Most interviews begin with an intro call where a potential guest and I discuss the process and I answer any questions they might have. Most of these calls are uneventful – but Gloria is not what you'd describe as leading an “uneventful” life. When I called her at the scheduled time she was breathless, having just rescued a stray dog from a busy highway. As she describe to me (in real time) how she was helping this poor, frighten dog into her car – I knew right away that I had found another Awesome Instructor!
Gloria was nominated by ICI/PRO member David Santiago. If that name sounds familiar it's because David was a past winner of our Ultimate Instructor Class Profile contest. You can hear his Racing With Pros Audio Profile here.
Please feel free to contact us to nominate an Awesome Instructor.
Here's David's nomination email:
Hi John, Â
I want to nominate Gloria Stover Lewis as an Awesome Indoor Cycling Instructor at the Y and for her endless volunteer work, especially with the “Girls on the Run” program held locally in NC.
Gloria started out as a regular student coming to IDC.  All of the other teachers enjoyed having her in class.  She is enthusiastic with boundless energy and has an outgoing winning personality.  She is also a very strong cyclist and competed in several elite outdoor mountain bike races.
It did not take us teachers long to suggest she should become certified as an IDC instructor. Â We are always looking for talent. Â She eagerly agreed and become certified. Â She was a natural at it and now has huge followings at two YMCA locations. Â Her ability to combine challenging and fun profiles with fantastic music is among the best in the area.
Gloria is now certified to teach several classes:
– Indoor Cycling (of course)
– Jump pump and spin
– Boot Camp
– ABS
– INSANITY (I took this class once and it is now off my bucket list. Â Toughest workout I ever had.)
I am nominating her not only as an awesome indoor cycling teacher, but also for her volunteer and charity work with kids:
– Youth triathlon volunteer
– Ecvelo club at Cotton century ride and bike post trails race (volunteers with the youth part of mountain bike race)
– “Girls on the Run” program as both a dedicated Coach and Fundraiser requesting donations for kids who could not afford them (athletic cloths and shoes).
David Santiago
Girls on the Run is an incredible program supporting young girls from 3rd to 8th grades.  It provides a safe and interactive way to learn about healthy living which includes an introduction and education on important topics such as goal setting, cooperation, healthy decision making, and self respect, while training for a 5k event.  The innovative curriculum teaches girls to listen and open up while also encouraging them to commit to a healthy lifestyle and harness the inner strength that they possess.  Their important mission is accomplished by giving girls the tools to make positive choices for a healthy body and mind, while reducing the many risks they face today.
Attached is a fairly long and informative video explaining the Girls on the Run Program from the Chicago area. If you have any questions about starting a program in your area, please email them at StartingGOTR@girlsontherun.org.
Listen to my interview with Gloria below.
Long time friend Suzelle Snowden from Fit Bodies, Inc sponsors our Awesome Instructor Award. Suzelle is providing a $500.00 certificate that Gloria and a guest can use toward an All-Inclusive Teaching Vacation at any one of 60 beautiful resorts in the Caribbean  You can learn more about participating in these trips here.
What would it be like to be losing both your vision and hearing?
Can you even imagine how challenging it would be teach?
I just had to know more about Instructor Rebecca Alexander and then share her very inspiring story with you. Rebecca currently teaches at Equinox in New York City and has taught in the past at New York Sports Club, New York Health and Racquet and SoulCycle.
Rebecca has written the book Not Fade Awayabout her challenges with Usher Syndrome III, a disease that is slowly robbing her of both sight and hearing.
It was a delight for me to interview Rebecca – please enjoy our last podcast of 2014!
After listening to Rebecca's story, I encourage your to purchase and read her book using the link below. You can learn more at her website www.rebalexander.com
Also, if your family tithes annually like ours, and you're looking for a place to make a last minute donation, please join Amy and me in contributing to Rebecca's Usher III Initiative. Donation information is here.
When it comes to choosing music for my classes, I like to include several different genres in my playlists. Many that I create include a mix of classic rock, electronic, pop, and occasional country song and sometimes even classical. I always include at least a few current songs in each playlist, so it’s important for me to keep up with the latest songs as they come out each week.
Recently, I created a ride that included many favorite songs that came out in 2013, and since my riders had heard many of them through the year in my classes and of course on the radio, they really enjoyed the ride. You can check my post and playlist here.
Before I created the playlist for that particular class, I put together a separate Spotify playlist featuring all of my favorite cycling songs that dropped in 2013. I came up with forty-three of them, as well as a list of ‘honorable mention’ songs (songs that I used a few times, but wasn’t really crazy about-but some that you might find work just fine for you).
So without further adieu, I give you my top 10 Cycling Songs of 2013:
Counting Stars by One Republic: This song is so upbeat and catchy, that I could use it in every class. It has a great beat and can be used seated or standing, or in combination. Some other great songs from this album that made my top list: What You Wanted and I Lived. This is by far my favorite album that came out this year.
