To close up Love Your Body Week, we checked in with your favorite instructors to ask how they feel when they’re up on stage. Not being able to look at themselves in the mirror means they really have to tune in to their emotions, their bodies, and the riders. Turns out, they’re all pretty inspired by the faces in front of them… Read on:

Rachele: When I’m on stage, I feel like make-up doesn’t matter. In the darkness before dawn, before anyone else is up, I ride to strengthen my legs, harden my core, and steel my mind. I can be a total sweaty mess without caring for one second about how I look, because I feel amazing.

Erica: When I am on the bike I feel powerful. I could have had the WORST day, mentally, physically and/or emotionally, but there is a moment about 10 minutes into class, after I have promised a group of passionate students that I will make them leave feeling stronger and better, after I have managed to silence the clutter of noise in my own head, after the first drop of sweat has fallen, and after our hearts start pounding and we are moving in sync to the beat of a pounding song…the energy fills the room, you let out a loud exhale, and you feel like conquering the world is just one more thing checked off your to-do list. 

Katie A: When I’m on stage, I feel like I belong. I was never an athlete, a dancer, or a competitor. I was never a member of a team. But when I hit that stage, I feel like a leader. My confidence on the bike doesn’t come from the mirror behind me – it comes from the faces I see in front of me.

Emily: When I’m on stage, I feel like myself (a slightly sweatier version of myself). I come alive on that bike, and become the person that I strive to be throughout the rest of my day- confident, motivated, strong, energetic, powerful. That feeling of leaving EVERYTHING on the bike, of completely letting go and letting your body take control, that moment when it all clicks, when you get goosebumps even though you are dripping in sweat and the room is dripping with you… there’s nothing like it.

Melinda: When I’m on stage teaching I feel IN THE MOMENT!!!! I quickly without effort forget everything before I walked into the studio and anything I need to do after! I am COMPLETELY present and its an amazing feeling. There are very few times for me that this happens, that something or someone can make me feel this way!! Its VERY freeing and it truly makes me feel ALIVE …. just living IN the MOMENT for those 45 minutes, I feel like its a gift I’ve been given and I enjoy EVERY minute!!

Meredith: When I’m on the bike I feel like I am the beat of the bodies in the room. Growing up as a dancer, my favorite part of the day was rehearsal. No matter what was going on in my busy academic schedule I was always deeply involved in dance while in school. Upon graduating from college, I felt a huge void in my life where dance used to be. When I became a spin instructor, I found the void became less and less apparent. People often say that they feel like my classes are choreographed– often times they are! I literally see music in my head and I can picture riders moving in a certain flow– one body, one piece of consolidated energy– and that is what I strive for in every class. Looking out at a crew of riders, all ages, all shapes and sizes, women and men, and seeing them move as one– I sometimes lose my breath at that sight. There is nothing more powerful to me than the concept of moving as one. It is often one of my favorite accomplishments in any given day.

Ann: When I’m on stage, I feel … energized and inspired. No matter how tired I am or how long my week has been, the second I hit the saddle and see 17 hard-working and motivated people in front of me, I am immediately invigorated. It makes it easy to forget everything else going on and focus on becoming a stronger, healthier person and a more motivational and dedicated instructor.

Christina: When Im on stage, I feel…..INSPIRED. The combination of the music and the energy generated by all the powerful riders in the room INSPIRES me to push beyond my limits. I forget about “life” and truly live in the moment – pedal stroke, hill, sprint, or jump. My body…and mind…feel grateful after each class and it is THAT feeling that keeps me coming back for more.

Aly: When the first bead of sweat drops from my body I think “I am grateful“. Grateful to move, grateful for my students, grateful for music. This life we live is so incredibly fulfilling and I get to share that experience with so many people!

Caitlin Jones, resident Recyclist and a big instigator of Love Your Body Week, who is currently pursing her masters and licensure in clinical mental health counseling in the division of counseling psychology at Lesley University.  She took a few minutes to talk with us why this issue is so important in our every day lives. Read on:

Charlie, our studio mascot, had a few things she wanted to share with all you Recyclists out there. There are lots of exciting things happening with the opening of  RS Boston Common, so we just want to share some updates with everyone!

Phew. We think that covers it. If you have any additional questions, please email info@recycle-studio.com or
peek under the desk and wake up Charlie…

We got a chance to sit down and chat with Rebecca Ferrel, the brains behind “The Ripe Stuff”. Read on to hear her story about how she got started:

1) What did you do before you started The Ripe Stuff, and what was your inspiration to get into juicing? Was there an “a-ha!” moment?

I graduated college in 2008 and moved to New York City shortly thereafter. I worked at the same job in advertising sales for a little over two years when I decided I wanted to become serious about a job in health and wellness. I took some intro to nutrition classes and some sciences to check it out, while I was also busy completing my holistic wellness degree with The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. They both offered completely different perspectives on nutrition! I moved from NYC to Boston in September 2011 and realized that something I loved (juicing) and had been readily available in new york, was nowhere to be found in Boston. So, I started my own juicing company! In 2008 I had gotten pretty sick and was in the hospital for awhile. Eating was difficult for me, so my sister suggested I start drinking juices filled with spinach, kale, apples etc to help get some proper nutrition!  That’s when I realized how juicing can help you get all the important vitamins and minerals even if other parts of your diet aren’t so great.

2) Is The Ripe Stuff a full time job?

Yes!  We are in our kitchen producing juice 5-6 days a week. On top of that, I deliver every cleanse to each customer. I also stay busy answering emails and doing paperwork.

3) Tell us how the process works- where do you buy your veggies and fruit? Do you bottle the juices yourself?

I go to the Chelsea produce yard 3 days a week. I like to pick up smaller orders so that the produce is fresh. We use a hydraulic press that does not allow the juices to oxidize, unlike the one most people have on their kitchen counter. This is why our juices last longer than those you make for yourself.  Our juices are made fresh, bottled and delivered only 2 or 3 hours later.

4) What has been the most rewarding part of starting your own juice company?

The feedback!  We hardly get a negative review. We mostly hear from people who have had a wonderful experience and are glad that there is something like The Ripe Stuff available to them in the Boston area.

5) Be honest- do you ever splurge on unhealthy treats or do you mostly stick to a plant and fruit based diet?

Ha, everyone thinks that all I consume is juice. Far from it! There is nothing I don’t eat, but I’m pretty good at practicing moderation. If I feel like I’ve been eating poorly (too much processed food) I like to drink a couple juices to get me back on track. In with the good, out with the bad!

6) When you’re not juicing, what do you do with your down time?

Hangout with friends, shop on Newbury, go to movie, exercise, and I love going out to dinner.

7) And finally… have you taken a class at Recycle yet?!

Of course! I have always been into running, so it was hard to get me to stray from my normal routine. But now, I go two or three times a week and it’s about the only thing that will get me out of bed for a morning workout!

Refuel juice has been flying off the shelves in the studio. Keep your eyes and mouths open for new flavors like White Russian and Red Sangria this month!