Something New at The Workout Mama
Introducing my Etsy shop and the story behind the designs.
I have something new to share! I’ve recently opened The Workout Mama Etsy shop.
The shop is an extension of The Workout Mama, featuring vintage-inspired apparel inspired by some of the things that have become meaningful to our family over the years—faith, homeschooling, classical education, and our Arizona roots.
Designing shirts wasn’t exactly something I ever imagined myself doing, but it’s become a fun and unexpected creative outlet.
And it all started with Latin.
Where the Idea Began
When we first started homeschooling, I decided I wanted to teach my children Latin. I had been learning about the benefits of studying the language, particularly how it helps students better understand English grammar, build vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of the words we use every day.
There was just one small problem. I had never studied Latin myself.
So, like many things in homeschooling, I decided we would figure it out together.
For the past several years, I’ve been learning Latin right alongside my children. I’ve worked through vocabulary lists, memorized declensions and conjugations, and spent two summers taking adult Latin classes to strengthen my own understanding.
And somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened.
I started to really love Latin.
Not just because of its academic benefits, but because of the history behind the language, the beauty of its words, and the meaning found in so many of its phrases.
There is something special about studying a language that has been passed down through generations and discovering how much of it still connects to our lives today.
Ditat Deus Shirt , 1912 Arizona Shirt , Veritas -Truth Shirt
As my appreciation for Latin grew, I started noticing how many of my favorite phrases would make wonderful shirts.
I’ve always loved vintage-inspired clothing, especially old collegiate lettering and simple designs that feel like something you could have found decades ago.
I wanted a Latin shirt that reflected that style. Something comfortable and timeless, with words that actually meant something to me.
But when I started looking, I couldn’t find quite what I had in mind.
The idea stayed with me for a while until I finally decided to try making one myself.
And that is how this little shop began.
The Meaning Behind the Designs
What started as an idea for one shirt has slowly grown into a collection of designs inspired by Latin, classical education, literature, and faith.
Some are a little playful, like Festina Lente, meaning Make Haste Slowly. For this design, I paired the phrase with a cheetah riding a push scooter. The idea makes me smile, but I also love the meaning behind it. Just because we can do something quickly doesn’t always mean we should. It seems especially fitting for homeschooling, where so much of what we do involves slowing down, practicing, and learning to be patient with the process.
Ora et Labora, meaning Pray and Work, was one of the first Latin sayings we memorized as a family. It’s a reminder I need often—to keep the Lord first in all that I do, to pray continually, and to approach the work He has given me with a faithful heart.
I paired this phrase with Galatians 6:9, a verse I find myself returning to often, especially on the days when I’m feeling tired or discouraged. It’s a reminder not to grow weary of doing good, even when the work feels repetitive or goes unnoticed. I wanted this design to be a simple encouragement to keep going and remain faithful in the work God has placed before me.
I wanted these shirts to feel like something I would genuinely enjoy wearing. Not necessarily something that immediately announces that I homeschool or study Latin, but something simple, meaningful, and perhaps a little unexpected.
The kind of shirt that might catch someone’s attention and start a conversation.
More Than Just Latin
As I began creating more designs, I realized there were other things I wanted to incorporate into the shop, too.
My faith, our family’s love of learning, and the Arizona desert we’ve called home for so many years have all found their way into different designs.
Ditat Deus — God Enriches Hoodie & Tote. A little Arizona heritage inspired by our state’s motto.
Some are inspired by Scripture, others by classical literature or Latin phrases, and some simply celebrate the place we call home.
While the collections may look a little different from one another, they all come from the same place: a desire to create something thoughtful, comfortable, and worth wearing.
I love the idea that something as simple as a shirt can carry a reminder of a truth we believe, a place we love, or something we’ve spent time learning.
A New Chapter for The Workout Mama
If you’ve been reading The Workout Mama for a while, you know this website has changed quite a bit over the years.
What began as a place to share workouts, healthy living, and pieces of our family life has grown right along with me.
The Workout Mama Club — a little something inspired by motherhood and the everyday work of showing up for our families.
These days, the majority of my time is spent homeschooling our four children, studying Scripture, preparing lessons, and trying to keep up with everything that comes with raising a family.
And now, apparently, designing shirts!
I never imagined that learning Latin alongside my kids would eventually lead to opening an Etsy shop, but here we are.
It’s been a fun way to bring together several things I love, and I’m thankful to have another creative outlet that fits into this season of life.
Come Take a Look
My shop is still growing, and I have more ideas than I know what to do with.
Whether you’re a fellow homeschool parent, a Latin teacher, a classical education enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates meaningful words and vintage-inspired designs, I hope you’ll find something you love.
As a little thank-you to my readers, I’d love to offer you 10% off your order in my Etsy shop with the code BLOG10.
You can browse the shop here:
Thank you for being here, for reading, and for supporting this new little part of The Workout Mama.
