Rider Highlight - Meet Janice M.
Rider Highlight - Suzanne Wilson Couture Jewelry Collection Now At The Shoppe
The next time you prepare to clip in for class you just might want to layer and stack your jewelry. Suzanne Wilson Designs has a workout friendly collection at The Sweat Shoppe that will make your eyes wide, your heart pump and your neck and wrist bling.
Lockstep with the trend of layering and stacking, the SWD collection at the Shoppe marries fashion with the zen lifestyle and vibe of our heated indoor cycling culture.
All pieces are handmade and designed to layer and stack.
Fashion does not have to stop while you are on the bike, feel your best when you are in The Hot Room. The versatile pieces range from leather cord, beaded chains, images of peace and tranquility.
SWD designer Suzanne Wilson collaborated with Shoppe owner Mimi Benz to tell a story through jewelry. An avid rider at the Shoppe, Suzanne created pieces with The Sweat Shoppe rider in mind, the accomplished, strong, confident, hot.
“I curated a collection based on feeling you get after you ride and captured what she (Mimi) has brought to the Shoppe.”
Suzanne who wears jewelry while she trains in The Hot Room challenges riders to rid themselves of the taboo that jewelry doesn’t have a place in their workout. Remember, the next time you clip in, #PeaceLoveBling.
Our 4th Annual Charity Event
This year we are teaming up with the Kling Street Kids to raise funds for Children's Hospital. The Kling Street Kids was created by, our very own, Callie Stark's awesome family. They have been contributing to the community and giving back to the Children's Hospital for over 13 years now. In this video, Callie explains what Kling Street Kids is and what it does.
Rider Highlight - Meet Latosha L.
At the Shoppe, we believe the keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle are balance and moderation. We recently checked in with Latosha Lovell, fellow Shoppe rider and 2015 summer challenger, who despite a busy career, makes healthy living a priority and manageable.
It's easy to see by her graceful walk and warm smile that Latosha values peace and calm. Minutes after a Sweat Cycle, Latosha sat down with us. She had a smile from ear to ear, a cool, collected vibe, and a quiet confidence that oozed balance.
As you may remember from our first sit-down interview with her, Latosha has her own product and interior design business. She said that for a long time she had no balance and realized she had to slow down and have other things going on besides work.
"As a business owner, I learned that talent speaks for itself. I needed to slow down and trust the process."
Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, Latosha had wanted to be a journalist. She attended Clark Atlanta University and wrote for a few Atlanta newspapers, but she didn't pursue a career in journalism because it wasn't really something she was passionate about.
"One day my dad asked me, 'What would you do if you could do it for free?' I told him, 'I want to be a designer and practice in a major market.' I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles."
With no experience, Latosha interned for a designer. Two and a half years later, she started her own business. That was 13 years ago.
"The designer whom I interned for taught me everything—the business aspect—and I learned as I went. Anything is possible if you are willing to put in the work and be committed."
In May, Latosha was one of the 41 riders who accepted the Shoppe's summer challenge and pushed themselves to their limit. For one month, the Shoppe was the headquarters for friendly competition and camaraderie among our "Sweat Gangstas." Riders old and new found a safe haven for a common goal: to awaken and liberate their inner athlete.
For Latosha, committing to the Shoppe's summer challenge was easy. Even though she was new to the Shoppe (only 3–4 weeks), she was on a mission. Wanting to finally reach her goal weight, she made heat training part of her routine.
Taking classes at The Sweat Shoppe: "It's not the same type of sweat. I have been working out forever and never got the same results. I feel like I am healing my body."
We are happy to report that Latosha not only reached her goal but—she happily shared with us—is maintaining and reaping the benefits of her hard work. She said that her current workout routine is serving her well, but even so she is stepping up her game to get stronger and more toned.
An unexpected advantage of heat training she experienced was the alleviation of her allergy symptoms. She had been frustrated that conventional medicines were not working against her environmental allergies. She felt defeated.
"Heat training expels toxins. I now have only minor allergy symptoms. It is an 80 percent clear difference." She also said that sweat cycles help her combat sinus headaches.
As part of her regimen, Latosha tries to take 3–5 classes a week. The 14-mile commute from Pasadena isn't always ideal, but she loves the amenities the Shoppe has to offer.
"The aesthetic, design, and style [of The Sweat Shoppe]: I love it. Since I drive so far, the showers are nice. After class, I can shower before my next meeting." A self-proclaimed "massage junkie," she is excited that the Shoppe offers massages and can't wait to treat herself.
Latosha's career often takes her on the road to trade shows to learn about new trends and remain well versed on the best products to offer clients. One of her current projects is a new product line slated for 2016.
With a schedule like hers, maintaining a level of productive flow is essential. We asked her how she sets herself up for success.
LATOSHA'S TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Always be very organized.
Always be prepared for a last-minute dinner party.
Manage your time wisely.
Carve out "me" time.
Meditate every morning —without fail.
Reduce clutter—purge twice a year. Everything (other than formal wear) that hasn't been used for 6 months
goes away. ("I'm big on traveling light when I'm at home.")Create a place for yourself at home. Your home is a safe haven. It should represent you. You have no choice out in the
world, but at home you do. "When I was growing up, home always felt so safe." You should be happy to get home.
We asked Latosha to finish this sentence. "I feel prettiest when... I am taking care of myself, when I am treating myself well. As women nurturers, we tend to put ourselves second, but all of us are nicer, more patient, and kinder when we're balanced and making better life choices. When we're not balanced, we function out of survival mode and are just reacting."
Team Highlight - Meet Melissa M.
Melissa Marroquin has been a crucial member of The Sweat Shoppe team. She has helped our riders get their workouts in, and in turn she has been inspired to attain her own fitness goals.
