How to Make Movement Fun Again: A Real Talk with Stacy Smith of Sascy Cycling
Movement should be joyful, empowering, and sustainable—not a punishment or a chore. In this episode of the Wellness with Vanda podcast, Vanda is joined by Stacy Smith, the founder of Sascy Cycling, a movement empowering women to ditch diet culture and reconnect with their bodies through joyful cycling. Stacy shares her personal journey, her approach to movement and weight loss, and how biking became the spark that changed everything for her and the women she now supports.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Compassion: Stacy’s story begins like so many of ours: internalizing body shame from a young age and navigating years of “exercise as punishment.” Her turning point came not from counting calories or doing punishing workouts, but from deciding to care for herself from a place of love. Her goal? To be strong, healthy, and fully present for her son. That meant finding movement that felt good—and for her, that was cycling.
Why Joy in Movement Matters: We often think we have to hustle, grind, or suffer to earn our health. But Stacy and Vanda agree: your movement should fill your cup, not drain it. Finding what you enjoy doing is the key to long-term consistency. For Stacy, the freedom and fun of biking reconnected her to a sense of empowerment she hadn’t felt since childhood.
Tips for Finding Your Thing:
- Start small: Even 5 minutes of movement counts.
- Give yourself permission to change your mind. Try something new, stick with it for a bit, and pivot if it’s not the right fit.
- Don’t chase trends—do what feels good.
- Accountability can help! Having a friend, partner, or community keeps you motivated.
Biking 101 for Beginners: If you’re curious about biking, Stacy recommends:
- Get a bike that fits your body (comfort > cost!)
- Try used bikes or basic indoor trainers
- Padded shorts are a must
- Peloton-style rides can be done with any bike (you don’t need a Peloton!)
Connection Makes It Better: Whether it’s biking with her husband or connecting with a global community of women, Stacy emphasizes how movement can also be a doorway to friendship, accountability, and joy.
Ready to Ride? Stacy offers a free Quick Start Guide with three simple tips to help you start using cycling for weight loss in a joyful, sustainable way. Head to www.sascy.com to grab it!
Final Thoughts: You don’t need to do what everyone else is doing. You need to find what lights you up. This episode is a reminder that the goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency, connection, and joy. Movement can be medicine when it’s rooted in love.
Tune In: Listen to the full conversation with Stacy on the Wellness with Vanda Podcast, available wherever you tune in. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!