WHO: Echelon Community (Prizes available for US ONLY)

WHAT: 4 Week Challenge

WHEN: May 6-31听

WHERE: Official Echelon Community group on Facebook

WHY: Accountability and Goal Setting听

贬翱奥:听

3. Check off Challenge Calendar OR Track your own Daily Movement
4. Post your Challenge Check Ins on听the group with the Challenge Hashtag #SetSweatSucceedChallenge
5. Submit your Echelon Transformation Story to enter to WIN Prizes听

1 GRAND PRIZE winner to be selected to feature their story on the Echelon blog, social and website!

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Question 1: How long have you been an Echelon member and what equipment do you have?

I purchased my Echelon bike back in 2020, right as Covid first started to come about. Being able to work out in my home while I was stuck inside was a welcome to my routine and I was excited to have a way to cross train with my running goals to help make myself stronger.

(My bike journey was difficult. I got an EX-4 from Costco that broke down after a few months of use. It was replaced to break down again. Then, it took me a year to get a new bike which is now a 5? This one has been working out great for me and I love it.)

Question 2: What is your favorite part of the Echelon Community and why?

There is something to be said for the Echelon Community. Anyone that I have talked to about Echelon and purchased bikes or such and or are part of the Echelon Community are a different group of people. Echelon users are more down to earth, enjoy bringing people up and offering encouragement. I absolutely love the trainers/instructors as they come across as being one of us. I have taken a few Peloton classes to see the difference and compare them and I honestly do not get the same feeling that I do with Echelon. I enjoy the smaller classes and formats. I have a few instructors that I really like and take their classes often. I feel like I can be me and do what I need to do to work out and use the class offering to fit my needs and training and there is always something there鈥�. Though I do have some class offerings that I miss and would like to see more of as in the last year the ones that I used regularly seem to have disappeared altogether.

Question 3: What keeps you coming back to Echelon and your equipment and the community?

After 10 years of working out, I have learned a lot about how the best way to get the most out of my workouts and to avoid injury as well as providing a lasting ability to being able to keep moving as I get older. Echelon offers me cross training in an environment of my choosing so that I am comfortable and enjoy the experience. It offers me different options on FitPass and cycling so that I can grow strong and continue to be healthy. The price is affordable for my situation and the ability to do the classes when I have time to work out is extremely beneficial. I take advantage of my gym at work to do the strength classes with the weights and my iPad and when having a tough day, a yoga class to ease the stress at work. At home, I cycle, take bootcamp, core and stretch classes to round out my days and or workouts. I like the variety, the instructors and ease of being able to port my classes with me wherever I go鈥� even when I travel!

Question 4: HOW has/will Echelon help you prepare/train for your runDisney race? What upcoming races are you participating in?

I love this question as anyone that knows me knows I can talk about Disney all day and being able to combine two of my favorite things is fantastic!! Hopefully I keep this, relatively, short.

runDisney is the main reason I got involved with Echelon to begin with. When I first started to run, I did an app, C25K. At the end of it I had a 5K scheduled, well a 4 mile race as it was local and my town has a pretty scenic route that runs around a lake. When I completed it, the spark took to my soul and started me on my journey. I am always one to push myself, find new goals to work to and ways to achieve them. I decided I wanted to run at least one race of every mileage. 5K, 10K, half and full. Then there are the little ones of a 15K and such. I wanted to be one of those hated car drivers that have those terrible ovals on the back of their car marking their running journey. I know my body and how difficult marathon distance is and only wanted to do one marathon. I learned, about this time, about Disney races. I could not be more excited. At the time I even worked in a Disney Store as a cast member and never knew of this amazing thing where I could combine two things I was passionate about. I set out to save my money to be able to run my one and only marathon in Disney World. How cool is that? To go to the one place where no matter what was going on in the world, I was happy, and it was all magical and amazing and run a race that allowed me to touch all the places within that land of magic. I finally got to the point where I could afford to go and run in Disney and reached out to a few Disney running groups on Facebook and fell well into one that was supportive and filled with amazing people. I learned all about the process and in 2019 I decided to sign up for the 2020 marathon. Since, I was going to be at Disney, I decided to do the Dopiest thing ever and go for the Dopey Challenge. All four races in four days. Crazy! Why not? I have completed a half and several 15K, 10K, and 5K鈥檚 now. I could train and do this. I thankfully got in and was able to sign up and my six-month training started. When running 48.6 miles in 4 days and all the miles training, you really need to be at the top of your game. You cannot only run 3-4 times a week. The body needs strength in other places, and I learned this along this way. Core, legs, arms and breathing are all very important to running. I started to read, talk to my running group community and learned the value of cross training. While many of these things I learned when training for the 2020 Marathon weekend at Disney, only weeks before the world shut down, I applied many of these techniques after the fact and use them today. So far to date, I have been lucky enough to run in Two Dopey鈥檚, 2020 and 2022 (the last one before Covid and the first one after Covid) Princess Weekend in 2022, Wine and Dine is 2022, as I wanted to run all the races in one year, and Springtime Surprise in 2023. When Disneyland opened up their races again, I jumped in to do the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge in 2024 and now talking to my Canadian friend about doing the Halloween Bash weekend in September 2024, but the signups are not until February for that.

I make these elaborate excel spreadsheets. I put on them what I need to do in a week and check them off. When I signed up to run Dopey in 2020 I started to try out Jeff Galloway鈥檚 (also a large runDisney supporter) way of running which involves walking and running in intervals. This reduces injury, which I have had a few scares with as I am bull legged and nobody thought I could run let alone run for as long as I have and makes running much easier. Learning to run this way was difficult but I would not run any other way now. I want to be 80 and still running, no matter how slow that may be. With his training there is two maintenance runs a week followed by a long run or two, depending on the race or challenge, on the weekends. I supplement one of the maintenance runs for an Echelon cycling class as the goal is keeping the heart rate up for x number of minutes and the cycling class reduces additional stress on my calf鈥檚. I do one 30-minute strength class with weights from FitPass a week along with Dani鈥檚 intervals and arms 30 min class on Wednesdays. I try to do 2-3 10 min core classes from Fitpass a week and take Jama鈥檚 60 min endurance cycling class on Saturday mornings with my long runs on Sundays. Below is my current workout routine for the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge. This will be the 5K, 10K and Half. I know rD does their 5K separate from the challenge but if I am at Disney, I am running everything I can.

I do listen to my body, and sometimes the weather is not helping me with my workouts, or I am truly too tired to get up, but I try to get in my three bikes a week along with my two to three runs and my strength and core classes. If I am not running, I am using a class from Echelon to help me be the best I can be. Oh, and for good measure, I have two Siberian Huskies (aka Husky Momma name) and I also walk them 4-6 miles a day on top of my training. They sit with me while I take my cycling classes and they watch for me when I run. They are my cheering squad through all of my workout journeys.

(green highlighted is workouts already done and orange is planned workouts leading up to the Dumbo weekend in Disneyland. Training schedule for running portion is taken from rD鈥檚 website with Jeff Galloway鈥檚 weekly run routine layout. I sub in cross training with Echelon and the runs to work with my schedule. Days of rest is usually a 10 min core class only, so I do not note that)

Question 5: What keeps you motivated to stay active?

When I first started my exercise journey it was very difficult. I know this sounds corny, but I kept having to tell myself to 鈥淛ust do it鈥�. In 2013 I was a single mother, with no outside support, of three kids ages 5, 8, and 10. I had to find a way to get moving. I desired to lose weight (once a size 14 and weighed in at 175lbs) and get back to myself. I could not walk up a flight of stairs without feeling winded and my knees screaming in pain to me. I woke up early, 4am early, to start my running journey. My friends who ran were skinny so I thought I could try it. I hated it. I had to prepare the day before and when my alarm went off, I had to not think, get up, and go, 鈥淛ust do it鈥�. I always felt better after and that is what I focused on. Six months into running I became addicted to it and the time of waking up so early. Fast forward to now, I still get up before the sun. I run under the night sky and the stars shining down on me in the still of the morning with the foxes, skunks and deer running past me. I always try to find a goal to work on. Having a reward of sorts to work towards makes getting motivated a lot easier. I still work out according to my schedule and what I am training for and no longer need to force myself to go. I do have my mornings sometimes, but it is not a struggle as it use to be.

