Cycling Instructor Finds Freedom Through Fitness and Health

Ariel Padilla spent most of his early life carrying weight that wasn't just physical. Growing up nearly 300 pounds in a Puerto Rican family where his athletic and artistic interests sparked questions about his identity, the New York-based fitness instructor struggled to accept himself.

Everything changed when he stopped hiding. "Coming to terms with my own sexuality was physically freeing," Padilla says. "Carrying extra body weight can feel like carrying secrets."

After his mother's death, Padilla found his way back through indoor cycling. The combination of performing and fitness felt natural, and he dropped 70 pounds while gaining something more valuable: mental clarity. He turned his passion into a career, becoming an instructor to afford the classes that were transforming his life.

But self-acceptance wasn't a straight line. After an eight-year relationship ended, Padilla entered his first phase as a single, sexually active adult. He realized that taking care of his body extended beyond the gym to every aspect of his health, including sexual wellness.

He started getting tested regularly for HIV and STIs and using condoms. When he learned about PrEP, a prescription medicine that helps prevent HIV transmission through sex, he had an honest conversation with his healthcare provider. Starting PrEP became another act of self-care, giving him confidence as he navigated dating.

"I was starting to feel like myself again," he says. The decision to prioritize his sexual health alongside his physical fitness represented the complete self-acceptance he'd been working toward.

Why This Inspires

Padilla's story reminds us that wellness isn't just about what happens in the gym. True self-care means honoring every part of ourselves, from mental health to physical fitness to sexual wellness. His willingness to share his journey openly helps others see that self-acceptance comes in layers, and each one deserves attention and respect.

Today, Padilla radiates the joy he once struggled to find. By combining his love for performing with his commitment to health in all its forms, he's created a life where he can share his hard-won happiness with others. His journey proves that when we stop carrying secrets and start caring for ourselves completely, freedom follows.