The Super Excellent Not Too Serious Bike That Goes Nowhere Podcast

Sheldon was sick last week so he whines about that for a bit and then Meredith and Sheldon recap the Memorial Day weekend activities.  Happy Pride Month!  If you don't know about the Echelon Rainbow Army - check them out.  

Today we have a relatively new instructor that feels like we've known him for ages - Vandon Jones.  We talk about his challenging journey through the world of fitness, traveling all over, hitting speed bumps, and finally landing in the fantastic city of Chattanooga and the Echelon studios.   Vandon just brings a special kind of energy with him and he is one of the most engaged and involved instructors.  This has earned him a strong set of riders that ride with him every chance they get and are part of his Form Factory Nation Facebook group.

In connected fitness, some interesting things.  Peloton almost doubles the loan it is taking to over $1.2B.  A company uses what they call a "GPS camera" to track your fitness movement.  Strava hits 100MM users.  Fitness tracker users actually lose LESS weight.  And we learn the impact of gender and when might be the most effective time of day to exercise.

Lots of Echelon news - EX8s for instructor bikes, Echelon strikes a partnership with Full Sail University, Pitbull Summer party, Father's Day deals, and celebrating national yoga day (6/21), and national hydration day (6/23).  Free water bottle with qualifying purchase on hydration day!  Tons of shoutouts and Meredith and Sheldon will be in Chattanooga when a good friend celebrates 1000!

We wrap up the show with Profiles in Pride where we talk about some inspirational LGBTQIA people.

Sheldon had a birthday!  We had to get a fire permit for the candles on the cake.... Meredith opens with a recap of a chat she had with a few long time Echelon riders that have, let's say "unique" leaderboard names.

We jump right in with our guest, the amazing and inspiring Janet Adams.  She gives us the scoop on how fitness became such an important part of who she is and you won't believe what she did to fuel her dedication to fitness when she had a traveling job!  We also talk Early morning "Weirdos", what she does to fuel her mornings, and she gives what might be one of the best answers yet to our "Pick a Question" challenge.

In connected fitness, lots happening as usual.  Hydrow releases a pause feature for On-Demand, and they do it "right".  A glitch in the Mother's Day offer for the Peloton Guide gives some folks a REALLY good deal. We talk about "Dance Fitness".  Core (Nautilus owner) buys Wexer.  Wahoo buys RGT Cycling. And we briefly touch on the world of specialized protein bars.

In Echelon news - an article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:  Echelon makes some changes in right sizing some departments; Commercial has been the fastest growing segment; #1 seller by volume has been the treadmill products.  We touch on a new "first" for Echelon classes - the 60 minute row class!   A whole bucket of shout outs and fun leaderboard names too.

We wrap up the show with our "Best, worst movie" survey results and launch a new Snackdown! for next episode!

We kick off today's episode complaining, as usual.  What's up with the false spring?  Meredith of course having excellent weather in Oklahoma.  She loves to spoil Sheldon's complaining.   Easter happened, and Meredith has a hot take on Harry Potter Lego sets. And then  - Sheldon + bib shorts = entertainment for all.

About 80% through recording almost 2 hours of material, Sheldon realizes that his computer hates him and has switched the microphone to his web cam mic.... No, he doesn't live in a cardboard box, but sounds like he does this episode.  Just pretend it's a "retro" episode.  K?  Cool.

The guests today, however, are fantastic.  We decided to keep them a surprise, but anyone that knows Echelon will guess it pretty quick - hey, we try to make it fun.  They have delivered tremendous amounts of joy and fitness to this community, and are perhaps the epitome of welcoming and kind.  They make us laugh, they've made us cry, and they always make us sweat.  We have a fantastic discussion and we learn about what is in their future!  Ok - that's enough insight.  Tune in for the rest.

Connected Fitness news brings all kinds of interesting stuff as usual, Peloton messes with prices and releases the Guide; lululemon releases two subscription models - one including content from 3 other fitness platforms which is pretty interesting (have we seen the start of consolidation?); and a fitness ring company sells a million rings.  Tonal releases strength exercises specialized for Golf (with other sports to come).

Echelon news bring the departure of some beloved instructors, and the introduction of new ones and some great new groups like Form Factory Nation.  Tons of great shoutouts  - this continue continues to grow!

Snackdown results are in from the Cadbury challenge.... and we kick off another battle, this time in the movie realm!

Kicking off the podcast this week with ALLERGIES, trips to estate sales, and the excitement of Easter candy.

