How Determination and Belief Can Take You Far

Interview with Suzie Thomas, Co-Founder of Go Revolution and Sophie Bickerdike, Founder of Go Yoga and Co-Founder of Go Revolution (indoor cycling studio).  Interview is largely with Suzie.

Tell Us About Your Career So Far

Suzie:  I started off as a paediatric nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital then after a stint travelling I decided to train as a physiotherapist.  After my 2^nd child, I lost touch with the physio side of things as I needed more flexibility to be with the kids.

I couldn’t bear not working, so went through an array of business ideas to try and fit in with the family, from selling books to setting up a soft furnishing company.  None of it really floated my boat as I wasn’t really making a difference to people’s lives, which to me was important.

As my children grew, I started working as a volunteer and co-ordinator for the NSPCC Schools Service, which was really rewarding. It was around this time I was introduced to Yoga at Go Yoga and met Sophie.  Little did I know how it would change my life.

Sophie and I had coffee one day, she was swamped with managing Go Yoga and her yoga teaching school, and I suggested that I help her with a bit of admin.  As the business grew, the work grew, the ideas grew and our friendship grew, till eventually we decided to set up a new business venture together –  Go Revolution.

Sophie, What About You?

Sophie:  I’m an actress by trade – most famous for my Malteser ad – ha!  I got into yoga when I was 8. My granny gave me a book by krishnamurti and I tried to meditate. I have been teaching yoga  since 2003.  I set up Go Yoga 4 years ago as I wanted somewhere where people could all come together.  At the time, there was no yoga studio in Harrogate; teaching was done in church halls.

A year later I set up a yoga teaching training school, so I could teach others to share the benefits of yoga.

You’re Both Trained As Life Coaches, Right?

Suzie: Yes, we are both certified trainers through the Robbins-Madanes life coaching program.

(At this point in the interview, we discover our mutual ‘love’ for Tony Robbins who is one of the world’s leading motivational speakers.)

We decided to go to UPW (Unleash The Power Within) down in London which was phenomenal.  (This is a 3 to 4-day event which Tony Robbins runs.)  It’s all about retraining your brain so that you can do anything.  We did that, realised ‘anything is possible’ and came up with the idea of Go Revolution.

What’s The Concept Behind Go Revolution?

Suzie: Both of us didn’t like going to gyms and never felt motivated with gym workouts.  Go Yoga has such an amazing vibe about it that makes you feel like you are among your friends, which makes you look forward to going.  We thought if you can get your cardio in this kind of environment, you’d keep coming back.

We just wanted a workout that was fun, non-intimidating, quick and addictive in a place that was welcoming to all. We wanted to create a place where people could connect and realise their own potential. Clear their mind as well as working their body. Where ego’s are left at the door. Where you feel part of something. So we decided to create our unique boutique-style studio where the customer experience is important.

And Why The Bike?

The bike is great as it’s non-impact so many more people can do it (many people are limited in that they can’t do impact sport).  It’s a quick 45 minute workout, as we know time is precious these days, yet you can burn hundreds of calories in this time.  Music, playlists and amazing motivational instructors are key to our classes to make sure people love it and want to come back for more!

So, we came back from UPW and decided to go for it.

For Me, Exercise & Well-Being Has to Encompass The Mind Too.

Sophie:  More people are getting into yoga as they realise the importance of the mind.  Mental health is much more talked about now.  (At this point, Sophie tells me that she has ditched Facebook as she doesn’t think it’s healthy with all the opportunities for comparisons.)

At Go Yoga, it’s not about how bendy you are, what leggings you have on or whether you can bend in half – as social media would suggest.   That’s not what yoga is about at all.

The workout on the bike works in a similar way, in that you can just forget about the outside for that 45 minutes, focus on you, your goals.  A bit of me time! The feel good endorphins help too!

How Did You Go From A Business Idea To Getting It Done?

Suzie: Blood, sweat, tears and a lot of hard work!  I suppose confidence and belief in yourself and a lot of time on google!

What Has Been The Hardest Bit Of The Journey So Far?

Suzie: People doubting you and not believing you can do it; but you actually have to change that around.   Juggling family has been hard too – coming here and working, juggling the home etc. There have been a lot of sacrifices and changes for both of us.

What Have You Learnt Along The Way?

Suzie: I think you have to be determined and believe you can do it.  You can’t doubt what you are doing and that’s what we have to keep telling each other. Have confidence in what we set out to do!

You have these blips but working in partnership together is the biggest thing for us.  We couldn’t do it without each other because we both bring different things to it.  Sophie is the creator and the ideas person and I’m the detail.  She’s the one that drives things and I’m the one who looks at how we do it – the practicalities.  And we trust each other implicitly.

What’s The Best Bit?

Suzie: The best thing for me is seeing the transformation in people that come to our studio who haven’t done any exercise. To see them find something that they enjoy and watch them transform on their fitness journey is fantastic.

One lady came in terrified that she would break the bike and now she absolutely loves it and comes 4 times a week.  My biggest thrill was when she thanked us for giving her the confidence to get on a road bike, which she hadn’t done in years. That’s why we do it.

Let’s Talk Confidence – Has It Changed Over The Years?

Suzie: Yes massively, mainly through yoga.  I think a lot of it is to do with self-acceptance.  Through yoga, you get more self-belief.  I think it’s having that time, an hour just for you, that enables you to switch off, think about what you want to achieve and clear away those negative thoughts.  It’s like magic.

And from Tony Robbins too.

I used to worry a lot about what people thought and Sophie has taught me not to worry about that.  It doesn’t really matter and you have to go with what you want to do.

Do You Ever Switch Off?

Sophie:  Not really.  With running your own business, there is no switch off.  We’ve just been away for the weekend and we had our phones on us.  We had a weekend with the girls, climbed up a mountain and at the top, an instructor contacts us to say she can’t teach 2 classes tomorrow.  You always have to ensure that things are running smoothly.

What Are Your Tips For Setting Up Your Own Business?

Suzie:  You have got to believe in it all the time.  You have to keep the belief.  It’s not a journey like that – Suzie points her hand up – it’s a journey like this (Suzie makes a squiggle in the air).  Remember why you are doing it.

How Do You Get Up From The Low Points?   

Suzie:  I phone Sophie and she phones me.  We’re not just business partners, but best friends. That really helps as you are there for each other.  You’ve got someone to rely on. Knowing each other so well helps too.  We know when each other is struggling and know what to do to turn it around.

And laughter is really important.  We will never stop laughing!