently found out that I've been wearing the incorrect bra size for over a decade! Now that my ta-tas are situated where they should be, I feel like I look entirely different and better. So, I'd say a good (and correct sized) bra.


Photo via Primark

{SS} What is your power song? (like above, the song that gets you pumped up) 

Molly: I love the song "A Place in the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. It takes me to a very happy place and reminds me of basking in the sun on a hammock.

{SS} What is your power outfit or accessory (the thing you always feel great in or comfortable in)? 

Molly: Every day, I wear my late grandma's ring on my right hand. It's not only sentimental but it's also beautiful and makes me think of her every day. 

{SS} Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What would you like to have accomplished?

Molly: In 5 years, I hope to still be working at growing Camp Casey. I hope I'll be settled in a home I love and proud of the young men my boys are becoming. I hope that my husband and I have finally started saving some money toward our retirement and that we have a fun vacation planned. I also hope my 11-year old dog, Cowgirl, is somehow still around and still able to chase squirrels.

{SS} Is there anything else you want people to know about you? 

Molly: I'd like everyone to get involved with Camp Casey and offer help where they can. It's a large part of me and I believe it should be a large part of others too: http://www.camp-casey.org


Photo via Camp Casey

She's a powerhouse. A beautiful woman inside and out and I'm so thankful she's my friend. Now, lets all go get fitted for the right size bra and set our alarms for 5 am!