Meet Lisa Caporale

We recently connected with Lisa Caporale and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

If I could dial back the clock, I would tell my younger self: Self Care is not selfish. Carving out time and spending money on self care is an investment in yourself. It allows you to be the best version of yourself: physically and mentally. Self care is anything that “recharges you”

I was a single mom with two boys and a full time job. I often felt physically exhausted with a short fuze.. My priorities were my kids and my job, in that order. Just before I turned 50 my job stress reached a peak. I reached out to a behavioral therapist and had an “Ah-ha” moment. It reshaped me going forward, For me, seeing that therapist was self care. She helped me to see that if I took better care of myself, I’d be better at everything else. So, I invested in me.

Running had long been my stress reliever. It didn’t cost anything and I could squeeze it in when I had time. I realized my body need more “down time.” It started with a monthly massage. Slowly, I began to feel more energized. I also discovered meditation which has been a game changer.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I was a pharmaceutical sales representative for 28 years. At the age of 53 my company offered a buy out to retire early and I qualified. I’d recently become certified as a personal trainer and indoor cycling instructor. I had a crazy idea that if I “retired” I could get into the fitness industry. I didn’t really have a specific plan at that time.

Shortly after “retiring,” I met a young woman who’d recently opened a dance studio. She told me about the Small Business Development Center at our local community college. They helped her create a plan to open her studio. That was the nudge I needed.. I thought “I can do that too” I followed her footsteps and reached out to SBDC wih intent to open a gym. They helped me analyze the local market. I realized there were already many gyms in my community, What the community didn’t have was an indoor cycling studio. That’s how my plan to open Spartan Spin began.

I found indoor cycling quite by chance. I was a runner who’d tried indoor cycling and thought it was awful. In 2015, I developed knee issues and couldn’t run without pain. I decided to give indoor cycling another try. It was better than nothing. Before I knew it I’d made some friends in the class. I loved the music. I got a great workout without pain. To my surprise I was hooked.

My “retirement” was December 31, 2017. I opened Spartan Spin on December 14th, 2018. My goal was to provide a fun welcoming environment with motivating and affordable indoor cycling classes. We now offer 18 cycling classes weekly. I offer personal training sessions during the “down time” at the studio. This helps with revenue and my fulfills my desire to work with clients individually on specific fitness goals. This summer we added Mat Pilates to our schedule and now offer semi-private pilates reformer sessions as well. Cycling and Pilates is a great combination. I started the Pilates certification process in September. I’m excited to see how the journey will unfold from here.

Mounting research shows that exercise is the key to healthy aging. I hope to inspire my everyone around me to do what they can. My favorite quote is from John Wooden, the legandary basketball coach “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can.” Start your fitness journey wherever you are now. I encourage little changes that move the needle toward greater fitness. This creates lifestyle changes that are sustainable.

At Spartan Spin we foster a strong studio community. It begins with our team of instructors. I am grateful and lucky to have an amazing crew. They are the backbone of Spartan Spin. We celebrate 1st time riders, milestone rides, birthdays, as well as school and work achievements. This allows our team to get to know members and members to get to know each other. The attached group photo is from last year’s holiday celebration.

The final part of my mission is to support the health of our community. Each year we host 3-4 fundraising events and adopt a family for the holidays. I believe it’s important to use the Spartan Spin platform to spread as much good as we can.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1) Have a goal, even if that goal changes over time. Having a goal gives you focus, and helps you stay motivated.

2) It’s ok to fail. Not every idea is a success Failure teaches what didn’t work. Use that information to regroup and try again.

3) Surround yourself with positive people. Support and encouragement are good things. It keeps you going when things get tough. Everyone goes through tough times. That’s part of life. It’s how you move through it that shows your character.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Shawn Achor’s “The Happiness Advantage”
1) Happiness leads to success. Some believe that happiness comes if you are successful Shawn postulates the exact opposite. If you are happy success will follow.

2) Positive Psychology. You can train your brain to look for the good. One of his examples is two people discussing the weather. One person is grateful the sun is out. The other wishes it wasn’t so hot. They are both observing the same situation.

3) You find what you are looking for in life. In other words: Have a goal. It helps you to see what’s needed next to move closer to the goal.

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