Bella, the Fitness Pup

Meet Bella, the Yorkie with a big heart and a love for exercise, healthy eating, outdoor play, and making new friends!

Meet Bella, the Yorkie with a big heart, living in a cozy city apartment! Bella loves sharing tips for healthy living with all of her friends—encouraging outdoor play, fun exercise, and tasty snacks like fruits, veggies, and blueberry banana muffins. Bella believes in the magic of friendship, outdoor play, and good sportsmanship, and inspires kids to live joyful, active lives!

Maria Bares Rigo is a health coach, mother, and grandmother who divides her time between the Chicago suburbs and Carmel, Indiana. With twenty-five years of experience as a personal trainer, MELT practitioner, and Pilates instructor, she is passionate about helping clients build healthy, sustainable habits throughout their lives-including menopause and beyond. Recognizing the need for wellness education among children, Bares Rigo was inspired by her rescue Yorkie, Bella, to teach young kids the basics of healthy living: outdoor play, balanced nutrition, limited screen time, and making healthy habits fun and accessible through her stories. Visit her website at BoundlessBalance.com.

Elizabeth Josephine is a self-taught artist, born and raised in Chicago. Her childhood passion for art and nineteen years working with various artistic mediums inspired her to pursue a career in illustration. Visit her website at PhineArtistry.com.