Melissa said her journey to a healthy lifestyle has not been easy, but she continues to be patient with herself. The key to her success is simply listening to her body.
“I just woke up one morning and started to make changes. Slow—really slow —changes. I started cutting down my portions, and then eventually I cut things out.”
Melissa doesn’t deprive herself—she still enjoys her cup of coffee with sugar—but knows that moderation with sugar and most things is essential.
“I can fit into my Mom’s clothes now,” she said with a smile. “I even started wearing junior sizes.”
Growing up, Melissa led an active lifestyle and was involved in track & field and dance.
“I started to gain a lot of weight in high school. I knew if I stayed active I wouldn’t gain a lot of weight, but I never lost as much as I wanted.”
Eventually Melissa was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Her hormones were unbalanced, and she gained weight. To combat the side effects of PCOS, she turned to heated indoor cycling and a healthy diet.
Another factor that contributed to her lifestyle change was her family’s health history. “My Dad’s side has diabetes, and my Mom’s side has high blood pressure. I knew I had to do something. I had to make a change. It was time, and even I knew my weight was getting out of control.”
Melissa said the big wake-up call for her was when she jumped from a size 18 to 22.
“I didn’t feel comfortable in any of my clothes anymore. I looked big and I felt big, and I thought, "This isn’t what I want.”"
She said some of her weight problems came from a lack of imbalance in her personal life.
“My parents got divorced and I started at a new school. My Mom worked nights, so I had to step up to provide for myself and my brothers. I took on more responsibility, mostly taking care of my brothers, and that meant I didn’t take care of myself. I put my family’s welfare before mine, so my weight just grew and grew.”
When it comes to inspiration, she holds her mother in high regard.
“The person who inspires me is my Mom. She is always supporting me and telling me I can do it if I set my mind to it. She is also losing weight with me, so we support each other.” Melissa doesn’t have a specific target weight and said that as long as she is healthy, she is happy.
When asked what her favorite thing about the Shoppe is, she said it's the people she has met. “You never know what kind of person you will meet here. They are all so kind and fun, and they tell very interesting stories either from work or vacation. It’s really cool.”
Melissa’s advice for people who are new to The Sweat Shoppe: It will be hard the first time, and it will get hard the second and third, but it is important to remember why you are here and why you are doing this. It could be something as small as keeping your weight in check or something big like trying to fit into a dress for a wedding or event. Having goals—no matter how big or small—can have the greatest impact.
Rider Highlight - Meet Dianne Q.
You’ve seen her image, and you’ve probably seen her getting her sweat on at the Shoppe, but have you ever wondered who the face—or shall we say body—of The Sweat Shoppe is?
If you haven’t already made the connection, it's Dianne Quirante, one of our very own Shoppe riders!
A Frankfort, Illinois, native, Dianne moved to Los Angeles five years ago to pursue a career in dance and modeling.
We asked Dianne how she likes LA, and she said she is loving it. Even with her busy schedule, Dianne manages to find balance and to make time for the outdoors and exploring California.
“It’s different, it’s more adventurous, a different vibe. I had a window (of time to move to LA), and I took it.”
Back home, Dianne worked as a production assistant on t“The Jerry Springer Show” and “The Steve Wilkos Show.”
“The shows were moving to Connecticut, and I didn’t want to move, so I took off three months from work. My Mom pushed me to find a job, so I started working retail at Gilly Hicks (Abercrombie & Fitch lingerie brand). After working there for a year, I asked for a transfer to LA.”
Dianne said that moving to LA was always something she had talked about. Having always been involved in dance workshops and conventions, her ties to the dance community were strong. When she moved out here and become an Angeleno, she had a nice starting-off point when she was booked on TV and dance gigs. Nowadays, Dianne is a publicist.
“My work life is fun.”
Dianne loves what she does, and that is evident in her energy.
“I wake up and pack for work if I have a meeting or an event. After work, I either go to the gym, yoga, spin, or dance class. I like to check out different studios and workouts. Somewhere in between, I try to eat,” she said with a smile on her face.
When she is out and about for business, she is usually on the west side. Dianne tells us that even though she loves checking out new hot spots and restaurants, she also likes taking a break from the Hollywood scene and enjoys offbeat adventures.
“I went to the Strawberry Festival the other weekend,” she laughed.
Athleticism and being in shape have always been priorities for her. Dianne was a competitive figure skater until the age of 22. Though she no longer skates competitively, training is still a big part of who she is. A self-proclaimed foodie, she practices moderation and has learned from her life of training that nutrition and performance go hand in hand. Dianne said her Mom (who is a nurse) also served as her personal nutritionist.
“When I was figure skating, my coaches and trainers taught me how to eat better.”
Her advice for anyone looking to build a fitness routine is simple: “Get up and go! Try one thing a day, whether it's 10, 20, 30 minutes. Try something different, and if that doesn’t work, try something else. Don’t focus on your weight—just go out and do something you like. Be yourself, have fun. Develop skill and proper form, and take things slow—one step at a time.”
One on One with Dianne Quirante
TSS: When do you sleep?
DQ: I'm in bed mostly by midnight. I catch up on my shows.
TSS: What are your favorite shows?
DQ: “Quantico,” “Empire,” “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” “The Blacklist,” “Madmen,” “Breaking Bad,” “House of Cards,” “Narcos”—to name a few. (She also makes it a point to catch up on the news.)
It’s evident that Dianne knows how to unwind. Then we asked her a few of our favorite questions:
TSS: What is your "Why"? Why do you workout?
