Most girls would say their favorite pair of shoes are a pair of heels, boots, sneakers etc. HOWEVER, my favorite shoes, are my spin shoes. Not only are they stylish, but they are so comfortable. I know it sounds stupid, but my spin shoes mean so much to me. Its a bad day when I forget them at home and have to borrow a pair from the studio. A lot of people who take my class have been asking me what kind of spin shoes I wear, or which kind I recommend. When teaching so often, you NEED something this comfortable to wear. The best part about it, they come in all different colors!

I recommend these 10/10 times. They look like sneakers and pair perfectly with every spin outfit I wear. They also have a comfortable sneaker-like fit on your foot and do not squish my toes like every other pair I have tried out. Head over to TIEM's website right HERE , and check them out!

To piggy-back off of my last post about inspiration...vacation is definitely something that can inspire you. After just returning from such a fun vacation in Scottsdale, AZ, I am feeling so refreshed and ready to get back to teaching. Not only did I hear new music, but I thought of so many cool and new ideas while I was away. When you get into the same routine, day after day, it is difficult to come up with new ideas and new things. It is SO important to refresh and reset. 

I started off my first day there by going on this amazing hike on Camelback Mountain. Apparently we climbed the "easier" side, but honestly I cannot understand how anyone could qualify that as "easy". We woke up nice and early before the heat hits you like a brick wall, and made it to the top of the mountain in about an hour. After admiring the work we did making it to the top for about 20 minutes, we trekked back down. (I was mostly sliding down on my butt). We spent the rest of the day just hanging and relaxing by the pool. This hike had me feeling all type of ways, (mostly sore), but also proud that I was able to do something that challenging. 

The next day my friends and I did a full refresh day at a Spa near by. To start off, the Spa was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. It was surrounded by mountains, with every single amenity you could imagine. There was a waterfall pool, an infinity pool, a hot tub, a polar plunge, a sauna, a steam room, a swiss shower, a scented room (lavender) at room temp...the list goes on. Being able to completely relax and not have a care in the world besides what pool I was going to dive in next, was absolutely amazing. This is the kind of relaxation that is crucial to being able to keep a fresh mind and perspective on your job. 

Every single restaurant I attended was awesome. First of all, happy hour is not a thing in Massachusetts, but should definitely be a thing. Not only was everything half price, but the food and drinks were so spot on. Arizona was some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Every meal I fell more in love with every restaurant we went to. I also took the plunge and had In-and-out for the first time ever. HOLY MOLY it was SO GOOD. I am so sad there is not one on the east coast. As you can tell, I definitely did not hold back on my diet while I was there. It was awesome though because my friends and I were so active the whole time. When we weren't hiking, we were at the gym every morning getting our workout in to get ready for the day. 

Laughing is honestly the cure to everything. This whole vacation I laughed SO MUCH. Not to mention, my friends are absolutely hilarious, but it was such a good and fun time. This definitely was not the last time I will be in AZ. Although it was extremely hot; I plan on going back and conquering the "harder" side of the Camelback Hike, doing another full refresh day at the spa, and creating endless memories and laughs with my friends. I am back in Boston...more INSPIRED than ever...and ready to get back to work on that bike this week. 

p.s. planning my next vacation...any suggestions?

​ Being inspired is one of the best feelings in the world. As an instructor you constantly want to be inspired and are looking for new things everyday to light a fire under your ass. When you're teaching a lot, its easy to fall into the same mundane routines; same song order, repeating songs in playlists, similar arm routines, same type of music…you get my point. There are a lot of little things that inspire me in everyday life, that will remind me of an older song I used to love, or a move on the bike that I completely forgot to use in class, however one of the best ways for me to get inspired is taking other instructors classes. CALL ME CRAZY, but seeing another instructor leading an amazing class gets me all fired up and even more excited to teach my next class. Not because I’m going to copy or steal anything they did, it’s just the energy that is contagious. Everyone has their own styles and genres of music, and their own styles of teaching and riding, but being able to watch another person lead a class makes you want to jump up on that podium with them.
I also find when I relax and do the things I love most is when I get even more inspired. For example, this summer I have been SERIOUSLY lacking on hiking and spending time out in nature. I used to go hiking 3-4 times a week in college, so living in the city with not many places to hike near by is tough. However, this weekend I finally got back out on the trails again. A nice, quick five miles in the fresh air did me good. I was so inspired and ready to come back and teach Monday morning. I had so much energy. I truly believe in the phrase: “A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content.” The less time you think about having to go back to work the next day, the more you start living. You enjoy every moment a little more when you aren’t constantly dreading something that is inevitable. I woke up this morning extremely happy from being able to get out hiking yesterday. I highly recommend doing something you love on Sunday afternoons. Do not think about having to go to work on Monday, just enjoy the moment you’re in.

