Jessica Nadeau is an avid cyclist and organizer known for putting her talents in event planning and her love of the Twin Cities bike community together. Just last week, she helped Six Degrees become a checkpoint stop in the Babes in Bikeland alleycat race, in which over 400 “WTF” (women, trans, and femme) riders participated, mapping their way across Minneapolis. Many found out, for the first time, what it was like to feel like a “racer.” Here, Jessica, a professional grant-writer, tells us how she works to reclaim that first-timer exhilaration, gain strength, and overcome injury. 

What brought you to Six Degrees, and what keeps you coming back?
I’ve always been intrigued but intimidated by the sound of Mat and Barre classes, but friends who had been going to the Save Your Bucks Sunday classes encouraged me to come along. It was winter, and I’m always looking for new ways to stay active and mix up my routine that time of year. I started going every Sunday after that, even though after my first Mat class I had a hard time sitting up to turn off my alarm clock the next morning! SYBS is a great, non-intimidating introduction to these classes at an affordable price for anyone interested in checking out the studio. 

Can you describe your major bike injury and how Asana Stretch has helped with pain relief?
A few winters ago I crashed my bike on an icy pothole and broke my lower back and pelvic ring. I’ve had back and hip pain on and off since then, depending on the weather and a variety of other factors. It generally doesn’t hinder me from being active, but the first time I tried Asana Stretch class (I stacked two classes, Mat and Asana—a great way to do a workout and cooldown), I felt pain relief in my back in a way that I hadn’t felt since the accident. I was really impressed by how attentive and genuinely concerned the instructors were with the students’ comfort levels with the assisted stretching methods, too. 

How do you think classes like Pilates and Barre support your body as you train for commutes and races?
I think cross-training is an important way to be a better athlete, no matter what your focus is. Cycling is great for cardio and strengthening your legs, but I’ve found major improvement in my core and upper body strength by trying Mat Pilates, Barre, and even the once-scary Pilates Reformer at Six Degrees. 

What has been your biggest physical triumph? 
Endurance cycling has always been one of my favorite activities. Being able to ride over 200 miles in one day gives me an amazing feeling of accomplishment. But trying out new things is a challenge for me. I have a hard time trying new classes in a group setting: I feel shy, intimidated, and out of my element. Six Degrees has made me feel very welcome and comfortable so that I can rise to that challenge. Every class is filled with people at all levels, doing the best they can as instructors offer modifications so you can work at your personal comfort level without being “called out” in front of a group, and I think that’s great. Now, any time I try something new in the studio, whether it’s TRX, Reformer, or kettlebells in a Strength Class, I consider it a triumph to just show up!