I love sharing anything created by public speaking expert Alexa Fischer. She has just published part one of a free video series. I just finished watching this 13 min video and felt you may enjoy learning how to move past the negative thoughts that could be holding you back from effortlessly connecting with your riders.
When opportunities happen, it's up to you to be ready.
Whether it's chatting your boss up in the elevator, introducing yourself to a major influencer, sharing your new idea at the company retreat or effortlessly welcoming new neighbors, when you speak with confidence and calm – in any situation – it matters.
It matters to you, but it also matters to them.
Drum roll, please… I cordially invite you to watch VIDEO ONE of the 1000 Watt Presence: Free Training Series. No need to sign up, just click on the video and you'll be directed to the classroom. This week I'm sharing a few exercises to help you identify and release the habitual negative thoughts that have been holding you back. And the truth is, we all have them.
Positive thoughts are your fuel for happiness, success and clarity. Your inner scripts are the reason you have stopped yourself from speaking up, taking risks and seizing opportunities. But habits can be changed. Starting now.
I woke up this morning to a very nice note from Studio Owner Alison Zemanek.
Hi John,
I just want to express to you how much I love your site. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful resource!
I recently opened a Cycling Studio in Longmont, CO
(BreakAway Cycle & Strength Studio). I was lucky enough to find instructors who have been certified and teaching for over 10-15 years, but who have pursued continuing education throughout that time and fully embrace the true meaning of IC 2.0. We use it at the studio and our clients love it.
We are all cyclists, as are many of our clients, so that helps. But even non-cyclist appreciate the higher volume of work that can be done when you are not scrambling constantly between 15 second full out efforts and 45 seconds zero effort recoveries. They also appreciate being able to understand the relationship between cadence, resistance, and power output.
I would love to use the term Indoor Cycling 2.0 to describe what we do at BreakAway!
Thanks so much!
Alison
Thanks for your kind words Alison – you made my day!
Her studio is called BreakAway Cycle & Strength and is located north of Boulder, in Longmont Colorado. From the looks of her very nice website, it appears that Alison and her Instructor team really do practice Indoor Cycling 2.0!
BreakAway offers a mix of cycling and strength classes using TRX – what I see as the perfect combination for maximizing revenue for any boutique studio.
If you are considering opening an Indoor Cycling Studio, Alison's website design is very impressive. It communicates all of the key benefits to her offerings including regularly scheduled intro cycling and TRX classes!
Intro to Indoor Cycling -The Basics
So, you’ve never taken an indoor cycling class before and you’re just a bit intimidated. If that sounds like you, then you should take this class. We’ll go over the core moves done during cycling classes, some safety basics, what to wear, and will answer any individual questions you may have. The Schwinn AC Performance bike has an amazing console computer, but if you don’t know what to do with the data, then it’s not a very useful tool. We’ll go over the computer with you and tell you about all the ways it can be used.
Introduction to TRX
You’ve seen the crazy straps hanging from the big metal anchor…but you’re not too sure what it’s all about. That’s why we offer this free 20-minute intro class. Sign up and come in to learn everything you’ll need to know in order to join future TRX classes.
If you're reading this and wondering; what exactly is Indoor Cycling 2.0?
Indoor Cycling 2.0 â„¢ — is the transition from entertainment based exercise (fun, but without purpose and rarely effective) to results driven training (the stuff that works, just ask any real endurance athlete)
You can achieve it through the introduction of specific measurement tools; Heart Rate Monitors, Cadence (RPM) indicators, Power Meters and Periodization into your classes.
Our mission here at ICI/PRO is to provide you with the tools and information you need to to teach a successful Indoor Cycling 2.0 â„¢ class.
Indoor Cycling 2.0 is a trademark of Deep Breath In, LLC (my company) and is free for you to use as long as you credit us as the source.
This 45 minute free video could make a splash in your next endurance class – especially if you have a large number of women participants. With so much of the sport dominated by men, I found this video featuring professional cyclist Liz Hatch refreshing. Yes guys, that Liz Hatch 🙂
This video is a production of Cyclefilm and they have a number of full length videos, that feature some of the best professional women cyclists in the world.