DQ: I like to feel like I can breathe, to de-stress. I like to feel active and know I can still hold my game like I could when I was 5–10 years old. I want to maintain my stamina and flexibility. I don’t want to feel inadequate. I want to feel young and active.
TSS: What are your guilty pleasures?
DQ: Sweets! Desserts! Ice cream! I love ice cream but have to be careful and treat myself only once in a while, because I’m lactose sensitive. I love pastries, cookies, and brownies, but I watch what I eat and make sure to eat smart ingredients.
TSS: Finish this sentence: I feel prettiest when ...
DQ: When I'm relaxed and excited about what's to come. When I'm feeling confident about everything, and when I'm around good people. Also, the feeling after sweating is very rewarding.
TSS: Do you have down days? If so, what do you do to combat them?
DQ: Yes, I do have down days. On days when I am super tired and exhausted from the week, I push myself to go out and get a workout in. I want to feel accomplished or do something good for myself. It’s not hard to push myself, because it's now a routine for me.
Rider Highlight - Meet Rider Turned Sweat Shoppe Trainer, Alex Gastelum
Since the very beginning of his journey to become one of the next instructors at The Sweat Shoppe, Alex Gastelum has supported his fellow teacher trainees. We sat down with Alex after his second class of the day taught by fellow teacher-in-training Callie Stark. He was sweaty, happy, and ready for a massage.
Over the last four years, Alex has been a staple in Shoppe trainer Melissa Lau's class. He takes his training seriously. On occasion, he has missed family events, skipped out on plans, and even taken a day off work to attend sweat cycles. Alex is the real deal.
Melissa has been Alex's heated indoor-cycling mentor and his inspiration to teach spin himself. "I taught Melissa's kids at one point, and she challenged me to come in and take her class. I thought, "I can't be indoors in a closed room—plus I already have my [own] workouts."
Finally, though, Alex decided to take on Melissa's challenge. "One day, I had the opportunity to take her class. I remember I was nervous. I sat in the back row next to a woman whose child I also had taught. I took the challenge because I thought, 'I can do this.'"
To his surprise, he found the class difficult and challenging.
"I was shocked. I thought with all the working out I was doing, I would be able to do it. But I couldn't. In the end, I was exhausted, and that's when I decided I wanted to start cycling."
Alex has been teaching children at Fun and Fit Gymnastics Center for 17 years. He was looking for the next step in his career—teaching adults. Over the summer, he decided to become a trainer at the Shoppe. This has been his way of giving back for what cycling has done for him.
"It has enhanced my performance, built my self esteem, and made me love myself."
His energy is contagious. Anyone who knows Alex can tell you his smile and demeanor can make even the shyest person come out of their shell. Cycling has been an emotional journey for him. When asked why he cycles now, his eyes welled up with tears of joy.
"I spin because I am afraid to die. I sit on the bike and just run. Just pedal. You only live once. I want to be happy, healthy, and alive to see my family and friends. Never look back!"
His favorite song for a seated climb is "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. This song reminds him of how he refuses to fail or give up. He said he simply wants to be loved and understood.
"I just love that song; I want it for my wedding. When the song says, 'Would you lie with me and just forget the world,' it is like saying, 'I love you for you.' To me, when the song says, 'All that I am, all that I ever was,' it reminds me that I am okay just being Alex."
TSS: What do you do to let loose?
AG: I come to class five times a week. It's my stress reliever. I drop my shoulders and give my all, 110%.
TSS: What do you do when you miss a class?
AG: I panic. I am very structured, so when I miss class, I feel like I'm missing something—like I'm not complete. I'm stressed out if I'm not here. I feel empty.
TSS: What is your favorite thing about the Shoppe?
AG: The atmosphere. I like that everybody is different—different sizes, colors, ages. I like picking up people who are down, acknowledging them and making their day.
TSS: What was teaching your first class like?
AG: I was overwhelmed with so much support—which made it easy. It helped me not to be so emotional. I felt comfortable and was able to get right into teaching mode.
TSS: Who inspires you?
AG: Melissa (Lau)—her endurance, energy, and body, and her having three kids.
TSS: What is your personal mantra?
AG: Keep moving forward, don't look back.
TSS: What are your heated indoor-cycling musts?
AG: It's funny—but a mirror, then good music, a towel, water, and I'm good to go.
TSS: What do you leave at home?
AG: All of my baggage. I leave everything from the day at home: personal, financial, emotional, relationship—just, "Bye." Once I come in here, it's a whole other story.
TSS: Any advice for those new to training at the Shoppe?
AG: I would encourage them to breathe and focus on themselves. I would tell them they aren't here to compete against anyone. If I have to sit next to you, I will; and we will get through this together.
Rider Highlight - Meet Robb Fordham
He just finished his first full Ironman in Lake Placid, New York, on July 26 and is already hitting the ground running—literally—training for the San Diego Superfrog Ironman 70.3 in less than five weeks. Oh, wait, there’s more: He's also training for the New York Marathon the first weekend of November. Who is this czar of an athlete? Robb Fordham—wholesale mortgage executive, competitive athlete, father, and self proclaimed “shy guy.” Robb makes his achievements look easy, but they are not for the faint of heart.
Robb set a personal goal to finish the Lake Placid Ironman in 14 hours. He finished in 12:33. The forecast was for rain, but they got heat instead. With a tendency to overheat, Robb said that heated cycling at The Sweat Shoppe made a massive difference in his performance and helped him control his heart rate.
“I took a non-conventional training approach. I just wanted to do it and see if I could hang on. In hindsight, it doesn’t seem like a long time. I sit and analyze my goal, the little points.”
He rode as hard as he could on the bike for the first hour. He said the run was as long and difficult as he had expected it to be,but was pleased to see he was the first one out of the water. Then came the cycling.
