Recorded in London during a heat wave, cycle coach Alicia Portelli, almost 44 and a mother of an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, describes growing up in Sydney wanting to be a dancer before bulimia and addiction changed her path.
She married at 21, had her first child at 25, and in her thirties left her marriage, found fitness while working at Lululemon, and after being demoted started teaching two spin classes a week, realising it felt like performing again.
After being fired twice from Sydney studios she opened her own studio, Jam, during COVID, guest coached in Asia and spent 18 months leading the Absolute team in Singapore.
She got the job at AARMY in New York on Christmas Day 2024, took a year to get a visa, and says Akin taught her that being tired is a state of mind you prepare against.
Her hot tips are to say yes when you want to say no, drink water with electrolytes, and be kind, because no one has it all together.
Brief overview
Alicia Portelli's path from Sydney dancer to AARMY coach shows that saying yes when scared opens doors.
Setbacks pushed each next stepBeing demoted, fired twice and moving abroad each led to her next opportunity, she says.
Great coaching is who you areShe argues coaches like Akin cannot be copied because the magic is authenticity, not technique.
Give one rider the same energy as sixtyTeaching small New York rooms reminds her that every person paid the same and deserves the same coach.
Questions this recording answers
5 questions, each answered where it is said
How did Alicia Portelli become a spin coach?
While working at Lululemon, an ambassador told her she would make a great spin coach, but she resisted because of her bulimia and a belief spin made legs big. After being demoted she needed income, taught two classes a week, and realised being on the bike stage felt like performing again.
How did she end up coaching at AARMY in New York?
After opening her own Sydney studio, Jam, guest coaching in Asia and leading the Absolute team in Singapore for 18 months, she auditioned for AARMY while in New York and got the job on Christmas Day 2024. Getting a US visa then took a year.
What makes Akin's AARMY classes feel special?
Alicia says it cannot simply be recreated because it is who he is: the frequency he operates at and the standard he holds people to. He coaches mindset, and authenticity is the message she takes for all coaches.
What did Akin teach her about being tired?
He told her being tired is a state of mind only you can fix: check whether you slept, ate and hydrated enough, and if not, you were not prepared. She now asks what to do differently rather than repeating the story that she is tired.
What are her hot tips for people starting something new?
Her main tip is to say yes when you want to say no, because waiting until you feel ready means missing doors; nobody has it all together. She also says drink your water with electrolytes, since hydration matters for energy, and be kind.
Key Quote
“it was like being a dancer again performing.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 7:44▶ watch at 7:44
Key Quote
“being tired is a state of mind and is something that like only you can fix.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 38:51▶ watch at 38:51
Key Quote
“if I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 43:30▶ watch at 43:30
Key Quote
“like I'm teaching to like very small rooms at the moment.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 44:41▶ watch at 44:41
Key Quote
“every time I felt like saying no, I had to say yes and I had to figure it out.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 46:56▶ watch at 46:56
Key Quote
“Like we don't have to have it all together.”
— Alicia Portelli, From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute, at 50:17▶ watch at 50:17
Cite this
“From Australia to AARMY NYC: Alicia Portelli on Fitness, Purpose & Impact | Here For A Hot Minute.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiYBepwiiQs. Transcript summary by WhipScribe, https://whipscribe.com/transcript-pages/from-australia-to-aarmy-nyc-alicia-portelli-on-fitness-purpo.html.