The best part about the first three months of Zephyr? Meeting some of the kindest, most kickass and incredible people, and we’re excited to spotlight members of the Zephyr community in our new series, #ZephyrIlluminate. New business owner Kelly Phalon (pictured here with her awesome husband Ryan) has been riding at Zephyr since day one and hasn’t missed many days since. We caught up with her about what got her to sign up for the first time after being a lifelong runner, how she gets out of bed for 5:30 a.m. classes, and why her body told her “this was the change it needed.”
How did you discover Zephyr and what convinced you to get in the door for the first time?
I had been looking for a change. I had been a runner for 17 years and my body was just over it. I had mentioned to a friend that I to switch it up and possibly try spin. She mentioned that she was pretty sure there was a new cycling studio coming to town just a few doors down from her shop so I started googling and looking it up on facebook…just waiting for an announcement of when it might open. Once I found out I signed up for the first weekend of free classes. I knew it was going to be difficult and it was, but I was instantly hooked. I can’t explain what came over me, but it was a wave of emotion and then my body told me this was the change it needed.
You are a 5:30 a.m. devotee! What motivates you to get out of bed and onto the bike every day?
I have always been a morning person. I don’t feel right when I sleep in because I feel like I’ve wasted the day. I want to see the sunrise and breathe in the fresh air of the day. If you’re going to make a change and take care of your body it should be the first thing on your mind and the first thing you go and do. When your mind and soul are taken care of your motivation and positivity to accomplish all your goals just comes naturally. At least it does for me. We all have our stress and life events that cause us anxiety. Being a fairly new business owner, I’ve been experiencing much more of that than I usually do. Coming to Zephyr in the morning helps me let all of that go and realize I can only do so much and that I should take each task one at a time. It puts my life in perspective and helps me stay focused.
What are some of your favorite things about class?
I have so many favorite things about class. hahaha I love the energy of the instructors. I love that the music is loud and the room is dark so that you can just feel the music, the workout, and get gritty. I love that I don’t feel insecure here whereas a lot of “gyms” can make you feel that way. Each person in class is there for themselves. We all talk before and after, but the second class starts we’re all there for ourselves. It’s almost like there is no one else even in class. The focus and energy is unlike any gym or studio I’ve been to.
What would your advice be to someone who hasn’t tried indoor cycling before but is thinking about it? Why should they try Zephyr?
My advice would be to just do it. I have had a few friends say that they would never sit on a stationary bike. I always tell them, “don’t knock it till you try it.” It’ll change your life just like it changed mine. I’m not sure what an indoor cycling class is like at other gyms or studios, but Zephyr instructors work your entire body. Then they make you reach down and work out your mind. I’ve said it before, but I feel like this is my “church.” This is where I go to get my mind and body right and I am so thankful Zephyr has come into to my life.