Depression: it’s a real thing. Some days it’s not so bad. Others, it’s hard to find any motivation to do a damn thing. Even teaching my classes. But I know the movement will help, also being surrounded by the energy of my class participants, and knowing that I showed up for THEM, makes the hurt dwindle. However, sometimes it’s just a band aid for the hour, and when the classes are over, I get in my car, drive home, and feel the feels. Tonight were some hard feels.

Photo 1 is literally my face when I got to the gym parking lot. Photo 2 is the face I put on before I went inside. The sweat still felt good. Seeing and chit chatting with members felt good. The mindfulness at the end felt good. But the sads came back on when I left the parking lot.

Depression, anxiety, grief… it’s all a journey. And I have to remind myself, today is just today, and tomorrow is another chance to be better. Keep moving forward.

I share this because I want to be transparent and honest. Because I know I’m not the only one, and that awareness is necessary. If you are suffering, you are not alone. ​

​This mat saved me today. I’ve been struggling with with my motivation, mood, hormones. I keep coming back to this mat praying it will bring me back to where i was.
Today something different happened. As I looked down between my hands as I was holding plank, I broke down in tears as the word WARRIOR jumped out at me and told me who I AM.
You just never know what your students are going through and what they actually bring to the mat. There are so many instructors that have nursed me through heartbreak, stress, the loss of my father without even knowing they’ve had a role in my healing. 
You are so important to so many. Please don’t ever underestimate that.
Today I am grateful for this beautiful format and for this community.

Teaching indoor cycling is very new to me. When I used to compete in triathlon, we only took indoor cycling classes when the weather was awful or the winter days were too short to ride outside. It was necessary conditioning, and we went to class to hammer! WARRIOR Revolution is a different experience altogether - yes, it’s firmly rooted in traditional terrain-based indoor cycling class design (hammering can happen), but we also turn up the party vibe!

I’ve been practicing at my gym’s gorgeous bike studio, preparing to teach Revolution. The other day my best friend joined me. She came for the workout, to provide feedback, and to give me moral support. While I was getting my microphone and music going, a young guy came into the studio and asked if there was a class starting. I let him know that we were just practicing. I invited him in and told him he was perfectly welcome to do his own thing, as long as he was okay with my music and cueing “noise”. He was fine with it and got himself set up on a bike.

We were about two songs into my lesson when I realized he was actually doing the moves with us! He looked like he was working hard, and appeared to enjoy it right to the very end of the hour. Afterwards, we were all chatting and my friend mentioned that he was wearing her favorite brand of shoes. He said that he loved them, too! He admitted he was kind of bummed that this pair had a hole through the sole, which he showed us. “Must be a poor college student”, I thought to myself. But then things took a turn…

He continued on, saying, “The spikes of my mountain bike pedals finally wore through. I didn’t mind except when I had to walk through the cacti.” Wait, WHAT?? My friend and I must have had matching quizzical expressions on our faces. “Yeah, I finished a 1,040 mile, 42 day solo mountain bike ride, Baja to Bay, last month. It was mostly a dirt track and slow-going some days.” Our jaws dropped in awe.

“This is the first time I’ve been on a bike seat since I got back, actually. It was really fun! Thanks for easing me back in with something new and different!” Well, THAT was unexpected! We talked a bit longer about his incredible trip, and learned that he’s in the midst of planning another one in Mexico this spring with his partner and brother. 

How cool that I could offer this amazing person my WARRIOR Revolution class, and it happened to be his path back into his riding practice.. Yes, I think his commitment to these adventures is very similar to having a yoga practice. He had shared with us that his experience in Baja was just as much mental as physical. This is not surprising. I get it. That was my draw to long-distance triathlon in the past. It’s personal how you get into that meditative space. Revolution could absolutely help bring you there. AND it can be a simple, joyful, spicy sweat sesh, if that’s what you want. I invite YOU to find a class and Ride YOUR Race with us.

Bess



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I’ve recently concluded a six-week journey teaching WARRIOR Rhythm Lesson 17, centered around the theme of “metamorphosis.” Teaching the final class of a lesson series is always a bittersweet experience. It’s a blend of pride in our collective mastery of the intricate choreography and the excitement for the upcoming new lessons. Observing and feeling everyone’s unique yet unified experiences as they delve into the synchronized movements, embracing their personal choices, is profoundly beautiful. The diversity in expression is truly striking.

The theme of metamorphosis, or transformation, presents a personal challenge to me. As someone approaching sixty, I find myself in a state of contentment and confidence, generally satisfied with my family, friends, home, career, and leisure activities. The drive for change that once propelled me seems to have mellowed. But, is this shift in attitude concerning? Should there be a continual pursuit for more, an unending desire for change?

As we step into the New Year, a period often marked by resolutions and renewed hopes, I am reminded of a classic yoga meditation: What are the things in life that no longer serve you, which you can let go of? What kind of transformation could this release initiate?

What is it about WARRIOR Combat that is so incredibly satisfying?

Have you ever stepped into the ring of a real physical fight? My closest encounter was during the semester of Tae Kwon Do I took in college. Bruises covered my body for months, but the thrill was undeniable.

WARRIOR Combat instructors aim to kick and punch with authentic style, even though no physical contact is involved. You don't need boxing experience to teach or take a class, but in my quest to become a Combat Master Trainer, I decided to supplement my training with 1-on-1 boxing sessions. Hitting the bag and my coach's strike pads while perfecting my techniques was an absolute blast.

One reason I'm drawn to Combat is that it lets me channel my inner badass, like an Amazon warrior ready to conquer. I even did a "badass" photoshoot when I turned 50, posing with a sword, reminiscent of iconic female action characters like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Nine years later, those photos still bring a smile to my face.

So, what's the answer to my initial question? WARRIOR Combat is more than a workout; it's a chance to come together with friends, break a sweat, release stress, and conquer our inner demons to the beat of incredible music. It taps into our aggressive energy, allowing us to harness that power and use it to keep fighting, as Combat's motto suggests—pure magic.

I want to extend my gratitude to Diva and Ellen for bringing Combat into our lives, where we can transform into our own unbeatable superheroes.

Bess