Life and Other Stuff

I choose to believe in magic.

Call it naiveté, earnest, cringe, immature…or any other adjective. I know what I know.

This past weekend I met friends in real life who I only know from an online sobriety group. Being a part of this group has provided a fitness, sober, and generous community that buoyed us all through lockdowns, health related ups and downs, as well as just daily life. It was a thing to be a part of outside of my roles as mom and wife. This community has produced consistency in daily exercise and emotional wellbeing far more than I had anticipated when I clicked the ‘join’ button 6 years ago.

When teaching spin and group exercise, I would often share with clients that fitness is the modality, the vehicle – to enable our lives outside of the gym. Fitness is the vehicle to get where you want to go. Find a few ways to move the body that don’t feel like drudgery, and do it consistently. My faves happen to be spinning, walking, and running outside. I enjoy lifting heavy things because I can, and I know it’s good for me. But there’s something magical about happy brain chemicals that get released in a great spin class or running in the trails at the local park. Peloton happens to be my main vehicle. I love it because of the variety of classes, the knowledgable instructors, but also the sub-communities it facilitates. This is where group fitness shines: community and accountability. It is powerful medicine. (Silly virtual badges are more motivating than you might think, too!)

I’d never been to New York, but an invite to come to the Peloton Studios arrived in the mail and was simply too irresistible to decline. It promised a ride with my favorite instructor, live in-studio! Ummmm…..okay!!!!

For the person who thinks things like Hyrox, Orange Theory Fitness, Stroller Strides, CrossFit and the like are cultish groups – I get it. (Heck, even local gym groups, running, and cycling clubs can feel this way.) And Peloton fits right in with all of that. It’s a fitness brand. On the surface, it’s well-marketed fitness with likable and attractive instructors. And like all adherents to each platform, I will present the expected response: “It’s so much more than that!”

So I accepted the invitation and booked the flight.

And it was beyond anything I anticipated.

Every person – from the front door, the front desk, locker room attendants, stage managers, and store sales staff – all seemed to really enjoy their job. They were kind, helpful and eager to chat with members and give great advice and tips. We got off of waitlists to take classes we hadn’t signed up for in advance. The process was seamless and people were truly welcoming. Looking around at other members, who were also first timers to the studio, excitement was palpable. Sharing who our favorites are, whose classes we were able to attend, and chatting up folks who get your enthusiasm is heady stuff. Passionate people are magnetic!

Heading into class, music up and energy on – we had no doubt it would be exceptional. And it was. I fear putting it all into words will somehow diminish it, but there was a moment shared with the instructor. One of those rare and magical moments that’s joyful and you feel seen. (I call these moments Universe Winks.) Call it whatever you want, it was fun, unbelievable and I will treasure it.

The next day, we attended other classes around some sightseeing with friends who felt more like family. Had the best meal with the best company. Was inundated with joy as a Pride parade floated by. Memories that have enriched and changed me. Travel will do that like little else.

In a word: magic.

Being open to the opportunity, nervous but doing it anyway, pushing through the “someday I’ll do the thing” and ACTUALLY doing it – all conspired in the best way. I’m grateful.

Don’t tell me that magic doesn’t exist.

I know it does.

It can even happen through a bike that goes no where.