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up) by Fallout Boy: This  one is hands down my favorite of the whole bunch. Perfect for accelerations on the chorus, (or sprints/surges-whatever name you give them). This song’s energy and lyrics are unlike anything else I’ve heard on the radio this year and it will definitely keep your feet pedaling. Also check out The Phoenix and Young Volcanoes from the same album.
Wake Me Up by Avicii: This song is a great mix of electronic, country-fusion. I remember the first time I listened to it thinking that it was different from anything I’d ever heard. Even after hearing it over and over, I’m still hooked. Some other great songs for cycling on this album: Heart Upon My Sleeve,You Make Me and Hey Brother.
Timeless by The Airborne Toxic Event: I’m always searching for songs to use for heavy climbs. The lyrics and the vocals on this song are breathtaking, and as the title suggests, this one is timeless. A close runner up for climbing song of the year goes to Rebel Beat by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Best I Ever Had by Gavin DeGraw: Another one of my favorites for accelerations on the chorus. I really like Gavin DeGraw’s music, and while this is a different sound for him, it works. It’s quirky, catchy and upbeat, and it’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
San Fransisco by The Mowgli’s: .This is one of those songs that sets the tone for your entire class when used as a warm up. It also works well as a fast flat road. Do you feel the love? I feel the love.
Best Day of My Life by American Authors: This song, which you may have heard in a Lowe’s commercial or in the trailer for the movie ‘Delivery Man’, makes a great seated, standing or alternating hill climb. I also love Believer from the same album.
#thatPOWER by will.i.am, Justin Bieber: While this is not a song I would typically listen to in my leisure time, I love a good strong beat that you can just get lost in while you’re pedaling. This one delivers just that.
Jubel by Klingade: This is a recent find and one that I can see using again and again. It’s fresh and unique. I love the sound of the saxophone and the pretty vocals. I alternated between seat work and a standing climb on the beat, but I can see many different ways to ride to this one.
Zorba’s Dance by David Garrett: This may seem like an odd choice to make my top ten, but every time I used this song, my classes LOVED it! It only clocks in at 2:34, but you’ll be tired and sweaty after this one. As the tempo builds, so does your cadence, ending with a 20 second all out sprint to the finish. Trust me. You and your class with love it!
Here’s the playlist that includes these top songs as well as the 33 others that made my list this year:
Honorable Mention: As I stated earlier, these are songs that didn't make my Top List this year.  That’s not to say that you wont find the perfect spot for them in your next playlist:
-Clarity by Zedd
-Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus
-Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
-Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
-Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
-Cups by Anna Kendrick
-Get Lucky by Daft Punk
-Applause by Lady Gaga
-Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake
Care to take a listen?
Did I miss any? Â What were your favorites from 2013?
So whether you use strictly mainstream music for your classes, or you like to mix it up, try adding some of these top songs to your playlists in the coming months. You might just find some keepers in this bunch.
Here’s to a great new year filled with more amazing new music! Happy 2014!
There are great Instructors and then there are those who are IMO really awesome! Not necessarily because of how or where they teach, but how they make a positive impact in lives of others.
Meet ICI/PRO member Michelle Parolini from Allison Park, PA. Michelle quit her day job as a commercial real estate broker to become the CEO | Head Coach & Mentor of Park Journeys, Inc.
Park Journeys, Inc. is a youth development organization which seeks to educate, energize, and empower urban and rural youth through exploration, wellness and civic engagement.
Park Journeys, Inc. is a National youth development organization providing an out of the classroom learning experience for our nation’s rural and urban teens. We do this through a purposefully intense direct experience in one of America’s National Parks.
In addition to the week-long trip to foster learning in geology, wildlife management, and conservation, the 12-16 week Park Journeys program is structured to include outdoor hiking and activity team building, trip preparation, mentoring, and engage their communities through Civic Engagement presentations and exhibitions.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PJI serves youth across the country and has most recently been the recipient of the North Face Explore Fund Grant and the National Park Foundation’s Americas Best Idea Grant.
You can learn more about the fantastic impact Michelle and her team at Park Journeys, Inc are having on disadvantaged kids in this video.
I told long time friend and sponsor Suzelle Snowden from Fit Bodies, Inc about the work Michelle's doing with Park Journeys, Inc. Suzelle's response was to graciously offer a $500.00 certificate that Michelle and a guest can use toward an All-Inclusive Teaching Vacation at any one of 60 beautiful resorts in the Caribbean 🙂 You can learn more about participating in these trips here.
Listen to my interview with Michelle where she shares how rewarding this experience has been for her below or subscribe through iTunes.
 You can learn more about participating in these trips here.
