Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Monza.
Hi Maya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in San Luis Obispo in a music-loving family. My mom worked in the music industry prior to us moving to SLO when I was 4 and both my parents had career changes after they attended graduate school. Music was always the heartbeat of our home. I gravitated towards gymnastics and cheerleading from a young age, always chasing that perfect combination of rhythm and movement. When I got accepted into San Diego State, it was my absolute dream school- sunshine, sports, and an electric campus culture. But when I found out I was placed in the Chapultepec dorm (aka “Chappy”), I cried. It was the farthest dorm from the main campus and from all my friends, which felt like a nightmare as a freshman trying to find my footing.
But here’s the twist: Chappy happened to be right next door to the Aztec Recreation Center. I started going to the 6 AM spin classes before my 8 AM Exercise and Nutritional Sciences lectures, followed by my go-to Shake Smart smoothie. It became my routine, my sanctuary, even. Then one day, the instructor announced she was heading to Europe and canceling her early morning classes. I was devastated. Where was I going to get my workout and smoothie fix before class?
So, I took a leap. I got certified to become a spin instructor that weekend before I even turned 19. That decision changed everything. It was the moment I realized fitness could be more than a hobby. It could be my passion, my purpose, and eventually, my full-time career.
From there, I threw myself into campus life- I became President of Alpha Chi Omega, VP of Recruitment, and lived in a house with 40 women for two years. But post-grad, I always joke that SoulCycle became my new sorority. I’ve helped run auditions, trained new instructors, hosted trainings, and stepped into continued education and talent development roles. It’s full circle in the best way: community, sweat, leadership, and music all rolled into one.
From those early 6 AM spin classes next to my freshman dorm to now, it’s been a full-circle journey. What started as a way to stay active before class turned into a calling. Today, I get to do my dream job- teaching workout classes all over San Diego, personal training incredible clients, and helping people fall in love with movement the same way I did. Whether I’m coaching someone through a sprint at Barry’s, cueing choreography on a SoulCycle bike, or programming one-on-one strength sessions, every day feels like a celebration of everything I’ve worked toward.
San Diego has been the backdrop for this transformation- from a nervous college freshman who cried over a dorm placement to a full-time fitness professional building a life rooted in connection, community, and sweat. This city shaped me, and now I get to give that energy back through every class and every client.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Fitness might look glamorous on Instagram, and don’t get me wrong, it is rewarding- but it’s also hard. Really hard. Instructors are often paid by performance, which means how many people show up to your class can directly affect your paycheck. Sometimes it feels like no matter how many classes you teach or how hard you work, it’s not enough to break through to that next level. It’s a tough reality in an industry where your value is often measured by attendance numbers- but I’ve learned to focus on the relationships I build and the impact I make, because that’s what keeps people coming back.
It’s not just about the 45 minutes on the bike or the treadmill. Behind the scenes, I’m making 5 playlists a day, programming Barry’s intervals, choreographing SoulCycle classes, creating content for social media, engaging with clients, trying to eat right, sleep 8 hours, and somehow stay sane. My advice to new instructors? Ask questions. Understand what’s really expected of you. This career is beautiful, but it’s not effortless.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a fitness instructor, content creator, and personal trainer based in San Diego, known for my high-energy SoulCycle theme rides, strength classes at Barry’s, and a deep love for music, movement, and connection. My playlists (especially the Taylor Swift ones!) are a huge part of my brand! I treat every class like a mini concert.
I think I’m known for creating classes that feel personal. I’ve had riders say my class is like a daily podcast- we talk about pop culture, life updates, and everything in between. I use music to tell a story, and I want every rider to feel seen and supported the second they walk into the room. I’m constantly updating my playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, and I draw inspiration from what’s trending in music, TV, and film. If it’s in the zeitgeist, it’s probably in my class.
Some of the moments I’m most proud of? Seeing myself on a SoulCycle billboard in Times Square was surreal. I’ve also had the chance to work with Will Smith and his team on a partnership for Fitbit, which was such a pinch-me moment. And recently, I’ve been hosting large-scale workout events with Vuori, my favorite athletic brand, as a V1 Ambassador. Leading workouts for upwards of 150 people and celebrating the strength of our community in these kinds of settings feels like the most aligned version of success to me.
More than anything, I’m proud of how I’ve been able to stay grounded in who I am, while growing into the kind of leader I needed when I was just starting out. I truly believe movement is medicine, and I’m grateful every day that I get to help people discover that for themselves.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve learned that risk often shows up disguised as redirection. In 2020, like most of the fitness industry, I was laid off. It was a scary and uncertain time. Everything I had worked so hard to build came to a halt overnight. But instead of letting it crush me, I channeled that energy into something new.
That’s when I launched Après Sweat, a brand I created during quarantine. I was living with three roommates one in nursing, one in chemistry, one in marketing… and there I was, suddenly unemployed and trying not to bother anyone while blasting music and dreaming up my next move. I fell in love with the idea of creating a brand that celebrated everything I loved: sweating, socializing, and collaborating with my friends who were launching their brands. I designed a sustainable, waterproof laundry bag for post-workout clothes, found a consultant, a designer, even a factory overseas and invested my own savings to bring it to life.
While I eventually had to pause the launch due to limited resources, the dream hasn’t died. I still carry that entrepreneurial spirit with me. And through that process, I also learned how much I value using my energy to create experiences like traveling for friends’ weddings, weekend trips to visit my family, going to concerts, hosting events, and continuing to grow my brand in new ways.
Taking risks isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about betting on yourself even when the future is uncertain. And I’ll never stop doing that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soul-cycle.com/instructors/10450/MayaM./
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayamonza/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/7yk5gmuk53ew4h4p5gjl5jkbh?si=13d2b5f35a7a45b6
Image Credits
ShotbyCole, Renoda Campbell Photo
