Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryl K. Thomas, Jr.
Hi Daryl K., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am originally from Upper Deerfield, New Jersey. I moved to Atlanta in 2011 to embark on my collegiate endeavors at Clark Atlanta University. I began indoor cycling as a hobby while I was in college. I fell in love with it. I never wanted to become an instructor, but some of my instructors insisted that I tried it out. I started my journey as an indoor cycling instructor during my first year of law school in October of 2016. During this very onerous time in my life being a spin instructor alleviated a lot of pressure. I started off as a novice instructor and I was trained by my mentor Derry Stapleton and Crystal Hodges. Due to being a new instructor, I had no following. It was difficult at the beginning to have participants, but I kept believing in myself and promoted my class frequently in person and also on social media. I had support from my family and friends who came to participate in my classes. My friend Taylor is the reason for my stage name “The Cardio King”. We used to ride together and she supported me in this journey. It didn’t take long before I saw more riders in my class. I went from having about 5 to 10 people in a 45 bike class to a waitlisted class with more than ten people on the waitlist. With the encouragement from my mentor, family, friends, promoting my class, and believing in myself, my classes were in high demand. I only taught two classes which were on the weekends. I spent one year with the first gym. I took a leap of faith and auditioned for another gym, and I have been there for four years. I currently teach at Vibe Ride Grant Park.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been an easy road, but that is inevitable. I always tell my class that adversity comes, and it goes, but it leaves you with benefits. I was academically dismissed from law school for having a “C-” average. My best friend and my grandfather both passed during my first year of school. My relationship with God and teaching my class kept my mental stability. I speak a lot in my class about life and how it can be difficult, but there is nothing that we will face inside the cycling room and outside of it that we aren’t equipped to handle. While working at Vibe Ride Grant Park, I started a full-time job at the courthouse where I interned. A friend who is the head of the office saw me one day after my class and told me that I should continue to work in my desired field so when I go back to school, I can add the experience to my résumé. I continued to teach my classes and work full-time. The experience was different as an employee outside of being an intern (lol). My supervisor and I were never on the same page. Ultimately, although I did my job well working two positions, and the other employees and I got along, I was fired (lol). That’s an entirely different story. Around the time I was fired it wasn’t too far after that the pandemic hit. I was fine financially after getting fired from the courthouse, but once the pandemic hit, I no longer had any income coming in from my classes. Living with my mom is a major blessing because she helped keep me afloat. I didn’t receive any unemployment. I kept the faith and God made away. I began tutoring my cousin who was in online high school, and I didn’t skip a beat. The pandemic presented so many opportunities for me with spin. I started doing live classes on Instagram and private one on ones in the basement of my home. I didn’t worry because my grandma always told me, “If you’re going to worry, don’t pray. If you’re going to pray don’t worry.” I prayed and stayed focused not giving up on myself knowing that there was so much more in life for me to receive which means there is so much more for me to give.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about DKTJ the CK?
I am an indoor cycling instructor. I have been teaching for five years. The irony of me teaching a spin class is that I used to be an asthmatic, and I no longer have asthma anymore. I am known for my exhilarating, motivational, and intense classes. What sets me apart from others, I would say is my diverse playlist from Pop, Reggaeton, Trap, House Music, 70’s and 80’s, Neo Soul, Rock, Afro Beats, R&B, Soca, and so much more with me you will hear and vibe with it all! I am proud of this brand because it is one that encourages people not just to be physically fit but mentally and emotionally too. I teach at Vibe Ride Grant Park Tues 8am, Thurs 8am & 7:15pm, Sat NOON, and Sun 2pm. My services aren’t limited to just cycling; I also teach private cardio classes upon booking, motivational speaking, and my website for merchandise as well as virtual workouts will be launched very soon.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristic that I feel is most important to my success is my exuberant personality. I always want to give good energy and be around it as well. Life can be difficult but we can always take control of our circumstances. Smiling in the face of adversity knowing that the end result will be for us to win. It’s important to possess good energy it definitely helps to keep you grounded and focused on the task at hand. We must control our energy and influence the room if the energy is off.
Contact Info:
- Email: dktj011@gmail.com
- Instagram: dktj
- Twitter: dktjisdope
