(Photo credit Bob Capazzo)
How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport?
Rhodie: 16, 14, 12. I have lived in Westport for 12 years.
Amy: I’ve lived in Westport for eight years. I have two sons, Jackson, 13, in 8th grade at Bedford Middle and Weston, 11, in 5th grade at Long Lots.
What has been the most difficult age with your children? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time?
Rhodie: I truly believe that each stage of parenting has its own challenges. When my boys were babies I struggled with getting them to nap and stay on a routine. When they were toddlers, it was impossible to reason with them and I felt so physically exhausted by the end of the day from chasing them, from disciplining them, from picking up Cheerios, and from potty training. Now they are far more independent as pre-teen and teens, so the physical aspects of picking them up and buckling car seats and bathing them is no longer the issue, but I have traded that in for trying to raise compassionate, tolerant, and thoughtful young men. And, that’s certainly a challenge too.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns?
Rhodie: Going to the beach and playing tennis.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why?
Rhodie: Skiing vacations. My favorite childhood vacations were ski trips, and as a parent I feel the same way. I love the outdoors and active nature of skiing, the bonding that happens on the chairlifts, the recaps of the adventures in the lodge and tired bodies at the end of an action-packed day.
Amy: We took our boys to Yosemite National Park a few summers ago. Hiking and biking in the mountains – away from all the distractions and technology – was truly a gift. It gave us time to connect and recharge away from the crazy busyness of everyday life!
What is the best white lie you have told your kids?
Rhodie: He didn’t mean to do that.
What is your proudest mommy moment?
Rhodie: One for all three. Luke competing in track and beating his personal best mile record. Parent teacher conference when Jonathan’s fifth grade teacher said that he is a leader in the class because he is a jock, loves science and math, and is funny – “whoever his freshman roommate is in college has won the lottery.” Ben’s prolific art projects and his donation of sales from Jammin’s Jewels to Catch A Lift, to support post-9/11 wounded combat vets.
Amy: Watching my son put his arm around a teammate who had just missed a penalty kick in an important soccer game. Although the team lost and the boys were disappointed, he was able put his feelings aside and recognize that supporting his teammate was more important in that moment. I felt like I had done my job — kindness wins.
What’s your favorite app right now- for you- and for your kids?
Rhodie: Shazam and Drizly
What’s your can’t live without beauty product?
Rhodie: Eye cream.
Amy: A combination of Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer + Nars Laguna Bronzer. Lifesavers!
What’s your favorite restaurant for a family dinner? A night out with friends?
Rhodie: Bar Taco and Bar Taco.
Amy: My kids are obsessed with Colony Pizza – so that’s always the first pick for family dinners. Bar Taco is a favorite spot for the JoyRide crew and a night at The Spotted Horse with friends is always fun!
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Rhodie: I don’t understand the rules to American football.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been?
Rhodie: High school English teacher or back-up dancer.
Amy: Before JoyRide, I worked in the legal field. First as a lawyer in a large NY law firm and then in Business Development for a legal publishing company. But…if I didn’t open JoyRide, I’d probably be working in the non-profit arena. There are so many important causes and people in need. I’m most proud of the charitable giving we do through events at our studios.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do?
Rhodie: Go to NYC and visit museums, meet up with friends, see a show, eat at a local restaurant and go dancing.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Rhodie: Passion
Amy: Decisiveness and directness (sometimes a little too direct ;))
What do you most value in your friends?
Rhodie: Joie de vivre and authenticity
What is your greatest regret?
Rhodie: Never having lived in NYC
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms?
Rhodie: You are not supposed to do this job all by yourself!! Rely on your friends, your family, teachers to help you parent your child and your instincts and your best is good enough. Love with your whole heart and don’t let the never-ending challenges distract you from the fact that you have these amazing little people in your life who need you, love you and seek your approval (even if they totally don’t act like that!).
Amy: “This too shall pass.” When your kids are young, it’s so easy to get caught up in the drama of friends and sports team, etc. But as the kids get other, you realize that making the “right” team or being in a certain group isn’t what defines them (or you!). Kids evolve and grow. Their interests change and it’s important to let them be who they want to be without the pressure. 99% of them won’t be college athletes. And that’s more than OK! There are so many other important skills and interests to nurture and support.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing?
Rhodie: It’s kind of a long story, but here’s the skinny….I have always used exercise as a tool for wellness in both mind and body. I began teaching indoor cycling shortly after my second son was born so I could get a free membership and free child care!! It was my one hour to my myself, even though I was in a room with a group a people. It was my opportunity to fill up and not be a “mom” for an hour. I joke that it was so rewarding during that time in my life to give directions and everyone in the room listened! My indoor cycling career led to a Pilates certification, which led to a desire to grow intellectually and professionally, which led to opening JoyRide in 2011 with two local moms in Westport.
Amy: Believe it or not, when I moved to Westport in 2010 from NYC, there were no boutique fitness studios! After being here for a year, I was itching to work again. On a whim, I mentioned to some friends that it would be fun to open a cycling studio. I’d seen some of the early studios in NYC and they were gaining traction. Soon after, I was introduced to my partner, Rhodie Lorenz. And eight months later, JoyRide opened its first location in Westport. Now we have four cycling studios in Connecticut (Westport, Wilton, Ridgefield and Darien), a Hybrid Boxing/Rowing/Bootcamp studio, JoyX in Westport (above our flagship location) and two licensed JoyRide’s in San Antonio, Texas owned by Westporters Becky & Joe Cerroni!