Ep 2: Colin Irving – Real Ryder

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Colin Irving, Creator of the RealRyder Indoor Cycle

Colin Irving was known for many things before creating the RealRyder Indoor Cycle – a featured actor in the movie “Dead Poets Society,” producer and writer on “The Man Show,” even “son of world famous author John Irving.” But a passion for cycling and an upbringing in the cold snowy winters of Vermont gave Irving an idea for the most realistic indoor bicycling experience possible. In this episode of "Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness," Irving joins Hossein and Leigh to talk about the road that led him to the creation of one of the most innovative products the fitness industry has seen in years.

LISTEN to Colin Irving's episode on iTunes

"That first step is absolutely the hardest step. Most people who have an idea are preoccupied with the notion that someone is going to steal it so they never execute. They think it's not perfect or it's not the right time... When I think back on those times when we were dragging the [RealRyder] bike through hotel lobbies under a sheet, I really just have to smile to myself. No one could have taken that idea and done what we did with it."

- Colin Irving on his advice for entrepreneurs

Chapters:

What do you call this bike? – 3:30

Starting with Hollywood dreams – 5:40

The real dream? Professional cyclist – 9:55

The hard life of bike racing and acting – 13:26

Competition – 14:57

Starting a company from scratch - 16:19

Dream celebrity endorser – 22:26

A business comes from wanting to make an experience better – 23:33

Business 101: Getting financing – 26:48

The first prototype – 29:32

What other ideas in fitness do you wish was yours- 36:20

What’s in your home gym? – 39:14

Luckiest thing – Having a feel for what the product should be - 40:13

Worst decision – 43:50

The importance of differentiating yourself – 46:14

The first time showing at IHRSA – 49:02

Who’s your mentor? – 54:52

Finding his niche in life with RealRyder? – 56:58

Advice for fitness entrepreneurs – 1:00:27

The influence of a world famous dad – 1:03:19 

How’d you fare in dodgeball? – 1:09:28

Whats your guilty pleasure? 1:10:47

Word associations – 1:12:01

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