Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wagner.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating college, I was feeling really lost. I had been an athlete my whole life and all of a sudden, I was working a 9-5 job. I felt like I lost a huge part of my identity like I could no longer call myself an “athlete” and was feeling really sad about losing the community connection that comes with being on a team. So in order to fill that void, I decided to audition to be a fitness instructor. I had done a lot of coaching in the past so it seemed like a logical fit, to find my community in the “real world.” Immediately after teaching my first class, I knew I had made the right choice, it was so much fun to see the class improve and great to be surrounded by a team again. With this renewed confidence that I could handle this whole “adult” thing, I started to build on to what I started taking on more classes and challenges until I found my next adventure in cycling. This time, I really dove in with both feet, signed up for a cross-country bike tour right out of the gate.
The summer of 2012, I rode my bike from Portsmouth, NH to Vancouver, BC with a program called Bike and Build. That’s about 4000 miles on a bike. This was an incredible summer when I got to push my limits physically and mentally all while getting to see the country up close and personal. Upon my return to reality, I decided it was time for the next step. I got a new 9-5 that was more fulfilling and started to take my “side hustle” a little more seriously. This is when I found The Handle Bar and fell in love with indoor cycling. I already loved cycling but could not believe how awesome it was when combined with great music, a great instructor and some mood lighting. I knew that no matter what I was going to leave the class feeling sweaty and energized not to mention a great community and team which I why I got into fitness in the first place. I knew this was a place I wanted to be a part of.
I have now been had The Handle Bar for 3.5 years and I still feel the same way about it as when I walked through the doors for the first time 4 years ago. The community has grown and each studio now has its own unique feel keeping it approachable and a great way to connect with people in the neighborhood. The classes are as butt-kicking as ever making it a place I very proudly call home!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been easy when I started at The Handle Bar I had a full-time job, was in grad school, and for some reason thought it was a good idea to take on the huge commitment to train to be an HB instructor. There were a lot of very long and exhausting days, and very little time for friends, boyfriends, Netflix, cooking, or really anything else, but I knew that if I put my head down and pushed through it would be worth it on the other end. For those 2 years when I was dealing with a crazy schedule, people would often say “just give up teaching”, “it’s just a hobby-why don’t you take a break”. What people didn’t realize was that going to HB and teaching indoor cycling was the only thing I liked doing, the only thing keeping me grounded, keeping me sane and was the one thing I was 100% not giving up.
I finished that insane 2 years, and when I look back at that time I am so thankful I didn’t give up. The Handle Bar was truly what was keeping me going and was a little sliver of time I could cut out for myself each day.
I think there is a lot of pressure for people, especially women, to “juggle” it all, to be someone who always says “yes.” I think it’s so important to know your boundaries and know what you need to be the best you. To find a place where you feel safe and confident, where you can fill up your tank, so when you step back outside into the craziness that is the real world you have a little extra to fight in you.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Handle Bar – what should we know?
The Handle Bar is a locally-owned cycling studio run and operated by a team of strong women. What sets us apart is our inclusivity. Anyone, any level, can come in and get a great workout. We strive to empower our riders to be the best version of themselves.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think the hardest part of networking is also the most effective, putting yourself out there. The more you show up the more likely you are to connect with people and learn from them and their experiences.
Pricing:
- First Class $10
- First Month Unlimited $100
- Single Class $26
- 5 classes $125
- 10 classes $230
- 20 classes $380
- 40 classes $720
- 1 Month (3x/week) $180
- 1 Month Unlimited $210
- Monthly Auto-Renew (6-month commitment) $195
Contact Info:
- Website: http://handlebarcycling.com/
- Email: info@handlebarcycling.com
- Instagram: @amwagner23
Image Credit:
Kersten Vasey
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