Becky:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I am a prairie girl from Saskatoon Saskatchewan, and moved to the concrete jungle of Toronto to pursue my 2 passions of fashion and fitness before finding my way to the coast 9 years ago.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I am inspired by the physical challenge, emotional escape and spiritual connection a spin class can provide through music and energy.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I am stoked to be part of the emerging community at Cadence. I look forward to being inspired by everyone who comes to class as I provide an environment for motivation and fun.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend ?
I am all about family and we love to be outside hiking and camping.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I work for lululemon athletica

Jaci:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Minnesota and my job moved me to Calgary in 2004 where I met Scott (now my husband) who grew up in Vancouver. We moved here in 2008 when I got a job with the Olympic Organizing Committee.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
The energy of the class, good music, an elevated heart-rate, and a really good sweat!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
It’s Vancouver’s first and only cycling (spinning)-specific studio. Mike is doing it the right way – great instructors, great staff, and a good community feel.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Ride my road bike, run, hike in the North Shore mountains with my dog, stand-up paddleboard ;swim in the ocean in the summer at the cabin, ski, snow-shoe in the winter, watch hockey night in Canada during the hockey season and Sunday Night Football during the NFL season!

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I grew up in farm-country in the Midwest USA so I like to include one boot-stomping country song in my play list from time to time!

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
Director, People Potential at lululemon athletica

Heather:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Powell River and moved to Vancouver when I graduated from high school to study Biotechnology at BCIT.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
No matter what’s happening in my life, when I’m teaching spinning nothing else matters. I love the energy of the group, the music and getting a great workout without damaging my joints.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
Cadence is the first all spin studio in Vancouver and it’s something that Vancouver really needs. Mike has such a great philosophy when it comes to his studio, clients and trainers it would be impossible not to be excited about teaching here!

Favourite thing to do on the weekend (athletic or non-athletic)?
Road cycling! And kicking back with friends enjoying the simpler things of life.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I used to be chubby, addicted to sugar, asthmatic and lazy.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I’m one of the lucky ones that gets to do fitness for a living. I teach outdoor and indoor bootcamp, and lots of indoor cycling classes. I don’t consider what I do for a living ‘work’ – it’s way too much fun to be called work!

Mindy:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Ohio, lived in Chicago for the last 6 years and movedto Vancouver to work for lululemon

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I love putting a routine to music and seeing the clients reaction to the whole class!! …Gotta love the “we’re not done yet” look as well as that smile they get when a song they love comes on and gives them a little spark to get them thru

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
The whole vibe is awesome…it is a great studio and everyone there is excited and friendly. Makes a hard workout a lot of fun

Favorite thing to do on the weekend?
Being new to Vancouver I recently started hiking…that is my new obsession! I love being out in nature and exploring different areas around this fantastic city while accomplishing a challenge that takes me to the top of a mountain to an amazing view

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
That I LOVE Karaoke! …and I have I have a stage name, Triple L

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I am a MerchandisePlanner at lululemon in the e-comm dept …I LOVE MY JOB

Nicolette:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
Nope, I grew up on the East Coast of South Africa in a little surfing town called Ballito. After finishing school I packed my bags and went to London (UK) for ‘2 years’ – I ended up staying for 12! I absolutely love buzz in London but it’s a far cry from the vast open spaces and fresh air that I grew up with, so after much deliberating (mostly on which clothing stores I was going to miss most!) my husband and I decided that we needed to move somewhere that had that city buzz as well as a healthy outdoors lifestyle. We scouted out a few places but in the end we found this special gem of a city that feels just right!

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
Easy – the energy that I get back from the people in the class and seeing someone really going for it. I also love the combination of music and spinning as both (on their own) create natural highs for me. So when I’m teaching, I’m pretty much having a little disco on my bike without the crazy arm movements.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I love the vibe. It’s personal, intimate and Mike has a genuine invested concern about each and every class and the people that participate – as do I.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
Hmm, when I eat I wriggle my toes – it’s like they have a mind of their own.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
The BIG plan is to eventually own my own Personal Styling business again, which I am currently doing on the weekends , but at the moment I am a Legal Assistant.

Erin:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
No I did not grow up in Vancouver. I was born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba. I moved to Vancouver in 2004 and have been loving Vancity since!

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I like the variety of Spin workouts that can be created by changing just 3 things: Position, Cadence and Tension on the bike. I also love the energy that comes with group fitness. It`s so interesting to work with different groups of people all the time, there is always a new dynamic!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I am excited and honored to be part of Vancouver`s FIRST just Spinning studio as Spinning is my true passion. Already, I have felt like my Spin has been heightened in the beautiful studio, where 45 minutes of pure spin and sweat is accomplished.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
I like to get out on my road bike and also like spending time on the beach in the summer.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I`ve been known to have spontaneous Dance parties.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I teach classes for a living, I am also a certified Personal Trainer, but my main focus is on Group Exercise currently, so I teach Spin, Bootcamp, and Stability Ball classes. I also do Seniors fitness in an assisted living center with participants ranging in age from 55 – 92!