“The bike ride, through upstate New York, was gorgeous, but after six hours—and for the last 10 miles—I wanted to get off the bike so bad. The running was the worst part; my feet swelled up bad.”
Completing his first full Ironman was an emotional and transcendent experience. One of the things that got him through was the support of spectators along the route.
Upon finishing the Ironman, he and a few others joined the spectators and cheered the rest of the competitors. One moment that touched Robb was hearing the crowd roar as the name of a 77-year-old man was called out as he crossed the finish line later that evening.
“I cried tears of joy many times along the course. Spectators are there from 6:30 a.m. until midnight, cheering people on. You don’t see that in a lot of sports.”
To make his mark on the score board, Robb takes his training seriously and always makes time to get his workouts in. Adamant about reaching his goals, he attributes his success to balance. The father of two (Max, 4; Sam, 2) knows time with his sons is paramount and puts them first—even when training for a race.
“When it came to balance, I told myself I was going to do it. It doesn’t make me happier to work harder. I get my fulfillment with my kids.”
While looking for something to get him into shape six years ago, Robb started doing small races, one a year. Robb is a former CrossFitter, and his friend (who was also his CrossFit coach) was a strong influence on him when he began racing.
A wrestler since he was six (and through college at the Air Force Academy and Cal State San Marcus), he knows how to tap into training mode. However, it has not always been easy.
After participating in a half Ironman last year, Robb underwent reconstructive knee surgery, so his training was non-existent until March and April of this year.
“It’s tough getting back into working out. I had gained weight but have just about trimmed all of it off. It’s always hard to jump back into a training regimen.”
With swimming and running having already been a part of his routine, he was looking for the cycling element.
“I was looking to train for the cycling part. I checked out Jason’s class, and at first I thought I was going to die.”
But Robb came back. He loved the workout he got from The Sweat Shoppe without the impact of being outdoors. He has attributed his athletic success to incorporating heated indoor cycling into his training. Robb enjoys being around like-minded individuals at the Shoppe who share his training mentality, and likes that the people are nice.
Robb’s Advice
Just kept going, be persistent. It’s a different style; you either like it or you don’t. Everyone goes at their own pace. Stay on the bike for 50 minutes, stay on it, go a little at a time, push it, go for it. Give it a shot and come back.
Robb’s Vices
Workaholic
Procrastinator
Outlook on training:
After a crappy day, I realize that running is a luxury, simple things, and everything is not so bad.
3 Things to Know about Robb
Shy around other people, reserved
2 awesome kids
Likes to eat and drink beer
Half IronMans Completed - 7
New York Marathon - 1 completed. November will be his second NY Marathon.
Total Marathons - 15
Rider Highlight - Meet Shiller Erilus
Goals. Training.
Marathon runners are impressive in their own right, clearing 26.2 miles is
no easy feat and to do it more than once, is epic. With full and half
marathons such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Madrid and Las Vegas under his belt there is no end in sight for Shiller Erilus's running goals.
As he ramps up for his next half marathon in Los Angeles, we sat down with him to get the scoop on what drives him to run.
"I actually got into running because of a young lady," Shiller laughs. "In the process of getting to know each other, we ended up building a bond through running. She is marathon runner and I in turn fell in love with
running as well."
What happened with Shiller and this mystery woman? We'll get back to that a little later ;).
Always having been an athlete he is no stranger to disciplined workouts.
Shiller played basketball in college and continued to play after he
graduated to stay in shape but he felt like he needed something else. In
tandem with marathon training and running Shiller incorporated heated
indoor cycling into his regimen.
While at the Shoppe it's easy to find him sweating in either Naomi or Rafael's class.
Try something new.
While we can all use a little nudge sometimes and its especially easier to try something new with the help of a good friend. With the influence of his friend and fellow student at the shoppe Chico Bennimon, not only did Shiller Erilus find a new complement to his marathon training he found a new passion and is one of The Sweat Shoppe's new riders to get to know.
Use your friends.
When it comes to indoor heated cycling its no holds barred we always
encourage our students to go the extra mile and find the fight within them or to use the energy and momentum of fellow cyclers. Shiller has been training at the shoppe ever since Chico introduced him to heated indoor cycling.
Bringing it all together.
Remember how we said Chico influenced him to check out the shoppe?
Well, they knew each other for quite a while, lived in the same complex and saw each other in passing
frequently yet never formally met until someone introduced them at a
party. And that girl who got him into running? Well, they dated for a
while and it didn't work out but he's stuck with running ever since!
By day the athlete we know at The Sweat Shoppe is an assistant controller who is originally from Haiti and raised in Boston. As one of his personal endeavors Shiller has given back to his country ever since the earthquake in Haiti. Every year since 2010 shiller has returned to pay for the medical expenses for some of the earthquake victims while also providing school supplies to charters school in his hometown of Port Au Prince, Shiller is always thinking of how he can help.
Shiller doesn't do social media but you'll see him around at the shoppe as he prepares for his upcoming races, the Rock n' Roll Half Marathon LA in October and Full Marathon in Las Vegas this November.
"Applying heated cycling to my training regimen has made a world of difference to the tune of improving my marathon time by more than 25 minutes."
Before training at the shoppe, his personal record for a full marathon was approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
"While incorporating heated cycling for 30 consecutives days, I was able to finish my last full marathon in 3 hours and 13 minutes."
Our New Flagship Location Is Now OPEN!
