Peloton riders, how many of you have read Tunde’s Book “Speak?” And even if you’re not a Peloton owner, this review is for you.
I know I’m late to the game; truthfully, I can’t remember what inspired me to purchase the book. I don’t own a Peloton, I don’t take spin classes anymore, and I had never heard of Tunde Oyeneygin before buying her book. But something led me to purchase it a year ago, and it has been sitting on my shelf since then.
Now that I have more time and have established a regular reading cadence, I started it and finished it in record time. That’s the first indication that it was good.
What I love most about reading is the peace it brings and the lessons I derive from the stories. Real or fictional, it doesn’t matter. There is always a takeaway I can apply to improve my daily life.
If you haven’t read the book yet, I recommend doing so. In fact, if reading is your thing, I’d love to know what you’re currently reading. Anyway…
Speak is not a new book—it’s a memoir that actually dropped in May 2022—but it’s still relevant and a good read. Tunde shares her journey from makeup artist to top Peloton instructor and the personal hardships she endured along the way. While reading, I gained a sense of her inner strength and guiding principles. Here’s another thing about reading: I didn’t have to know the author or main character personally to feel a connection. That’s the magic of a great story. When you read it, you realize that your experiences are not isolated but independently shared. In these shared moments, we find common ground and learn valuable lessons.
For instance, let’s take the five principles that serve as her philosophy: SPEAK.
Interestingly, I subscribe to the same principles, although I’ve never coined them as a philosophy per se. Not only are these important principles that will serve you well in life, but they also represent how reading contributes to personal growth.
What pillars are at the core of your modus operandi (M.O.)?
There’s much more I enjoyed about the book, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. If you are feeling stuck in your career or life in general and want a little motivation, read Tunde’s story. It might just be the spark that you need.
I don’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ll share two other anecdotes that caught my attention and that I want you to remember.
“You know what you know.” Always look to your strengths to carry you through when faced with the unknown. There are things you do really well that will support your new endeavor—use them to get you through until you develop the additional expertise needed to excel.
“A goal is a wish, but a standard holds you accountable.” I love this quote because lack of accountability is the number one reason why people give up on their goals. Instead of setting goals, make commitments to yourself. Don’t worry about the outcome; prioritize keeping your word to yourself.
With enthusiasm and anticipation,
Wanda Re’Gina
