Get To Know Shannon Reznik | CycleBar Instructor In Real Life

As Sweat & Sweets has embarked on scouring Charlotte’s fitness world, we want to bring you a truly unique perspective of this amazing community which we are exploring. This is where we feature the teachers, coaches, leaders, instructors, influencers and owners. Plain and simple we want to bring you the people that make your motion stay in motion. We want to know them, and often times we want to be them. So that’s exactly what we are setting out to do.

I’ve had the privilege to start this new segment with Shannon Reznik, a CycleBar instructor, PureBarre teacher, CycleBar studio manager, furbaby mama, and wine/champagne fanatic. I was ecstatic when Shannon, aka Shanpagne, accepted my invitation to be our first interviewee for the “In Real Life” segment. Since day one of walking into CycleBar Shannon and the CycleBar squad have been warm and accommodating. Of course, this was exactly the case when I walked in to start the interview with Shannon. She asked me if I needed anything, had set up a little “interview space” and started chatting instantly. After talking with Shannon for just a few minutes I realized, this didn’t even feel like an interview, it felt like two people just hanging on the weekend. She has a way of making you feel comfortable even if you don’t know her. I have to say from experience, her class environment and leadership feels the same way, except the part where she kicks your booty for almost an hour. Check out our short Q&A with Shannon. Also, follow the links below to find out when you can get into one of her classes!

Q: What experiences led up to you getting into this field….how did you become an instructor?

A: I originally majored in special education and that’s what I thought I wanted to do - and what my main focus was going to be - I’m a big believer that if you can manage a classroom of 24 six-year-olds you can pretty much do anything - but I couldn’t find a job doing what I wanted. So I got into corporate America and hated it. I had a stereotypical 9-5pm job to pay the bills, but was certainly not passionate about it. I think alot of people feel that way. I have always been interested in health and wellness so I started taking a lot of classes thinking, ‘I really want to do that’ and ‘How do I get involved?’ So I went back to school and got certified as a personal trainer. When I moved to Virginia Beach a few years ago, I met a girl in the gym, who would quickly become one of my best friends, and the first thing she said to me was “you would be great a teaching spin!” She said it was “because it was 5:30 in the morning and you are always bright eyed and bushy tailed.” So I went and took a spin class that was unlike any style I’d ever taken and I fell in love. Three weeks later I was in their training program. So I just went for it and made the huge change, almost on a whim, and a gut feeling. It was not easy but it has been totally worth it. Basically, if you want it enough, it’s possible. And now, I still get to volunteer with special needs kids, and feel like I’ve been able to combine all my passions in to one!

Q:Do you need a personal training cert?

A: It’s not required, but it has definitely helped me because I understand the mechanics of the body in a more detailed way. But, most spin studios have their own individual certifications that you go through. Every studio is different - but it has mainly helped because I love learning about this kind of thing- l love making myself healthier as well as helping other people,

The reason that I like group training classes and group exercise more than personal training is because I feel you can really let your personality come out, and allow your class to feed off of each other’s energy. It can be addicting and truly palpable!

Q: What are you thinking when you are teaching - How ‘s it feel to have all eyes on you up front because you are literally in a Spotlight??

A: So it’s not always easy - I tell people that in class - do you want to come up here and look at a bunch of blank stares!? At the end of the day it’s a good reminder that’s it’s not about you; it’s about the clients, and the riders, and their experience. If they leave with a smile on their face - you’re like “OK i’ve done my job.” You have to remember you can’t take things personally. If they aren’t cheering maybe they are trying to breathe (laugh) or maybe they just aren’t into it, and that’s OK. At the end of the day it’s about their experience and not yours.

I will say it helps changing perspectives - once you become a rider again or take another instructor’s class, you try a little harder to be a positive energy. I honestly try to smile at the instructor or introduce myself, because there’s nothing worse than looking out there and thinking …”does anyone want to be here? And, what can I do to make them want it?”

Q:What do you feel like you would want your theme song to be?

A: I found you Ms. New Booty - Bubba Sparxxx. Not only does it have an awesome beat but you’re just like yeaaaaa what’s up.

Q: So would that be your same silly goofy song that gets you up and going? Maybe it’s your secret song you don’t want everyone to know...now not so much your secret…

A: I think I have a few- Probably something like Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer - You know, a sing along when you're in the shower that makes you think - I’m so ready for today - look at me go! Either that, or a disney song that you know all the words to but you don’t want to admit that you do. Like the little mermaid. Oh, or, I have a secret remix to A part of your world - and it’s amazing.

Q: So where do you go to get your gear?

A: It’s hard to narrow it down to one brand because I wear so many outfits throughout the day since I sweat so much! So I have to have a lot of things that will really hold up. I’ve tried everything from the inexpensive to the high end ...sometimes old navy has a really good steal but Lululemon and Alo are my favorites. I think that they are the most versatile athleisure wear, so you can wear it to class and then go run errands and people are like “Gosh you look cute.” I love that kind of style. People ask me to go out and I’m like…”Can i still wear leggings? ‘cause I’m going to.”

Q: what has been something inspirational that you have encountered in your class or from a rider or just felt yourself?

