When it comes to Spinning, AJ always keeps the energy and enthusiasm high. With her punk rock attitude, she brings it on with cycling challenges, and pushes boundaries with her music playlists in the studio. But, who really is this crazy chick named AJ outside of cycling?

Let’s find out!

1. What is your idea of perfect bliss?

Why wait around till Sunday afternoon and be lazy when you have all of Saturday? My idea of perfect bliss would be a lazy Saturday morning that’s spent binge watching Teen Titans with my husband, two kids, four cats, and dog. With such chaotic schedules, it’s difficult to get the family in one place but, Saturday mornings are strictly reserved for our favorite show, popcorn, and family. Whether we’re arguing over who’s the most powerful character on the show (Raven obviously), or watching the animals playfully fight with one another, it’s these moments that bind my family together. You just can’t beat a lazy Saturday morning doing anything but getting lost and appreciating the little things with your family.

2. What historical figure do you most identify with?

Despite her alcoholic proclivities and heroin addiction that marked the end of her life, I identify the most with the Queen of Rock, Janis Joplin. She was a pioneer for counterculture musicians and paved the way for those who didn’t believe rock n roll had a place for women. Never conforming to the norm and accepting her differences, she became a megastar and an American original whose voice and persona will never be replicated. Although my music abilities stop at the birthday song, Janis Joplin is more to me than her music. She encompasses singularity and fearlessness and although she’s rough around the edges, there’s also a center of vulnerability that she wasn’t afraid to express.

3. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

I would want to have Mary Poppins powers and have access to her magical purse. As women, we already know handbags can contain twice as much on the inside as it appears to on the outside and we love carrying a wide mixture of items. However, a bag large enough to store all of my earthly possessions like kleenex, an extra pair of clothes, wet wipes, salt & vinegar potato chips, as well as a portable ATM Machine would be a dream. Along with her fashionable handbag, she also possesses abilities to speak to animals, transport herself with an umbrella and the most bewildering of all…she gets the children to obey. And her personality too… after performing such magic, she denies any use of it as if her voyages and adventures never happened in the first place. Talk about modesty!

4. What’s your favorite kind of music and why?

This is a perfect question to ask since my favorite band just released their sixth album, making it a perfect opportunity for shameless advertising! Queens of the Stone Age produce awesome music for awesome people… even their name screams glam! With their free ranging heavy beats, I’m constantly being hypnotized to a portal where I’m forever young and ready to rage! Check out their latest album, ‘Villains’ for some guaranteed rock swagger and groove! Although I’d consider my taste in music diverse and I like to switch up styles in my spin classes, my ultimate favorite genre of music is 80’s New Wave. When most people think of the 80’s, neon leg warmers and rainbow scrunchies come to mind. Although the 80’s were indeed overflowing with such cliches, all I can think about is the most amazing music being brought to life. With the development of technological synthesizers and fusing punk influences with traditional sounds, music became more self-expressive and New Wave was born.

5. Which words or phrases do you overuse the most?

Like every other nervous teenager getting interviewed at a retail store, I say “um” plenty as a filler. We’ve been trained to believe these filler words are a sloppy way of communicating, especially during public speaking but, I view them as innocent! As much as I try to steer away from my “ums”, old habits die hard and I can’t constantly shift into “presenter mode” and plan out every conversation I engage in!

6. Describe the workout that you’ve designed that you love the most.

My favorite workout is when you’re training every major muscle group in your body in one session and combining two moves that hit more than one area. Major muscle groups include shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, back, butt and thighs and when multiple areas are getting hit in one workout, you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck! Moreover, compound movements burn the most calories, are efficient and ideal for weight loss goals so if you’re looking to strengthen your body from head to toe, try these type of exercises!

7. Which talent would you most like to have?

According to my own experience, practice doesn’t actually make perfect. Whether I’m trying to become a pro at Photoshop, setting up IKEA furniture or mastering a dueling ukulele song, it takes me twice as long to master a craft. I’ve always carried great envy for my sister since everything she sets her mind to, she executes in a matter of minutes and with such effortless ease. On the other hand, as great as immediate gratification must feel, I also believe when you work hard at something and slowly transition from novice to master, you experience a rewarding feeling of success that can’t be achieved through instant performance.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

One thing I would change about myself is my sluggish metabolism. Although I try not to indulge frequently and stick to tasteless kale salads and steel oats, chips and salsa are a food I will never refuse. I’ve liberated chips and salsa as its own food group and if I’m caught sharing my favorite snack with you, that means I’m exhibiting early signs of dementia. Luckily, just because I’m born with a slow metabolism, doesn’t mean I can’t boost it with omega 3’s and exercise. So next time you catch me at the gym, just know I’m only there so that I can satisfy my biggest craving and not regret it after!