Long story short, having a goal and routine always helps get me though my days. Then again, at this point, after 10 years, if I am not doing some sort of working out everyday my body screams at me with all the energy pulsing through me and I have to do something to get it out.

Question 6: What advice do you have for someone who is new to Echelon or working out?

For those whom are new to Echelon, do not be nervous or afraid to try. Make a schedule, create a goal and get on the bike and go. Your butt will hurt but after about two weeks you will get use to it. Try live classes as they are fun, and nobody is watching you. Try different instructors as there will be ones you like and ones you do not. Try Everything. Keep getting up and going on the bike, stretch and do yoga with FitPass, lift a few weights no matter how small they are. (I started out with 2 lbs and now up to 15-20 depending on the workout). Be the best version you can be as getting up and trying will only make you stronger. Do not let yourself talk you out of doing a class. You will never regret the workout, but you will regret not doing it. You are worth it, jump in, have fun and watch the best version of you come out because of it.

I'd been given an ambassador athlete bib by IRONMAN to attend this triathlon, as a female age group triathlete and one that has a neurological condition in the form of epilepsy. As you can imagine, not only would this be a hard day out for anyone, but doing it whilst juggling this condition was really going to test me.

I'd not got really into fitness until after my later-life diagnosis in 2012, before that I didn't really do very much apart from the occasional aerobics class. I began by taking part in a triathlon to raise money for an epilepsy charity, and it is safe to say I was hooked ever since. Triathlon for me brings almost a mindful meditation, because nothing else can enter my head, other than what I'm doing in the present.

In the run up to the event I'd been training both indoors and outdoors, when I'd have seizures, I'd turn to indoor training on my Echelon Connect or Stride, to help me achieve my training in a safer environment. It was always hard to find balance with completing workouts but having plenty of rest and recovery too.

Before I knew it, race day had arrived. I was about to do the hardest thing I've ever done, swim 2.4 miles in the sea, ride 112 miles in the heat and wind and run 26.2 miles along to the famous Energy Lab and back. I was determined and my ultimate goal was to simply cross that finish line. Time didn't matter because I had no frame of reference, it was about completing not competing.

The thing about any race we train for we can never predict race day. That could be anything from change in weather and the conditions, but also things that might pop up along the way. My day became a problem solving exercise because I'd had some big issue along the way. I had two flat tires and my brake went. I could have given up (especially after the second flat), or I could try to push on and do the best I could. I changed my first inner tube, got going but then it went again. You know that sinking feeling we get sometimes? That happened then! I'm sure you can imagine how I was feeling, but it was here I realised my brake had completely gone as well and you definitely need a working brake! Was I going to have to pull out the race, I thought.

Luckily bike support came along to help me, but I'd lost over 30 minutes, so I was playing chase the clock to ensure I got to the various cut off times and get back, so I had plenty of time for the marathon. Thankfully with some hard riding, I managed to make the cut off and was on to the run, but because I'd been holding on harder to the side where the brake was working, I'd lost feeling in my hand and it had swollen, so you can probably imagine trying to tie my trainers up was proving difficult!

Regardless, I was through and on the run, I was going to do this I thought. Keeping this run extremely steady and completely ignoring my original faster pace I'd planned for, simply because I didn't want to run hard and blow my chances of a finish line altogether. This is when I always say you need to smile, hi-5 and thank people, and it made my run better but also my race experience even better.

I could hear the echoes of the YMCA along the Alii Drive, it was the finish line. There were loads of finishers walking the opposite direction as I was running in, but I didn't care, I'd had my own race battle and I was still getting this done despite all of it. That finish line was incredible, the atmosphere was electric, hi-5's, waves, cheers. I couldn't believe it. I'd done it. I'd completed the IRONMAN World Championships and even better, absolutely no epilepsy issues, just those other hurdles I had to over come.

As I sit and write this post and after this incredible journey I've been on, I need to say a few things to those on their own fitness journey or about to do a race. It's not just about being physically fit, we often need mental resilience, granted, we don't need it always, but when things feel hard, or you don't think you can push through, you need that emergency cord. We all have that strength to push on inside us, we just need to bring it to life sometimes. You know you can do it, you want to do it and because of that mindset, you will do it.

A huge thank you to the incredible support of the Echelon team who have supported me on this once in a lifetime journey.

We are asking you to 鈥�Pink Up the Pace鈥� each week by committing to 150 minutes of exercise. Whether you are up for a one (150 minutes), two (300 minutes), three (450 minutes) or four (600 minutes) week challenge, we want to encourage you to Pink Up YOUR Pace during October.

For each week you complete, you will earn an exclusive badge to share your accomplishment with friends, family and other members.

Week 1 complete 鈥� Bronze level
Week 2 complete 鈥� Silver level
Week 3 complete 鈥� Gold level
Week 4 complete 鈥� Diamond level

Sign up now and create your own personal fundraising page and aim to raise $1 for each minute you complete. Share your page with your family and friends to help you reach your own personal fundraising goal. You can customize your page with a message, a personal story, impact or other. We want to encourage you to decorate your page with inspirational photos, achievement badges, whatever motivates and showcases you.

Why 150 minutes?听

Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk, so it鈥檚 important to get regular physical activity. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week. Getting to or exceeding the upper limit of 300 minutes is ideal.

FAQs

How do I participate?听

Step 1:听, personalize, set your fundraising goal and share your fundraising page.
Step 2:听Complete听150 minutes of exercise each week and earn badges.
Step 3:听听your exercise milestones weekly and听collect听your weekly badges.

Click听听for step by step instructions to register.

What exercises count?

ANY! Choose your favorite activity to reach your goals: running, biking, rowing, yoga, paddle boarding, pickleball 鈥� the options are endless!听 You can use Connected equipment or just go outside. All you need to do is mix and match those minutes until you hit 150 for the week.

In need of some inspiration? Check out the Pink Up the Pace challenge icon on the Echelon Fit app.听 We have 600 minutes worth of content for each of our pieces of equipment and Fitpass to help you hit your goal.

How听do I log听my minutes?

A survey will be sent to your email from our research partner AdventHealth at the end of each week where you can log your challenge minutes that you manually recorded (or can find in the Echelon app) to claim your badge AND be entered for tons of prizes.听 If you miss a week, don鈥檛 fret!听 Your page will still be active and you can jump back in the following week.

I'm not an Echelon member, can I still participate?听

Yes!听Participants of Pink Up the Pace are being offered a complimentary 30-day FitPass trial by Echelon, granting access to a vast array of classes that can help boost your workout regimen and inspire new experiences. By completing any of the workouts offered through FitPass, you can easily log your minutes in the Progress tab of the app, streamlining the tracking of your challenge. Take advantage of this offer and begin your free trial on 10/1 by clicking听.

What are the badges for?

Pride of course!听 Use your badge to decorate your fundraising page, post on social media, and even update your photo on the in-app leaderboard.听 These are our little way of saying great job for Pinking Up YOUR Pace.听听

Did you say prizes?

We did!听 Each week we will be awarding random participants prizes. Once the challenge is over, to the participant who raised the most fundraising dollars, that individual will receive three pieces of Echelon equipment!!听 More details coming soon!

