Monica Garrison - Changing the Gears of the Cycling Culture

Each week on the Women's Performance Podcast, we discuss the four pillars of performance, which are physiology, nutrition, mental health, and culture, while recognizing that ultimately, we can't separate one from the other.Today, we take this multidisciplinary approach with activist, entrepreneur, Mom, and cyclist, Monica Garrison. As Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls Do Bike, Monica and her team of "Sheroes" have amassed a worldwide organization of 30,000 members with over 100 chapters in the US and, most recently, in London. While it's wildly important to celebrate the fact that she is helping to get black women on bikes and identify as cyclists, it's equally important to recognize how black women are shifting the culture of cycling for the better. Monica and Sara Discuss:Monica's background as a photographer/videographer and how that influences her work with Black Girls Do BikeCrafting the imagery of BGDBHow they motivate their childrenThe impetus for starting BGDBThe initial response from the industry when she started BGDBWhy it is important to have a space for Women of ColorIssues or stereotypes of black women that most don't seeThe valuable assets black women bring to the cycling culture and industryViewing herself as a serial entrepreneur - even with some failuresHow she finds sponsors and supporters for BGDBPersonal cycling or fitness goalsPressures she feels as the leader of this growing organizationHer vision of BGDB over the next several yearsAdvice for those of us who are trying to shift the culture and create a more inclusive spaceWe must continue to create spaces for underrepresented groups and, with people like Monica, we see a beautiful representation and the power of being that change. About Black Girls Do Bike Founder, Monica GarrisonMonica Garrison is the Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Storyteller at Black Girls Do Bike. She is tasked with fueling 100+ BGDB chapters worldwide and a network of 180+ lady leaders. She believes that the simple act of riding a bike can be a catalyst for wonderful, life-changing experiences for women of all ages. Growing and supporting a community of women who share a passion for cycling is her north star. Black Girls Do Bike - Website and ResourcesMonica's Photography WebsiteFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/Follow us on Instagram:@feisty_womens_performanceSupport our Partners:Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first orderWahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByRTifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/ Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo