Finding Freedom in Fitness
A story about how movement helped Member Adam W. rediscover his strength and find freedom in himself. And how getting your rave on could be the key to switching off.
From Chemo to Triathlons
Long before he became a Peloton Member, Adam loved to run. As a keen football player, running was a core part of his game and an essential part of his fitness. Over time, his passion extended into other disciplines, including cycling and eventually triathlons. So when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2011, one of his first thoughts was, “Will I ever run again?”
"You can only control what you can control."
His dad had always told him: “You can only control what you can control”. And although Adam deferred triathlon training, his motivation to move remained. In a situation that was completely uncontrollable, he found that exercise gave him a feeling of freedom. During treatment, even the gentlest workouts helped him clear his head, stay present in the moment, and feel connected to himself. Then just seven weeks post-remission, he ran a marathon in his fastest-ever time.
Welcome to the Rave Shed
He bought a Peloton Bike in 2018, and Peloton has played a vital role in his fitness and recovery journey ever since. Now, he has a dedicated “rave shed” in his garden, complete with a Bike+, Tread, and disco lights. Not only is it the perfect place to work on his fitness and run marathons without ever having to worry about the weather, it’s also his safe space where he goes to clear his head—when he wants to switch off, he can get his rave on.
In Peloton, Adam has also found a whole community that motivates him, pushes him, and supports him whatever’s happening in his life. When he required additional treatment in 2020, other Peloton Members reached out to him to share their experiences and wish him well. And even on days when he wasn’t feeling his best, just doing a five-minute cooldown and hearing that encouragement from the instructors made him feel connected and hopeful.
We’re so proud that Adam is part of our Peloton community, and we can’t wait to see what he achieves next. If you’d like to learn more about his story, check out our new Member Story film below.