This time our Spotlight features BikeWell, a New Zealand based wellness company whose mission is to coach middle-aged riders to become the best they can be while juggling the demands of real life. We asked founder Eddy a bit about his organization and its backstory.
1. Tell us a little about your business. What makes it unique?
BikeWell is a wellness company. The company has a big vision deep from the grass roots. Actually, it is a culmination of life experience from being involved in the Recreation, Sport and Fitness industry and observing what has worked and what hasn’t. Action is needed and BikeWell is committed to profiling cycling and people who push the boundaries. It’s no longer acceptable in today’s society to feel out of place if you are middle-aged and trying to be proactive with your health and wellbeing. It is time to break down stigma by rewarding and profiling people who actually do something about there health in such a way. BikeWell is committed to opening pathways into cycling for people who are not sure on how to approach such endeavors by providing the best coaching advice possible. It’s exciting, and we are only just getting started.
2. What inspired you to work in this business?
A total and unadulterated love of exercise and its benefits- full stop! Well, exclamation mark actually…
3. What is your favorite part of your job?
Seeing lights turn on both at a coaching level and a management level when either coaching clients or talking to potential backers of the business. Just love it.
4. Do you have any advice for people who want to enter into this industry?
Only work in a sport, recreation or fitness business which has an outstanding vision – don’t settle for anything less. Look for owners/managers who care and aren’t afraid of communicating well and appropriately with their “ground staff”. (especially since you are trying to work on their behalf) Commit yourself to on-going learning and don’t be misled by the vanity of it all. Don’t drown in the shallow waters of your own vanity either…
5. What do you like to do in your spare time?
There are three priorities in my life – FamilyWell, PropertyWell (we have a big big garden) and BikeWell… in that order… well no spare time actually.
6. What is your favorite book or movie?
By far it’s Shawshank Redemption… Love how the main character accepts his wrong imprisonment, digs himself out of prison with a teaspoon while also setting up the warden for a fall. Then ends up on a beach in paradise with his best mate. It’s the story of my life.
7. What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Always achieving, always pursuing, learn to labor and to wait. ( a variation on a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I have a bucket list promise to myself that one day my family and I will go and stay a week at the Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. Deep reasons. Worked at Lake Louise in a “previous” life. Will ski my heart out when there of course!
9. What is your idea of a perfect day?
A cold winters Saturday… goes something like this. Wake with the kids, light fire, make yummy breakfast, hang around in front of fire with dressing gown on, dress in road cycling “armour” and ride in tough winter conditions for at least 3 hours. Home for a long hot shower. Straight back into dressing gown, play board games and watch a movie with the kids in front of fire. Cook dinner, get kids to bed. Finish with glass of red wine and a block of dark chocolate with my outstanding wife – in front of fire, before heading to bed. Totally and utterly love this – this is exercise culture at its best.
