PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Pinellas County woman is an everyday hero on a mission to bring healthy lifestyles to kids and their parents.

She most certainly practices what she preaches.

Connie Jo Russo is the founder of the Superfit Kidz foundation.

“We focus on exercise, nutrition, trying to teach children and families this healthy lifestyle,” Russo said.

Russo has been working in schools with a mission to enhance the health and wellness of kids and their families.

The non-profit, along with community support, hosts major fund raisers with the next slated for early next year.

Russo said Superfit Kidz is all about faith, family, fitness, and fun. And she’s quick to point out in that order.

During the pandemic, frightening news came her way, a diagnosis of cancer followed by two surgeries.

“The first one was in February of last year,” she said. “I found the second tumor on Mother’s Day and then I had the second surgery in June of last year.”

A woman of deep faith with amazing positivity and a single mom, she faced it unflinching.

“Thank God I’m cancer free right now,” she said. “So that’s why I encourage this lifestyle.”

Russo and the foundation have now teamed up with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital working with kids and parents dealing with cancer.

A decision she reached after her own cancer battle.

“Instead of looking at this like ‘poor me, instead i said, you know what?’ i’m going to reach out and see what we can do.”