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How did you hear about Echelon? What got you started?听

I听heard about Echelon in a round about way. It was 2019, and I had just been told I needed total knee replacement due to my right knee being bone on bone, with several bone spurs under the knee cap and the knee tracking to the right. I was also 220 pounds. I was told if I didn鈥檛 want surgery, I could try to ride a bike and make my quad stronger to pull my knee into the right spot. A bunch of my friends had [a stationary bike] and I tried one out. I had taken one spin class in my life and hated it, but I liked the [stationary bike]. I did not like the price tag. I researched and found Echelon. A few hours after I tried the [other stationary bike brand], I went to a home gym equipment store, saw the ex-5s, and in the span of a few moments, had plunked $1,500 down on what everyone thought would become an expensive clothes rack. The bike arrived December 18, 2019.听 I took my first class December 19th. The rest is history.

Why did you stay with Echelon? What makes Echelon different from other programs/companies/communities?

I stayed with Echelon and stuck with a consistent routine because of the community. 100% the instructors and folks I met on the social media page are the only reason I stayed. The equipment and class offerings on their own would never have been enough to keep me engaged and accountable. Covid hit a few months after I bought the bike, and by then I had made a sizable group of contacts with other home riders. It was so amazing to have these people I had never met before jumping on Zooms and getting to know each other during lockdown. It was great for the social isolation and also for my sanity, since I am a nurse and got to experience Covid in a way most thankfully did not.

Also, I connected with the instructors very quickly. The Miami studio did not exist when I joined, so it was the Chattanooga folks. I remember messaging some of them when I first joined and being star struck and stunned when they replied. Then, I came up to the studio in February 2020 and got to take live rides and meet everyone. I met Megan Hanewald, Amber Harper and Nicole Griffin within the span of an hour. I was worried I would feel judged or not enough for being so out of shape, but that couldn鈥檛 have been further from what happened. I met almost every Chattanooga instructor on that first visit, and soon the instructors were reaching out to see when I was coming back. My friends who rode [a different stationary bike] didn鈥檛 have that experience. They couldn鈥檛 talk to their instructors. They didn鈥檛 have actual friends they had made from the community. It was such a unique community.

Echelon is different because of its community. Not the products. Not the programming. The community. Without the community, I am confident I would not still be active with it.

How did Echelon impact your life? Any significant changes to your life?听

Oh where to start with this one鈥�.When I got the bike, I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life. I was in a crumbling marriage that had been an ambivalent roommate situation longer than it had been a marriage. I was miserable, depressed and felt like I had no way out. Echelon gave me an escape. It also gave me a community of people who made me genuinely feel like I could succeed and that I had more to experience in life than my current situation. If Covid wasn鈥檛 bad enough, try doing social isolation with someone you have wanted to divorce for years, who now works where you work. 0 of 5 stars. Do not recommend.

The instructors (Eden, Megan, Amy and Brian) were letting me come up and crash with them in their homes (negative covid test provided, of course). Over this time that I was escaping to Chattanooga, I was taking multiple bike classes a day. There was no rower, stride, reflect and fitpass did not have all the offerings it currently does. I was starting to lose weight. It was the first time in my life I had ever stuck with a workout program longer than a few weeks. I felt empowered. On my second visit to Chatt, Janet Adams point blank looked at me and said, 鈥淟et me know when you are ready to move here. I know a bunch of people in the hospitals around here and we can get you a job.鈥� I thought she was nuts. I had a job and spouse in Atlanta. I was not moving to Chattanooga. Plus, she had just met me. Why would she put her neck out to get me a job? I kept coming up to Chattanooga and soon found myself getting upset when I had to go back to Atlanta at the end of the weekend.

Finally, in May 2020, I got up the courage to file for divorce. The community of riders and instructors were there for me in ways I can鈥檛 even describe. From listening to me on phone calls to taking up a collection so I could finish redoing my kitchen so I could sell my condo鈥t was unexpected. A few weeks after I filed for divorce, I lost my job due to Covid budget cuts. I texted former instructor Megan Hanewald that I had just lost my job. Before I could blink, she had called me and invited me up for the weekend. I realized Chattanooga was the place where the next chapter of my story was going to start.

I moved to Chatt in August 2020. I was in close to the best shape of my life and firmly embedded in one of the most supportive communities I had ever experienced. By October 2020, Eden had convinced me to give the world of triathlon a try (which I had sworn I would never do), and I signed up for a Half Ironman. So many of the instructors helped to shape my training program off the bike (Marsha, Megan, Amber, Eden).

While I was training for my first Half Ironman that was going to take place in Des Moines, Iowa in June 2021, I connected with a home rider from Los Angeles named Daniel. We had commented on each other鈥檚 posts before, and he was coming to Chattanooga to visit. Several home riders told him to reach out to me to get planning tips since I had become the unofficial Chattanooga Echelon tour guide. We started chatting on the Facebook page, which led to messaging about his trip. Long story short, I asked him if he wouldn鈥檛 mind chatting with me in real life on the phone while I was trying to drive a long distance after a 12 hour shift. Since he was on the West Coast, it made more sense to ask him than a friend who would be asleep on East Coast time. What should have been a 30 minute conversation lasted 4 hours鈥nd hasn鈥檛 really stopped since then. We got engaged in September 2022 and I moved听in June to Los Angeles.

From a fitness perspective, I have completed a handful of 70.3 Half Ironman races, which is something I would have never been able to say without having the influence of this community. I truly do not know where I would be without the Echelon community, but I know it wouldn鈥檛 be somewhere as positive and uplifting as I am now.

So, by joining and sticking with the community, I have:

• 听 听 听 Gained real friends in the community, both riders and instructors
• 听 听 听 Been able to get in the best shape of my life and learn how to exercise/train across several modalities.
• 听 听 听 Gain the confidence to get out of a bad relationship and take the risk to move to a new place
• 听 听 听 Found my fianc茅
• 听 听 听 Joined the world of triathlon
• 听 听 听 Wrote a book about all of the above, with a focus on the last part

What would you say to someone new in the Echelon community?听

Welcome! You have found the most supportive, inspiring place you can be. The leaderboard place doesn鈥檛 matter. What matters is showing up for yourself consistently. Find accountability buddies and get involved in the community through social media. The more you are involved, the more amazing this community becomes. I have made many friends and been lucky enough to meet dozens, maybe more, home riders from all over the world in person. Show up even when you do not feel like it, because you will never听regret the workout, even if you need to make it a recovery effort versus an all out effort.

Anything else you want to share?听

I was inspired to write a book about my journey from completely out of shape to a complete triathlon rookie trying to get herself to a place to complete a 70.3 mile race. Since I would not have even considered doing a triathlon without the results I saw with Echelon and the good/bad influence of Eden getting me to sign up, I can safely say I blame Echelon for this book existing. It was a blast to write. I hope it can serve as inspiration for someone to know they can do hard things, and that they can do things that seem impossible at this moment. It is called 鈥淕ood Luck on Your Marathon: My Journey from Excellent Couch Potato to Average Triathlete,鈥� and is available in paperback and e-book everywhere books are sold. If you live outside of the US, I would recommend the e-book as the physical book takes awhile to ship.

If you see La La on the leaderboard or in our Official Echelon Community on Facebook be sure to reach out and say hi! Big thanks to Laura for sharing her story with us!听

Instructor:听听Marc Penna

Language:听English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass, Row, Stride听

Studio:听Miami

Instagram:听 @marc.echelonfit

Meet听Marc

Marc听spends听his days with his miniature yet big-hearted companion, the five-pound Papillon, Eevee. When it comes to music, Marc loves Pop as it represents a light-hearted, nostalgic vibe that makes him feel cheerful. His mantra for life is "These quads are on fire," to the tune of Alicia Keys; a reminder of the need to take both tough love and motivation into account. His motto is to always work towards improving oneself and empower oneself in the process, with a little bit of sweat and humor!

Marc's primary attribute is determination, accompanied by copious amounts of sweat and a dash of humor. Watching other people do what he has difficulty doing encourages him to constantly strive for higher levels of performance.

