Instructors Unplugged: MADabolic Brooklyn
Ever been curious about your instructor's morning routine? How they ended up teaching fitness? What they're passionate about? Us too. Allow us to welcome you to our brand new blog series, Instructors Unplugged. A series where we sit down with our instructors off the mic and dive deep into the hearts and minds of how they got to where they are now.
Each post features candid interviews that reveal what sets their souls on fire—whether it's their passion for movement, the joy of empowering others, or the transformative journeys they’ve experienced along the way.
This week, we caught up with Founder Brian Rekuc and Instructor Chelsea Phillips from MADabolic Brooklyn to talk all things passion for movement, the strength of their community, and what makes MADabolic a game-changer in fitness.
FOUNDER / INSTRUCTOR
Name: Brian Rekuc
Star Sign (yes, really): Capricorn
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Favorite Class Format: Anaerobic
Tell me about your relationship with fitness and how it has evolved over time.
I began as a team sports athlete which is where I developed my love for physical activity and taking care of my body. Over time post-college I gravitated more towards strength training because of the community I saw forming around these types of gyms. Lately I’ve been getting more into running which has been a new and intriguing avenue to explore the endurance side of fitness.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about building things that better the lives of those around me. These include starting a business that fuels fitness pursuits for the Williamsburg community; creating employment and growth opportunities for other passionate fitness professionals; and nurturing a strong support system of friends and family who share my values.
How do those passions inform what you do in the classroom?
The mentality that no detail is too small stays with me during every class I coach. I know that correcting even the most minute form imperfection can make someone move just better enough to realize their strength gains. The results are in the details, and if we care enough to hone in on those details, clients will quickly see the benefits of MAD and want to keep coming back for more.
What does community mean to you?
Community is a collection of people with similar beliefs or working towards a common goal. However I subscribe to the belief of MAD’s founders that community can be faked, but culture cannot. Our community is a product of the culture we create, which is why we place a higher importance internally on building the right kind of culture. Setting up the right systems and procedures that support your brand’s ethos will attract your target client – these are the people who make up the living, breathing organism that is our community.
What makes the community at MADabolic BK special?
Everyone is here to get better individually. We all have individual goals but work towards them together in a group format. We’re not obsessed with stats and gadgets that provide immediate gratification, but instead value the consistency and commitment that it takes to achieve long-term fitness results. Intrinsic drive will always be more powerful than extrinsic motivation. Plus, we all know how to have a good time when the opportunity arises.
Tell me about your first impression of the workout when you took your first class at MAD.
Mine was during COVID in Austin and what stuck out to me was how many people were there, in masks, during a pandemic, staying committed to their wellbeing. The studio went to great lengths to keep everyone safe and comfortable during this strange time, and the commitment returned by the clients in the room was palpable.
What's your vision of it now?
I truly believe that MAD is not just a class or a workout – it’s a lifestyle. A no bullshit, do what works not what sells, approach to training. MAD has set up a system that attracts like-minded, high-achievers who are serious about their workouts but just as serious about the other facets of life. This is why we love giving them 50 minutes of their day to focus on themselves and leave the gym better than they arrived.
What do you look for in an instructor when you're taking class for yourself? (Doesn't have to be a MAD class, just any class you enjoy.)
I want to see that the instructor actually enjoys and cares about the workout they’re leading. They don’t have to be the most enthusiastic or bubbly person, as long as it’s clear that they believe in what they’re saying. This is why our instructors at MAD are required to take classes here weekly – not because we make them, but because they only became an instructor because they believed in MAD first. Practice what you preach.
How has MAD impacted your life?
I can’t even begin to answer this question in a couple sentences. All I will say is that MAD has presented some of the greatest challenges I have ever faced, but because of this has also led to some of my proudest accomplishments. MAD is what truly taught me that the most sustainable path to success comes by focusing on helping others first.
INSTRUCTOR
Name: Chelsea Phillips
Star Sign (yes, really): Aquarius Sun, Gemini Moon, Gemini Rising
Hometown: Abilene, Texas
Favorite Class Format: Anaerobic (Speed & Power)
Tell me about your relationship with fitness and how it has evolved over time.
Grew up playing any sport I could & played basketball briefly in college, so preseason was my intro to fitness. Fell off after playing sports competitively and got back into it when I did my first triathlon. Since then, I started teaching and did everything from spin to aerobics and eventually found my way back to strength training and ultimately MAD. I love that it makes me feel like an athlete again.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about people and what makes them tick.
How do those passions inform what you do in the classroom?
I love to build personal relationships and really understand our clients goals to help them get where they want to be both mentally and physically.
What does community mean to you?
It’s literally everything. It’s a like minded group coming together for a common goal while honoring the differences each individual brings to the table
What makes the community at MADabolic BK special?
Mad BK is the best community I’ve found in my history in fitness. The warm up and small groups for each lane give you an opportunity to really know who you’re working out with over time. These people have been at my birthday dinners, we’ve gone on trips, etc. These are my people.
Tell me about your first impression of the workout when you took your first class at MAD.
It was intimidating, for sure. The weights are heavy and the movements are technical.
What's your vision of it now?
I’m obsessed with the structure and ability to progress through the lanes. Everything that initially intimidated me has become the reason why I choose MAD.