Your Mom Friend: Kate McLeod

Mom of two and Founder of The Body Stone on 'yes places', traveling with kids, and the Olympics of staying grounded.

Jun 11, 2025

THE BASICS

Talk to us about where you’re from and what you do.

I was born and raised in New Jersey. I studied economics at Wellesley and after I graduated traded interest rates at Goldman. Then went to culinary school in Florence, cooked my way throughout London, South Africa, and Paris, returned to New York for love.

The beginnings of Kate McLeod were rooted in my return to NYC - a period of major life transition. In a moment that felt cosmically timed, my sister-in-law gave me a chunk of raw cocoa butter and suggested I try moisturizing with it. It was hard—literally. I had to chip pieces off just to apply it. But when I warmed it between my palms and felt it melt into my skin, something shifted. It was simple, pure, and unexpectedly beautiful. That single moment of slowing down, of touch and warmth, felt healing. I became obsessed—not just with how it felt, but with how I could make the experience even better.

I began experimenting with cocoa butter, combining it with my favorite oils. Eventually, the Body Stone was born - a sculptural solid that melted effortlessly on contact with skin. I discovered the magic of self care through the creation of the Body Stone. That’s where this journey and the brand began. The Body Stone wasn’t a business idea—it was (and is) a practice - my practice. It’s my way of connecting with myself and my body. It’s more than moisturizing - it’s how I tap into my wisdom - it’s incredibly powerful. The idea of making space for stillness, intention, and self care is what continues to inspire everything we create.

What are your kid(s) names and ages?

My little boy is 5 and my little girl is 3. He is super sensitive, calm. She is super sassy, bossy - filled with fire.

Do you have a favorite age so far? And why?

I have loved them all and while I often find myself dreaming of days when it won’t be so ‘full-on,’ I know I’ll miss early childhood.

What do you love about raising kids where you live? Do you wish you were raising them somewhere else?

This is a juicy discussion in our home at the moment. New York City provides so many amazing opportunities, experiences, and exposures - the diversity and possibilities are simply unbeatable. AND, we love giving our kids the freedom to run and play outside. We say the best movie is ‘nature,’ - and nature is a ‘YES’ place for kids. ‘Yes!’ you can run like wild; ‘Yes!’ you can throw that; ‘Yes!’ you can scream. I highly value bringing more ‘YES’S’ into my children’s lives. We’re currently in Costa Rica and our days have a gentle circadian rhythm. Every morning begins outside - feet grounded on the earth - head kissed by the sun. It is magic.

Can you walk us through a typical day for you and your family? (the morning routine, drop off, work, etc.)

The party gets going around 6:30am - my daughter runs in, hops on the bed, and opens my eyes with her tiny fingers. ‘Mama - why you sleeping mama - the sun is up!’ We make a warm morning drink - I use the Almond Cow (love this thing!) and make the kids an ‘almond milk latte’, then use the leftover fresh milk in my cacao. They play and swim - I try to put pen to paper but normally end up watching, coloring and playing. By 7am we're getting dressed - then we either make breakfast or head to a cafe. I'm currently two hours behind New York so I am at my computer by 8am. I try to move my body a little around 3:30/4:00pm - then we head to the beach for sunset and home for dinner and bedtime. We’re currently loving the Magic Treehouse books and have a whole collection of Easy Reader Dr. Seuss in Spanish that are amazing for vocabulary!

What grounds you inside and outside of motherhood?

Movement, eating consciously, and taking care of my body - that’s my trifecta. When I do those three things, I'm connected to my physical body - and that's where I find grounding. I think motherhood is the Olympics of ‘staying grounded.’ I find it relatively easily to breathe, regulate my emotions, and be aware of my own reactivity when I am solo. Mothering young children puts all of that to the test. I’m getting better day by day. I try to own and learn from my mistakes - but I don’t think I’ve figured it out. It’s a journey.

What does “you time” look like? How do you find time to take care of yourself while raising a family?

As I said above, if I can move, nourish, and care for my body just a little bit each day…. I feel good. My ideal is an hour of pilates, simple fresh meals, and a self massage with the Body Stone post shower.

MOTHERHOOD

What’s the best advice someone else has given you about motherhood?

Aim for yes. My kids are at ages where they are pushing boundaries. This is what they are supposed to do - and it’s my job as a parent to hold those boundaries. All that said, I don't love constantly saying ‘NO’ to them. Recently, my partner and I have gotten very clear on what matters and what we’re willing to overlook. Do you have to sit at the table while we are out to dinner? Yes. Do we care if you want to wear a tutu to school everyday? No. Go for it. It’s hard to be little. Kids need boundaries and structure and stability. And they need imaginative wild play which is fueled by ‘Yes!’

What do you think is the one thing no one really tells (or warns) you about motherhood?

Breastfeeding requires a whole new wardrobe…

What do you enjoy the most about being a mom?

Seeing my children grow into their own little humans.

COMMUNITY

How do you express love (to your children, partner, family, friends) and how do you like to receive it? (This can be the same as your love language)

Touch, care, giving.

How have you made your mom friends?

Honestly, I don't really intentionally make ‘mom’ friends - but most of my friends have children. Two of my closest friends I met on ‘parents in the classroom’ days - and in both cases, I just knew. In a lot of ways, it’s like dating. The energy was there and we were both open to exploring a meaningful connection. (Huge bonus: when your kids play well together… doing play dates, dinners, and group parenting can be such a relief.)

What's the number one thing you seek from your mom friends? (i.e. guidance, resonance, validation, mirroring, etc.)

The same things I seek in all friendships: honest, real conversation. Non-judgmental, growth mindset. Love of adventure!

What does your ideal mom’s night out look like?

More than anything else, a connected deep conversation. Nights like this remind me that I am not alone; I have a beautiful community. And that fills me up and makes me a better, more patient mom.

STYLE

Did your style change when you became a mother and if so, how?

Over time, it became simpler. I collect really good basics that can be dressed up or down.

What do you wear to drop-off? / What do you wear for a weekend hang?

Depends on the day - yoga gear if I can get in a pilates session - simple dresses if hopping right into calls. Goes for the whole week.

Best vacation spots with the family? Where’d you go, what’d you do, where’d you stay? Anywhere you’d like to go in the future?

We are incredibly blessed to have a home in Nosara, Costa Rica - we’ve been coming since 2014 and have seen a ton of change. We’re currently here for our first longer-than-a-month stint, and it’s going to be very hard to return.

On my bucket list: Morocco, Namibia, Bali & the Arctic.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Favorite last purchase for yourself?

Really simple, flowy cotton halter dress

Fav place for self-care?

My home

Ideal date night?

Movement (yoga, dance, walk) & a low-key dinner

Last book you read?

Courting the Wild Twin

Desert Island - products you can’t live without (personal and kids)

The Body Stone - and sunscreen!

Define in one word: expectation of motherhood

Wild

Define in one word: reality of motherhood