Getting to know... Celeste Blakey

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Celeste Blakey, founder of London-based sustainable spin studio Revolt Cycling, talks about her passion for fitness, the often challenging journey of founding a commercial endeavour and why the capital is such a great place to live and work.

We know you as the founder and owner of Revolt Cycling, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I’m driven, probably a bit obsessive, but deeply people-focused. 

I care a lot about how things feel: spaces, experiences, conversations, and I’m happiest when I’m creating something that brings people together and has a real purpose behind it.

Momentum. Progress. Seeing effort turn into impact. All of these things make me tick.

I like clarity, structure and high standards, though I try not to be a perfectionist!

Did you always want to work in the fitness sector?

Not at all. 

I started in hospitality and moved into consumer and retail advisory, working with brands across health, beauty and lifestyle. 

Fitness was always part of my life.

Revolt came from spotting a gap where performance, community and sustainability should overlap, but didn’t.

Once I saw that, I couldn’t un-see it.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

Seeing people walk out of the studio buzzing – they may be physically tired, but they feel mentally lifted. 

That’s incredibly rewarding.

With regard to the worst part, the responsibility never really switches off. 

When you’re the founder, everything ultimately sits with you: the decisions, the risks, the stress when things don’t go to plan.

It can be heavy, especially in the early stages when you’re only one person, but it’s also the price of building something meaningful.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Taking Revolt from an idea on paper to a fully operating studio in London –  through planning, funding, building, hiring and launching – without losing the original vision. 

I’m very proud of creating something that is value-led, commercially sound and genuinely different.

Though I always think there’s more I can do!

How do you relax outside of work?

This has been a struggle as I find it difficult to switch off.

However, I’ve been finding that not taking time to myself means the quality of my work is slipping, so my New Year's resolution is to make sure I can relax with good friends and music.

What makes London such a great place to live and work?

The energy, the diversity and the fact you’re constantly surrounded by people doing interesting things across every industry imaginable. 

It’s demanding, but it pushes you to think bigger, move faster and stay curious. 

There’s nowhere else I’d want to be.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

I’m embarrassingly addicted to Diet Coke. 

For someone so focused on health and fitness, it’s my one completely illogical, non-negotiable vice.

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