Marc's Fitness Journey

Marc wanted to make fitness easier and more enjoyable for anyone who's working on staying in shape. After years of face-to-face group training, he sought to reach and interact with people all over the world. His own personal greatest achievement was putting on 8 lbs of muscle on an entirely vegan diet in only three months. On the professional front, his proudest moments come when one of his members accomplishes something to be proud of!

Marc鈥檚 Advice for New Members

"It can be scary and confusing to start, but the industry is filled with positive people that are always happy to help. Don't be afraid to ask questions!"

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Instructor:听听Alexis Contreras

Language:听English and Spanish听

Teaches On:听听Connect Bike听

Studio:听Miami

Instagram:听听@Itsalexisnow听

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Meet Alexis

"Don't stop, get it get it"

Alexis is our newest instructor teaching in both English and Spanish!听

Get ready for high-energy, humor and silliness in her class. Alexis likes to combine a tough love teaching style (there's no excuse or time to waste here)听with making you laugh. She encourages members to do their absolute best and is thankful to be a part of their day.听

When Alexis isn't inspiring members in front of the camera, she is growing her Real Estate business and relaxing at home with her Quaker parrot, Richey Bird and her two cats, Cali and Sophie.听

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Alexis鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Her听own fitness journey and goals led Alexis听not only to physical strength but mental strength as well. This taught听her the importance of mind and body connection thru physical exercise which greatly inspired听her to become a fitness professional. Wanting to share听her knowledge and providing guidance, support and motivation during a persons fitness journey is a huge motivator and it is what makes every class Alexis teaches feel purely amazing! Alexis' proudest moment has been teaching at fitness events and being able to connect to hundreds of people through her craft.听

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What Brought Alexis to Echelon

Alexis was attracted to Echelon's energy and support that the platform provides to members in achieving fitness goals and an overall sense of connection through wellness and a positive atmosphere where no matter who you are where you are in the world, we are in it together!听听

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Alexis鈥檚 Advice for New Members

"Be consistent and patient. Your goals won't happen overnight, trust the process and have FUN with it."听听

You all are beautiful and amazing and make me so proud!

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New to Echelon? You can join听Alexis on the Connect Bike. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier听members in the Miami听studio听and on the Echelon Fit庐听app.

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1. How did you get started with fitness?

I just love moving my body and I couldn't think of anything else to do with other people. I enjoy showing them how to work out and how fitness truly enriches our lives and makes things better.听

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2. Who do you personally follow on social media?

I follow the Rock, I think he is a great motivator and his energy overall is really great.听

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3. What is your least favorite body part to train? How do you make it more fun?

I hate training my calves, they're very small and I'm not going to show them! Ha!听

The way I make it more fun is I add them in right after some kind of heavy leg movement. Whether it be post quads or hamstrings.

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4. Why do you like teaching?听

I like to educate people. Also, my mother was an influence on me. She was someone who always wanted to help others. She was in the medical field, and she started her career in medicine not just to treat, but to help make people feel better.听

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5. What is one goal you have for yourself and hope to accomplish?听

It has always been a goal of mine to pursue another degree, after finishing my Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Corporate Wellness and Human Performance.听

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Markus P眉tz

Language: German

Teaches On:听Row

Studio:听听

Instagram:听

Meet Markus

Markus started rowing at the age of 14 and competed for 10 years 鈥� on the German national rowing team for six of them. He has won two silver medals and one gold at the World Championships. He听brings his competitive spirit and positive energy to every Echelon class. He believes competition is a huge part of fitness and enjoys setting clear goals that help keep him and others around him motivated.听If you鈥檙e looking for a 鈥渢ough love鈥� instructor who will challenge and inspire you to reach your health goals, try a rowing class with Markus on the Echelon Fit app.听

Markus鈥檚 Fitness Journey

After several years of burnout,听Markus rediscovered his love of fitness in 2018 competing in running and Hyrox competitions.听He听still finds time to row on the water now and then, too.听After dedicating his life to sports, earning various championship awards, training for years, and successfully completing a marathon, Markus began searching for what鈥檚 next 鈥� which happened to be a career with Echelon.听

What Brought Markus to Echelon听

The opportunity to join the Echelon team as a rowing instructor fell into his lap by chance, and so far, Markus loves it. 鈥淚 enjoy working with the other instructors and leading classes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to teach and motivate Echelon members around the world.鈥�

Advice for New Members

Markus encourages the Echelon community to remember that only YOU rule your body. 鈥淎lways push for your best,鈥� Markus says. We agree that鈥檚 great advice, during workouts and beyond!听

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New to Echelon? You can join Markus on the听Row. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Ashanti 鈥淩aketi鈥� H盲ckel

Language: German

Teaches On:听Connect Bike

Studio:

Instagram:听

Meet Ashanti

As a busy Mom of two, Echelon instructor Ashanti, better known by her nickname 鈥淩aketi鈥� meaning 鈥淩ocket鈥�, knows firsthand the balance of being a dedicated mother while also prioritizing time in her day to stay healthy and active. She loves to teach freestyle classes with loud, motivating music which is what inspires her to push through every workout.听Ashanti is known for her big smile and sense of humor. Join her cycling classes if you love lots of听energy and need extra motivation to reach听your听goals.

Ashanti鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Ashanti was born in Germany and grew up in an athletic family. Her dad is a racer, and her uncle is a professional table tennis player for 15 years and counting. Ashanti wanted to follow in their footsteps. She studied diet and nutritional science, became a fitness instructor, serves as a master trainer for jumping, and participates in various marathons and indoor cycling events. Fitness has connected Ashanti to people all over Europe, and she enjoys inspiring healthy change in the lives of others.

What Brought Ashanti to Echelon

The global community and supportive team in Hamburg, Germany initially attracted Ashanti to become a part of the Echelon family. Not to mention, she loves cycling and jumped at the chance to teach people all around the world how to enjoy her passion. Ashanti enjoys the challenge of motivating people through a camera and likes being able to see her classes saved in the app. After every class, Ashanti watches her instruction back to identify ways she can improve her classes for the future.

Ashanti's Favorite Echelon Memory

Her 100th ride was a huge milestone听she听will never forget!

Ashanti鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Ashanti encourages Echelon members to be patient and stay consistent. Results won't happen over night, but more than that, she says fitness is all about feeling good in your own skin, feeling strong, and being healthy.

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New to Echelon? You can join Ashanti on the听Connect Bike. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Coumba Baradji

Language: French

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Stride

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Coumba听

If you鈥檙e looking for energy and fun, Coumba鈥檚 classes are for you! This triathlon trainer loves to motivate and encourage her students to push themselves. Her proudest accomplishments are when people go beyond their abilities. She is frequently telling her students to 鈥淏e strong, be brave 鈥� giving up is not an option.鈥�

Coumba鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Coumba has not always worked as a fitness instructor. Before joining the Echelon community, she was a flight attendant, a personal assistant, and worked in an actor studio! After deciding to use her passion for sports and teaching, she worked to receive a fitness instructor certificate (BPJEPS AF).听

What Brought Coumba to Echelon

Coumba joined Echelon because she enjoys the live classes and fun energy. She finds being a member of the Echelon Community s rewarding because of the great opportunities to push herself and excel in a fun way.听

Coumba鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Coumba advises new members to go step by step and gradually move forward! 鈥淪et yourself SMART goals to be always motivated.鈥� A SMART goal is Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound.听

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New to Echelon? You can join Coumba on the听Connect Bike,听Stride, and听FitPass. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Myl猫ne Soille

Language: French

Teaches On:听FitPass,听Reflect

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Myl猫ne

You鈥檒l notice Myl猫ne鈥檚 sunny disposition in her classes by the music she plays and her kindness and benevolence towards her students. She encourages students to BREATHE and take pleasure in their progress. When Myl猫ne isn鈥檛 teaching classes, she enjoys shopping and watching Netflix shows with her two cats, Aka茂 and Papaye.听

Myl猫ne鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Myl猫ne鈥檚 passion for fitness started as a child. She enjoyed the activity and social aspect that sports brought to her life and has continued to have it as a focus in her adult life. She converted her love for fitness into a professional certificate (Licence Professionnelle STAPS).

