Angela Davis on Spinning and Oprah

Angela Davis is at the forefront of a fitness revolution. As a member of the USA Track and Field Team, Angela was a five-time All-American who held world rankings in the 100 meters. She ran track professionally for Nike, was an Olympic Trials semi-finalist and a member of the World Championship team.

Born into a sports family, Angela's father Jerry Manuel played, coached and managed baseball in the MLB. Drive, determination, and a competitive spirit were instilled in Angela from a young age. Angela knows her true life's work is to empower those who are ready for change. She has been coaching and training clients for over 20 years both on and off the track and is a highly sought-after instructor at SoulCycle.

Walk me through a day in the life of Angela Davis... I wake up super early, spend my first moments in prayer, grateful for the fact that I woke up. Spend some moments in quiet and allow for directions from the One above. Go kiss my babies, wake them up for school, pull out their outfits (they like to be fly). I’m out the door on my way to SoulCycle to teach a couple morning classes. Then usually take meetings during the day. I work out. Then begin to wind it back down for after-school practice, dinner with the family, then preparation to do it all over again.

How do you juggle being a wife, mother and working woman? Prayer.

How does sharing the name with political activist, Angela Davis inspire your journey as an inspirational and motivational speaker? Ironically enough my dad named me after Angela Davis, but my maiden name is Manuel. Then as it would happen, I met Jerome and became a Davis.

What are your beauty must-haves?

• Sculpted brows by Damone Roberts
• Emu Oil
• Clarisonic
• Perfect Face Concealer

Do you have a specific beauty regimen? I like to keep it really simple. In the morning, I wash my face, put on my Emu Oil and sunscreen. In the evening, I just wash my face and put on oil. Twice a week I use my Clarisonic.

Describe your personal style: I’ve always been inspired by fashion and consider myself a bit of a creative. I probably resonate most with Japanese designers. My style would be considered artistic and androgynous.

Wardrobe/Style must haves?

• I love a Gladys Tamez hat
• Fear of God Hoodie
• Junya Watanabe Harem Pant
• A fresh pair of Nikes
• A huge oversized Moschino jacket/robe for travel
• Lots of gold jewelry with earrings never the same

Tell me about the AMDIO Method and the significance behind it. I believe that all of the physical changes that we are in search of have a mental, emotional and spiritual origin. In order to be the highest expression of ourselves, change must come from within. My approach to training equalizes the focus of the physical and the spiritual. The AMDIO method is Angela Manuel Davis change from the inside out.

I’m sure getting to work with Oprah was amazing. Talk to us about what it was like working with her, how it came to be and the meaning of the 21 Days of Motivation and Movement Challenge. Oprah is incredible, working with her is a dream come true. The 21-day program is scientifically rooted that it takes 21 days to create a new habit, so I created a program that offers 21 moves of the day and 21 messages - by the end of each week you are left with a full body workout and full mind renewal.

Where can our viewers find the challenge? On my AMDIO website!

What got you started on the whole spinning trend? What came first for you—SoulCycle or spinning? I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years, I was a professional athlete and a coach so it was a natural progression for me. I started coaching spin before SoulCycle.

I have to ask: all those "motivational speeches"—where do they come from? I try to surround myself with inspiration. I stay fed spiritually through books, messages, and sermons playing throughout my home & in my car. So when it comes time to deliver inspiration, I feel like it is already in me. I pull from past experiences, lessons I’ve learned, and I stay open to dial into the needs of the audience.

What other forms of exercise do you enjoy/do? What do you think works best in correlation with SoulCycle? I love boxing and high-intensity interval training.

In what ways do you fuel your body to sustain such intense workouts? Meal plan, supplements etc. Lots of water, lots of veggies, and lots of clean protein.

What is your favorite cheat meal? Shake Shack

How did you become a brand ambassador for Corksicle? Explain what the brand is for the viewers that may not know. One of my faithful riders is friends with the founder and thought to introduce us.

What’s on the horizon for the Angela Davis brand? Definitely an expansion of my territory. Go where I'm supposed to go, do what I’m supposed to do, and be what I was created to be.

Add any last motivational words here for our readers? 2018 is a year to put a demand on your potential, to reach higher than you’ve ever reached, stretched wider, dig deeper and make a decision to walk in your purpose at any cost.