We recently connected with Elizabeth Sosa and have shared our conversation below.
Elizabeth , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
A defining moment in my career was when I first stepped inside of a Cyclebar theater room and took an indoor cycling class. At that time (2016), I was teaching Zumba and received a phone call, asking if I would consider teaching indoor cycling. I was extremely skeptical and declined. With some fine schmoozing, I was talked into taking a class. So I gave it a shot, and was sold. Without a doubt in my mind, I removed Zumba and transitioned to indoor cycling. Ironically enough, a Master Instructor flew into Houston to hold auditions not too long after, and I immediately entered my name. Mind you, I had absolutely no training of the sport – NONE. The morning of auditions, my nerves & emotions were everywhere, but I kept myself in check to the best of my ability. The theater room was packed with fitness trainers auditioning, observing every detail of performance, not to mention the Master Instructor. I get on stage and completely bomb. The Master Instructor did not hold back when delivering his thoughts and I was automatically removed from being considered for future training. (Let’s not forget this is in a group setting). My walk off the stage was a long one, to say the least. I was completely humiliated and defeated. However, I was not leaving. I loved the experience of a Cyclebar class. After receiving the very matter-of-fact feedback, I chose to stay and observe the Master Instructor and remaining auditions. We were looking at an eight-hour day of straight indoor cycling. I was exhausted. The next question to myself was, “after clear rejection, do I come back to tomorrow’s training, and place myself in the same uncomfortable position?” My answer was, yes. I requested access to the studio for 5am sharp the following morning. I was up the entire night, learning and researching what I needed to do in order to regain the interest of the Master Instructor. Determination was the only, fully functional, driving force in me. I pull into the studio the following morning, and without interruption, trained on a bike (non-stop) until the arrival of the Master Instructor at 9am. Day two kicks off and my name is called back on stage to perform. By the grace of God, I was able to regain the interest of the Master Instructor and place my name back on the list for future training.
With fear of rejection, judgement, an insecure heart, and a shaking voice…I took a risk and showed up, again.
Elizabeth , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As an Indoor Cycle Instructor, I consider myself a professional athlete within the community. My goal is to deliver an experience while we physically train – together. Everyone is involved. (group fitness is designed for a reason). My focus is improving our heart health, strengthening our upper and lower body, releasing the happy chemicals from our brain to/through our body, and collectively creating an unspeakable energy in the room. To be very clear, I am not here to show off what I can do.
This is a business of customer service, regarding the well-being of the community.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Due to corruption within the family courts, I found my resilience when representing myself in the court room to the State of Texas in 2021. After recognizing the repeated silent-bullying within my family-court case, something was telling me there were dirty player(s) involved. After personal document control, my intuition was right. This was an invisible war. I immediately removed the unethical attorney from representing my case by filing a Motion to Withdraw. We are talking lies, forged signatures, misconduct and negligence, with the intention to come between a mother & child. I do not take this lightly. After removing the attorney from my family-court case, I made the decision to file a Civil Law Suit -AND- file a Grievance to the State of Texas (at the same time), against the unethical attorney.
By the way, this does not happen overnight and the circumstance was not a one-man show.
No longer placing my trust in family attorneys, I chose to represent myself in both (additional) court cases. I lost the civil law suit…but won the grievance by the State of Texas. I had successfully removed the attorney from practicing law, for a period of time.
Who knows how many families (children) are, or have been placed in this position.
During this time, two movies I watched over & over (literally) were Legally Blonde & Darkest Hour.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Reading is my go-to. I have recently finished, The Psychology of Money, The Art of Learning, and still sitting in the 48 Laws of Power. In addition to this, I am extremely diligent with listening to speakers as I get ready for the day – Monday through Sunday. This is a dedicated time, to physically put myself together, as I feed my mental & emotional, prior to stepping out into this world.
If I am not consistently learning, I am going backwards.
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