Get inspired by your daily life.

Life is all about taking risks, getting out of your comfort zone, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable; however, there is no easy way to just jump into taking a risk. Life can be scary, and unpredictable. You want to believe that you know exactly the path you're going down, but life can change at any second and throw a wrench in those plans. This is where risk taking comes into play. For example, out of college I originally wanted to go into Physical therapy school, I know my GPA was slightly lower than the average they accepted, but I took the risk anyway and applied. Did I get in? No way. Did I learn from that experience? Hell YA! With each risk that fails you learn so much, and become stronger. You adapt, you brush off the dirt from the fall, you get back up again and try out something else. I'm thankful for a lot of the risks I've taken that have gotten me to this point. Not everyone is going to approve of you and the things your doing, not everyone is going to like you, but make sure you do things for yourself. Take these risks for yourself.

This site that I launched was a HUGE risk. I was totally putting myself out there and making myself vulnerable, which is extremely hard to do. I will be continuing to add to it and adding some exciting plot twists that I never thought I would be able to do, BUT I'm taking a risk. I'm taking the leap and hoping that everything is ok in the end. Stay tuned for some upcoming events and workout apparel that will be added to the site. Make sure you subscribe to stay in the loop (:

Live your life, take a risk, try something new.

Coming off an amazing weekend filled with family and friends always seems to ease the pain of Monday mornings. I was lucky enough to keep the workout momentum going this weekend when I was able to sub both Saturday and Sunday for two amazing instructors. I loved being able to be seen by new people and show them what I had. However, sometimes during classes I get so excited and find myself over working my body, which, eventually will catch up to me if I continue to do this with every class I teach. It is important to listen to your body and keep up with taking care of your body. Here are a couple recovery tips that I do to get my body ready to go when teaching so many classes a week:

1. Epsom Salt baths: These are amazing, epsom salt is known for relieving aches and pains and soothing your muscles. I definitely notice a difference after just taking one. 

2. Draining your legs: Sometimes just sitting with your butt against a wall and putting your legs straight up can really relieve some pain. It is said to drain the lactic acid build up in your legs. Whatever it technically does...it feels good. 

3.Foam rolling/stretching: This is such an important and key part of exercise that so many people forget to do. I notice people running out after my class and skipping the stretch. The stretch is one of the most important parts. After you are shortening your muscles so much for a 45 or 50 minute class it is so important and essential to lengthen your muscles back out. If you have access to a foam roller...even better. This can get deeper into your muscles and break up the lactic acid build up. 

4. Massages: Massages are definitely expensive and can add up, however if you can budget for a one-hour massage once a month it will make a world of a difference. Keeping up with soothing your muscles and really breaking up those knots after so much exercise has so many benefits. For one, it makes you feel like you can conquer the world and two it is a huge prevention of injury. 

These are my favorite ways to recover and to stay on top of keeping up with my body, comment below with what you prefer to do to recover from exercise! 

After the big reveal of this website yesterday, I am completely overwhelmed with love and support from all of my friends and family. I am so overjoyed being able to share and create this journey with everyone. Yesterday got me thinking, a lot. While I was teaching a spin class yesterday I went on this long rambling speech during the connect song. (The connect song is a song that you completely have your thoughts and moments to yourself, where you can hang your head and just soak in the music and your energy). I was talking about how important it is to make a conscious effort to put all of your energy into everything you do, every. single. day. One of the big phrases I like to repeat in class is  that you don't get "this day" back. I say it all the time, but yesterday I really thought about what it meant. You do not get to relive today, so might as well put your best into everything you do. Might as well give an extra smile on the street. Might as well tell every person important in your life that you love them. Might as well put 110% into your workout. Its important to think about and realize that. Try something new, have a cheat day, appreciate the heat from the sun, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!

