May 2019

Meet Molly – a Vancouver Instructor who this past Fall transitioned from die-hard front-row Rider to holding down the podium. Molly brings an incredible mix of lightness and intensity to every RIDE – she’s genuine, supportive and approachable, all while pushing you to your limits so you can feel strong, accomplished and super sweaty.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised here in Vancouver…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to leave haha.

Can you remember your first RIDE class? How long did it take until you realized you wanted to become an Instructor?

Oh man, I’ll never forget it. My first class was with Noah and I was a HOT mess! I struggled for sure, but I left with this great feeling of accomplishment. It really didn’t take me long before I knew. RIDE has this really unique vibe. It’s completely different from everywhere else and I wanted in on it haha.

How would you describe your teaching style?

Passionate and Intense. I really try my best to connect with every Rider in the room. I want my Riders to feel like they can let go. I want them to explore their potential. I want them to push past where they have ever pushed before. I want them to feel safe taking risks. I want them to observe and take in every single feeling and emotion without resisting it. I want them to pull out that grit that lives inside all of us. I want them to feel strong.

Best part of being an Instructor is…

Creating a safe and positive space for our Riders.
Being able to build a connection with every person that walks through our studio doors. There is something so rewarding about watching a new face turn into a familiar one.

Track you’ve had on repeat?

Omg how do I even answer this haha

Easy – Son Lux
Push – LICK
United We Dance- Vicetone

AM or PM RIDES?

BOTH

Favourite way to sweat outside of RIDE?

Dance! I’ve been a dancer my entire life so I love a good ballet or contemporary class. Also Julie’s All City 8 Count class is straight FIRE.

How has becoming a RIDE Instructor changed you?

As a dancer, I’ve always had a really strong connection between my body and mind. Teaching at RIDE has only strengthened that. RIDE has given me the opportunity to express myself in a way that I have never been able to before.

Go-to quote or words to live by?

Whatever life gives you, give more back.

Who motivates you?

The entire RIDE team.

My Dad. My Dad is one of my greatest inspirations.

Favourite book?

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog – Bruce D. Perry & Maia Szalavitz
Whiskey in a Teacup – Reese Witherspoon (Huge Reese Witherspoon fan)

What’s your #1 life hack?

Keep your tomatoes out of the fridge and always salt your pasta water.

Where can we find you on a Saturday afternoon in the city?

You’ll find me at the dog beach in kits with my two babies Heidi and Olive. Heidi’s a chocolate lab and Olive’s a cattle dog…not that you asked lol. I’m obsessed with them.

Any hidden or not so hidden talents?

I went to circus school for a year.

If you could brunch with any person (past or present), who would it be and why?

My family. They are the most important people in my life. I would brunch with them every day if I could.

Best memory since you joined RIDE?

This is a tough one because there have been so many. I think my Community RIDE was a pretty magical memory. I’ll never forget how it felt opening the door to the studio for the first time.

#1 piece of advice for someone looking to have a killer RIDE?

Do not be afraid of resistance.
Get out of your own way.

What has you stoked on life right now?

I just recently gained a new niece and nephew so i’m really excited about that!

RIDE with Molly – find her on the Hamilton and Kitsilano Schedule.

Meet Andra – a Toronto Instructor who held down the front row with intense passion before transitioning onto the podium. Andra brings heavy, goosebump-inducing beats to every class, and her natural rhythm and dance moves on and off the bike will get you stoked and cranking that tension. Get to know Andra!

Where did you grow up?

Toronto.

Can you remember your first RIDE class?

My best friend Lily took me to my first RIDE class in Vancouver in 2014. To be honest, it was all kind of a blur; the dark room, the music, the heat. All I can really remember from that first class was the “1,2 – 1,2” and how the instructor said those words. I could barely get the beat and probably looked ridiculous. To this day, I can still hear the “1,2”. Or maybe that’s just me saying “1,2.” “1-2!!!!!…” Say it. It’s addicting.