What Brought Myl猫ne to Echelon听

Myl猫ne joined the Echelon community to share her passion for fitness with the whole world. She believes that everyone should have access to sports, no matter what country they live in, what language they speak, and what time they work. Working out together is what attracted her to Echelon.听
听

Myl猫ne鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Myl猫ne wants to remind new members to 鈥渢ake your time and listen to your body. Be proud of you!鈥� She encourages members to smile and be in a good mood; it will make their time together more efficient and fun!听

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New to Echelon? You can join Myl猫ne on the听Reflect and听FitPass. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Manny Lopez

Language: Spanish, English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Manny

Manny is the instructor that will make you laugh, sing, and dance while pushing you to your limits. Originally from Ecuador, he brings an infectious energy, a life-long love of athletics, and over ten years of group fitness experience to every class. Manny loves to teach to EDM because the beat and richness of the tunes inspire and energize his workout journey. Manny takes pride in helping others meet their personal goals and to do better each day.听

In addition to his role as a fitness instructor, Manny is a small business owner at Paulmann Hats. On his rest day, you can find him with his family 鈥� including seven year old twins and an 80 lb rescue pup named Oreo.

Manny鈥檚 Fitness Journey

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Manny鈥檚 love for fitness has been part of his life since he was a little kid. It started early with soccer, track and basketball in school moving on to biking and triathlons later in life. Now a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Manny enjoys merging his love of music with his passion for sports to create the best possible experience to promote health for class participants.听听

What Brought Manny to Echelon听

For Manny, it was the format and energy of Echelon that drew him in as well as the global audience. Teaching in Spanish also provides him with the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic community and his Ecuadorian roots.

Manny鈥檚 Advice for New Members

If you鈥檙e new to fitness, Manny recommends setting goals that will help you succeed long term. Focus on tackling your goal one step at a time and watch for continual improvement. He emphasizes that enjoying the process is key or you are likely to give up. So he suggests, 鈥淭ake every day as a new beginning, so take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and start again.鈥�

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New to Echelon? You can join Manny听 on the听Connect Bike. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: 脰zhan G眉rel

Language: German, Turkish

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Reflect听

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet 脰zhan

脰zhan is a disciplined instructor who loves to push members beyond their limits. He played professional basketball and later served as a basketball coach for several years. 脰zhan uses the skills he learned from high-performance sports to help drive all of his classes. In addition to being a full-time instructor, 脰zhan works as a social studies teacher.听

脰zhan鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Fitness has always been a part of 脰zhan鈥檚 career. He played professional basketball in Turkey for 16 years before his career brought him to Germany. He then began coaching basketball and pursuing education in athletics. He later discovered a love for cycling 鈥� especially the 鈥減owerful鈥� formats like tabata or hills with lots of resistance that force you to leave your comfort zone. He often pairs dance and 鈥渆lectro鈥� music with hills to keep members moving!

What Brought 脰zhan to Echelon听

脰zhan was excited to join Echelon because of our international memberbase. One of his favorite things is seeing multiple countries, and timezones, represented on the Leaderboard. It may be an afternoon class in Germany, but for some in Canada they are just starting their day!

He believes that every class he gets to lead is a career highlight but especially loves the chance to lead dual rides with fellow instructor Florian. Flo鈥檚 hyperactive personality and 脰zhan鈥檚 calm nature mesh well together and members seem to enjoy how they balance each other out. Florian affectionately calls 脰zhan 鈥渙ld man鈥� and Ozhan calls him 鈥渢he young rocket.鈥�

脰zhan鈥檚 Advice for New Members

脰zhan is no stranger to the challenges in fitness but will always encourage new members to push their limits and to get out of their comfort zone. But above all else 鈥� be yourself!

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New to Echelon? You can join 脰zhan on the听Connect Bike,听FitPass, and听Reflect. His classes are available on-demand and live from the听 studio for听Echelon Premier members and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Jaime Wilbanks

Language: English

Teaches On:听FitPass,听Reflect,听Row,听Stride

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Jaime

Driven and determined, you鈥檒l find Jaime at her most energetic during the morning. She will challenge you to give it all you鈥檝e got during her classes. She鈥檚 powered by her own drive and determination in all facets of her life, which shines through during her classes. You鈥檒l hear her blasting out rock music to help her power through her fitness routines.听 In her downtime, she enjoys playing soccer or basketball with her family and chasing around her 3 Labs: Stella, Millie, and Boobalaba.

Jaime鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Jaime鈥檚 journey to fitness began during her while fighting through infertility and going through several rounds of IVF, leading her to realize that she wasn鈥檛 presenting the best version of herself. So, she decided to take her fitness routine up a notch and stumbled across HIIT workouts, which soon became her passion. She realized that being out of her comfort zone was where she needed to be to push herself to the next level.听

Jaime attributes her strength and perseverance to her mother because Jaime鈥檚 mom stayed consistent to her own well-being despite facing many obstacles along the way. Jaime鈥檚 greatest accomplishment is completing a half marathon at a 7.28 min/mile pace.

What Brought Jaime to Echelon听

During Jaime鈥檚 move to the greater Chattanooga area, she stopped by several local fitness studios looking for a fitness instructor role and was referred to Echelon. Jaime became a great fit and quickly found herself motivating others towards their fitness goals.

Jaime鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Jaime knows that there are always things that can get in the way of hitting your goals but advises everyone to "be stronger than your excuses." She notes that if you try to get 1% better with each workout, you will continue to progress forward in your fitness journey.听 Stay consistent and remember, progress not perfection!

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New to Echelon? You can join Jaime on the听FitPass,听Reflect,听Row,听and听Echelon Stride. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Florian Brennecke

Language: German

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Row,听Reflect

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Florian

Florian didn鈥檛 always consider himself athletic, but after focusing on his health, he discovered a love for being active. Florian believes that every workout should be like a party! In his opinion, the best workout routines are those with variety and incorporate weight training and yoga. Known for setting a casual tone in his classes, members can expect a fun and joyful workout with Florian!

Florian鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Growing up, Florian wasn鈥檛 happy with his body, but he discovered a passion for fitness when he turned his focus to health and physical training. In his ten years as a fitness instructor, Florian has earned numerous fitness certifications and licenses. He desired to learn as much as he could to bring the joy of athletics to everyone. He loves seeing the impact a quality exercise routine can have on a person.

What Brought Florian to Echelon听

Florian wanted to reach as many people as possible with the joy and motivation for fitness, and this desire led him to Echelon. He enjoys interacting with the Echelon Community on social media and loves getting their feedback.听

Florian鈥檚 Advice for New Members

If you are new to fitness, Florian is ready to celebrate alongside you! He encourages new members to keep a positive attitude and remember that focusing on your health is 鈥渢he best investment for your body and you!鈥澨�

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New to Echelon? You can join Florian on听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Row,听and听Reflect. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Marie Manalo

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听Reflect

Studio:听听

Instagram:听

Meet Marie

The first thing you鈥檒l notice in a class with Marie is her genuine joy and love for Echelon members. She loves to lead morning classes that set a good mood for the rest of the day and bring her positive encouragement to every workout. When she isn't leading classes you can often find her bowling, golfing, or biking with her son.听

Marie鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Marie discovered her passion for cycling in college 鈥� she was taking classes every day when the studio owner asked if she would like to teach and she never looked back. After over a decade leading fitness classes, Marie knows how to keep members motivated and focused through every workout.

What Brought Marie to Echelon听

During quarantine, Marie missed being able to teach and connect with riders. When the opportunity at Echelon opened up it was a great chance to get back in a community and expand her reach to members around the world.

