January 2023: Part 1
Please laugh, indulge, grow, learn and get faster and healthier with me.
Where did “The Chad Andrews” come from? We can thank Twitter and a nod to @The_JoESilva. Many years ago, when Twitter was getting started, I searched for Chad Andrews. It was taken. I tried soooo many different iterations of a Twitter account that would work, that would convey “me”. In the end, I settled on The Chad Andrews. The name stemmed from being vulnerable. Humorous. Funny. Genuine. Crass, intelligent, silly. However, some saw it as… The Chad Andrews? That’s a “full of your ego” handle. I was conflicted. I eventually leaned in. It became a bit of a running joke, “Hey, The Chad Andrews” at events, on rides, in my home town. Instagram was next. Now, The Chad Andrews is really who I am. Where the business is. Strong, vulnerable. I want to be the best “The Chad”.
Commentating since 1998.
It all started with a chance meeting, and then eventually coaching, one of the top 50 golf coaches in the US: Dana Rader. Dana used the bike as a way to gain fitness for the golf course. I eventually capitalized on an idea that she started….opening an indoor training center for outdoor sports. “Indoor cycling”.
I was also working for the airlines for a living. Piedmont, then USAirways. After 911, I was coaching some and starting to get “tired” of the airline industry. I was talking to Racermate/Computrainer (the dinosaur of indoor trainers!) about developing a program where you could coach a class based on FTP . It would need to compliment their indoor trainer.
It all came together, done deal. I quit the airline.
In 1992 I picked up the microphone at a local race and started “commentating”. No one is talking…might as well, right? It was wet, cold. There may have been 20 people watching. Who was I going to piss off by burdening them with my green commentary? There might have been 20 people listening :).
One of our first camps in Virginia
We opened our first "PainCave" in Pineville, NC (2004). Another concept popped up from the “brain trust” of TotalCyclist (formerly Per4mance Training). Cycling camps! These turned out to be incredibly fun and rewarding. We coached so many amazing people at our DivaCamps. From Beaufort, SC to Huatulco, Mexico.
Camps were staffed, by cyclists, who were my friends. I can’t say how blessed I am, and was, for the support they selflessly gave.
By the time 2016 arrived, we were up to 4 training centers, DivaCamps scattered throughout North America, and our coaching services. Not to mention, my race commentary blossomed. Things were humming right along…and then?
The Divas!!!
So The Chad…why the re-brand? Welp, it starts with family. I was a marginal father and an ok husband (likely less than ok). I was gone a lot. I was impatient. I was immature. I was lost most of the time, and engaged some of the time.
The traveling made it easy for me to accept bad decisions.
Then Covid, divorce, poorer decisions, and acceptance of unhealthy habits. Isolation. I mean 2 years of isolation. That gives you shit tons of time to think. Where did I go wrong? I had to find the answer. I’m still searching for that answer. Before Covid, I saw two trains coming towards each other. I can hear them, I can’t see them, but I know they are going to collide. Crash. Shrapnel was everywhere. Dismantled. House leveled to the foundation.
Covid was terrible for everyone. Frankly, I don’t know how I survived it. Seriously.
I lost my family. I lost my dignity. I was humbled. My change came through isolation. I would fight one day and crumble the next. Slowly I would meditate more, exercise more, pray, eat better, fail, drink more, isolate more, hide more, and grow more.
Where am I now with this launch? I’m trying to be the better version of me, each day. I have grown so much since the end of Covid. However, it doesn’t mean I have grown. I will never arrive. I will seek the destination. Mistakes will be made. That will not stop me.
Genuine. Smile. (photos Weldon Weaver)
I’m learning from the past. I’m also excited about who I am now. Who I want to become. Repair and change. It takes work. Shit tons of it.
Version 2.0 of me will be told thoroughly on my blog, “Daily Spin” and very soon “Full STOP”. I hope you will check it out. I could make this story 20 pages, but I would rather reveal it through The Daily Spin. From a Business standpoint, we will be known as The Chad Andrews, LLC. TotalCyclist, Voice of Choice, DivaCamp and The 33 Rule will be neatly folded into our bundle of amazingness. We felt a new, fresh, concept would reflect my/our dedication to making us better, so that we can help you become your best.
Tailwinds,
Chad
The story will continue someday. Stay tuned.
Want to see more of the history? Check out the photos :)