We are open and operating in Toluca Lake and could not be more excited! One of the biggest upgrades at our new Shoppe are our bikes. These beauties are top of the line, chain driven with a brake pad resistance mechanism. What does that all mean? It means these bikes ride smooth and feel very similar to that of a road bike. Another great thing about these bikes are the settings have micro adjustment capabilities. For those of you who are feeling a bit daunted with your new bike set up, we have put together a quick tutorial. Check it out!
Rider Highlight - Meet Sharon Dolin
Meet Sharon Dolin, reader, runner, avid indoor heated cyclist!
71 year old Sharon has been on a personal fitness journey and everyone who meets her can tell by her drive and discipline that she is determined to live her
best life. Despite any obstacles, Sharon has faced them head on and has
found solace and release in her fitness regiment.
Here’s our one on one with her:
TSS: What is your guilty pleasure?
SD: Watching “Keeping up with the Kardashians”
TSS: How long have you been cycling at The Sweat Shoppe?
SD: 3 months, a friend told me about it, I tried spin a few years ago and
I thought it was so boring. My friend said TSS was heated, I tried it and
fell in love with it. I love Carolyn’s class, Aly and Segun then there’s
Sandra, Amy and Stacey.
TSS: You’ve taken most of our classes!
SD: You can’t go wrong with any of the classes, I am hoping to take
Jason’s class soon.
TSS: Why do you cycle?
SD: It’s a mind body thing. It’s like an addiction. I feel safe when I’m
in class. I don’t feel like I’m going to fall off the bike.
TSS: Have you always been an athletic person?
SD: I have always been a running but cycling is taking over my running
schedule. There’s no other place that can be better than The Sweat Shoppe.
TSS: What are your other hobbies?
SD: I love reading, I love the classics.
TSS: Tell us something people might not know about you
SD: I am a huge animal lover, dogs, all animals really
Training As A Metaphor by Jason Squire
The Life Lessons I’ve Learned by Spending Most of My Life as a Gym Rat
Looking back, I recognize that my path toward the training life was no accident. I'm not going to say it was preordained, but I realize that my upbringing provided a strong base for which I will be forever grateful. My family is active, and they live healthy lives. During my childhood, soda and processed sugar did not exist inside our house. Home-cooked meals were de rigueur. Without exception, my family ate dinner together every night until I went to college. My parents had 2 huge vegetable gardens that provided quite a bit of what we ate. Trips to the farmer's market were standard. My earliest memories of my mother are of her running laps on the college track while my siblings and I built sand castles in the long-jump pit. I remember watching my father play pickup basketball games at the college gym on his lunch break when I was 7. As we got older, my younger brother was the most naturally talented on whatever team he played, and he eventually made his way into the minor leagues as a DH. My sister was a competitive swimmer at a young age.
My own natural physical talents, however, were not so clearly defined. I was not exceptional in any particular sport. I was not the strongest or the quickest or the most adept. Eventually exasperated with my seeming lack of abilities, I finally decided to run cross-country track in 9th grade, figuring there wasn't much I could screw up. Was I wrong! Why I thought my body was well-equipped for long distance running, I'll never know, but within a month of practice I had developed such bad shin splints that I had to ice my legs every night so I could walk in the morning. The pain was excruciating and I was nothing more than a liability to the team, but I would not quit. It took a bad cycling accident—a car, my bike, a windshield, and no helmet—that put me in intensive care for a week with a head injury and broken leg requiring 16 weeks in a leg case, ending my short-lived running career.
Only in retrospect have I realized that my one exceptional talent was my unwillingness to quit, regardless of the pain or stress or my obvious lack of ability. Aside from the debilitating physical effects the accident had on my body, which I recovered from rather quickly given the scale of the initial damage, the bigger impact was the long-term ramifications it had on my psyche. I did not acknowledge, nor understand, this change until I was well into my thirties, but as my teen years stutter-stepped into my twenties, my willingness to quit when things got too tough grew along with my mood swings. I'll reserve a discussion of the long-term effects (including PTSD) of this accident on my life for another time, but suffice it to say that over the next many years, with the exception of my training, I developed a debilitating pattern of quitting when the going got too tough.
I graduated from high school 3 years after that life-defining accident. I was bored out of my mind, depressed, and working what for me was an unlikely factory job. I had chosen to defer college for one year—I'm not sure I would have done this if the accident hadn't occurred—and though I had no doubt I would eventually go to college, the first few months of my break from academia gave me real concern about where my life was heading. That fall, while my high school friends were all engaged in innocence-eliminating, first-year, pseudo-adult college activities, I was spending my days in a hot, dirty, print factory, working 12-hour shifts with guys who had no interest in speaking to me once they discovered my stay with them was a temporary sabbatical from academic life. My factory colleagues resented me for potentially taking a job away from a hard-working guy who actually needed the job to support a family, whereas I was living at home with my parents and had no real financial responsibilities to speak of other than my car. As soon as they got a whiff of my left-leaning politics—we're talking Bush I, fall 1990—they stopped speaking to me altogether. My mornings before work were filled with dread. To say I was depressed doesn't even come close to my reality. I needed an escape from daily misery, something to look forward to, an activity that would provide me with a feeling of forward motion, progress, success. I found what I was looking for in the gym.
I started hitting the weights for the first time in September of that year, and I've never looked back. I started out with 4 nights a week, but over the next 5 years, my time in the gym became a necessary anchor in my life. Split workouts morning and night—5 days with the weekend off, sometimes 6 days a week, 3 days on 1 off, 4 on 1 off, 4 on 2 off—I tried numerous combinations of training days/rest days to maximize my growth. In those first few years, I had no clue how important and impactful this training life I'd discovered would have on my future. It started with body building in the gym, but as the years passed, it morphed into something more wide ranging. I added varied training forms to my repertoire: swimming, cycling, yoga, running, Tae Kwon Do.