Marie discovered first hand the impact of the Echelon community. She was really nervous for her first live class but one of our members,听Angela, gathered a bunch of people to take the class to encourage Marie. At that moment, she knew this was the right place for her!

Marie鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Marie knows that it can be a challenge starting out and believes that you need to be realistic about where you are. She encourages members to 鈥済ive yourself grace鈥� because 鈥測ou鈥檒l only get better the more you do.鈥� Just stick with it and remember Marie will be there cheering you on!听

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New to Echelon? You can join Marie on the听Connect Bike and听Reflect. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Abigail | Team Florida: Triathlon

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What is your full name and Echelon Leaderboard name?
Abigail Adams, @Abigail the Advocate on the Echelon Fit庐 app

How many years have you been competing in Special Olympics?
14

Other interests and hobbies
Music, fashion, makeup, stand-up paddle boarding, working out, spending time with my family, friends, and boyfriend. Advocating for people with special needs. Being a positive influence and uplifting people on social media: Abigail the Advocate on听 and听.

Other sports and/or activities within Special Olympics
Fundraising through the Torch Campaign, fashion shows, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, SUP, Swimming, Triathlon, Gold, Athlete Leadership, Open Water Swim, Ambassador Polar Plunge 2020, Inspirational Athlete 2018.

What does attending the 2022 USA Games mean to you, and what do you look forward to the most?
It is special because I was picked to compete and represent Special Olympics Florida. I am looking forward to competing in the race and being with my team.

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Matthew | Team Tennessee: Golf

听

What is your full name and Echelon Leaderboard name?
Matthew Drumright, @CoachDrummy on the Echelon Fit庐 app

How many years have you been competing in Special Olympics?
31

Other interests and hobbies
Photography, High School, College & Pro Football, Coach for local high school football team for 23 years - Brentwood Bruins, music - Oldies

Other sports and/or activities within Special Olympics
Special Olympics TN (SOTN) Global Messenger, SOTN Athlete Leadership Team, SOTN Special Olympics Health Messenger, SOTN Volunteer & Fundraiser, Member of the SOTN Young Professionals Board, Young Athletes Volunteer, and Participant in SOTN Flag Football, Basketball, Powerlifting, Swimming & Unified Golf.

What does attending the 2022 USA Games mean to you, and what do you look forward to the most?
I am so excited to go to the USA Games and compete in Unified Golf. It is an honor to represent Tenessee and all the athletes in Special Olympics. I have been training in multiple sports and that will help prepare me for the USA Games. I look forward to traveling, meeting new friends from around the country, seeing old friends, and competing in a national event. My two best friends are also going to USA Games and that will be fun to be at the Games with them.

听

Ben | Team New Jersey: Swimming

听

What is your full name and Echelon Leaderboard name?
Benjamin 鈥淏en鈥� Miller, @BenMiller on the Echelon Fit庐 app

How many years have you been competing in Special Olympics?
6

Other interests and hobbies
Video games, hip hop dancing, talking to friends

Other sports and/or activities within Special Olympics
Bowling, swimming, volleyball

What does attending the 2022 USA Games mean to you, and what do you look forward to the most?
It is amazing to be part of the 2022 Team New Jersey. I am looking forward to seeing the other athletes and coaches and making new friends.听

Follow & Support Our Members!

Check in to see how Abigail, Matthew, and Ben are doing in the USA Games and send them 鈥淐heers鈥� to support through the 2022 USA Games app (available here for听 and the听).听

New to Echelon?听Join our community and find Abigail, Matthew, and Ben on the Leaderboard!

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Samantha Valot

Language: French

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass, Reflect,听Row

Studio:听

Instagram:听

听

Meet Samantha听

With degrees in fine arts and personal training plus experience as a fitness instructor 鈥� Samantha knows what she鈥檚 doing. Her calm and soothing presence will put you at ease in class and her mom-like support will help you achieve your fitness goals.听

Samantha鈥檚 teaching style is a mixture of being very serious and cheerful at the same time. She enjoys giving technical cues on how to improve cadence or output by cycling in a more efficient way (the form is so important as you know) and then dancing on her bike, fooling around, and supporting her students before refocusing on the "serious" practical moment.

Samantha鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Samantha鈥檚 fitness journey started because she spent ten years working in front of a computer and needed a job that allowed her to move all day long and, above all, convey her passion for fitness as justly as possible. She hopes to continue her journey into a master's training program and manage instructors someday.听听

What Brought Samantha to Echelon听

Continuing her fitness journey, Samantha decided to join Echelon because she had never experienced teaching live and filmed classes in front of cameras, and turns out, she really enjoys it! She says that 鈥淚t teaches us coaches to cue and host our classes way differently than face to face ones. And this is such a good thing because it allows us to improve in both settings!鈥�

Samantha鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Samantha encourages new members to only focus on the positive elements of each training experience. The rest shall remain meaningless to their eyes. Keeping this in mind, pleasure will surely rise in all of their other goals.

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New to Echelon? You can join Samantha on the听Connect Bike,听Row, Reflect, and听FitPass. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Sam Jackson

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect,听FitPass,听Reflect,听Stride

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Sam

To say that Sam loves fitness would be an understatement. She ran track and cross country throughout middle school, high school, and college, and holds both an undergraduate and master鈥檚 degree in exercise physiology. Her classes are high-energy and positive with the goal that everyone will feel good when they finish.听

Sam鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Sam knew from an early age that physical health was an important component of overall wellness. She combined her love of fitness with education and studied Exercise Physiology at the University of Michigan and further elevated her education while at the University of Miami, obtaining her Master's in Exercise Physiology.听

What Brought Sam to Echelon听

Sam is an ever-smiling lover of EDM who became an Echelon instructor so she could connect with people outside of her current city of Miami. As a finisher of 10 half-marathons, you can trust Sam when she says 鈥渟tay consistent and you will see results!鈥澨�

Sam鈥檚 Advice for New Members

鈥淛ust get started! You can start anywhere, even 10 minutes a day鈥�. Sam knows what it takes to kick off a fitness journey and empathizes with Echelon Members who are just getting started on their journeys, making every class feel like an accomplishment.

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New to Echelon? You can join Sam Jackson on听Connect,听FitPass,听Reflect, and听Echelon Stride. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Teresa Le

Language: English

Teaches On:听FitPass,听Reflect

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Teresa

Teresa is an engaging, gregarious instructor who is always on the move. In addition to more than fifteen years of experience as a Pilates instructor, Teresa is also an activewear designer who loves to max out her 鈥渞est days鈥� working on various business ventures.

She loves to dance and incorporates dance music into her fitness routine to help burn extra calories by keeping herself moving. Teresa knows how to strike a fine balance between her health and wellness journey and enjoying the finer things in life: cake and pastries.

Teresa鈥檚 Fitness Journey

With 15 years of experience under her belt, Teresa loves to focus on her health and overall wellness, with her family being a driving force behind her fitness journey; pushing her to reach her goals and seek beyond what she thought she could accomplish.听听

What Brought Teresa to Echelon听

While Teresa initially found herself pitching her activewear design to Echelon, she soon found her footing as an instructor and became excited to pair her enthusiastic and supportive style of positive reinforcement alongside an innovative fitness brand.

With her passion for health and wellness and her knack for helping others, Teresa saw her passion easily translate into her ability to create engaging fitness classes, helping others unwind and progress towards their fitness goals.

Teresa鈥檚 Advice for New Members

She is a huge believer in positive reinforcement and likes to remind her classes to 鈥淪tand tall!鈥� When asked what her advice would be for someone new to fitness she says, 鈥淲e were all beginners at one point. Stick with it, do your best, and don鈥檛 compare yourself to others.鈥澨�

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New to Echelon? You can join Teresa on听FitPass and听Reflect. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Rowan Foggitt

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Rowan

Rowan joins the UK team from Bromley and brings 28 years of experience, a passion for road cycling and 80s indie music, and a can-do attitude with him. He brings a wealth of knowledge and lots of encouragement to every class.听

Rowan鈥檚 Fitness Journey

The only way is up with Rowan, who came 6th in the National Hill Climb Championship 2020 (50+ age group), for cycling the fastest up a very steep hill! He loves to train and help people on their journey to improved health and fitness. He has a special passion for helping a more 鈥渕ature鈥� audience find confidence and success in fitness so everyone can age happily and healthily!

