Photo Credit: Melissa Ruse / SweetM Images
If you’ve ever taken one of Holly Miller’s spin classes at CycleBar or RPM, you will have no doubt as to why she was chosen for a Fabulous People feature. Her classes are not just a workout – she will push you to your limit, inspire you and leave you better than she found you. Learn more about Holly Miller…
Hometown: Dundee, IL
First job: My first job was in a floral shop. I loved working there because it was beautiful, it always smelled amazing, and everyone was happy that shopped there! I used to get in trouble when I created floral arrangements because I would use all the best, most exotic flowers. The finished product would be so expensive that nobody would buy them! (But they were FABULOUS!)
Favorite AZ restaurant: Roka Akor. I love the decor and the food is incredible! I recommend the omakase, the chef is always so creative and I can experience things I may not have thought to order. Roka is the closest I’ve found to my favorite restaurant in Vegas, Sushi Samba! That place is amazing!
Person who has impacted your life the most: I think my mom has had the most impact on my life. She has always been my biggest cheerleader in all my endeavors. She ran the last few miles with me during my very first marathon (and then started running them herself!), crewed for my 100 mile races and triathlons, and she consistently takes my spin class on Wednesdays and Sundays! She’s the best! Her sunny disposition has earned her the nickname ‘Sunny Dee.’ I owe a lot of my positive outlook to her.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: I feel like every time I am able to connect and inspire someone, it feels like an awesome accomplishment! My greatest accomplishment was completing the Western States 100 mile race. It is a very hard race to get into, you have to run a 100 mile qualifying race just to get into the lottery! You could wait years to get in (and have to run another 100 mile race for each year to apply!). It only took me 3 years to get in. The course starts in Tahoe, it’s absolutely gorgeous! The terrain is rugged and very challenging with extreme heat the year I ran it. It took me 29 hours to finish, running through the night. It was such an overwhelming experience when I saw my second sunrise, to think that I had been running for an entire 24 hours and I still had more to go! There were many times I wanted to quit but I didn’t give up! Definitely my proudest moment!
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: One of my biggest obstacles to overcome was when I started exercising. I didn’t want to work out around other people for fear of being judged or for looking like I didn’t know what I was doing. I decided to start by working out with videos at home and I read a lot of books. I began to feel better about my fitness and my confidence grew as well! I finally had the courage to run outside and I signed up for my first 5k. (It wasn’t pretty, but I finished it!) From there, I became addicted to racing and the opportunity to travel for races and explore new places. I’ve traveled as far as Ireland for a marathon and qualified and ran the Boston Marathon 9 times! I know I am not the only one that has felt uncomfortable about starting a fitness journey and that is why I have a career in this industry. Exercise is more than just about losing weight, it boosts confidence, lifts spirits, and builds courage! I really try to welcome and encourage new riders because I still remember that scary feeling the first time I got on a spin bike!
Someone who inspires you: There are so many people who inspire me! Artists, fitness professionals, authors, etc. I think right now my biggest inspiration is Gary Vaynerchuk. That guy is the realest person I know. He is the epitome of passion in action. He’s not just saying, he is doing! My favorite interview was when he was asked to motivate in 3 words. He said, “You’re gonna die.” That’s the key! We have to remember that. We all have an expiration date, we have to get busy livin’!
Favorite quote: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: My advice to anyone pursuing a career in fitness is to always be hungry for knowledge and experience. The more you teach/practice/train, the better you get. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, those are your greatest opportunities to learn. I’d advise against teaching if you just want to get paid to workout. Those teachers rarely do well. I think the biggest thing is to keep it fun, your workouts should be a celebration of your body not punishment! My favorite trainers are the ones that have me smiling after a challenging session!
What makes someone fabulous: What makes someone fabulous? Someone who is comfortable with who they are as an individual, someone who is real, someone who is confident!
