Meet Kaylei Ibarra Blackmoon | Owner | Chief Fitness Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaylei Ibarra Blackmoon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaylei, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting my own business was simple. There was an opportunity to make an impact in the fitness and cycle industry that hadn’t yet been brought to our community, and where I was at in that industry was no longer giving me the fulfillment I was looking to have. In a world of consistently trying to find a seat “at the table” it only made sense to stop looking for seats and build my own chair to sit on. I sat with my business partner, Brian, on the phone and we started to ask ourselves what was missing in our own communities respectively, and what could we do to change it? From there rhythm and release began its journey into what it has evolved into today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has led me to become a “jack of all trades.” While originally my background is in marketing, I worked in the Real Estate profession and Property management as well. I was never passionate for those things, but I always enjoyed interpersonal communication with people from all over the world. The road to becoming an instructor on the bike was not an easy one, I trained for months before I was given an opportunity to be accepted, and once I was, finding my voice was difficult and at times felt impossible. Only a month after becoming an instructor I found out I was pregnant with my first child and things changed for me quickly.

Like many people we hear from today, when covid locked everyone in doors, I found opportunity to pursue my love for fitness. I was a few months post-partum and ready to take back over my life after putting myself in auto-pilot for and extended time, I was beginning to lead into a dark place. I pursued gaining personal training certification, began teaching outdoor HIIT classes, and I’ve continued to expand my expertise along the way through experience and learning through every class taught, every class taken from another instructor, or anyone I’ve had the opportunity to work with at any capacity in this field.
Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. In the beginning I was fighting for my life, and now I am fighting for something much bigger. Beyond the extent of being an entrepreneur rhythm | release was built with the intent that fitness is intended to reach further then a physical aspect. For me, it was strength training and rhythm cycling that gave me voice. Rhythm and Release is a place intended to do the same for others. We put the focus back beyond your physical health and into mental wellness because the two do in fact go together, To shine a light on that, to provide accessibility and promote different approaches to tapping into what is going to make you feel good from within, that is what we want our members and our community to take from our brand. The same way it was able to do for me, I truly hope to do for others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live in my opinion, one of the best most exciting cities of America! MIA So if I were to have a friend come out we absolutely would plan a day trip to the beach, or a boat day to go out and explore the water. There are many options to eat at, my favorite go to place would be “Komodo” for night-time atmosphere and dining experience, or if we were going out earlier in the day Amara at Paraiso if we are planning for brunch, Time spent outdoors is a must stroll through wynwood and visit the infamous “Wynwood walls” or grab a drink in Miami Design district for a completely different vibe.
Depends on the day.
Most importantly anyone who comes to visit me knows we will be spending time at “The Citadel Miami” a food hall that is home of several different local foodie spots, stay for happy hour or my favorite of all time, take a class at Rhythm | Release which is good for anytime of day seven days a week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout belongs to my husband, Johnathan Ibarra Blackmoon. Because without him I would have never fully embraced my passion for fitness in the way that I have or have been able to. He has always been there to encourage, support, and push. Secondly, my business partner and co-founder Brian, who has been a part of this journey since day 1. Believing in this dream so much so, he was willing to uproot his life and return to Miami to build rhythm | release.

Website: rhythmandrelease.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythm_and_release/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhythmandrelease

Image Credits
Photographer: Catie Gallet Photographer: Ursula Davy