What Brought Rowan to Echelon听

Rowan has always lived by the idea that the best way to stay fit is by participating in activities that he loves. When looking for the next opportunity, Echelon was the obvious fit!

In his own words, Rowan explains, 鈥淚 train people to get fit, I train people to ride bikes faster, I love music鈥攑ut the three together and HEY PRESTO, you have Echelon.鈥� Members of his classes can expect a calming presence and many dad jokes.

Rowan鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Rowan believes the best way to achieve your goals is to 鈥渟tick to the plan鈥� and knows that the Echelon Community is there to support you along the way!听

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New to Echelon? You can join Rowan on the听Connect Bike. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Paige Howell Parish

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Reflect,听Stride

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Paige

Paige is a natural performer who grew up dancing and majored in music and vocals in college. Fitness instructing felt like a natural next step, and she now directs this energy into sharing her passion for movement.听

Prepare to get hyped up with a perfect pop playlist in Paige鈥檚 classes 鈥� it鈥檚 her all-time favorite music! Don鈥檛 expect her to go easy on you, though. Paige will train you like the athlete you were born to be.听

Paige鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Paige grew up a ballerina and is a life-long athlete. As an adult she turned her focus to music and starting her pop career. While in Los Angeles recording and writing a record, she found herself at a group fitness class every time she needed to blow off steam. She realized that she was just purging money into fitness and thought, 鈥渨hy don't I just make money doing it instead?鈥� Her confidence and skills as a performer made the transition easy and Paige now loves to incorporate her passion for music into her classes.听

What Brought Paige to Echelon听

After relocating to Tennessee from New York, Paige discovered Echelon鈥檚 studio in Chattanooga and knew it would be a great opportunity to share her love of movement with a global audience.

She has a tough love approach to instructing because she believes that while it may not be easy, you will get stronger. She wants members to have the soreness and satisfaction of a full workout at the end of each class but also leave feeling motivated to take on their day with confidence.

Paige鈥檚 Advice for New Members

In her classes, Paige always says 鈥�Show up to win because the only way to lose is to quit.鈥� She turns to top professional athletes for inspiration as a reminder that their level of success requires time, dedication, and a lot of hard work. But she wants to remind new members that she is with them every step of the way and will freely share her own experiences to make sure everyone feels included.

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New to Echelon? You can join Paige on听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Reflect, and听Stride. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Mari Espinoza

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Mari

Mari is passionate about helping others to live an active, healthy lifestyle and will remind you to 鈥渄o it for you...no excuses, give yourself the best that you can.鈥� Naturally a night owl, Mari listens to hip-hop to get her pumped for a workout because the beats and lyrics always get her moving.听

On rest days, she loves to sleep in and relax with her kids and five-pound Yorkie. You should join her classes if you are looking for a high-energy class that mixes technicality and motivation.鈥�

Mari鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Mari has been a fitness instructor for almost 10 years. She loves to motivate people to be healthy. As a person who has always been active, Mari really enjoys encouraging others to see the fun in exercise and see them progress on their fitness journey.听

What Brought Mari to Echelon听

Mari was approached by Echelon staff to see if she would be interested in instructing, and though she wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect she decided to give it a try. There were no in-studio riders at that point, but the online community really welcomed her and made her feel comfortable. She has really bonded with the riding community, especially the no-excuse team. She appreciates how supportive they all are; some riders even sent her flowers when her mom passed away.听

Mari鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Mari鈥檚 advice is to go into every workout doing it for yourself, no matter how you鈥檙e feeling or what you are going through 鈥� no excuses, give yourself the best that you can. She also wants members to know that everyone has to start somewhere, and baby steps count. Consistency is what will get you far, so keep going!

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New to Echelon? You can join Mari on the听Connect Bike. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Jessica Wilke

Language: German

Teaches On:听Connect Bike

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Jessica

Jessica has been teaching group fitness for over 15 years. She has licenses for personal training, nutrition, cycling, Pilates, and more. She is very passionate about fitness, and her plethora of experience informs all of her classes.

She has three children, who show her every day that it鈥檚 important to be curious about new things and passionate about the things you love. Jessica strives to live in the moment as her kids do 鈥� no yesterday or tomorrow, just the here and now.

Jessica鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Jessica always considered fitness to be a hobby, but the idea of helping people to live healthier lives inspired her to turn that passion into a profession. She turns her positive energy and friendly personality into a motivational force for members. She likes to use joy and fun to inspire people and help them enjoy exercising as an alternative to the instructors who excel at coaching with tough love.

Jessica finds her main fitness motivation not in other people, but in music. She finds that music can inspire the perfect feeling to get excited about moving her body, power through a difficult workout, and cool down.

What Brought Jessica to Echelon听

Online classes are part of today's world, but Jessica wanted to be a part of what she considers a very special online community. She joined the Echelon Germany team in August of 2021 but was initially very nervous about teaching online. Her first live class had more than 30 participants, and their support and enjoyment helped her conquer that fear. She now finds each class to be more fun than the last and has become an integral part of the Echelon family.

Jessica鈥檚 Advice for New Members

As Jessica says, anything you do for yourself today is better than doing nothing at all! And, you can usually do more than you think. It鈥檚 easy to talk yourself out of doing anything if you feel like it won鈥檛 be perfect, but accept the process and just let yourself be motivated to try. It鈥檚 amazing what you can do if you don鈥檛 give up easily!

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New to Echelon? You can join Jessica on the听Connect Bike. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐听app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Amber Harper

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Reflect,听Row

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Amber

Amber believes movement is medicine. Movement in its simplest form she believes can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. She also loves matching movement to a beat to make it fun! After graduating with her B.S. in Exercise Science and minor in Applied Dance, she knew she wanted to bring the same fun to others!

Amber鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Amber has over eight years of personal training experience, over 12 years in group fitness training, and is always trying to challenge herself as well as members. She started her career instructing kickboxing and has instructed a little bit of everything, including trampoline aerobics, beach boot camps, and partner rowing classes.

Amber also likes to inject variety into her personal fitness routines. She has run multiple half marathons and also puts herself in new members鈥� shoes by trying new types of classes, like barre.

What Brought Amber to Echelon听

After a hiatus from instructing, Amber joined the Echelon team to get back into leading kickboxing and cycling classes. She loves the spontaneity of live classes and takes time to include impromptu funny sayings and silly encouragement in conjunction with a tough-love attitude.听

Amber finds inspiration in her fellow Echelon Instructors and the members that message her every day. She is so grateful when someone reaches out with their "A-ha" moment or the moment they realize the best thing from working out, how their family has benefitted, or that they can do their hobbies better.

Amber鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Amber likes to say that comparison is the thief of joy. Follow your own journey, lift up others with success, and understand that each path is different for a reason. The numbers don't have to be your end goal: feeling better, living better, and being happier can be!

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New to Echelon? You can join Amber on the听Connect Bike,听FitPass,听Reflect, and听Row. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Gautier Lombart

Language: French

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听Row

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Gautier

Gautier likes fitness to be executed with as much precision as possible, while still listening to his body. Yoga perfectly fits this requirement and creates a state of serenity and wellbeing. Gautier trained as a yoga instructor in both France and India and takes great pleasure in sharing his knowledge with others.听

Listening to his body also leads Gautier to test his limits, and he likes to run, cycle, and dance, as well as bodybuilding and Pilates. He uses each of these disciplines as tools to build the most complete and fulfilling physical condition possible.