BODY WEIGHT CIRCUIT:

3x Through, 1 minute on, 15 seconds off:

1.Squat Jumps
2.Plank on hands, moving to elbows, back to hands (repeat)
3.Flutter Kicks
4. Inch worm push ups
5. Skaters
6. Russian Twists
7. Mountain climbers with oblique twist
8. Lateral Arm circles 
9.High Knees


TREADMILL WORKOUT:
Mile 1: Incline of 3%, speed of 6.5mph
Mile 2: Incline of 2%, speed of 6.8mph
Mile 3: Incline of 1%, speed of 7.0mph

 (repeat 1-3 for longer workout, or do in 5 or 10 minute intervals instead of miles for shorter workout.)

Anyone whose been to the Amalfi Coast knows how blue the water is and how strong the sun is. I haven't been very many places in this world, but I know that this will definitely ALWAYS be a favorite. This was the trip of a lifetime and one I will never forget. 

Molly J Swim is a local swim suit company. The suits are really cute and perfect for the summer. I became an ambassador in June and am so happy to be apart of this journey with Molly J Swim. Use the code "CARLY15" for 15% off your purchase. 

Carbon38 is a clothing brand that specializes in exercise gear. With my first purchase of my cameo pants and hunter green sports bra, I fell in love. I love sweating in this brand and love even more being able to share it with people who are new to it. Use code "CARLYBIR50" for 20% off.

       I started working at Lululemon Athletica in Natick,MA in December 2015 when I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I loved this job, it gave me so many opportunities to explore new workouts and exercises, along with the opportunity to really work in a team environment, (plus I loved their clothes). Lululemon introduced me to SoulCycle. This was the beginning of my journey. Instantly, from the first class I took there December 28th 2015 with Liah Malley, I was so overwhelmingly in love. This was what I was meant to do, I thought to myself. Liah looked so happy up on that podium, cheering people on and leading them in a super sweaty and challenging workout. First thought was how do I apply, how to I obtain this job. I remember reaching out to Liah and asking her all about it and she was so happy she had decided to audition for them. I then decided to audition in NYC in March of 2016. 

      These auditions were one of the most terrifying things I have experienced. I started SoulCycle in December and I really thought I was ready and prepared to audition in March? REALLY?! No one is prepared for that. I remember having some of the most basic spinning songs picked out for this audition (I really didn't think it through), however I was comfortable spinning to those songs. I was so nervous, the audition was in West Village, there were 50+ people waiting around the studio when I walked in. All of them doing some sort of stretching/listening to music on headphones, I walked in 1. without my computer 2. with my hair pulled back in a bun 3. with no makeup on. I then realized this was basically an interview and you had to look your absolute best and act like you were already an instructor (at least thats what these other people were doing). I started talking to people and being overly friendly (nervous), asking them how long they had been riding for etc. Everyone there had been riding for at least one full year, and here I am two months in riding with SoulCycle like shitttt, realizing I once again was the small fish in a big pond. When it came time for the audition they lined you up in the spin room and went down the line with each person going up on the podium for a total of 1 min, getting to introduce themselves, and teach 20 seconds of each song. I felt good while I was actually doing the audition but I must have blacked everything out because I was so nervous. I found out a couple days later, I did not get called back and did not make it any further. No surprise there.

       I continued spinning with Liah all spring and summer, and really progressing and working on making myself better. I knew I wanted this so badly still. Just because you get knocked down one time does not mean you give up. You continue pushing yourself until someone tells you yes, you made it. By August 2016, SoulCycle was having another round of auditions and I was allowed to audition again. I decided to submit my application to audition and hope for the best. I ended up getting an audition date, but unfortunately had to travel to NYC once again to do it. ROUND 2, here we go. I brought a bright pink outfit, one you definitely couldn't miss, I put on full make up, straightened my hair, wore a lil party pony, found crazy remixes of classic songs that no one had ever heard and I was ten times more confident. I walked into auditions this time around like I OWNED DAT SHIT. I got there so early, I brought my computer and was listening to my songs on my big headphones while I was stretching and prepping, I WAS SO READY. I was the 14th person to go in this audition. When it came time for me to get on the podium, I was cracking jokes and just completely myself. I did my 20 seconds each of two songs and then it was over. All I could do was hope for the best. A couple days later, while working at Legal Harborside, an email popped up on my phone from "SoulCycle Auditions", I did it. I got a callback! It was exactly a week later from that night. I had to start prepping. I instantly started looking for songs, outfits, choreography etc. 
    