A: I think it’s amazing to see that these classes are literally built for everyone. We say that, but then you come into a class and it’s true! There are teenagers working out with their moms, who bring their grandma to come to class, and it becomes a family affair. Obviously, they are all at different levels, and it truly doesn’t matter. Spinning brings them all together. I think the most inspirational thing I’ve seen recently in regards to one of our riders and the community as a whole. We have a rider that has a disability and does not get held back at all. Everyday he comes in with just as much power and enthusiasm in him as the next guy, if not more. He is self motivated, but the community we are building truly supports each other. Sometimes we have people that come in and just pedal in the back simply because they want that community feel. It’s not about the leaderboard. It’s about building off the support of the people next to you, which we preach about. It’s amazing to actually watch it happen - when someone gives you a high-five after class - it’s very empowering - it gives me goosebumps. Literally, I feel fuzzy.

Q: As far as CycleBar, do you feel you get that community feel in your class or is it a CycleBar movement?

A: The reason I was drawn to CycleBar is because they preach that the community vibe is important. I think our studio really holds onto it. It’s the place we want you to hang out because you WANT to be there. We have events and fun things that we try to do in studio, but it’s also about the friendships and the relationships that you’re building that you didn’t necessarily know that you needed - but they happen. You’re like “Man I love this rider that I see at 6am!” We’re here together every morning, so we build a common bond on that, or you think to yourself “the people at the front desk are so freaking nice to me everyday” and then all of a sudden we’re friends. We are big on that and it makes me excited to go to work at 5 in the morning.

Q: So you being new to Charlotte - how do you feel the fitness compares in this city to where you’ve been prior?

A: I’m super impressed! I think there are a lot of awesome boutique studios in the area, but what I really I like about them is that everyone’s been very welcoming. We’ve already partnered with a number of other local fitness studios to do joint events like a 30 min ride and 30 min bootcamp - or a VIP ride for their staff members and then we take a team class at their location. Everyone being supportive is truly the best. I love the fact that there’s so much diversity in what we do. So of course, you always want to be someone's favorite. You want people to pick CycleBar more than anything else, but at the end of the day we care about people’s health and wellness, and we love the fitness community in Charlotte.

Q: What’s your workout regimen?

A: It's hard [for me] to find balance. One, because I am here all the time and I want to practice what I preach. So I love taking classes, and I love all the other instructors. I learn a lot from them for my own classes by taking [their rides]. But I am also a big believer in balance, and finding a little bit of me-time so, I teach Pure Barre also. This is nice because it is a little bit of an outlet for me when I need to escape, but I am still getting that family atmosphere that I crave. Plus, it’s a great compliment to cycling! Trust me! I also try really hard to do one new thing a week. Fitting it that community vibe is the best way to describe it. I don’t want to see what’s out there as competition; I want to keep supporting other local studios while keeping myself sane at the same time. I like to do everything from Yoga to stepping out of my comfort zone and boxing. Basically, I like to keep moving! And sometimes, it’s really nice to be a student!

Q: Advice that you give your riders or newbies?

A: What’s nice is that we don’t necessarily offer beginner, intermediate, or advanced classes. Our classes our tailored for everyone because you can always modify as you need.It’s just like I said before, our riders come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Remember that every day is different. Every bike is different. Every person is different. It’s exercise - you can have FUN - and it doesn’t have to be something that frustrates you. It should always be more empowering than not.

Q: Would you say if you ride everyday that the workout loses it’s effectiveness?

A: NO! Honestly it sometimes gets harder instead of easier! You start to learn where you think your limits are, and then, you start to push past them. You remember your first class and are like “man I couldn’t hold a sprint for 30 seconds and now I can. But, now I can also do it with more gear or even give it a little more speed.” So you are always adapting and changing and it definitely doesn’t lose it’s effectiveness. What you have to focus on is to keep making it fun. That’s why I am always in class telling people to smile, or to breathe, or to look at your neighbor and give them a high-five. Often when you get to that level where you are constantly pushing yourself, people become so head down and focused, that they’re not letting themselves live a little bit. I think that’s super important to remember.

Q: You workout all the time….I mean eating. You have to eat right? Do you have a strict meal plan or any guilty pleasures?

A: Everyone has a guilty pleasure. But again, I am big believer in balance overall - I obviously need to eat healthy to fuel my workouts. If I ate cheeseburgers all day, I probably wouldn’t be able to teach all day either! I want to always remember to enjoy time with my friends. I don’t want to be the person eating only chicken and broccoli all the time. I want to go out, and enjoy amazing restaurants that are here in charlotte and have I mentioned.. Wine… because that is really important to me. (laughs)

Q: What are a couple of those amazing restaurants you like to go to that you want to SHOUT OUT?

A: Soul in Plaza Midwood is one of the best places i think i have ever been - it’s delicious and also Good Food in Montford. Those are my two favs so far.

Q: Guilty pleasure?

A: The wine. All the wine. And then I have a very soft spot in my heart for fruity chewy candy like Mike & Ikes! People give them to me before classes sometimes, and I get hearts in my eyes.

Q: Mistakes you feel like people make once they start or by not starting?

A: I think being too hard on yourself. We do use the stat boards in CycleBar, but they aren’t the main focus of our class. So if you are a competitive person they are there, but if you’re not, don’t worry about it. I think when people are new, they often walk in with this preconceived notion of “I’m not going to be good enough” or “This can’t be the spot for me because all these other people are already going to be in shape.” So it’s easy to get down on yourself if you start comparing to other people. Just remember every day, every bike, every person is different. Take it one step at a time and have fun! It makes it easier.

Sometimes I’m the same way! I think I’m too tired, I’m too sore, but here I am in class. I think that helps my riders to see me and be like “wait you’re a HUMAN!?” (Laugh) I’m not a unicorn. It just so happens that we are all real.