Marley Blonsky of All Bodies on Bikes, and Cannondale Athlete: Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life
An Interview With Jake Frankel
Set boundaries — Turn off the phone, don’t read the comments, and prioritize personal time! You know what I’m saying, and I know some things just came to mind for you. Lean into it. Your boundaries are important.
Many successful people reinvented themselves in a later period in their lives. Jeff Bezos worked on Wall Street before he reinvented himself and started Amazon. Sara Blakely sold office supplies before she started Spanx. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a WWE wrestler before he became a successful actor and filmmaker. Arnold Schwarzenegger went from a bodybuilder, to an actor to a Governor. McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was a milkshake-device salesman before starting the McDonalds franchise in his 50s.
How does one reinvent themselves? What hurdles have to be overcome to take life in a new direction? How do you overcome those challenges? How do you ignore the naysayers? How do you push through the paralyzing fear?
In this series called “Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life “ we are interviewing successful people who reinvented themselves in a second chapter in life, to share their story and help empower others.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Marley Blonsky.
Marley Blonsky is a fat adventure cyclist, co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes, co-host of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast, Cannondale athlete, curve model, advocate and consultant. She is fiercely passionate about size inclusion, believing that everyone deserves full access to life-including at work, in sport and at home. Marley loves all kinds of bike riding, especially overnight adventures, long gravel rides and riding her cargo bike with her dogs in the front box.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I spent my childhood in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Nothern Texas, where most of my childhood was spent like most kids in the 90’s — outside riding bikes, climbing trees, or at summer camp. When I was 11, my family moved from Texas to Spokane, Washington, where we stayed until I graduated high school. Also, like most kids, my parents divorced and I was quickly acquainted with the impact of mental health issues and substance abuse within my family. That said, it wasn’t always easy, but I’d venture to say my experience was unfortunately not unique, and many people are faced with these hardships every day.
With so much out of my control, being excluded became my biggest fear — as I was often left behind as the youngest sister or the fattest kid in the group. Being made to feel “other” in those ways made it challenging to relate to other kids, ultimately impacting a lot of who I am as an adult. That desire for a sense of belonging has taken on a new form in my adult life, making me incredibly observant. I’ve found a way to harness that heightened awareness and empathy for the “outsider” to make everyone I meet feel included and their contributions valued.
My intention is always to create meaningful relationships that make people feel welcome. Looking ahead to my second chapter, the bike world can get really granular and technical, so the ability to zoom out and adapt conversations to include others who may not be in the weeds of the industry is important in this space. It can be extremely exhausting to be consistently observant and considerate, but it’s a part of me and has been one of my “superpowers” in this second chapter of life.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Ah, my favorite band is Real Big Fish — a ska band for those who don’t know! My favorite song, “Life Sucks, Let’s Dance,” pretty much sums up my approach to life: don’t take it too seriously. Life is tough sometimes — it’s unfair, bad things happen to good people — but we have the option to choose joy and identify the good in every situation. Leading with joy and joyful movement has been absolutely key in fighting through my deep depression, suicidal ideation, and some truly rough patches in my journey.
Today, I have the opportunity to choose to suffer and ride bikes hundreds of miles, but there are people out there who aren’t that fortunate. That reality isn’t lost on me, and when I listen to this song, it’s a reminder that joy isn’t always so obvious. You have to be intentional about how you look for it. All we can do is choose to seek out the joy and find strength in the fact that we can only control our reaction to what’s going on around us!
You have been blessed with much success. In your opinion, what are the top three qualities that you possess that have helped you accomplish so much? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
- Resiliency — Life didn’t hand me the bouquet of roses I wish it had. The familial substance abuse I mentioned earlier introduced me to reality really early on. I got even better acquainted when I got married at 25, and was almost immediately met with the deepest betrayal that turned my life upside down. Despite the painful moments, I refused to let tragedy or earth-shattering ticks on my timeline define me or my path. It’s easier said than done, but letting it be a chapter in your book, not the entire story, is crucial.
- Visionary — After we filmed All Bodies on Bikes, but before it was released, I was on a long ride in Seattle. I had a vision of a nationwide movement for size inclusion in cycling — and set out to make it happen. I like to dream big and execute at an even higher level. For me, it’s about confidence and believing that anything is possible. Envisioning my own path forward has made my purpose clear and this wonderfully unique career possible.
