Briana Owens, from the time I’ve known her, has always been a source of inspiration, a woman of consistency with a go get mentality. Bri passed me the baton on our high school track 4 x 100 team, her tenacious spirit was infectious and pushed me to be the best I could be on the track. I remember watching her as the third leg excited about receiving the baton pounding the curve with fervency and grit eager to put the baton in my hand. We could be in 5th place and Bri would swiftly bring us to 2nd or 3rd pass me the baton then yell for me to “GO!” passing off her energy and her deep desire for me or anyone, for that matter to simply keep the momentum and push through the finish line. While the track meets stand out I remember the practices as well. The days when we would work baton pass offs and timing. Her patience with the team showed leadership her willingness to play any role for us to win showed integrity.
I can’t lie, it makes my heart flutter when I see women who have made an impact on me make an even bigger impact on the world. Since 2016 I’ve watched Bri from afar put the same consistency, patience and integrity into her NYC based hip hop cycling classes, Spiked Spin. This past weekend she and her team opened their flagship studio in Brooklyn New York.
Let's let that sink in. A black owned. Spin studio. In Brooklyn. SPIKED SPIN
I am beyond inspired! Perhaps because I’ve seen someone I know or was on a team with do something on this large of a scale. Maybe it was seeing hard work pay off after seeing the consistent work being put in. (mind you I only saw the surface of the work I can only imagine what went on behind the scenes) Could it be that I feel the passion Bri has behind wanting to cultivate generational wellness in minority communities. Let’s chalk it up to it being all of the above.
At this point in my life, I have big dreams I have an idea of what I want my finish line to look like. Seeing Bri put in the work that she has for Spiked Spin and how it mirrored the little yet impactful time we spent together on the track I can’t help but to see this as her passing the baton yet again. However, not just to me this time but to all of us.
What is it that you want? Where is it that you want to go? Like Briana, you can do anything that you want to do. Go anywhere you want to go and impact any community you are passionate about impacting. Decided to live a spiked lifestyle and go get it!
“A legend is someone who leaves behind an unforgettable impression on others. They touch lives, they're remembered, they're cherished. GO LEGEND in all that you do!” – Spiked Spin
You can find Briana and Spiked Spin at:
Spikedspin.com Instagram: @spikedspin Instagram: @bri.monee