discovering I was the cover girl

Author

Ellen Oshinsky
June 02, 2025

Cue the jaw drop. 

Cue the laughter. 

And cue the tears from the laughter when I saw this message last week 👇️ 

This was absurd.

My face on the cover of the local publication, Washington Jewish Week. 

I knew there was going to be a little profile, but not my face on the cover. 

Which is all to say, life surprised me BIG time. 

I had a twenty-five minute conversation with a reporter, and she distilled my life down to the following headline: Ellen Oshinsky: Biking, Building Community and Giving Back in a Multitude of Ways. 

I guess, that’s my 11 word memoir. 

And honestly, she couldn’t have gotten it more right. 

The reporter distilled my life down to 3 things that really matter to me and that drive my life:

  • Biking

  • Building community

  • Giving Back in a multitude of ways

My personal mission is to build a more resilient and compassionate world. 

And one of the ways that I flex that muscle is through Circle and Spoke. 

Because at the core of Circle and Spoke is: 

  • Biking

  • Building community

  • Which allows us as a community to recharge our batteries, find our people and cadence, so that together in our own ways we can live our lives authentically. And I think at our core, as human beings our highest calling is not to squander or hurt— it’s to give back to our friends, family, communities and world in our own unique, loving way. 

I’m humbled and humored to be the covergirl of a local newspaper, especially at a time when the world is swirling with clickbait news that is far more negative and disturbing. 

It’s taken me years to find my cadence where I can look at my life and go: yes, this thing I’m building matters to me and I’m on my path. There are days where I’m coasting or heading downhill screaming “weeee” and other days where it’s a climb… but I’m clear that I’m my path.

And I want to support you in getting clear and confident in pedaling your journey.

I want you to see your life in full color print and go— that story is true about me and that feels so aligned.

So I’m sharing here some questions to simmer on as you head out for your next bike ride or sit down journaling session to allow you to take stock (which is an elemental part of being able to maintain your cadence or shift gears 🙂) :

  • Recall a recent moment from your life that filled you with exceptional pride. What made you beam about that moment? Who did you get to share that pride with?  

  • At the end of the day, what are the small things that make you grateful? 

  • If a reporter could distill the headline of your life down to 15 words or less, what words would you want to see there? Is that an aspirational headline or something that authentically reflects where you are at? 

And if you’d like to take this reflection offline, email me. I’d be happy to offer tailored coaching in and out of the bike saddle (oh and check out my PS… there are some fun gatherings to support you IRL soon)

Wheels up, 

Ellen

PS- Wouldn’t it feel empowering to shift gears out of overwhelm and burnout into resilience and community?

Circle and Spoke invites you to join us July 18-20th for Pedal, Paddle and Pause in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. This is more than a weekend retreat. It’s a time to go whitewater rafting, biking (leisurely along the GAP Trail) and take stock of your life through guided journaling and group reflections to then shift gears.

The first edition of Pedal, Paddle & Pause sold out last year and we know it will sell out again! Half the seats for this year's second edition have been sold. Lock in your seat today before you miss out on the fun! 

PPS- Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 11th at 7:15pm in Dupont Circle.

Join me for a casual drop prior to DC Bike Party. This picnic is open to those in the Circle + Spoke community, including old friends and new ones. And you are most welcome to bring a friend. 

Bring your own dinner! 

There will be great humans + a large picnic blanket + a guided go around question + time to schmooze. 

DC Bike Party heads out at 8pm, if you'd like to join for their ride after with new and old friends.