WoW Woman in Fitness I Stella Tamul, founder of ChoreFit

Stella Tamul is the founder of ChoreFit, a pioneering fitness app that transforms the invisible labor of household chores into measurable, science-based fitness.

Based in Rhode Island, she brings together her background in research as a retired environmental analyst and her lived experience as a caregiver, athlete, and newly empty nester to drive digital health that validates everyday movement. With a focus on integrating Apple Health and Apple Watch data, ChoreFit is the first app of its kind to apply Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) research and enhancements such as weighted vests and wrist bands to turn chores into functional workouts. Stella’s achievements include leading a successful community engagement through Kickstarter and creating a science-backed platform that addresses both physical wellness and the undervalued impact of invisible labor. Her passions center on empowering women, caregivers, and busy individuals to see value in their daily chores while making health more accessible and sustainable. She is also deeply interested in the intersection of fitness, technology, and mental well-being, drawing on her own background as a marathon runner and wellness advocate.

ChoreFit is a groundbreaking fitness app that transforms the invisible labor of household chores into measurable, science-based fitness. By syncing with Apple Health and Apple Watch, ChoreFit calculates calories burned, steps, and heart rate using Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) science. It is also the first app to enhance daily housework with strength-training options like weighted vests and wrist bands, turning routine tasks into full-body workouts. Designed to validate and empower caregivers, homemakers, and busy individuals, ChoreFit reframes housework as meaningful movement, promoting wellness, sustainability, and balance. With a one-time purchase ($2.99), ChoreFit makes fitness simple, affordable, and accessible to all.


Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.

My background began in Wildlife Biology, where I earned my degree and went on to spend over 20 years working in the environmental science field. My work focused heavily on field research and fieldwork, often in demanding conditions, which taught me resilience, discipline, and how to translate data into real-world impact. Alongside this career, I have been a lifelong runner, completing five Boston Marathons and countless half marathons, which instilled in me a deep appreciation for movement, endurance, and the science of the human body. More recently, I have channeled that passion into founding ChoreFit, a mobile fitness app that transforms the invisible labor of housework into measurable workouts using Apple Health and Apple Watch integrations. By leveraging NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) science, ChoreFit validates everyday household movement and even enhances it with options like weighted vests and wristbands.

How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?

I came into health tech later in my career. After years of environmental science and raising two sons with my husband in New England, I saw a gap: the daily, often unseen labor of caregivers and homemakers was not being recognized or valued, despite its real health and metabolic benefits. My entry into the tech world was not traditional. It was born out of lived experience, curiosity, and problem-solving. Breaking into tech as a non-technical founder is not easy. It meant learning app development ecosystems, building relationships with developers, navigating funding pathways, and convincing others to see the value in something that had not been done before. The biggest challenge has been translating housework as fitness into a digital product that is science-based, user-friendly, and scalable.

How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in?

ChoreFit has been in the making for several years, first as an idea I could not let go of, and now as an app actively in development with prototypes, investor pitches, and a live Kickstarter campaign. The biggest obstacle has been traction: breaking through the noise in a crowded health and fitness market while also needing to educate people about a completely new way of looking at movement. The challenges of being in health tech are unique. You must balance evidence-based science with engaging user experience, while also keeping up with rapidly changing technology and consumer expectations.

What are your biggest achievements to date?

I am proud of several achievements across different parts of my life: Running five Boston Marathons, which demanded dedication and grit, Building a 20+ year career in environmental science where my work contributed to real-world conservation and research outcomes, Raising two wonderful sons with my husband, while navigating career and caregiving responsibilities, Most recently, creating and bootstrapping ChoreFit, moving from an idea to a tangible product that has attracted interest from both users and investors.

What are the projects you are currently working on?

Right now, my focus is on the ChoreFit Kickstarter campaign to bring early backers into the journey. I am also working on influencer collaborations, a science-backed pitch deck for investors, and building a strong community of beta testers. On the technical side, I am working with freelance developers to finalize the iOS and Apple Watch MVP.

Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?

Absolutely. As someone who transitioned into tech from a different field, I know firsthand how intimidating and isolating it can feel. The #WomenInTech movement matters because it validates women’s contributions, creates visibility, and builds community. Representation is crucial, not only for inspiring young women but also for ensuring that diverse perspectives shape the technology we build.

What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?

I see three major trends shaping the next five years:

  1. Validation of NEAT and everyday movement: The fitness industry will move beyond gyms and structured workouts to embrace daily, accessible activity as a cornerstone of health.

  2. Wearable integration and data personalization: Devices like Apple Watch will only get more sophisticated, providing people with hyper-personalized insights into their health and energy expenditure.

  3. Wellness democratization: People are increasingly seeking affordable, non-subscription wellness solutions. ChoreFit fits perfectly here as a one-time purchase app.

What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?

Do not wait for the perfect moment or perfect expertise. Start with your idea, test it, and learn as you go. Surround yourself with people who complement your skills, and do not be afraid to ask questions, even the “basic” ones. Tech moves fast, but the real differentiator is often your lived experience and perspective. Use that as your unique advantage.

Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?

The three women who inspire me most are my “STEM sisters,” women I’ve been fortunate to learn from and work alongside throughout my career.

My big sister, Cheryl Kiras, is one of the hardest-working people I know. She’s a Senior Systems Engineer at Mount Holyoke College, where she has spent years excelling in IT and systems administration. Watching her determination and drive has always motivated me to push through challenges and know that hard work pays off.

Margo Webber has been both my running partner and my colleague at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. An exceptional wastewater engineer, she not only helped me train for marathons but also modeled the importance of a strong work-life balance. Her ability to excel professionally while still making time for personal goals has been a huge inspiration.

Susan Connors and I started at the Department of Environmental Protection together as watershed scientists, and I’ve always admired her relentless curiosity and adaptability. Whether it was GIS, Excel, or building a database from scratch, there was nothing she couldn’t learn to do. Susan showed me that with persistence and a willingness to learn, you can tackle any challenge.

Together, Cheryl, Margo, and Susan represent what I believe to be the essence of women in STEM: hard work, brilliance, determination, and the reminder that you can truly do anything. They’ve been role models throughout my career, and their influence is woven into my journey as the founder of ChoreFit.

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Anja StreicherComment