How long did it take until you realized you wanted to become an Instructor?

I knew it right away. Before my first RIDE Toronto class I had been riding all over the city with a fire under my butt knowing I wanted to teach one day. As soon as I did my first RIDE Toronto class, I knew RIDE was where I wanted to be. It was so unique and so different compared to everywhere else. I instantly felt a connection with the classes, fellow Riders, instructors and the entire community. I knew I wanted to be part of it. Rider -> energy exchange -> Instructor. Hi here I am!

How would you describe your teaching style?

I try to create a space where Riders can let go, be free in that room and remove themselves from real life for 50 minutes by encouraging them to surrender themselves to the journey of the class. I’m passionate in my classes, physically, vocally, emotionally, and I push my Riders to be passionate too, whatever that may look like for them. For the most part, I like to let the music dictate the class…oh and my dance moves.

Best part of being an Instructor is…

Two things.

First: It’s so inspiring to see clients work hard, grow, push their personal limits and boundaries, move to the front row, and double-up, all while smiling, laughing, yelling, and woop-ing throughout the entire process. There is such a unique energy RIDE clients bring to the studio and witnessing that first hand is awesome.

Second: Dani also said it, but pretending to be a DJ for 50 mins spinning heavy hot beats (literally) in that sweaty room with the most amazing people bringing unbelievable energy at ungodly hours of the morning is basically like being a famous world touring DJ…right?!

Track you’ve had on repeat?

WOW. Big Q.

1. Losing It – FISHER (if you know, you know). RIDE vs LOSING IT – who’s in?!

2. We were riding high (rodriguez jr. remix)

3. Super into anything 16BL and Cubicolor right now.

AM or PM RIDES?

AM to RIDE and PM to teach.

Favourite way to sweat outside of RIDE?

Barry’s Bootcamp, runs in Christie Pits park, dance parties in my apartment (but actually dance parties everywhere?).

How has becoming a RIDE Instructor changed you?

RIDE has taught me how to take control and follow my gut. I think it’s easy for a lot of people to go with the flow of how things organically progress in their life. RIDE has proved to me that I am in the driver’s seat and it’s shown me I’m not afraid of that.

Who motivates you?

My dad. He’s the best.

What’s your #1 life hack?

When boiling water in a pot, start by adding roughly 2 inches into the pot and at the same time put on a kettle filled with water. When the kettle is fully boiled, pour the water into the pot. You will have a full pot of boiling water in 3-4 mins, as opposed to 10 mins.

Where can we find you on a Saturday afternoon in the city?

Bopping around the city, grabbing a fresh loaf at Brodflour, chilling in Trinity Bellwoods. If it’s rainy – binge watching mind-numbing reality TV with my roomie.

Any hidden or not so hidden talents?

It’s actually a not-so-hidden almost talent, but I’ve been working on my shuffle.

If you could brunch with any person (past or present), who would it be and why?

My girl Elena Cruz (@ecruz_n) so she could give me some shuffling tips (see question above).

Best memory since you joined RIDE?

It’s too hard to choose a single memory, but I always remember and love whenever I share the podium with someone new for the first time, whether it’s a co-teach or just a podium RIDE. It’s a totally different viewpoint up there – literally and figuratively – so to share that perspective with someone is special. You see another side of them as instructors, but also as people.

#1 piece of advice for someone looking to have a killer RIDE?

Allow yourself to be swept into the journey of the class. It’s pretty magical when you just let go.

What has you stoked on life right now?

SUMMER IN THE CITY.

What does RIDE mean to you?

RIDE means passion; a passion for sweat, music, athleticism, movement, energy, and community. RIDE has been a therapeutic force in my life that has given me a place to let go, forget about real life stresses, and be myself. Oh, and I’ve met some pretty incredible people through it all.

RIDE with Andra – find her on the Ossington Schedule.