Introducing Jennifer Nale!
We are so excited to introduce our newest spin instructor, Jennifer Nale, to the Rêve community; however, chances are you are already quite familiar with her. This former professional cook has been one of the kind faces at the front desk checking you in for a while now! She recently made the transition to the instructor's podium and we are already obsessed with her high energy classes and super fun, eclectic playlists. She recently spoke with us about what inspired her to become an instructor, where we might find her outside of the studio, and which jams are amongst her current favorites!
I ride at Rêve because...
I believe the best workouts don’t just make a physical change, but also a mental one. Riders are always encouraged to leave the outside world at the door and spend the 50 minutes in the studio focusing on the present. Self-love is not a four-letter word! Taking the time out of your day to do something for yourself shouldn’t be a luxury, and Rêve provides community for riders to settle into their bikes and focus on the now.
Teaching’s a big job! About what are you most excited about? What makes your class unique?
Our bodies are truly incredible things, and they are capable of so much more than we give them credit for; I want to push my riders to realize their full potential. I look at my riders as a group of athletes, even if they have never technically played a sport. Having started at Rêve by working the front desk, I'm excited to see so many familiar faces inside the studio.
My favorite moment in class is when…
...you get to the “last set” in a song. Whether it’s a run, sprint, or set of jumps, when you know it’s the last one there is a perceptible change in the room, and everyone shifts into a gear they didn’t know they had. That attitude is so motivating, and it makes us realize that we are so much stronger than we know, both physically and (more importantly) mentally.
The most challenging part about becoming an instructor has been…
Getting used to the sound of my voice through an amp. No one likes to hear their voice in a recording, now multiply that by 10!
Some songs you’ll definitely find on my first few playlists will be…
This one is tough! Definitely She Loves Control by Camilla Cabello, I Want A New Drug by Huey Lewis & The News, and C’est La Vie by B*Witched...my musical tastes are all over the place! Stevie Wonder, Genesis, Prince, TLC, and Destiny’s Child are just the tip of the iceberg. I love finding new music, but I will always have time on my playlist for 70s, 80s, and 90s jams.
When I’m not at the studio, you can find me…
In the kitchen. I used to cook professionally and, while I did trade in my apron for a real estate license, I still keep the knives sharp and love reading cookbooks for inspiration. We are so lucky here in Portland to have the access we do to so much responsibly, sustainably, and locally sourced food. There is something very special about sharing food with friends and family when you know the farmer who grew your vegetables and the butcher who broke down the cow your meat is from. I could talk about food at length. If you ever have a spare 45 minutes, I’ve got some thoughts on roasting a chicken.
Anything else you'd like the Rêve community to know about you?
I love hearing from you guys! Whether it’s a song you loved in my last class or a song you’d love to hear in the next class, let me know!
