Ope! Bikes.
It's pretty straightforward. Riding and racing bikes has brought me tremendous joy and has transformed my life for the better. And I know I'm not alone in this...
Ope! Bikes. is a podcast, well, about bikes. It's a collection of stories and intimate conversations with members and participants of the cycling community. It's the deep-dive into how bikes can act as catalysts for personal development, healing, social and civil rights advocacy, environmental action, community building...the list goes on and on.
The goal of Ope! Bikes. is to bring these stories and conversations to life and to provide a platform for guests to express themselves as impassioned advocates of the bicycle.
I hope you enjoy the show!
Ope! Bikes.
Disrupting the Norm with Dr. Chanel Tsunami
My guest today is Dr. Chanel Mitchell aka Chanel Tsunami from St. Louis, MO. Chanel is many things but labels herself as a disruptor. As a member of The Regulators Cycling Club and ambassador for Ride For Racial Justice, Chanel is continuously finding ways to disrupt the norm, create sustaining change, and provide more opportunities for BIPOC cyclists. As a plus-sized woman, Chanel has also proven that the cycling community welcomes everyone no matter your race, gender identity, or body style.
Aiding Chanel in her quest for disruption is the fact that she also possesses her Doctorate in Philosophy in Social Work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Therapist, and Adjunct Professor. Not only is Chanel healing her community as a professional but she’s finding ways to do it from the saddle of her bike.
In this conversation Chanel and I cover the early days of her discovering and riding a bike, the intersection between life as a LCSW and her involvement in cycling, how Chanel serves as an agent of change for marginalized groups of people, and finally we talk about Chanel’s plans for an exciting 2024 season.