Ep 13: Isabel King Represents a New Breed of Professional Cyclist, and She’s Just Getting Started
It is always inspiring seeing someone blaze their own trail, and today’s guest, Isabel King, is doing just that. Not only is she walking her own path into the world of professional cycling by leveraging her Strava performance, social influence, and support of social causes, but she also has an MBA! Isabel has managed to carve a unique niche somewhere between a traditional professional cyclist and a cycling influencer. In this episode, we hear about Isabel’s journey and how she went from being a D1 soccer player at Columbia, to a professional triathlete, to business school, and then onto cycling more seriously. Because Isabel lives in LA, we naturally touch on some of the magnificent road and gravel riding opportunities, and she shares some of her favorite routes. We talk about the kind of cyclist that she thinks she will become, and we also hear about how she came to train with Reggie Miller. We couldn’t let Isabel go without picking her brain about the state of the economy and stock prices, where she gives us some great insights. Wrapping up, we hear about the inspiring fundraising Isabel has done and will continue to do on her bike.
Key Points From This Episode:
Hear about the ride that Isabel managed to get in before the show.
How Isabel got to live her dream life and the mantras she learned from a young age.
Why Isabel decided to finish her MBA and then transition into being a full-time triathlete.
What drew Isabel to cycling after doing triathlons.
The world of professional cycling is opening up and changing the definition of professionalism.
Landing sponsorship during COVID: hear Isabel’s approach to getting her brand going.
Isabel’s lean sponsorship roster at the moment and how she puts her famous wardrobe together.
The big Malibu QOMs Isabel has and what’s still on her bucket list.
Where Isabel’s sweet spot is, given her penchant for gravel and mountain biking as well as road cycling.
How Isabel came to train with Reggie Miller (yes, that Reggie Miller).
What Isabel is doing ahead of Unbound, which is taking place in a month’s time.
Isabel’s financial insights and where there are still opportunities in an expensive market.
Insights into whether we are approaching another Roaring Twenties.
Where Isabel sees her future in the world of finance.
Some of the work Isabel has done with Reggie Miller around racial injustice.
Other rides Isabel has planned to raise money for worthy causes.
Tweetables:
“There's a little bit of a juxtaposition of what makes you a professional cyclist.” — Isabel King [0:12:26]
“The QOM chasing is really, really fun. But I think for me it's also a way to push yourself.” — Isabel King [0:24:49]
“I think that's why this gravel racing, that's kind of blown up recently has so much draw, and that I feel like it combines the head down suffering aspect that you have in the TT and the triathlon, with the ability to compete and be kind of in this like rough and ready off road environment, which I like.” — Isabel King [0:33:03]
“The FinTech world is kind of where I see myself going. Just combining the numbers and what I like about markets and also helping the younger generations figuring out their banking without it being such a broken system.” — Isabel King [0:43:43]