Gautier鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Gautier believes that holistic wellbeing is central to a healthy life, though many of us aren鈥檛 educated on how to do it right. This is what motivated him to become a fitness instructor because he loves sharing the knowledge and perspective of wellness. He wants members to know there are many ways to develop well-being: food, entertainment, music, dance, arts, trips, friends, massages... and fitness, of course!

He loves doing Yoga, Rowing, and Bootcamp classes. Gautier finds a lot of inspiration in those who can do amazing things with their bodies: the yogis' flexibility, the bodybuilders' muscles, the runners' speed鈥� and also in his love of chocolate.

What Brought Gautier to Echelon听

Gautier joined the team when Echelon was new to Europe, and it was exciting for him to take a role in the team鈥檚 development. One of the best parts is meeting his fellow instructors and the backstage team. Gautier is grateful for the close relationships he has formed since starting with Echelon.

This was also the first time Gautier had worked in front of a camera, a challenge he eagerly accepted. One of his favorite classes that he has led was in partnership with Laure Manaudou, the retired French Olympic swimmer.

Gautier鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Gautier likes inspiring people to increase their self-confidence, and you鈥檒l often hear him say 鈥淵ou are here to sweat,鈥� and 鈥淚 count on you to do your best!鈥� His number one tip is to focus on the technique, and love what you are practicing.听

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New to Echelon? You can join Gautier on the听Connect Bike and听Row. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Brandon Reed, AKA 鈥淩eed鈥�

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听Reflect

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Reed

Hailing from Miami, Reed joined the Echelon team with over seven years of experience as a cycling instructor. Before teaching on the bike, Reed traveled the world as a model, which allowed him to live in four different countries in just one year. He brings his cadence-based style to the bike with excitement to match.听

Reed finds motivation in succeeding against the odds and finds balance through his days between working hard and playing hard. In Reed鈥檚 class, you can expect to ride to his favorite hip-hop playlists as he leads his riders through surges out of the saddle, leaving everyone feeling unstoppable!

Reed鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Reed鈥檚 passion for fitness started with an instructor crush and has crescendoed into a career and his YouTube channel听. Reed places lots of importance on the music that he chooses for his classes. He especially loves EDM, since there are so many great remixes of songs from every genre and a clear bass line to catch the beat of the music.听

He is inspired by his own personal challenges as well as those of others and uses those as fuel for motivation. His philosophy is to be open about what he is hustling for to inspire others to do the same.

What Brought Reed to Echelon听

Reed was video shooting and leading cycling classes on his own during the pandemic when he connected with other instructors and decided to join the Echelon team. He derives a lot of inspiration from tackling fitness goals with others and supporting each other鈥檚 progress.

His favorite part about Echelon is the community. He is a strong believer in putting differences aside and growing as a team. He is especially proud of the new instructors that he trains, who then go on to motivate others.听

Reed鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Reed wants members to know that fitness is just like everything else. You need to stay consistent and practice will make it permanent.听 Give it as much time as you would happy hour or fun with friends, and you will get better.

Finding a workout that works for you can be like dating. Sometimes you just need to try a lot of different workouts, until you find one that works for you. For Reed, moving to the music and the bike has him hooked. He recommends dating a lot of different workouts until you find one that you are on fire about!

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New to Echelon? You can join Reed on the听Connect Bike and Reflect. His classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Ryn Tucker

Language: English

Teaches On:听FitPass,听Reflect,听Row,听Stride

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Ryn

Ryn's curiosity and passion for learning influence her approach to teaching. In her Echelon classes, Ryn concerns herself with helping others learn and succeed, and holding space for them to do so. She knows that every person is unique and encourages everyone to discover and honor their uniqueness.

When Ryn isn鈥檛 leading Echelon classes, she channels her curiosity into everything from ancient languages and anatomy to weird species of animals and the science of outer space.听

Ryn鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Ryn fell in love with fitness when she went to a trainer to fix some habits that she picked up as a dancer. As she saw how her body could change, she became fascinated with the science behind it. She knew she wanted to empower people in the same way and decided to study to become a personal trainer. From there, she started leading fitness classes and also training to be a yoga teacher.

Ryn likes to celebrate every win and considers the first time completing a one-armed peacock pose to be one of her favorite athletic accomplishments. The feeling of strength, balance, and mental focus coming together at once made her feel like she could conquer the world.听

What Brought Ryn to Echelon听

Ryn joined Echelon because she liked the fun atmosphere and the opportunity to share her love of yoga with a global audience. She remembers how hard she practiced for leading her first Echelon yoga class 鈥� her mind and body were worn out after! But the release she felt when it was over and she was handed her official instructor certificate made it all worth it.听

Ryn leads her classes with the aim of inspiring people to push harder, but not be disappointed if they are unable to complete a pose. She is constantly inspired by seeing people rise above and try to accomplish what they set their minds to, whether or not they achieve it. Especially when they don鈥檛 give up, it usually turns into great progress. She encourages anyone trying yoga, or any other activity they aren鈥檛 used to,听not to apologize for any of their perceived downfalls. There is no reason to apologize for learning, or even failing, as long as you try.听听

Ryn鈥檚 Advice for New Members

Ryn likes to remind people that they are exactly where they need to be. Your body changes day-to-day, so embrace the change and be present in it. And she acknowledges that it may be cliche, but Ryn鈥檚 best advice is to not give up. And don鈥檛 apologize for not being good at everything right away. You won鈥檛 be and that鈥檚 okay. You will get better if you don鈥檛 give up!

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New to Echelon? You can join Ryn on听FitPass,听Reflect,听Row, and听Stride. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听听studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.

Learn more about your current favorite instructors and discover new ones below.

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Instructor: Nikita Parlevliet

Language: English

Teaches On:听Connect Bike,听Reflect

Studio:听

Instagram:听

Meet Nikita

When Nikita discovered how the practice of yoga can change your mental attitudes and enrich your life in all aspects, Nikita knew she wanted to be a yoga instructor. She holds an RYT200 Yoga Alliance certification, a Master's of Naturopathic Psychology, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. in Naturopathic Medicine.

听She leads Athletic Vinyasa Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, and Stretch classes. Join her for her calming presence and fierce teachings.

Nikita鈥檚 Fitness Journey

Nikita wasn鈥檛 always as focused on her fitness. She had to drastically change her lifestyle habits to be able to get pregnant, and that was the start of a life-changing journey that led her to be the healthiest she has ever been. She now has a son, Denim, who inspires her to be the best version of herself every single day.听

She believes well-being encompasses the mind, body, & soul and that fitness and movement holistically help with all three. She received her听 Yoga Alliance certification from the Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation and opened a yoga and wellness studio prior to joining the Echelon community.

What Brought Nikita to Echelon听

The concept of being part of a team drew Nikita to join Echelon. It鈥檚 a dynamic she had never experienced before, and she loves being able to participate in it now. Teaching with a streaming platform especially interested her, as it allows her to reach even larger audiences to share her wisdom. Nikita teaches in the mornings and reserves evenings for self-practice, but you鈥檒l catch her grooving to Dub Sutra beats all day long.听

Nikita isn鈥檛 the only one who joined the team; she has a听four-pound听Yorkie named Ozzy (Osborne). He knows everyone at the听 studio and his favorite part of the classes is the crystal singing bowls and meditation. He also takes extra long savasana!

Nikita鈥檚 Advice for New Members

As a certified yoga instructor, Nikita鈥檚 advice is expected: 鈥渏ust breathe.鈥� Focusing on your breath gets you out of your head and into the movement. Nikita also encourages making a routine 鈥� consistency is key, and if you continue to show up progress will follow. Inhale through your nose... exhale... let's go!

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New to Echelon? You can join Nikita on the听Connect Bike and听Reflect. Her classes are available on-demand and live for听Echelon Premier members in the听 studio and on the Echelon Fit庐 app.