Today's guest is PhD in Industrial-organizational psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (which is super impressive in itself) and has also represented the U.S. at the Jewish Games in Israel in swimming - like, AWESOME!  We have a great conversation with Alex about knowing your body and not allowing peer pressure or FOMO push you into activities that aren't the best for you.  She gives a great example from as early as high school where she pushes back against her coach in favor of rest for her body.  Wise for a high schooler!!!   We talk about what it's like to live near and ride in the studio and how you will likely never see her on the Early Morning Ride group!

In connected fitness news:  Ergatta is testing "live rower racing";  Fitness Mirror price drops;  The Peloton Guide releases at a lower price and a change in course as the "app Only" prices increase with the Guide classes;  MIND READING HELMETS and implants are being developed.  A salad brick and mortar company is opening a drive through... "Honey, PASS THE RANCH!".  Thor sells his fitness company.

In Echelon news some great theme rides - Joan Jett?! Yes, Please.  One of our fabulous instructors is having a BABY!  "Sheldon" is such a great name, just saying.  Some instructor news happening, Echelon in Europe at FIBO Expo, and Mere runs through some exciting shout outs!

Snackdown! update - Scooby Snacks or Harry Potter chocolate frogs reigning supreme?  You get the answer.  We kick off ANOTHER Snackdown! with favorite Easter delight.  Also to our friends celebrating Ramadan - Ramadan Mubarak!

We kick off the episode with a little March Madness talk, then Meredith let's them... well let's basically EVERYONE eat cake, and Sheldon burns out he olfactory bulb with airborne powder from his favorite new drink.

The guest today is our FIRST UK Echelon instructor, Demi Patience!  She brings us a great story that includes her winding, and tough journeys through the fitness and modeling worlds, but ends with landing a dream job with Echelon.  She talks about her (completely unplanned) meetup in another country with one of our past guests, Richard, and how she was even recognized by a rider while (literally) trying to keep her head above water.   She was a LOT of fun. IG: demileepatience

LOTS of stuff in connected fitness going on.  Hydrow lands some great funding.  Peloton selling refurbished bikes. an article claims strength training just 30-60 mins a week can significantly increase your life span.  IFit throws the proverbial hand grenade on their magnet and medals program... and folks weren't happy.

We have a VERY special deal for Echelots!  Listen to little message from us in the middle of today's interview for more - it could mean a very cool little treat for you!

Lot's of Echelon news (at least) 3 news instructors, a Chattanooga instructor gets called up to full time status, new "fan" pages for several instructors including John Holt, and did you know that if you buy equipment when at the studio you get a SWEET discount?

We wrap things up with another amazing Snackdown!

Demi Patience Socials:   IG: demileepatience   FB:  demileefitness

See all of the great collaboration fitness gear from The Batman and get that special gift if you use the code that we mention in the podcast!

We kick off the episode with Sheldon's journey to ....well, you'll have to listen to find out.  Meredith is winding up her birthday month and heading on a trip of her own as well.

We roll right into an interview with our dear friend Julia Baldwin who has been a long time Echelon member and has had to rehab her way through a knee replacement.  We learn about her amazing feats of running a number of marathons - always with friends to a place that they want to visit (such a cool idea!) and how she finally gave in to the doctor's advice to have her knee replaced.  The road after was challenging, but Julia talks about the importance of reframing expectations, while still striving for important goals.  It's her plan to hike (another) 14,000 peak after her rehab is complete!  She is also a VERY success Scentsy® business owner and she talked about some of the fun stuff she has that is great for the home exerciser.  You can find her stuff at partywickless.com and follow her at Instagram:  @wicklessjulia

In the post interview we discuss some industry news with Ifit going through some tough times with major layoffs and their CEO exiting.  They are also engaged in yet another lawsuit, this time trying to block Peloton imports from coming to the country based on the patent suits in play.  Ifit did secure some additional funding at a reduced valuation, and we discuss how sometimes it's hard to understand the "real numbers" when it comes to paid connected fitness subscriptions.  We talk about "smart strength" with Tonal claiming a high market share and a growth of 800% as they reach the unicorn billion dollar valuation.  So many players now aiming at this space such as Tempo, Peloton, Oxefit, Ifit, with offerings also coming soon we hope from Echelon.  Also news in the fitness food space with Quest being purchased by Simply Good Foods for a cool $billion.

Echelon launches the Batman rides and accompanying merch, several Echelon riders form a triathlon team with a fun name, and a new instructor that's connected to a former one is gearing up to start soon.  Meredith has loads of shoutouts, and Sheldon has one of his own to contribute (Hint:  It may be for a host of a Super Excellent podcast)

We finish the show celebrating Women in History with a couple of important contributors that we think many of you may not know.

