We were lucky to catch up with Margarett Gabrielson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Margarett, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

For several years we both worked together at another local studio to us. We had bigger dreams for ourselves and our community. When COVID hit Monterey County, we had people reaching out to us asking how we could get back together. That moment is when we made the decision to keep our community connections, and that was when Fuel Cycling was born. In a matter of weeks, we created a business model, started an online platform and began teaching classes out of a living room. We have members in our studio now, 2.5 years later, who still talk about getting virtual shoutouts from their iPad on their bike at home. The small knit community that started with 20 people has now grown to over 100+ family members at Fuel Cycling in our location in Monterey, CA. We are forever grateful for the people that stood by us in our defining moment. When we took the biggest risk, and started a studio to keep our community together.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Fuel Cycling started with a vision to help Monterey Bay support and ride locally.

Cycling studios are a great place to get a workout, but Fuel Cycling Founder Molly Kennedy knew that there was more to cycling than what corporate cookie-cutter studios could offer. Fuel Cycling was created for not just an excellent cardio workout, but a place that offered true community and friendships. Fuel Cycling offers an inclusive, welcoming community for riders of all skill levels. Being a locally-owned studio, there’s no checklist or corporate formula for our rides. Each of our instructors brings their unique approach to cycling into every class, leading to rides you can’t get anywhere
else. Our studio is a safe space for everyone to work out, enjoy high-energy curated playlists, and forge true friendships with
other local riders. Our instructors and members alike are ready to motivate and celebrate with anyone who walks through
our doors. We believe that your rides should fuel your life, not drain you. We believe our role at Fuel Cycling is to help fuel you to become the best version of yourself.

We ride together, sweat together, cry together, and get through it all together. We are better together.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Fuel Cycling offers the best indoor cycling ride on the Monterey Peninsula. Our reputation is entirely built on our amazing community. New members are brought in by their friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc. Once you take a ride with us, you’re family. That is our greatest asset. Fuel Cycling is here to help fuel you to become the best version of yourself! Our role is to help you become the healthiest and best version of yourself. We believe that your rides should fuel your life, not drain you. This is why we strive to give you the most engaging and fun classes around. After you’ve clipped in with us for the first or the 500th time, we are committed to supporting you through your personal and fitness journey.

Any advice for managing a team?

We have a very knowledgable and productive team. Many of us have not only worked together for far longer than the studio has been open, but we also have been a tight family too. Our success in this industry is because we come from diverse backgrounds, and have the utmost respect for what each us brings to the table. Higher and work with people that make you better. Find people that fill in all the areas that you need support with. At Fuel Cycling it’s not a competition, one person’s success is all of our collective success. We meet on a monthly basis to uplift members and local businesses in our community, set new studio goals, and reflect on how we can continue to break down barriers together. We have always and will always be a team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fuelcyclingmonterey.com
• Instagram: @fuel_cycling
• Facebook: Fuel Cycling Studio

Image Credits
@StaffordBainVisuals