We asked Ivan, a business man, a passionate rider and an advocate for collaboration, the founder of GFC and the man behind ride the world,to share with us his story and vision. Enjoy
We asked Ivan, a business man, a passionate rider and an advocate for collaboration, the founder of GFC and the man behind ride the world,to share with us his story and vision. Enjoy
I’m Fernando Ivan, the middle child of my family—a role that taught me the value of connection, balance, and understanding different perspectives. I come from a very humble background where work and mindset were tools I learned to survive and evolve. I’ve been working two full-time jobs since I was 14 years old. I am a queer & brain diversity minded individual who grew up in a small city where acceptance and inclusion were not very available back then, and that forced me to become someone who never wants to make anyone feel less than themselves, unseen, or unaccepted. I believe that in life, you’re given a set of tools to help you make things work, and regardless of those tools, it’s determination and humility that can take you to beautiful places!
I have many indoor cycling certifications, attended to beautiful retreats, and made unbelievable friends around this journey that helped me nourish the love that I have for indoor cycling. One ride at the time I have fallen completely passionate about this sport.
But more than that, I’m someone who has faced some of life’s darkest moments. I have had two pivotal moments in my life—once when I was 16 and again in the summer of 2021—when I lay on a hospital bed, begging for another chance to get healthy, to leave the clinic, and to stay alive. Life gave me a third chance, and I swore back then that I would make each day count. I committed to finding my purpose, and once I found it, I knew that honoring the opportunity to still be alive meant sharing it with the world. Those experiences shaped me, forcing me to confront who I was and who I wanted to become. I’ve struggled, I’ve fallen, and I’ve had to rebuild myself from places I never thought I’d rise from. Today, I carry a deep gratitude. My aspiration is to grow into a better human being—not just for myself, but for others. Every day, I strive to honor the gift of this life by creating spaces where people can train, connect, collaborate, grow, and heal, just as I have.
And I might have a serious addiction to coldbrew coffee. Just that.
The vision for Global Flow Cycling is deeply personal to me. It’s about connection—true, meaningful connection—not just through fitness but through the shared humanity that brings us together. The journey of traveling the world, Ride & and get tremendously inspired by the efforts, mindset & stories of outstanding humans in this community: Such like the challenges we have faced, the lessons we have learned, and the profound transformations I’ve seen in myself and others through indoor cycling.
I have heard thousands of testimonies out there of people that feel very identified in how indoor cycling transformed their lives, and helps them to connect with their body, mind and self.
As we now know, It’s not just about the bike; it’s about the willingness to show up for yourself and the people around you. Global Flow Cycling is my way of honoring our journeys as a community and sharing it with the world.
Global Flow Cycling fills a critical gap by creating a central hub for indoor cycling enthusiasts, coaches and studios. It’s more than a studio locator—it’s the go to platform where passionate riders can discover local or global studios, connect with inspiring coaches, and explore the stories and values behind them.
Global Flow cycling will also highlight events, retreats, and workshops, fostering a space for riders to learn, network, and grow within a global cycling community. Our goal is to help our studios network to grow, support businesses of all sizes, and ensure riders always have a safe, welcoming place to connect with like-minded individuals wherever they go.
These features are designed to create a seamless experience that connects riders with the global cycling community. The studio locator helps users easily find nearby studios, whether they’re traveling or looking to connect locally. Online classes of our global coaches network offer flexibility, allowing riders to join from anywhere in the world. By highlighting the unique stories of studios, class styles, and coaches, we’re creating a personal connection, showcasing their values and expertise. Together, these features promote community, growth, and accessibility, ensuring riders can engage with their fitness journey both locally and globally while staying true to the values of connection and authenticity.
One of the main challenges is creating a platform that resonates across diverse cultures and cycling communities, as the way people experience cycling varies worldwide. To address this, we are committed to LISTENING to and incorporating feedback from riders, studios, and coaches globally, ensuring the platform reflects their unique needs.
Additionally, we’re focused on making the platform both technologically accessible and financially inclusive, so it’s a space that’s welcoming to everyone. By fostering collaboration, understanding, and adaptability, we aim to overcome these challenges and provide a valuable resource to the global cycling community.
What sets Global Flow Cycling apart is its emphasis on genuine collaboration and community, as well as its strong value proposition. We drive awareness of the studios, and drive new enthusiasts to their own businesses & booking systems, it’s a win-win situation. Happier riders = studio growth. Global flow cycling doesn’t retain a percentage out of the classes the riders attend as we believe that always shall belong to the studios only.
We’re not just another fitness platform; we are the biggest promoters of our studio network, helping them build and grow their communities. We provide exposure to athletes who share our collaborative values and offer a space for people to connect and build valuable relationships in their lives. While many online platforms today prioritize scalability, our focus is on creating a network built on transparency and a commitment to quality over quantity. Our goal is to collaborate closely with studios, providing meaningful support and exposure rather than simply listing them on yet another platform.
Global flow cycling is the medium where riders, coaches, and studio owners can share their journeys, challenges, and victories, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and purpose within the cycling community.
As Global Flow Cycling grows, we aim to introduce features that further deepen connections and engagement within the community. We plan to offer live group rides, personal storytelling spaces, and global challenges that unite riders from different corners of the world. Additionally, we will continue to spotlight coaches and riders, providing opportunities for shared learning and inspiration.
As the platform evolves, we’ll also incorporate more resources for studio owners, enabling them to share knowledge, network, and continue to grow their businesses.
Over time, our focus will remain on staying connected to the community’s needs and ensuring that Global Flow Cycling serves as a space for both personal growth and collective empowerment.
Ride the World is a key element in bringing the vision of Global Flow Cycling to life. Ride the World serves as a powerful proof of concept for the kind of community we’re building. It’s an event that brings together diverse coaches and passionate riders, fostering connection and collaboration. This event embodies the values of Global Flow Cycling—shared growth, community, collaboration, and global and local connection—helping us lay the foundation for the broader platform by demonstrating what’s possible when people come together: in this case to share their passion for cycling.
The core idea behind Ride the World is to celebrate the unity and diversity of the global cycling community. By bringing together 44 coaches from different backgrounds and perspectives, the event showcases the power of collaboration and shared experiences. It’s a chance to connect, learn, and inspire one another. The event serves as a statement to what Global Flow Cycling is all
About—a space for riders, coaches and studio owners to come together, share their stories, and build connections that transcend borders.
The diversity of the 44 coaches involved in Ride the World is essential to the foundation of the Global Flow Cycling community. Each coach brings unique experiences, perspectives, and expertise, which enriches the event and sets the stage for the diverse, global network we aim to build. These coaches exemplify the values of collaboration, authenticity, and growth that will be central to the platform. Their involvement in Ride the World helps create a strong foundation of inspiration, support, and connection that will extend into the broader Global Flow Cycling community as the platform develops.
I hope Ride the World will be a transformative experience for participants, both on and off the bike. On a personal cycling level, I want riders to feel challenged, inspired, and empowered, whether they’re seasoned athletes or beginners. This event is about pushing boundaries, building strength, and experiencing the power of community through cycling. On a broader level, I envision Ride the World as a way to connect participants to the deeper values of Global Flow Cycling—collaboration, shared growth, and global connection. It’s not just about riding; it’s about building relationships that extend beyond the event and becoming part of a global network of passionate riders, studio owners and coaches who are united by common values.
Ultimately, I hope this event sparks a sense of belonging and excitement about what’s possible within the Global Flow Cycling community as we continue to grow.