Vicki:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grewup in Toronto and St. Catherines. When I was 18 my dad was working in Vancouver. He loved the west coast so much he decided to the move the family to Vancouver.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I love that spinning offers an amazing cardio and fat burning workout; all with non-impactbenefits. There is an amazing balance between a hard core workout, fun atmosphere and relaxed environment. I also love that spin can accommodate the advanced athlete and the beginner all in the same class. “Just go at your own pace”!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I love being part of a small company that is creating and filling a much needed niche. You can see the passion Mike has brought to Spinning with the slick studio design, awesome sound system and all the small personal touches like clip shoes and mints.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
I am married with two young girls so weekends are all about family for me. We love to ski in the winter and do water sports in the summer.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
You might see me pull out my reading glasses from time to time during class so I can read my class plan. Don’t let those fool you though; you’ll still get a great workout.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I am back teaching spin classes after a brief hiatus. When I’m not spinning, I’m taking care of my family and myself.

Ashley:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in the lovely little community of Horseshoe Bay.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
Spin is freedom and the best way to groove out to music sweating at the same time. During my time in New York City, where I lived and attended musical theatre school for four years, I fell in love with spin . After living in the “big city” I’ve learnt to bring more of myself into my classes by incorporating dance and music. I’m inspired by the people that come to my class and share their free-spirit with me…MIND, BODY and SOUL. My classes are focused through rhythm and dance on the bike with my own unique and diverse style. I enjoy being involved with the class by motivating you and sparking your enthusiasm to conquer your fitness goals. With the atmosphere that I create for you, you will leave my class feeling exhausted, inspired, and fulfilled. I encourage you to come and try my class…You’re guaranteed to sweat and have a good time!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
Im excited to be apart of Vancouver’s first SPIN ONLY studio!! It’s about time!! Coming from New York where spin is a way of life I’m glad were catching up to speed and making spin the center of attention.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
My favorite thing to do on the weekend is go out for a lovely dinner with friends and drink a nice bottle of wine! I also love to go for long bike rides and go hiking.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I just recently bought a beautiful smart car…With rims!

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I work with little kids, running an after school program and teaching baby ballet. I am also an actress.

Brooke:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Ontario just outside of Toronto. I moved to Vancouver with my now husband in the fall of 2005, We both were managing a gym at the time but decided we need a change and packed up a 1995 astro van and drove across the country to settle in North Vancouver. I actually moved back 6 weeks later because the rain was too much!! Then I came back in February of 2006 and moved to Kits and loved it.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I love teaching spinning because I love music! Sounds like a funny reason but nothing is better than getting a great workout to great music. With spinning I can change to Cadence to match the music and I love that!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I am so excited for Cadence because I have been waiting forever for a spin studio and because the bikes are top of the line. I also love working with Mike and Natasha because they are so informative, friendly and great to their participants and staff!

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Reading Fashion blogs, going out dancing with my girlfriends, and relaxing on the couch with my husband and our cat!

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I am completely obsessed with children’s food! Lol, not baby food but goldfish crackers, teddy graham cookies, cheddar bunnies, lucky charms and basically anything little that is crunchy and in the shape of an animal!

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I am a brand manager for a Fashion wholesale distribution company. I work for an amazing company called Skout and I love my job. I work with amazing people who I look up to and respect and learn from everyday which makes going to work easy!

Jana:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Calgary Alberta and moved here about 4 years ago. All my family is there but Vancouver is the place for me!

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I love to have fun with my class and feel their energy as they challenge themselves. We always have a laugh and there are lots of smiles even with the intensity of the workout, which is very important to me. I also love to be creative with the music and I really enjoy playing tunes that are outside the box.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
As soon as I saw the bikes I was hooked! Then I met Mike and Natasha and they sealed the deal with their kind passionate hearts. Cadence is a totally unique studio that offers great equipment, instructors and a different ‘spin’ on the experience.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
love going out to see live music. A lot of my friends are in the music scene so I’m usually out at the shows. Other than that I enjoy running, walking, shopping and spending time with my friends. I’m also taking my Raw Food Chef Certification and am studying Holistic Nutrition. Needless so say I love to cook and create beautiful and nutritious foods!

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I have a sense of humor that I just can’t leave at the door, it follows me into class and am guilty of instigating a laugh or too.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I work as a clinical assistant at a preventive medicine centre doing chelation therapy, immune enhancement and vitamin therapies to name a few. I also am studying Holistic Nutrition and obtaining my Raw Food Chef certification. I love to read and study nutrition so I spend a lot of time taking in information.

