Little Did I know… I’d Become the Instructor I Once Looked up to

If you’ve ever taken a cycling class–or any kind of fitness class, really– you’ve probably thought to yourself: “How on earth is the instructor talking while doing this?!” That was me, five years ago after taking my first spin class. But little did I know, fast forward to today, and you’ll find me doing exactly that– mic’d up, dancing on the bike in front of a room full of people. Funny how life has a way of flipping the script.

Fitness has always been a huge part of my life. From my travel volleyball days to waking up at 5 AM for Burn Bootcamp before high school to being a CycleBar instructor, movement has always been my therapy. It’s the perfect way to clear your mind while simultaneously getting stronger. But what do I love most? The community, the energy of strong women moving together, cheering each other on, and pushing beyond what they thought was possible. That’s what led me to group fitness in the first place. 

Sophomore year of college, I took my first ever Pūrvelo class, and it was magic. The music, the dark room, the energy, I immediately ran home to apply to work at the studio (& let’s be real, I couldn’t afford a membership on a college student budget, so I had to get creative). What I didn’t expect was how much that decision would shape me.

In that studio, I was surrounded by the most incredible group of women who empowered me daily, shoutout violet, makayla, lydia, hannah, mk. During those 45-minute rides, I found myself reflecting on how much my life had changed since starting college. In the daily hustle, there weren’t many moments where I could just pause. But inside that dark spin room, I could.

And what I felt was an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Grateful to be at Carolina, grateful for the people around me, and grateful to be exactly where I was meant to be, doing exactly what I was meant to do. 

After an amazing year at Pūrvelo, and some management changes, decided to follow my friend Cordilia and check out CycleBar. I had no idea what to expect, but from the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with open arms. Unlike anything else I had tried, CycleBar had this unique way of making every single person, of any level, feel like they belonged. 

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m never satisfied with just showing up–I wanted more. This time, that meant stepping up to the podium. 

I spent hours training, perfecting my rhythm, learning how to coach not just movement but mindset. I went through multiple auditions, faced my fair share of  “not yet”s, and had to fight through all the doubt I cast on myself. But every time I felt like giving up, it was the motivation of giving back to the cycling community that had given me so much, that kept me going. I thought about the instructors who had once made me believe I could push harder, and my incredible inspiration and coach mia. 

So I kept going. 

So, to my past self who could barely get through that first class, who looked at the instructor in total disbelief–just wait. Little do you know, one day, you won’t just be taking the class, you’ll be the one leading it. You’ll be on the mic, pushing people past their limits, creating a space where they feel strong, empowered, and unstoppable. 

The journey won’t be easy. But trust me–keep going. Because 300 rides, multiple studios, and lots of hard work later, you’ll be standing on that podium, looking out at a room full of riders, and realizing you’ve become the very person you once looked up to.