Thrive & Inspire: Creating ’Something Bigger Than Ourselves’ Drives Gooch and Pappas of RYDE
Mar. 7, 2023
Ashley Gooch and Andrew Pappas, Co-Founders
WHAT INSPIRES YOU as you grow RYDE? The RYDE community and our team inspire us every day. The goal from the start was to create something that is bigger than ourselves — our community is just that. We want to push the limits of what a fitness experience can be. Our new Heights studio is a testament to that commitment, offering a high-energy indoor cycling experience in a stunning space. RYDE Heights opens in April, exactly eight years after our first location opened on West Gray in River Oaks.
What’s special about your team? The RYDE team is the core spirit of who we are and what we do. Our instructors, studio team and management are constantly raising the bar, and are passionate about building authentic relationships with clients inside and outside the studio. We have the best team in the city — and it is a privilege to work with such a talented and hardworking group of people.
RYDE has taught more than 20,000 spin classes since opening in 2015. To what do you attribute the success of your brand? Every aspect of RYDE is crafted with purpose, and our core principles remain steadfast as we grow. First is quality and consistency: Our team strives to earn and retain our clients’ trust and loyalty every day.
Second, we put people first: We invest in our team through comprehensive training programs and dedicated management support to ensure that our most valuable assets are always put first.
Third, we embrace uniqueness: We invest in our product and talent to ensure it is the best in the industry, while constantly innovating. Our athletic edge appeals to men and women equally, and we’ve paid close attention to this balance from the start.
Fourth, we cherish the details: Every physical and digital detail has been carefully considered and refined by our team, and is an integral part of the RYDE identity.
And the final core principle is giving back: The RYDE team and community are deeply committed to making a difference, and are proud to have donated over $160,000 for local and national philanthropic causes.
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EVEN THOUGH WE hope things cool down outside, some folks in Houston are about to get even hotter with the arrival of trendy fitness studio Ritual One next month in Uptown Park. The Dallas-based concept will offer classes like Power Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Power Yoga, Inferno Flow, and Inferno HIIT — all taking place in its infrared-heated studios.
Ritual One was founded by two “power yoga” gurus, Kalene McGraner and Nicole Preston, who wanted to bring an elevated and more luxe feeling to the yoga experience. The Houston studio will offer beautifully designed locker rooms, an infrared heating system, and an air purification ionization system.
The heat — class temperatures range between 95 and 102 degrees — promises to help increase blood flow, boost metabolism, burn calories, torch fat and detox the body. “We spent several years researching heaters and ionization systems to create state of the art systems in our rooms that promote and maximize detoxification and heat you from the inside out,” says McGraner. Meanwhile, the air purification ionization system kills bacteria while ensuring the air is well-oxygenated.
In addition to detoxing, Ritual One is determined to assist in reducing pain and inflammation: Every studio is equipped with antimicrobial and shock-absorbent floors to minimize impact and prevent injury.
Ritual One is currently under construction and will occupy the former Revolution Cycling Studio space located at 1121 Uptown Park Blvd., Suite 9.
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Fairytale 'Boo Ball' Yields Happy Ending for Ronald McDonald House
Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Nov. 1, 2024
Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson
SUPPORTERS OF RONALD McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston gathered for a whimsically fun fete at the Hilton Americas hotel. The 2024 Boo Ball was themed "Once Upon a Time," and it raised a true happily-ever-after amount of $1 million — a new record!
More than 700 costumed revelers — Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, and more! — were greeted a magical-castle photo backdrop, and grabbed a glass of bubbly on their way into the main ballroom. Event chairs Jennifer and Scott Allison mingled with the creatively dressed guests and gala honorees Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Vuong Ho, Deric Jech and others. And the organization's CEO, Cristina Vetrano, gave remarks thanking guests for their support of their ongoing mission to provide the safety and comfort of "home" to seriously ill children and their families during long hospital stays.
In addition to a silent auction, a raffle and a "Baubles and Bottles" draw, a "paddles up" contest generated more than $185,000 in less than five minutes — plus a match of $150,000 from an anonymous donor. Johnny Bravo emceed this portion of the evening, which raised funds specifically for 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments for families who need extended stays in the Med Center.
Partiers packed the dance floor thanks to Radio Live, who kept the beats pumping all night long.
Aaron and Victoria Bludorn
Zac and Courtney Hamon
Angel and Amy Hinijosa
Ben and Bethany Buchanan
Will and Semmes Burns
Cristina Vetrano, Tom and Lesha Elsenbrook, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Tinkerbell
Crowd dancing and singing with the band
Tiffany Riggs, Angela Majors, Gracie Hernandez, Logan Harrison
Susan Blaney and ZoAnn Dreyer
Edward Sanchez and Kristen Cannon
Steve Genest, Peggy Micko, Peggy East, Dick East
Erica Bartlett, Matthew Begnaud
Frank and Natalie Vega
Gary and Judith King
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Dees
Ronald McDonald and Johnny Bravo
Jessica and Gray Lisenby
Kurt and Michelle Lyn
Mike and Susan Blaney
Laura Thompson
Nicole Mott, Michelle Marandi
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