FitGirlMagic: Chevy Laurent
Meet Chevy
When we learned about the new heated studio RydeFYR in Manhattan Beach, CA, we knew we had to give it a try (Check out our review here)! But, what really made the studio sing was the instructor and owner Chevy Laurent. Self-described as spiritual, bold, and vivacious, Chevy is the true embodiment of Fit Girl Magic. After hearing her story, we are truly inspired to go for our own fit dreams! Check out how Chevy got out of her comfort zone and is now living her best life as a fitness professional and entrepreneur.
Tell us a little about yourself, your background.
I'm a Michigan native who grew up extremely motivated with a "girl power" mentality. This comes from having attended a private all-girls Catholic school from grades 5 – 12. I developed an early passion for athleticism, music, and movement. I began dance training at the age of three and have always loved singing and being athletic. After graduating from high school, I moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University, where I received a B.A. in Communications Studies. I chose to continue my schooling at the University of Southern California, where I earned an M.A. in Communications Management before heading to Pepperdine University School of Law. While I did not become a lawyer, I did begin my career working in corporate marketing and sales. I worked for a major luxury automotive manufacturer for over a decade before transitioning into a lucrative career in pharmaceutical/medical sales. And during that time, I spent every free moment I had in pursuit of fitness.
Eventually, I realized that I needed to take a "leap of faith." I quit my corporate job to become a full-time fitness professional and, ultimately, now a small business owner.
When and how did you fall in love with the fitness industry?
There was this point in my journey, while I was still working my corporate job, that I began to reflect and realize that I wasn’t TRULY happy with my career. I was making great money and had a beautiful marriage, family and friends. However, I wasn’t “fulfilled.”
I needed to make a change so that I could move forward and find true happiness.
That’s when I decided to enroll in my first yoga teacher training because I wanted to deepen my own yoga practice while looking inward to learn more about myself. I have to admit, it was an intense experience because I was working full-time but had to put in 200 hours of learning and practice to get certified. However, it changed me for the better. I not only learned what yoga really means, I learned about listening to my inner voice, how to quiet my mind, and how to recognize my strength and power. From there, I discovered the world of indoor cycling through rhythm riding on a bike at SoulCycle. On a whim, after only a handful of rides, I decided to just go for it and audition to become an instructor. I didn’t make it the first time, but they saw something in me and suggested I audition again, and I ended up making it into their training program!
That was a turning point for me because I had to quit my corporate job to move to New York to train, with ZERO guarantees that I would walk out as a SoulCycle instructor. Fortunately, with the support of my loving husband & family, we were able to figure it all out. I participated in an intense, immersive training for three months. After I made the cut and graduated their training program, my new career as a full-time fitness professional officially began.
I started teaching yoga and indoor cycling and training private clients as a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. I enjoyed this very much, but after a few years, I realized that it was time to take my career to the next level. I was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and decided that it was time to leave the safety of the “big box” corporate fitness entities and to start my own business. It has been both a scary and exhilarating process all at the same time.
As a woman of color, under the age of 40, with only a few years of fitness training experience under my belt, I am not the typical prototype of a Manhattan Beach business owner. But so far, I’m having the time of my life.
What aspect of health, fitness or wellness do you feel is your biggest challenge?
I love my job. So my biggest challenge is committing to take time out and away from it—time for myself. Starting my own business and being passionate about its success, I easily spend every waking hour working on some element of it. I still teach and train clients, in addition to owning and running the business. But I know that it’s important to have work-life balance and to always find time for self-love and self-care. For that reason, I’m always challenging myself to take a fitness class that I’m not teaching, take a long relaxing bubble bath, or just take a “time out” to spend with my family and friends.
Tell us more about the studio you opened.
RydeFYR, is the ONLY indoor cycling studio in the South Bay to offer HEATED indoor cycling classes. It takes your workout to the next level— torching 400-800+ calories per 45-minute ride, detoxifying the body, and helping you train like the athlete YOU are. We offer classes in a range from 75 – 95 plus degrees. Depending on the class format you choose, you might be riding for 45 minutes at 85 degrees, or you might take our FYR+SCLPT class which is a 30 minute ride at 85 degrees paired with a 30 minute hot yoga sculpt class at 95+ degrees. We have something for everybody.
And while training in the heat definitely is more of a mental and physical challenge than your average spin class, you reap so many benefits. Scientific studies have shown that training in the heat is as effective if not more effective than altitude training to improve overall athletic performance. Plus, it just feels good when your muscles are warm.
After riding at RydeFYR you’ll be surprised at how much easier your cross-training routine and regular room temp classes are too! Our riders have reported that our rides make other spin classes seem easy. Our RydeFYR family members are running more miles with ease, experiencing improved sleep, better digestion and more!
What was your motivation for opening RydeFYR?
I wanted to foster a genuine, loving, supportive, hard working, bad*ass community. I’m most proud of the fact that RydeFYR is just that. It’s more than just a place to get a good workout; we are a community – a FYR FAMLY. In a world where we spend so much time by ourselves, working from home, disconnected by being on our phones and electronic devices, we rarely get the one thing that most human beings actually crave the most… human connection. When you ride at RydeFYR, you get to connect with yourself, as well as those around you. We ride together for the feeling of connection. You don’t ever have to say a word if you don’t want to, but when you come to the space and ride with us, you are instantly connected to the community. And every time you come back, you get to meet up with people from this amazing community who you are now connected to, through this incredible joint experience.
What was your biggest entrepreneurial obstacle and success?
The reality of owning a business is, every single day I learn something new. So the obstacle is seeing the “road block” of the day (and trust me there is at least one every single day) as a hurdle, or speed bump. You have to constantly be willing and able to quickly adapt while at the same time staying true to who you are as a brand.
My biggest success is the honor of being able to help foster relationships. It truly is such a privilege to be a part the RydeFYR community and of each riders journey --helping them realize just how strong and powerful they truly are!
We cater to women of color. As a business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with someone who is either contemplating taking the big step into entrepreneurship? What is one piece of advice for a woman looking to just go bolder and bigger in her career or life in general?
I would just say TRUST YOURSELF. People will doubt you and tell you – you can’t. You may even have moments of self-doubt; that’s totally normal. But when you dig deep, and listen to your inner voice (your inner FYR, as I like to call it), does it tell you it’s time to take a leap of faith? If it does, my vote is go for it! I’m not saying you should suddenly quit your job with no plan of how you’re going to pay your bills, keep a roof over your head or eat. But what I am saying is that you should listen to that voice. Start making moves to make your dream a reality. And don’t stop making moves until you’ve made it happen for you! And before your big leap, please make sure you’re mentally and physically prepared to work really hard every step of the way. Entrepreneurship is not nearly as glamorous as it may seem. You will work harder and longer than you ever thought possible. But it WILL BE WORTH IT. You got this!
If you are ever in the South Bay area check out RydeFyr here!