      The time came for the callback, I felt ready, I felt like I could actually do it. I arrive at the same studio as my audition in NYC. There were only 12 of us there. I was assigned as the first one to go. They take us down to this secret room in the studio where they start telling us about new locations of SoulCycle opening up, the pay of starting instructors, the next training and how its going to run. I start getting so excited, thinking that I could be one of the people in the next training group. Since I was the first one to go, I was lead through this secret hallway where it lead you to another door. Behind this door was another studio. I walked in. All of the most important people in the company were sitting scattered throughout the room. I started getting nervous, my confidence went flying out the window. It was so intimidating. I start introducing myself on the podium, stuttering over my words and shaking while setting up the bike to my settings. I press play and give my 30 seconds of each song the best I could. If I could go back, I would have done two different styles of songs. I realized later that they were the exact same styles as my first audition. I left the callback and headed back to Boston. Somehow, I thought there was a chance of me making it, you never really know. Ten days later, YES THEY MADE ME WAIT TEN DAYS, I received an email saying how I did not make it into the training program this time around. I was crushed. heartbroken. All I kept thinking about was what I could have done differently, how I wish I had more confidence, I should have used different songs. After this, I went on a hiatus from SoulCycle for a little bit. This was tough to recover from. 

    I decided to focus more on my job at Lululemon. I moved stores up to a pop up seasonal shop in New Hampshire, leading inventory. I was happy here at that moment. I figured me being an indoor cycling instructor was not meant to be, YET. I ended up staying through January 2017, until the pop up store closed and then moved into a job completely out of my element as a Restaurant Manager/Events coordinator. This job was not for me, and was very short lived. I was the most miserable I have been while doing that job. The hours were long and I was never able to exercise anymore. While doing that job I reached out to another indoor cycling studio in Boston and asked if they were hiring instructors. I NEEDED to get out of the restaurant business. It turns out they were for their new studio opening up in Wellesley in the spring, which was perfect for me because I was living in Framingham at the time. I auditioned for them, and once again did not use judgement on my audition songs, as they were incredibly fast. I walked out of that audition thinking I completely blew it. A week later, I received an email saying that I had made it into the instructor training program! WHAT! FINALLY?! MY DREAMS WERE COMING TRUE. For over a year now, this is what I had wanted to do I was so so so excited and overjoyed.  

      I started riding non-stop at this studio, I once again fell in love and fell hard with their style of riding, the classes, the atmosphere. I was taking two to three classes a day and did not blink an eye about it. The training program started at the beginning of May 2017. Once that started that was pretty much a full time job. I would spend hours training, practicing, riding etc. I was so invested and put all my energy into it. During the middle of the six week training program, I went on family vacation to the Amalfi Coast Italy for a week. That was the best vacation of my life, but thats for a different blog post. I unfortunately missed a good chunk of training, while the other girls in my program kept practicing and progressing while I was away. When I returned it was evident that I was nervous I had fell behind while I was away. While I was practicing, it was like I was over-compensating for being away and trying too hard and just falling flat. I was so frustrated that I couldn't get across my emotional investment in teaching and I kept letting my nerves get in the way of my confidence. One day after I returned, I got an email saying I had be cut from the instructor training program for lack of progressing as fast as the others. Once agin, I was CRUSHED. I was completely knocked down. This blow was definitely the hardest to recover from. I was so frustrated because I was so close, I was two weeks away from teaching my first class at this point. I was at a loss. I had no idea what to do, what steps were next. This was going to be my full time job this summer and all of the sudden, early June and I'm jobless and heartbroken. 

    All I can say is THANK GOD. Thank GOD I was strong enough to pick myself up. Within two weeks of being dropped from training, I was in touch with Cyclebar Wellesley, setting up a time to audition. I went into that audition with so much knowledge and confidence after all I had been through. I walked into that audition and after the first song I completed, I was hired on the spot. I was ecstatic. Hired. Given times to teach. I went through a quick one hour training on their brand and their style, but that was it. A week later I was on the schedule showing people what I had. Now, I teach there every Thursday at 5:30pm, and pick up sub times as much as possible and could not be happier. The best high I will ever have is being up on that podium teaching, and I think its a much sweeter feeling knowing how hard it was to get there.