- Willingness — It’s all about trying something new and being terrible at it, baby! At the end of the day, I’m a very mediocre cyclist. I’ve come in last place at multiple races, crashed, had the videos go viral, and cried during mountain bike lessons. We don’t see enough examples of people simply trying things and not being good at it — and in my opinion, it’s a shame because it’s those standards that keep people from taking a leap. Being a raw, vulnerable human who shows the not-so-pretty side of things has resonated with people I’ve met during my second chapter.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about ‘Second Chapters’. Can you tell our readers about your career experience before your Second Chapter?
After graduating college in 2008, I worked at a Fortune 500 logistics company. To bring that raw, vulnerable human perspective back around — I had no idea what I wanted to do, but student loans were looming, so I took the first job offered to me. My first role in software support taught me where I thrived — from working with a constantly varied task list to solving problems — and that to stay engaged, I always had to learn new things.
In 2016, I landed my (at the time) dream job as a Global Environmental Manager, responsible for the environmental strategy for an entire company. For the first time, my work felt meaningful in a big way. My job was to manage, measure, and ideally reduce the company’s environmental footprint — including energy, water, and waste throughout 300 locations globally.
Initially, I loved my new role and woke up excited to go to work everyday to make a difference. There was a ton of international travel for projects with some of the biggest companies in the world — L’Oreal, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Walmart — impacting global sustainability, sustainable aviation fuel, reducing the sulfur content of heavy fuel oil, and so much more. However, I quickly became disillusioned with the overwhelming scope of responsibility that became a personal burden. As my own team of one, I left the office each day feeling personally responsible for our collective failure to reduce emissions, constantly stretched too thin and ineffective in my role.
Funny enough, I actually quit and returned to that job twice, lured by what I call ‘The Golden Handcuffs.’ The pay was good; my coworkers were all nice — it was a perfectly pleasant job on paper that I could have done for the rest of my career. When COVID hit, all the perks of my job (travel, meeting with international colleagues) went away, and I had a chance to take a step back and ask myself, Is this where I want to spend my time? Am I actually making a difference? What else could my life look like? Thankfully, around that time, All Bodies on Bikes was taking shape — more on that soon — and I had a vision for a different chapter of my life. I quit in August 2021 and haven’t looked back since.
And how did you “reinvent yourself” in your Second Chapter?
Above everything else — I get to be fully, 100% authentically, Marley. I no longer have to hide the things that excite me; I get to lean into the weird and bring others along for the journey.
Before starting All Bodies On Bikes, my job felt Sisyphean at times, just pushing a boulder up a hill and watching it roll back down because higher leadership was just not bought into the importance of what we were working on. I felt constantly discouraged about whether my impact mattered or was enough to justify the personal burden.
This reinvention really came out of desperation and a willingness to put myself out there. I knew that if jumping feet-first into the freelance bike world didn’t work, I had enough skills to rely on. I knew that I had me. Even going back to my childhood, I grew up poor, and that familiarity with being broke opened me up to taking risks because I wasn’t afraid of the unknown — I’d already been there and gotten through it before. After leaving my job, I moved from Seattle to Arkansas to pursue the next chapter of my life.
Thankfully, it’s working! I go by quite a few titles now — Influencer, Athlete, Advocate, Podcast Host and Executive Director of All Bodies on Bikes — and for each one, I am the brand.
Can you tell us about the specific trigger that made you decide that you were going to “take the plunge” and make your huge transition?
In late 2020, we were being pressured by a number of customers to set ambitious climate targets. I put together a massive presentation for company leadership outlining what it would take to be a Net-Zero company. I was met with a, “We don’t really believe in climate change and this isn’t in line with our business strategy,” response from the very top. At the end of that meeting, it was apparent to me that something had to change. I was burnt out and frustrated.
In May of 2021, I went to Unbound Gravel — which is basically the Superbowl event of the off-road cycling calendar. Our film, “All Bodies on Bikes,” was released in March and had quickly gained attention in the cycling world. I hosted my first “All Bodies on Bikes” shakeout ride with nearly 50 people in attendance and knew that I was onto something. This is where I began to lean into my talents and trust in the potential of what I was drawn to.
That entire summer was about building out a framework for All Bodies on Bikes — what did it mean to be inclusive? What does an inclusive group ride look & feel like? Why did this need to happen so badly? Could I offer consulting services in addition to building an inclusive community that would help pay the bills? Before the fall, I got my first paid sponsor, allowing me for the first time to imagine a life without my full-time “professional” job, and I was hooked.
