Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Perez Addiego.
Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My overall fitness journey starts at a young age. I grew up playing sports and dancing but it wasn’t until my early 20’s that I felt the need to start working out for my health. From Crossfit and group classes to yoga and pilates, I spent years looking for something that I enjoyed doing on a regular basis. It wasn’t until I started cycling that I not only found something that I really liked, but tapped into a passion I didn’t know was there. The more time I spent cycling, the harder I fell in love. I started going to Jenea’s classes in the Bay Area consistently and felt my best when leaving her rides. I always had a dream of teaching my own class but I was closer to my late 20’s and comfortable in my daily routine of going to work, working out, sleeping and doing it again the next day. A few of my friends had told me to reach Jenea because we all knew she was working on something special here in San Diego. I was of course too shy, but one-day, Jenea texted me and I knew I had to jump at the opportunity. I had many long talks with my husband, (fiance at the time) family and my boss and CEO at my job about what I should do. I had just about every reason not to move, I was doing well in my career, all my friends and most of my family were in NorCal and I was in the middle of planning my wedding. But I knew if I didn’t chase this dream, I would always wonder “what if”. With the support of my family, friends and my job, I packed my car up and moved down to SoCal. Four months later, my husband joined me and we haven’t looked back!
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all, in fact, it was really bumpy for a couple of years. I started tracking everything I ate obsessively, working out sometimes twice a day and started to shut myself off. Friday nights, I spent at the gym instead of out with friends and woke up early Saturday to do it all again. I was so hard on myself and working out for all the wrong reasons and I knew deep down something needed to change. And slowly, it did.
It is easy for me to say “don’t be so hard on yourself” now but I know how hard that is! One thing I wish I had done a little more of when I was younger was really appreciating what my body could do despite the hell I had put it through. Often times, I tell my class to say thank you to your body, it can be as little as that but I really think showing that gratitude is important. Also, find something that you really love. As I mentioned, it took me years and multiple studios, gyms, and classes before I found cycling. I am also a big believer that a 30-minute walk every day can do wonders for you mentally and physically. You don’t need to completely change your life to start your journey. Just start somewhere – whether it’s a 10-minute walk or taking 15 seconds to give yourself a compliment each day.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Edge Cycle story. Tell us more about it.
I work full time in the financial tech world while also teaching cycling and I use that as fuel for every workout. I am just getting off of working a full day, so I know what it is like to choose between happy hour, running a million errands, taking a nap or going to work out. So, I always make sure that 45 minutes in my classes count with some heavy hills and a long arms set. Music wise, I love hip hop especially throwbacks, so you can always expect at least a couple of hip hop songs in my class. Most of all, I want you to be comfortable in class and have fun, so I always tell my class if they want to hear something – send it my way.
Which women have inspired you in your life? Why?
I am so blessed to have so many men and women that throughout my life that have molded me into who I am today. My mother and father first and foremost. They have always inspired me to work hard for what I want and because of the work ethic they instilled in me at a young age, I push myself to be better each day. They have supported and encouraged me all throughout my life and also weren’t afraid to ask the tough questions whenever it came to making big decisions to make sure I was thinking every option out.
I am also lucky to be surrounded by a badass team at Edge Cycle. It is very refreshing to be a part of a team where we are encouraged to be creative and try new things instead of fitting inside a mold of what class should be like, or what music we should play. We support each other, bounce ideas off one another and make sure we are honest with each other day in and day out. We all have our own quirks and strengths and that is what makes Edge such a special place to be a part of.
Pricing:
- $15 for your first class
- $24 to drop in
- Packages and memberships are also available
Contact Info:
- Address: 1490 J St
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: https://www.edge-cycle.com
- Phone: (619) 324-8680
- Email: eastvillage@edge-cycle.com
- Instagram: @natalieann17
- Other: @edge_cycle
Image Credit:
Marc Fernandez
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