With gyms closed and winter creeping in, I invested in some arctic-grade athletic wear that came with all the reassurances to keep me warm while wicking away sweat. I was ready to run the Hudson River path in the dead of a New York winter, something I had never even considered before… thanks Covid!
Cut to: first truly freezing morning. I suited up, hit the pavement, and for a brief moment, I felt cute. My gear seemed to be working. And then—BOOM. POW. I rounded a corner on the boardwalk and the wind off the Hudson hit me like a wall. It may as well have been summer and I may as well have been naked. My fancy, winter-proof setup? Useless.
Defeated, I booked an appointment at the Peloton store.
Now, I had long believed Peloton was a cult. I had colleagues who raved about the leaderboard, the instructors, the “energy.” They all seemed to speak the same script. “Who is paying you to say this?” I thought. But there I was, humbled and freezing, buying a bike because the treadmill wouldn’t fit in my apartment—and then waiting 3.5 months for it to arrive.
Fast forward: I’m now a proud Peloton cult member. I largely credit Cody Rigsby and Tunde Oyeneyin for getting me through Covid. Cody’s breakdowns of the glories of Krispy Kreme, his disdain for all the milk varietals to choose from, and the constant encouragement (“Hi-five for just showing up!”) somehow kept me from completely losing the plot.
This morning, I was on a ride with Hannah Frankson, and she riffed on these concepts; One can’t get stronger without stepping up the resistance. One can’t change without trying something new. There is no shame in cranking up the resistance, realizing it is too much and backing it back down, through that process you’ll surprise yourself with how strong you really are. Getting stronger is a step by step longterm journey.
That landed. It felt like a metaphor not just for fitness—but for building a business.
Building a business is exactly that: a step-by-step climb. Resistance included. Sometimes it feels like a grind, even a forced march—but that’s how strength builds.
This past week, I’ve been in a real estate bootcamp (never stop learning!) and it’s given me too much time to reflect:
How do I level up?
Who’s that one client that will change my trajectory?
Where will I find them?
How do I keep the spark alive once the adrenaline of “launching” wears off?
The answers aren’t clear yet. And honestly, it’s unsettling. But if there’s anything Peloton has taught me, it’s that mindset matters. That the slightly delusional optimism, the corny mantras, the constant encouragement—those are exactly what you need when forging your own path.
Because some days, that vision board magic feels lightyears away. But with every ride, every client call, every hustle-filled day, I remind myself:
Breathe in the good shit. Exhale the bullshit.
— Matty Maggiacomo, Peloton
Got a vision board with a dream home—or a new chapter? Let’s turn that into reality. One bold step at a time.
Opinions and views are my own. The content in this post is for informational purposes only. Do not rely on this information for financial and/ or legal advice or to make any decisions about your financial and/or legal situation. Seek professional counsel for your specific needs.