Then in my early thirties, I met the spin bike and went through my second metamorphosis. Fifteen months after taking my first spin class, I became a certified instructor. (By no coincidence that same month, I did my first triathlon.) Not one to do anything in moderation, I jumped into this instructor thing with addict-like fervor. I started out teaching 5 classes a week at 2 gyms; at one point I was teaching 9 classes at 3 separate studios, and I taught on the bike, not while walking around the room! My quads and I were not on speaking terms during that period. Two years after I began teaching, I started dating my future wife, who managed one of the studios where I taught. Four and a half years later, we had our first child, a beautiful little boy. Soon after that magnificent milestone, my wife and I opened our own heated indoor cycling studio, the first of its kind. As I said, the training life has been very good to me!
Back in my twenties, the weight room provided a safe place, a haven, for me. No matter how bad my day went, I always knew I had my workout coming, my escape, and that's what it was for me. During these early days in my training life, I was unable to see, or, apply, the life lessons that were ever present under the surface of this training. It wasn't until I entered the spin room and, more specifically, climbed onto the teacher podium, that a deeper understanding of this training life, of what it meant to me, began to crystallize. The podium has humbled me and provided more wisdom than I ever thought possible. I have learned many life lessons inside the spin room that have both improved my daily existence and made me a more useful human being. Below is a list of some of the many lessons I have discovered so far during my hours of sweating. They are in no particular order. I consider them all equally important. I hope you find them helpful.
First and foremost, WE ARE BORN PERFECT. During those first few months of existence, we're doing our best by just breathing, sleeping, and crying. Later, as we age, we are taught that perfection is something "out there," that being perfect is impossible. I beg to differ. I believe the definition of perfection is, or should be, whenever we do our best in any given moment. Training provides the opportunity in each session to allow us to feel perfect just by giving all we've got. In that moment, we connect with our perfect self.
TRUE FAILURE HAPPENS ONLY WHEN I STOP TRYING. Success and failure are 2 sides of the same coin. Success does not occur without failure, and vice versa. They are both necessary to create forward motion. I try I fail. I correct, make another attempt, and I fail again. My anger fuels me. I further adjust, try again, and I succeed. Now I've raised the bar. I keep going. I fail again. I repeat. As long as I don't quit, I will never be a failure.
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS WHEN IT COMES TO SUCCESS. American culture has morphed into something akin to a spoiled adult-child living off a perpetual trust fund surrounded by sycophants who only know how to say yes. "I want it right now! Isn't there a program called 10-second abs? Why should I have to work for it? Why can't I take a pill? Have surgery? Isn't there a diet I can do in 10 days where I'll lose 20 pounds?" No! Please, let me reiterate: No! Long-lasting success stems from hard work and time spent. Period!
PAIN IS MY BEST FRIEND. If my training doesn't hurt, I'm not growing. If it doesn't hurt, I'm not doing my job! Those Nike commercials don't show athletes smiling while they're training. No pain, no gain!
PAIN IS TEMPORARY, GUILT ISN’T. During training, the moment I succumb to the pain and back off, I feel those irritating pangs of guilt because I gave in rather than pushed through. And though the pain would have dissipated the moment I finished my session, the guilt sits with me all day. I'll take the pain over the guilt any time.
FORM IS EVERYTHING. True in training, true in life. If my form is bad, I'm working the wrong muscles and risking injury. Good form keeps me on task and progressing properly.
SUCCESS FEEDS ON ITSELF. I learned this one early on in my training life. The first time I benched 225 lbs. made me hungry for more. My time in the gym increased significantly after that milestone. I became more conscious of what I was eating and how it would improve my strength. Gain a little, grow a lot.
SEXY IS A WAY OF BEING. After 43 years on this planet, I've discovered that the commercialization of the body has done us all a great injustice. For the first half of my life, I thought sexy was a certain shape, a particular haircut, a certain eye color, body perfection. I've grown wiser. My twenties were all about my biceps and muscle tone and the six-pack—that was a primary goal of my training. Now, so much of my training is about how training feeds the connections between my mind, body, and soul. I've grown to understand that sexy comes in all shapes and sizes. I've never seen anyone sexier than my wife when she was 8 months pregnant with our son. She was absolutely glowing, and I found her incredibly sexy. It wasn't about her body shape. It was about her being. That's what sexy is!
I HAVE NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH MY OWN SUCCESS. I have learned that I am my own worst enemy. Time and again, I have sabotaged my own success far better than any one around me did, including the people who were saying, "Sorry, Jason, it’s not going to happen." So I've learned to disregard that insecure inner voice and just do. I'm a horrible swimmer, and I have a solid fear of open water, but I did not let that stop me when I decided to enter the world of triathlon. I bought a wetsuit and jumped in. My first race was in the Pacific Ocean. Nike had it right: Just do it!
THE BIGGER I DREAM, THE GREATER MY CHANCES. Just try it! Dreams inspire, encourage, and provide positive reinforcement. If you have trouble with this one, pick a hero, someone who has climbed to the top of her game. Read and watch everything you can about her. I guarantee her success started with her childhood dreams. Why should the process be any different for us? Start the journey by dreaming big!
IT IS HARDER TO LOSE A BAD HABIT THAN IT IS TO LEARN A GOOD ONE. Bad habits are seductive. I can kick them for a week, a month, maybe a year. But when I drop my guard, I'll say, "Well, I'll just eat that big bag of chips today," and suddenly that bad habit is back overnight in full force. It can take weeks, months, even years to learn a good habit and make it stick. Know this. Keep it in mind. It will help you as you try to build good habits and drop bad ones.
THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO GET BETTER AT SOMETHING: PRACTICE! Again and again and again! No need to explain this one. You either get it or you don't.
Over many years, I have done my best to apply these lessons to my daily life, in the gym, in my relationships, with my job, in my creative endeavors. They help me stay motivated and on task. In no way do I consider this a comprehensive list, or intend it to be a set of rules by which we have to live our lives. However, I have found that these lessons make my life less of a “struggle” and more of a “daily joy.” The practice of these lessons helped me fulfill my life-long dream of becoming an author and publishing my first novel, Jon Fixx, this year. I live by example. I hope the training life has the same impact on you that’s it’s had on me. As always, especially for those of you I train with, shut up and ride!
Rider Highlight - Meet Debbie Dechant
A pediatric nurse in the intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Debbie Dechant who also works in the neo natal unit at UCLA said one of the greatest compliments she has received was a parent hugging her and not wanting to let go.
Before her commitment to being a nurse Debbie grew up pursuing her appreciation for dance, art and improv.
“I tried out for Second City (Improv club) in Chicago, but I’m a nurse, I said no.”
“Parents leave their children with me, in my care, they trust me when their children are at their sickest.”
The oldest of 5 siblings one can say Debbie knows a thing or two about being compassionate. The Kansas native takes pride in her work and takes a sigh before telling us what her job means to her.
“I have a passion for what I do. There is something about a child’s laughter and a child’s trust.”
The gravitas of her job does not allow for her to be anything other than patient. Debbie finds balance and maintains her calm demeanor by taking every opportunity to get outdoors to cycle or head indoor to spin.
“Even if I’m on call I put my phone on the bike and if it rings I go.”
For Debbie classes are too short so she makes sure she indulges in one of her other loves, outdoor cycling.
She is preparing for her annual bike ride across the state of Iowa. Organized by her cycling friends while living in Chicago in 1998 it has become a tradition.
Having always been an athlete Debbie knows what her limits are and despite 2 operations on her left leg and 7 on her right she continues to beat the odds. Her fight is strong.
“Multiple people and (medical) professionals tell me I shouldn’t do this or that because of my knees, because of that it makes me push harder.”
Working out is her release and her advice to all riders is simple. Climb the hill.
“I’ve climbed a lot of hills, I’ve experienced a lot of climbs in my life. No matter the ride, I ride all out every ride. Form, endurance, power. If you’re not going to ride all out, don’t ride.”
Advice to new heated indoor cyclists:
Slow down, just keep the beat, don’t try to kill it, it will come. It takes a long time to kill it, don’t get discouraged.
Rider Highlight - Meet Suzanne Wilson, Jewelry Designer Extraordinaire
When work and life come together to form the lifestyle you've always
imagined sometimes it's presented to you in the least likely of ways.
Suzanne Wilson designer, owner and creative wind behind Suzanne Wilson Couture Jewelry is a mother first and a jeweler second.
With a natural knack for design Suzanne's business grows from word of
mouth and she wouldn't have it any other way. With one on ones with her clients Suzanne gets personal with their taste and personality to create jewelry that hits their aesthetic desires and tugs at their heartstrings. “As a jewelry designer I basically create one of a kind pieces and sometimes replicate or re-work jewelry clients have inherited."
Years ago as a new mother Suzanne worked in the skincare and makeup industry, yet harbored frustrations on the creative level. She always had a passion for jewelry; her first venture was a pair of earrings she designed with someone her father introduced her to. From there she made pins, cameos and started to design frames around antique pieces. Suzanne started designing with various elements and one of her most recent lines was born from working with mother of pearl and Buddhas.
Her business began to get attention shortly after she started designing
and people would notice the distinctive pieces. As a new mother when her business was growing she knew being there for her daughter and eventually daughters (she is the mother of two) was key.
“I didn’t want to compromise my time in their formative years, I wanted to be there for them, the trade off was definitely worth it. “
The tagline for Suzanne's brand is edgy, jewelry for people with
discriminating taste. Her design consultations are by appointment only and her clientele enjoys custom pieces in which they too can take part in the creative process.
Suzanne who said her business has been getting recognition the last few
years by word of mouth said she doesn’t know if it equals sales but the
time she gets to spend with clients is an added plus for her. She takes
the time to listen to her clients and works with them to find the best
design to their liking. “I have an interesting approach to jewelry. Together we can figure something out; I work with price points, style, coloring and even the energy of a stone.” She describes her pieces as unique, new school with an old school effect and even has corded necklaces that are spin class friendly.
Suzanne Wilson Couture Jewelry
http://www.swdjewelry.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneWilsonDesigns
Twitter
@jewelsswd
Our Summer Challengers CRUSHED IT!
Meet Summer Challenger - Xochi Blymyer
We sat down with Xochi Blymyer before and after her class, which marks number 23 for her summer challenge, one thing is apparent, she has a lot of fans.
Her energy is contagious and during our Q&A with Xochi a few other happy faces made cameo appearances, teacher Melissa Lau and a few other fellow challengers, she was all smiles.
Two things that have been getting her through the challenge is the motivation and peer pressure, good peer pressure, from her new friends.
“The challenge has made me come to class and I’ve made less excuses. I like being part of a team and I like to play games. I’m not going to win but I like to play.”
Xochi’s inspiration in life, for the challenge and being happy, are
positive people. With a smile on her face, Xochi fondly remembered something her mom would always tell her.
“My mom would always say everybody is already happy. It’s like an onion, you have to peel away the layers to get to the happiness. Everyone has to find what makes them happy. She would always say act or feel like you already have what you want.”
With positive words of affirmation from her mom, Xochi has lived her life with a positive outlook. Her tip for the other summer challengers is to meet the competition.