If you love the show consider sharing it with your friends, leave us a rating or review (we may read it on the show!), and if you are so inclined shout us out on social media.  Tag us too!  IG and FB: @bikethatgoesnowhere Twitter: @bikegoes   Meredith IG: @merewillis. Sheldon IG: @iwassheldonfirst

Our guest today joins us from the Echelon hot spot of Miami, FL where he is an instructor, as well as owner of his own media company.  We learn a lot about Reed's journey from being a model that traveled the world, to living in a hostel for a while, to his path to Echelon where he has delighted riders with his energy.  Known for his fun and challenging cadence style rides, we had a great time getting to know this gem of an instructor and we hope you do too!

We kick off the episode with Meredith showing up sweaty but happy as she had just come off several workouts, finishing up with a great row.  Did you know rowing utilizes 96% of your muscle groups?  You do now!  Oh, and Sheldon virtual biked up a mountain.

During the industry news:  Peloton woes continue, they allegedly knowingly sent out "rusty" bikes, and several more high profile executives exit.  Also, they are supposedly releasing their rower during their Homecoming event this year.  Injuries from home fitness up 50% last year, is AI the answer to prevent injury? Indoor climbing gyms opening faster than ever with most of them being rope less "boulder" gyms. Another rower in the mix - Avrion - secures $18.5M in funding for their business.  They incorporate gaming and will open their platform to entertainment, starting with Netflix.

In Echelon news, they have partnered with the American Heart Association.  There will be rides as well as a commitment of donations over the next 2 years.  EX8 is out in the "wild"!  We are looking forward to seeing more pictures and reports!  Great artist spotlight in UK - George Ezra! Intervals and Arms continues to be a great format for many riders!

One clear winner in the Valentine's candy Snackdown.  We promise to hit "Easter Candy" in the coming episodes.

We wrap up with Sheldon getting quizzed on heart trivia.

Some people's idea of fun is a nice evening on the couch with a movie.  Today's guest likes to drive a few hours, sleep in the back of her station wagon, wake up and run 50+ miles, and then drive home.  She is Alison Anderson, she is an endurance athlete, Echelon rider, and all around awesome person.  Meredith and I have a great conversation about discipline and "finding your thing".  We also talk about her podcast that she does with another rider, Norm Miller, called the Post Race Cookie Cast.  if you have interest in endurance sports, you'll love it.  Find it at www.postracecookie.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

So much was discussed this episode!  Industry news galore where discuss some data that highlights how important "music, choreography, and "favorite classes" are to peoples' decisions to stay with a format.  New Boxing VR game from Les Mils.  A LOT of people building a home want an exercise room as a priority.  We also, of course, spend a lot of time talking about the turmoil that has been hitting the behemoth that is Peloton.   New CEO, major lowering of earnings, and ....sadly... 2800 people lost their jobs.

Echelon has some exciting stuff with a new class format "Intervals and Arms", Mere gives us a run down.  Chattanooga studio opening up again.  Good Housekeeping award for one of the Echelon bikes.  Tons of shoutouts!

Meredith and Sheldon talk about Black History month and discuss a couple of important contributors in the realm of health and fitness.

We wrap up with another in the Snackdown! series.  You'll have to listen to see!

Don't forget to check out our collaboration apparel with Fluffy But Fit - www.fluffybutfit.co/pages/bike-podcast.

You've heard of "Snakes on a Plane", well today's guest brings you the treadmill of pain!  Ok... terrible "Sam Jackson" jokes aside, we've got the one and only Sam Jackson, Echelon Lead Instructor on this week and she was a delight.  From her days as a Division I distance runner to being told "You'll never run again", we hear her riveting story and her path to being that ball of energy we see on the Bike, Stride(TM) Treadmill, and Reflect(TM) fitness mirror.  She's fantastic to talk with!

SO much news in the industry.  Yup - more lawsuits - and some good news for Echelon on that front.  Fitness in the... bathroom?? Yes, it's a thing.  And of course we have to talk about the epic sh*tshow that is Peloton stock and the challenges they are dealing with.  Boxing combined with fantasy games? Uh, YEAH!

We forgot the shoutouts, but recorded a special session to jam them in there after so many of you lovely Echelots said how much you love them :-).

We announce our NEW COLLABORATION!!

Check it out at:  fluffybutfit.co/pages/bike-podcast

Finally, Sheldon scrambled up a game in like 3 minutes after he realizes that he forgot to prep one for the show, and so therefore Meredith is challenged with .... Oatmeal Trivia.  Sorry, they can't all be winners....