Meet Kevin Starks

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kevin Starks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kevin, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing and my faith. I was raised by a single mother who, despite her own academic shortcomings, stressed the importance of a quality education for my siblings and me. Financial setbacks and housing insecurity pushed her to rise above countless obstacles with little to no help from others. Her “against all odds” attitude inspired me to strive to be the best version of myself and not make excuses. She helped me realize that no matter how difficult things may be in life, there’s always someone willing to switch places with you.

My faith has been the cornerstone of my resilience. Learning the power of forgiveness allowed me to navigate the world without feeling entitled. My relationship with Christ helped me to realize that everything I’ve ever experienced has made me the person I am today, and I don’t regret any of the lessons I’ve learned over the years. Matthew 6:15 tells us it’s important to forgive others of their sins so that yours may be forgiven by God. I know I make mistakes and could benefit from being shown grace.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story and what I’m passionate about professionally. I’ve been a certified spin instructor for almost three years now, and in 2024, I launched a unique spin class called SPINISTRY. SPINISTRY is a Christian Hip Hop and Gospel spin class that combines an hour-long spin session with an opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus. It’s essentially worship on a bike.
What makes SPINISTRY special is the transformative experience it offers. We meet in two different gyms in Saint Louis, but we’ve also expanded our reach by purchasing 20 spin bikes to create a one-of-a-kind mobile cycling experience. This allows us to bring high-energy spin classes to local churches, parks, schools, community centers, or gyms upon request. Additionally, we launched custom merch earlier this year, which has been very well received.
SPINISTRY is unique because it’s a ride people don’t know they need until they experience it. I’ve witnessed incredible changes in the lives of people who have taken the class. I’ve had riders share that they’ve heard the voice of God and have been freed from depression and attacks on their minds. Seeing people freely worship Christ with no reservations or hesitations is rewarding. One rider shared feeling led to be baptized after class, a request my wife and I were able to fulfill in our own home on New Year’s Eve.

SPINISTRY’s anchor scripture, Colossians 3:17 explains that whatever you do, do it to the glory of the Lord. I’m excited about the future of SPINISTRY and the impact it can have on more lives. We’re continually looking for ways to expand and reach more people with this powerful combination of fitness and faith.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Prayer & Determination: Growing up in challenging circumstances, I learned the importance of prayer and determination. Watching my single mother provide with limited resources instilled in me a relentless drive to succeed. Witnessing miracles unfold before my eyes reminded me that prayer works. That same intentional time in prayer and exact same determination helped me launch and grow SPINISTRY. My advice for those early in their journey is to set reasonable goals and stay committed no matter what. Persistence, a strong work ethic, and an even stronger prayer life will elevate you. Prayer takes determination farther than you ever dreamt imaginable and serves as the key to every locked door you encounter.

2. Adaptability: Remaining flexible has been vital in my professional journey. Whether it was expanding SPINISTRY to include mobile spin bikes or launching custom merch, being open to new ideas has allowed me to seize opportunities and overcome challenges. For those starting out, I recommend staying open-minded and willing to pivot when necessary. Embrace change and view it as a chance to innovate and grow. I would love to say that I planned on purchasing the spin bikes when I did, but that is not true. God truly opened the door, and we happened to be in a good financial position to take advantage.

3. Community-Building: Creating a sense of community has been essential in the success of SPINISTRY. By offering a unique combination of fitness and worship, we’ve built a supportive and transformative environment for participants. We’ve expanded our reach with mobile spin bikes, merch, and a consistent presence on social media to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose. For those early in their journey, focus on building strong relationships and networks. Every business or idea has a relevant tribe of supporters. Don’t be discouraged if those individuals don’t happen to be the people you have known the longest or have the deepest relationships with. Engage with your early adopters – no matter how big or small the group. Listen to their needs and create experiences that resonate with them. This will not only help your venture grow but also create lasting impact.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

The person who has been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge needed for success is my wife, Britt. She has supported me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. I have never met someone so supportive, encouraging, and selfless in my life. She is unquestionably and unarguably my loudest cheerleader.

Britt goes out of her way to make sure SPINISTRY has what it needs, providing an additional attention to detail that helps make SPINISTRY fun and exciting. She does many things behind the scenes, but the biggest and most meaningful is keeping the class and me tightly covered in prayer.

Her unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in our success, and I am incredibly grateful for everything she does.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fspinistrystl%3Futm_source%3Dlinktree_profile_share%26ltsid%3D5fefdade-8083-4b75-8a66-9ea93cc644bf&data=05%7C02%7CKevin.Starks5%40T-Mobile.com%7Cb6bc0e1e4a0f4255095608dd7487c6aa%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638794848683031111%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oYooo%2B4S2rCt3Qi2zsWByuzJ3Gtp3GXxOnGMV%2Fb%2BDtk%3D&reserved=0
• Instagram: @SPINISTRYSTL