Liz Hatch – Come Ride with Me includes this awesome track; Recorder 2:09 (83 RPM) from the Gasoline Brothers. It's not on Spotify but you can download it for free here.
Here's a tip for using YouTube in your class without interruptions by the commercials that are inserted. Play the video from this page > click the Full Screen button bottom right corner of the player and enjoy uninterrupted play.
What are you doing on Saturday April 28th? How about participating in what could become the largest Indoor Cycling fundraising event ever?
The people from the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation contacted me and asked if I would help promote their event. Once I understood what they do and who they help (over 88,000 wishes granted so far) I couldn't say no 🙂
Social Helping Network
The vision of Wish Upon A Hero consist of using the power of the internet combined with the passion to help. This combinations allows the world to help more people, more efficiently. We call it the Social Helping Network. The Wish Upon A Hero Foundation utilizes this network to grant wishes in two ways.
First, we grant wishes posted on WishUponAHero.com. Posted wishes provides our team with the basic information about you and your need. The wish can easily be shared which will give it the exposure needed to be granted.
Second, our wish granting team finds people in need and post their wishes under the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation account. We do this for individuals who do not have internet access or the ability to post a wish on their own.
The potential to be connected to this incredible organization sounded exciting and I invited Dave Girgenti (founder of the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation) on the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast so he could explain what you need to do to participate April 28th.
Wish Upon A Hero understands how important it is to assist partner clubs and studios. They have marketing materials ready for you to use to promote the event to your participants.
You can listen to the Podcast below or click here to subscribe for free in iTunes and never miss a show.
As a followup to my original article; save money on your smart phone with savelovegive.com, I received a call from Anthony, a very nice representative at Verizon Wireless, in response to the email request sent on my behalf from savelovegive.com.
Anthony told me that he's been seeing and responding to a lot of similar savelovegive.com requests.
Dear John,
It was a pleasure speaking with you today. I am very glad that I was able to provide you with information regarding switching to the Share Everything plan. I was able to process your request to switch to the 4 GB plan and it will become effective on February 8, 2013. Also, if you are interested in making money on your old Verizon Wireless devices, you can go to www.verizonwireless.com/tradein and appraise your old phone to see how much you can receive from us for it. You will also have the option to donate your old device to HopeLine and help victims of domestic violence.
Thank you for being the best part of Verizon Wireless. Have a great day and I hope that you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Sincerely,
Anthony
Verizon Wireless Customer Service
It turned out that we had a data plan that was larger than we needed or were using. The net result is that I'll save $8 a month. Not a lot but as I explained Amy keeps close watch on these things. It can't hurt for you to check your billing to confirm that you are spending the minimal amount for your wireless service. It could surprise you.
P.S. I did go back and donate the entire $102.00 to The Seven Bar Foundation. I'm confident that the will put it to better use than I will 🙂
The only attribute better to possess than that of being an encourager, is being an honest one. Honestly, it’s true!
I like to think that most people are honest, but sorry to say, that is simply not the case. Although I still like to believe it. J
In a world full of silicone, pleather, faux, knock-off this and a nip and tuck off that…it’s no wonder that the act of simply being real is considered rare and therefore, valuable. People are hungry for the truth; whether they like to admit it or not. Of course, they won’t admit it, because most people are afraid. That is why they are dishonest. And usually it’s with him or herself more than anyone else. So this is going to be the focus of what I share with you today. But before I do, is it acceptable for me to be completely honest with you about this issue? Is a little tough love O.K.? Can you handle the truth?
If you desire to be the Instructor (Inspirer), as well as PERSON, that your students (and others) cannot wait to see again, then you must look at yourself openly and honestly. I like to think of this as our time (noticed I said, “our”…because we all need this) to be naked and unashamed!
Years ago I started writing a 12-Step Program for healthy people to keep them that way. After unknowingly attending a Narcotic’s Anonymous meeting, I discovered this remarkable thing called “12 Steps”. I was absolutely inspired and on a mission to discover a 12-Step Program that I could also be a part of. Since I was told that I would need to have a drug or alcohol addiction, or have a family member who did, in order to attend N.A. or A.A. meetings regularly.
