Jess Sims had a surreal experience last November.
“I took my headphones out and heard my voice!”
It was totally bizarre and absolutely perfect, she says.
“I just had this beautiful moment where I’m like, ‘I’m not alone.
They’re not alone.’
And especially during the pandemic where folks are feeling exponentially more alone, Peloton is literally uniting us.”
Sims is right: Pre-pandemic, in August 2019,Peloton reported 1.4 million active members.
As a Massachusetts native raised just outside of Boston, Sims was drawn to athletics early.
“I played every sport,” she says.
It was during this time when she stumbled upon a literal sign pointing her toward her future.
“I Googled it, and I’m like, ‘Yup, I’m doing that.'”
Sims took the job, and for a while, felt secure in her career choice.
Still, she says she felt as if something was missing.
Her boyfriend at the time worked in fitness and pushed her toward a career pivot.
All was well, when, a year later, she got the call that would change everything.
She was being invited to audition for a coaching role at Peloton.
Plus, I didn’t feel comfortable running on camera yet!"
“She was like, ‘Girl!
you better come to Peloton,'” explains Sims.
“So, I did some reflecting and realized I was ready for it.
I reached back out to Rebecca and told her that the timing was much better now.
We met up for another coffee, I auditioned, and the rest is history!”
Together they joined more than 80 women at a restaurant in Harlem.
“I will never forget that night as long as I live,” says Sims.
That’s my perception, of course, but it’s also my truth.
The group interrupted me, saying, ‘you belong here.
You are enough exactly how you are right here.
We are so grateful that your representation is on Peloton, and let’s get to work.’
That was such a huge experience for me," she says of the pivotal moment.
I wanted it to be authentic."
“Own it and take up space.
I want women especially to remember to be strong and not venture to hide.”
While Peloton has propelled Sims’ growth personally and professionally, she’s still a teacher at heart.
“So whenever someone asks, ‘do you miss teaching?’
I say no because I’m still teaching and using the same techniques.”
When I go on the Peloton app and high-five someone and get that high-five back, it’s contagious.
“One mantra I live by is ‘you don’t have to, yougetto,'” she says.
“That comes from college basketball, and it’s transcended fitness.”
“Peloton is my adult team,” says Sims.
“I’m not always motivated to work out, I’m not always super happy and peppy.
I get irritable and annoyed and my life is not perfect.
When I go on the Peloton app and high-five someone and get that high-five back, it’s contagious.
That kind of thing pushes me through.”
