Since so many of you have asked, I thought I would cede my position of letting their performance stand on their own two feet and provide some insight into some of the many characters that pop up in our live and video-on-demand coaching sessions. 

You have been asking what Barry’s official role is, why Mrs Jenkins always makes the tea, and if the vicar really does come over for tea.  Each of the surrounding team I outline below play a critical role in the production and success of our bike classes. 

I am the one at the front, on camera, but it is time to ‘bring voice’ to the all important team that make the magic happen.

Today, a little reveal on some of the crew that drive the success of the bike sessions in San Francisco:

Barry.  How can I start with anyone else?  Barry has been a rock in the production of the bike class, with a wide ranging role in production and beyond. Barry originates from  Ireland, but is in the US as an undocumented visitor, something that enables us to exploit on his employment terms. Cash-in-hand only, Barry used his former life as a plasterer to assist in my hair and make-up, which proved to be a steep learning curve. He is much improved from the early weeks of ‘Guiliani drips’, with many not even noticing the tan-tasitc approach he takes to my skin.  Barry is also in charge of cameras and audio, with rare slip ups mostly down to his easily distractable personality. Post class, he is the life of the party at teatime, and often takes well earned center stage. Other pastimes for Barry include ukelele and trainspotting.

Mrs Jenkins.  Shared with our Dandelion chocolate making neighbors to the Purple Patch center in San Francisco, Mrs Jenkins was the only member of the team who came with the building, with full tea-making facilities already built out in the lobby.  Interestingly, I have yet to learn her first name and don’t have courage to ask, but she takes a keen role in everything refreshments.  She is strict with rations, but loves to mix things up with cakes, pies and other confectionary. Despite this love, she has quickly learned the performance lifestyle, and assists Angus in maintaining his strict high-performance nutrition protocols. 

The Professor of Architecturalization:  Only Purple Patch would employ a bike-ridng architect to design the Purple Patch center, and now the professor gets to live-the-dream in the center of his creation. He has a keen eye for angles, and always arrives with his protractor, measuring tape and laser-level. Perfection is the name of the game, and he is on a personal quest to keep building fitness until every angle and corner of the center is checked upon for the quality of implementation of design to build.  The pressure is on the team at Stronghold construction.

Angus.  Tireless in his efforts of coordination, inspiration and leadership. The fabric of the studio experience would surely fall apart if it wasn’t for the example and leadership set by Angus.  Always within 45 rpms of the designated target, sometimes close to the appropriate power, Angus is a beacon of hope for so many in the class, as well as those participating around the world. A stickler for perfection, Angus keeps a keen eye on performance levels, but is also a truth teller.  You won’t get American style fake congratulations from this honest and ‘harsh but fair’ marshal of performance.  Beyond his important role in the classroom, Angus also serves as my personal performance nutritionist. He does not have any current openings, in case you are intrigued.

The vicar.  He likes to come for tea. Most mornings. The last 18 months have seen many folks in the local community experience great personal challenge, including terrible trauma for some. Many folks have experienced real existential crisis of direction, as worlds have collided and the stress of the situation have forced many to look beyond their normal day to day existence in general.  The vicar has bypassed any role of support for these folks in the local community, declaring that friends and family are well served to provide direction and support. Instead, the vicar has embraced a figurehead role, to be seen in the community and local golf courses, travel internationally to spread the word of God, and engage in conversation with civic leaders such as myself with regular tea.  Thank you Mrs Jenkins.

As you can tell, it takes a team.  And you are a part of the success.  I asked each of the above to provide a line of two of inspiration or recommendation to keep making these classes successful.  I share below:

Mrs Jenkins:  Stop asking, there will not be seconds for anyone.

Barry:  When do I get to be seen on camera?  I am funnier than you, and better looking.

Angus:  It doesn’t look good Matt, but all we have is hope.

The Professor:  Please tell folks to wipe down the equipment... what are they, animals?

The Vicar.  Editors note:  he was golfing and not available for comment.

We'll see you in class ;)

Cheers,
Matt