I searched, but didn’t find anything available. So I began a journey to discover what the 12 steps would look like for someone who desired to “make healthy their habit”. Let’s face it; 12-Step Programs are designed to keep people from falling off the wagon. So what’s available to a healthy individual who gets stressed out, busy, etc. and they find themselves eating horribly and not exercising…”falling off the wagon” of great health?
The good news is, I now KNOW the 12-Steps to do just that. And these steps are tried and true; because they have taken me through some of the deepest valleys of my life, while staying “on the wagon” of great health and WELLTH. I share these steps in my book, Dr. Shannon Knows…The 12 Steps for Wellthy People. Quite simply, it’s how to make healthy your habit.
Through many of my own experiences (some intensely painful) I realized that the first step in being our best is facing our fears. I call it, “Exposing Yourself”. It’s when you truly ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” and you answer with honesty and courage. From there the process of wonderment takes over as you dare to wonder, “What if?” However, it’s the kind of “What if?” moment that leads you to being your best. Not worrying…just like all the rest.
Imagine what you and your life would be like if you were the best in the world? Perhaps it’s being an Olympic gold medalist, national titleholder or the best instructor, associate, employee or boss. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s being the best YOU that you can be. This is the revelation I had one day as I was imagining what it would be like to be the best in the world at something. I thought, “Hey, how about being the World’s Best ME!” What would that look like?
So what’s standing in your way? Who is standing in your way? What are you afraid of? When was the last time you looked in the mirror and gave honest (and loving) feedback to the person standing in front of you? Or do you see things as you would in a funhouse (usually not so fun) mirror? Are you seeing distortion, blown out of proportion, too fat, too thin, and certainly not a true reflection of the person you really are?
Are you ready (and willing) to see the truth?
Now we are really starting to get to the “not so easy to talk about” stuff. But remember in the beginning when I asked if it was O.K.? I thought I heard everyone say, “YES”! So here it goes…
Are you honest? Come on, this is not the time to candy-coat anything. Perhaps you have been candy-coating so many things in your life that you are gaining weight. Sometimes people (you or your students) gain weight not because of what they (or you) are eating, but what’s eating them (or you)!
Seriously, this is a huge issue and no cycling class is going to change this unless you lead from a place of loving honesty. Both with your students and your self!
People seem to lie about everything! From their weight, to their excuses, to their reasons for this or that, or simply why they are where they are. It’s always everyone else’s fault or is it?
One of my past coaches used to say, “Excuses are like toilets. We all have them and they all stink!” Years ago I realized that if my failures are someone else’s fault, then my successes will be too. In that moment I realized that no one besides me would be responsible for my successes or my failures. When we own our mistakes, we can own our successes.
Are you honest with yourself about you, your life, your passions, and your desires? Do you honor your commitments with others, as well as yourself? Do you keep your word? Do you show up when you say you’re going to show up? Or do you make excuses for your lack of integrity? Are you lovingly honest with your students? Are you worthy of their trust? Are you worthy of YOUR trust?
Remember that a trustworthy messenger brings healing. That’s right, and whether you’re a doctor or an instructor, we are all teachers. Those who come to us are seeking something. You can be the one who delivers it to them, even if you never say a word! They will feel (and heal) better just by being in your presence. Honesty and integrity have an unforgettable presence, because they are qualities that are highly productive and attractive.
As I said before, people (you and your students) are hungry for the truth. Make sure that you honor your words to yourself and your students, think the best and speak the truth.
Live what you believe and reflect the truth that is within you! If you don’t like what you are seeing, then it’s time to take a deep look at your “truths”. What do you believe? How is it working for you? (These are two of the most profound questions you can ask yourself.) YOU CAN DO IT! And remember to be kind and encouraging when you do.
Honest self-awareness and authenticity are the keys to your success (health, happiness, WELLTH) in every area of your life. And they will be the core of what makes (and keeps) you the Instructor (Inspirer) that your students (and you) can’t wait to see again!