What did you do to discover that you had a new skillset inside of you that you haven’t been maximizing? How did you find that and how did you ultimately overcome the barriers to help manifest those powers?
I jumped right into the deep-end of the freelance hustle without a savings plan or a clue where to go next! Things happened piecemeal from there — I landed a few consulting gigs, then a few public speaking opportunities — the response from people in the biking world was overwhelmingly positive. It clicked in a lightbulb moment that I hadn’t fully utilized my talents at all up to this point. There were glimmers of it in my previous work when I was in my element during trainings or while leading sessions, but I didn’t unlock my vision for the future until I was completely on my own.
I would soon find out I wasn’t alone, though. After connecting with other people in the space about their approach, I realized no one really had a formula or blueprint for this type of path. In a way, that gave me the confidence to create my own path.
How are things going with this new initiative? We would love to hear some specific examples or stories.
INCREDIBLY AMAZING! Although I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew as I’m currently juggling multiple roles and opportunities as a consultant, non-profit executive director, and athlete/influencer.
Early on, it was about getting in touch with bike brands I loved to help amplify my voice in the landscape. I remember one of my first partnership meetings was with Cannondale — it was huge for me because I was a big fan of the range of weight limits on their bikes! At this time, I was still working out how I could provide value for brands even though I wasn’t winning races. They really believed in my message and vision in a way that I hadn’t seen in my previous professional experiences. The Cannondale team offered me a spot the very next day after we met and we’re still working together to this day! Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of cycling and making the activity as inclusive and accessible as possible–it’s genuinely fulfilling work.
On the consulting side, I’ve worked with brands like Lululemon, Osprey, Rad Power Bikes, REI, evo, Shimano, and Pearl Izumi, to name a few. I’ve had the honor to speak on panels at multiple film festivals and cycling events across the country. I was a featured speaker at huge industry conferences, including the People for Bikes SHIFT conference, the National Bicycle Dealers Association, Bike Iowa’s annual summit, and many more. I’ve been invited as the celebrity guest appearance for other non-profit fundraising nights–it all feels very surreal.
I also get to ride my bike all over the world! In the past two years, I’ve done events from Vermont to California, Montana to Mexico, and am even heading to Jamaica in a couple of weeks.
On the non-profit side, All Bodies on Bikes was officially incorporated in May 2023. We have launched 11 chapters, hosting over 50 rides this year, impacting thousands of people. I’m actively pursuing funding for our non-profit so I can actually get paid for this work, but I’m confident this will fall into place just like everything else.
Personally, I think I might be the only fat, professional cyclist who gets paid to do what I love. My sponsors aren’t looking for podium finishes–instead, I get to be 100% myself and influence others to move their bodies joyfully.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Lael Wilcox! We are walking a parallel path in the bike world, and I’ve found real comfort in the times we’ve looked to each other for guidance on continuing to pioneer the cycling space. She’s also just incredibly badass.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started in this new direction?
Narrowing it down to just one is hard–I’ve had a wild three years!
This past August, I raced at SBTGravel — a widely known gravel bike race — and crossed the finish line holding hands with NBA legend Reggie Miller. Even crazier, HE recognized ME?!?
Did you ever struggle with believing in yourself? If so, how did you overcome that limiting belief about yourself? Can you share a story or example?
I constantly struggle with imposter syndrome. My peers in this industry are actual world-class athletes who tackle distances in 5–6 hours that take me 14–16 hours to ride. I remind myself that while yes, we’re both riding bikes, we have different goals. They get paid to win, while I get paid to share a new perspective on inclusivity within the sport, demonstrating that anyone can pick up cycling!
I’ve also made a conscious effort to separate my personal worth from my social media performance. A lot of those metrics are outside our control — algorithms, trends, etc — and it’s worth it to continue because my distinct experience is valuable. People like looking up to the pros who are racing and winning, but that may not be realistic for them. So my hope is that when they see me, they go — “Oh, I can do that. Maybe I can’t ride 100 miles, but I can ride to the store.” You don’t have to wait until you fit the mold or match a category type of person to get started — cycling is one of the few activities you can incorporate into your life that allows for flexibility in size, ability, age, etc. if they’re passionate about it!
In my own work I usually encourage my clients to ask for support before they embark on something new. How did you create your support system before you moved to your new chapter?
I wish I had your advice when I started this second chapter because I largely embarked on this journey alone, not asking family members or friends for support. Once I made the leap, I realized I absolutely needed a support system and quickly gathered my supporters — close friends who have been along for the entire journey, family members (who still don’t quite understand what I do), and allies in the bike industry.