Natasha:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up in Cloverdale, just outside of Langley. If it sounds like an old western town, that’s because it was (when I lived there 15 years ago)… Rodeos and all!

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I’ve been really active for most of my life. There was a short period of time that I fell off the fitness wagon, gained some weight and was living a very unhealthy lifestyle… I started participating in group fitness classes about 4 years ago and instantly loved it. I made a lot of changes over the years and teaching inspires me to give back to others, I feel like I can truly relate to everyone, no matter their fitness level. I really love the music and the energy you get from the room, and creating playlists are so much fun!

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
For most of you who have already visited the studio you have probably seen me at the front desk, with our official studio greeter Chewy (the brains of the whole operation). I’m very passionate about cycling and riding my bike outdoors, and that coupled with my love for fitness, teaching spinning was a natural fit for me and has been in my goals for a while. I’m really excited to finally be teaching, I’ve been working with Mike since before the studio opened its doors in July. I love that my days include, cleaning, accounting, teaching, scheduling and hanging out with Chewy and Mike!

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
I love to spend my weekends hanging out and training with my friends, we usually do big rides and long runs on the weekends – this means I also get to indulge a little on my next favourite thing…. Food! I love living in Vancouver, gorgeous seawall’s to run on, mountains to climb on your bike, and big pool’s to swim in! Not to mention the diverse cuisine.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
There are a few things …. If you ask Mike, he will tell you that my love and obsession with folding towels is a little odd, but very amusing. I also really love naps, I think about them often. My boyfriend and I are oddly competitive… we compete over everything. Racing on the bike is a big one; our friends make fun of us, because, without fail, on every ride, at some point we feel compelled to race each other. He’s faster than me, but the dream of beating him one day will never die.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I am the studio manager here at Cadence, and yes, part of what I do for my living is teaching spinning. I feel truly privileged that this is what I do for work. It’s not really work; it’s hanging out at a cool place, seeing awesome people come in and change their lives daily through fitness, and challenging myself to learn and grow from every experience here.

Amanda:

Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I grew up on Vancouver Island in Courtenay. After going to UVIC in Victoria and then travelling to Europe and living in San Francisco for a stint, I moved to Vancouver to get my Master’s Degree in human kinetics at UBC.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
I love the music – it really motivates and informs the ride. And I love how cycling can be so individualized, so beginners and advanced riders can be in the same class. It’s a great opportunity to get more in tune with your body and how to properly challenge yourself.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
The studio feels like a community of people all with the same interest: To get a great workout using indoor cycling bikes. Because the focus at Cadence is indoor cycling, the studio offers everything people need and want for that exercise mode.

Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Watch and encourage my daughter to enjoy being active in her dance classes and swimming lessons.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin?
I am a fitness writer (books and magazines) and social media consultant for the fitness industry. I also frequently present at major fitness conferences.

Megan:


Did you grow up in Vancouver? If not where and how did you get here?
I was born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta. I moved to Vancouver in September 2010.

What do you like the most about teaching spinning?
The energy! The feeling during and at the end of a spin class is amazing. Even if you’re dragging yourself to a class, by the end of it you feel like you can take on the world, or at least the rest of your day. I love being a part of creating that feeling for people. Being able to get a smile or a laugh out of participants during a gruelling hill will never get old either. I also enjoy creating routines to new music. I put a lot of time into finding interesting music so it’s exciting to have the opportunity to be creative with it and be able to share it with the participants.

Why are you excited to teach at Cadence?
I am beyond excited that it is an all spin studio! It is full of people who are just as passionate about spin as I am. I feel that in an environment full of spin enthusiasts we can all share ideas, stories, and learn from each other. OK, and of course I’m stoked on the studio space its self. I mean, it’s a loft. Who doesn’t love a loft?

Favourite thing to do on the weekend (athletic or non-athletic)?
Vancouver is amazing; I have too many favourite activities to list. Coming from the prairies I appreciate all the opportunities to be active outside here. I love running the seawall, hiking in North Van, and walking along the beaches. I also enjoy watching the Canucks. Go Canucks Go! Oh, and wine. It would be a lie to say I didn’t enjoy wine on some weekends.

Something that people would find funny or amusing about you?
I don’t find this amusing but others sure do… my fear of birds. They freak me right out. It can be a bit of a problem in Vancouver sometimes as the pigeons have no problem getting up close and personal and the seagulls are the size of household cats.

What you do for a living when you’re not teaching spin? Or is spinning your living?
I am a full time student in the Human Kinetics program. It keeps me busy but is so interesting. I feel really lucky to be learning new things about the body every day; it gives me a new appreciation for all my body can do.