“They will inspire you more than you thought you could be pushed.
When asked what advice she would give her 1-week challenge self, she said do more doubles. She would have liked to push herself to do more than the minimum.
Xochi has never done a challenge like this before and having the availability and the Shoppe's sense of community is what made her sign up.
“Everyone smiles when you walk in. You get high fives. No exercise is fun so it’s great, the people make me want to come back.
Q & A with Xochi
SS: What do you do when you're not at the Shoppe?
XB: Gardening, traveling, making movies (Xochi is an Assistant Director), I'm currently working on a documentary, probably working on my next big screenplay! :)
SS: Tell us something about yourself people may not know.
XB: I started a line of inspirational t-shirts. "XB's Inspirational Tees".
SS: Guilty pleasures?
XB: Chocolate and massages, binge watching Netflix shows.
SS: Got any tips for the other challengers?
XB: Meet the other challengers they will inspire you and push you more than you thought you could be pushed.
Summer Challenge Instructor Tips - Jessica Katz
Sweat Shoppe Instructor Tips - Jessica Katz
1) How do you replenish after class?
Drink water BEFORE class (I rarely drink during the class). keep drinking water all day. People think if they drink right after that's enough but it can hit hard (especially for beginners) later afternoon. Hydrate all day.
2) Favorite Post Ride Beverage?
I almost always have a coconut water after class AND water.
3) Favorite Post Ride Meal or Snack?
I eat some type of protein maybe 30 min after. Small meals. I remember when I first started spinning I was starving all day after taking a class. Eat small healthy meals. Don't gorge just because you're hungry
4) Tips on how to go from Sweaty to Fab the quickestIn terms of sweat after class: the more you spin the more your body adjusts to the sweat/wet clothes etc. It doesn't bother you as much or become such a big deal. If you have time to sit after class before jumping in your car/getting dressed that helps. But everyone is different. I always bring a bigger towel from home and that usually does the job before getting dressed. I think using a cleansing type pad for your face, neck helps just take the layer of sweat off if you can't get home to shower.
5) Stretching Tips
I try and do hip opening stretches before each class.
Meet Summer Challenger, Juliet DiFranco
One to watch during the summer challenge is Juliet DiFranco, not one for working out regularly, Juliet has set her personal intention and is determined to reach her goal all while making it look easy.
“I lucked out in finding The Sweat Shoppe. Doing spin while listening to cool music and burning a ton of calories has me hooked.”
At first Juliet took on this challenge to take advantage of taking more classes in a month than usual and of course to try and win. Things changed. Juliet found herself re-thinking her intention more than once and the challenge transformed into a personal goal for herself. Early into her 30 day commitment Juliet realized she got something out of it she never expected, she met a lot of new people and was making friends, to Juliet, that was her win.
By talking with Juliet it is difficult to worry about anything really, her cool and calm demeanor is contagious.
What inspires her is simple, authenticity, kindness and love. In asking what she does for a living she had a lighthearted response. “I tell people I get paid to watch movies all day. (Juliet is an Assistant Editor for movies) I’m also a life coach.”
Taking everything in stride Juliet has redefined winning.
Q&A with Juliet
SS: How long have you been spinning at the Sweat Shoppe?
JD: 6 months.
SS: What is your favorite thing about the Sweat Shoppe?
JD: When the song is right and I close my eyes and feel transported into
another place.
SS: When you’re not spinning what could we find you doing?
JD: Working or sleeping. I wish I had a better answer for this!
SS: Tell us something about yourself that people may not know.
JD: I can solve a Rubik's Cube in 3-1/2 minutes. For reals.
SS: What are your guilty pleasures?
JD: I admit I watch the Kardashians.
SS: Sweet treats?
JD: Donut, anyone?
SS: Treat yourself?
JD: I bought myself sunflowers the other day just because.
SS: What are your hobbies?
JD: Spin.
SS: Have you set any goals for this challenge?
JD: Yes. And, I'm going to hit my goal.
SS: How would your friends describe you?
JD: As a nut with a heart of gold.
SS: Who do you look up to?
JD: My spiritual teachers.
Summer Challenge Instructor Tips - Stacy Conner
Sweat Shoppe Instructor Tips - Stacy Conner
1) How do you replenish after class?
Water, food, relax
2) Favorite beverage to drink post ride
Water, water, water!!! If you need some flavor, coconut water, Ultima electrolyte powered, or EmergenC.
3) Favorite post ride refuel (meal or snack)
ThinkThin bar, Chipotle bowl (no sour cream or guacamole!), peanut butter sandwich on sprouted grain bread.
4) Tips on pre and post ride fueling
I stop eating at least 30 minutes before riding. Nothing too big at least an hour before. If it's early morning, something small like a banana or half a peanut butter sandwich.
After riding, it's best to eat at least a snack within 30 min of your ride to keep your metabolism up. Some complex carbs and protein.
5) Tips on how to go from sweaty to fab the quickest
I always bring a change of clothes with me. Best to get out of those soggy clothes right away! I keep a small bag with acne medicine and moisturizer with SPF in my workout bag, so after a ride I wash my face with water only and then make sure I put on both. Then I take my hair down and stick my head under the hand dryers to dry my hair out a bit. As long as it's not too cold or hot, I'll drive home with the windows (and my hair) down to help it dry out. Once it's dry, I use a dry shampoo to freshen it up. I love DryBar's Detox Dry Shampoo.
6) Stretching tips
Try to stay for the stretch at the end of class. It helps to build strength and prevent injury. Make sure you take time to stretch your hip flexors, since riding can make them very tight. A Figure 4 stretch lying down is one of the best.
Meet Summer Challenger, Latosha Lovell