I now have a very close-knit group of friends working on inclusion in the cycling space and we have a strangely intimate group text where we share it all — frustrations, successes, and everything in between. It’s pretty amazing because I didn’t know any of these folks three years ago, and they’ve come to be my sounding board, support system, and closest group of friends.
Starting a new chapter usually means getting out of your comfort zone, how did you do that? Can you share a story or example of that?
Growing up, I struggled with body image and self-confidence, especially when it came to my legs. It was to a point where I would rather be uncomfortable and hot than show them to the world. Heck, I didn’t even wear shorts until two summers ago. I was that uncomfortable with my body.
That said, when we shot the All Bodies on Bikes film, it was HOT — we’re talking super-duper, uncomfortably hot — and I found myself pushing my fully-loaded bike up a hill, sweating more than I ever have before. To cool down, I unbuttoned my shirt, forgetting all about the camera crew and the likelihood of it ending up in the film. I rode the rest of that day with my shirt open and even stripped down to just my bib shorts and bra for the final scene in the movie.
Fast forward to my first viewing of the film, and there I was, exposed for the world to see. Initially, I hated those scenes where my body was on display. But once I overcame the shock, I saw beyond my body. I saw the joy and determination on my face and remembered how triumphant I felt jumping into the ocean at the end. My body was no longer the focus for me.
This was further affirmed when we released the film to the public, and there was not a single negative comment about my body. Instead, we were met with incredible acclaim, multiple film festival awards, and an outpouring of love for us and our message. I also got a ton of messages from larger-bodied folks thanking me for putting my body out there. It was the first time many folks had ever seen themselves represented in a positive way and on a bike.
Now, if you look at my Instagram, I’m always in shorts, even modeling for bra brands. I’ve learned to lean into the discomfort and truly practice what I preach — our bodies are just a vessel for what truly matters — our personalities, our values, who we actually are.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started” and why?
- Relationships are everything — Take the time to nurture your close relationships — it’s a long game! To be real, I’m a big card person, and I love a good ‘thank you’ or Christmas card. Every year, I send all of my sponsors and colleagues a Christmas card. This past year, one of them actually wrote back to me and said, “Thank you. People often don’t do this. They just treat us like a paycheck and not a relationship.” That made me feel validated that it wasn’t just a one-sided, transactional partnership, but instead a mutual relationship.
- Get an accountant — One thing corporate America did not teach me was the “how” or “why” of my taxes. It’s no surprise now that in my first year as a freelancer, I owed $10,000. Safe to say, I went on the hunt for an accountant as soon as possible!
- Don’t post anything you’ll regret later — Early on, once I had gained a following, I made the mistake of prematurely calling out a bike event for inclusivity concerns. Later, I found out it was a complete misunderstanding on my part, but I’d already pressed “post.” This situation taught me to be open and honest with my colleagues, and not let the fear of confrontation amplify a situation unnecessarily. This has been a helpful lesson as I navigate partnerships with events and brands as someone with influence — this is no longer lost on me.
- Read your contracts — I have a terrible habit of just signing things that come across my desk, and I’ve learned the hard way that each one needs dedicated attention–especially in my line of work where deliverables and KPIs can be hard to identify in the fine print.
- Set boundaries — Turn off the phone, don’t read the comments, and prioritize personal time! You know what I’m saying, and I know some things just came to mind for you. Lean into it. Your boundaries are important.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Recognizing that all bodies are good bodies, and weight and waist size don’t need to define people to their core. I genuinely want the next generation to see that, at the end of the day, we get the bodies we get. Of course, it’s essential to take care of yourself, to move your body and feed it whole, nourishing food, but constantly fighting to make yourself smaller is just giving you less energy to do the things in life you actually care about.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. 🙂
- Kelly Clarkson — She is the epitome of joy and I would LOVE to go for a bike ride with her!
- Oprah — An absolute trailblazer in normalizing all types of bodies! I’d love to have a conversation about her journey — where she’s at now and what she would go back and do differently if she could. Oprah also has to come on the bike ride with me & Kelly Clarkson!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
If you’re curious about what we do over at All Bodies on Bikes, check out our website! You can also find me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube or Facebook. Take your pick!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Marley Blonsky of All Bodies on Bikes, and Cannondale Athlete: Second Chapters; How I Reinvented… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.