Mum, Mama, Mom—whatever you call her, she’s been there for you. For us. To pick us up when we’re down, to stoke our passions and encourage us to always dream bigger, to be a friend in all chapters of life. On Mother’s Day, let’s send our love to the mothers in our lives across miles and time zones, like a high five on the Leaderboard; let’s take a class together with her, share a meal over video chat or thoughtfully select a piece or two from the new Peloton Apparel collection designed just for her. We’ll celebrate the strong women in our lives—the ones who might’ve encouraged us to work out for the first time—even if we can’t be by their side.
On most Sundays, you’ll find U.K. cycling instructor Hannah Frankson at her mum Liz’s house enjoying a traditional Sunday roast. Forming a support “bubble” during this pandemic, Hannah often catches up with Liz, who works on the frontline at the NHS (National Health Service, the U.K.’s healthcare system), over some roasties and rich gravy, chatting about their weekly highlights and giving Hannah a break from her signature meal of beans on toast.
Ever since Hannah joined the instructor roster, Liz has been a keen follower, popping up on the Leaderboard too. Ahead of Mother’s Day in the U.K., we asked this power pair to reminisce about the role each has played in the other’s life—and reminisce they did, all while cozied up (from a safe distance) in matching heart jogger sets from our Mother’s Day apparel collection.
What’s your fondest memory together from Hannah’s childhood?
LIZ: “I enjoyed watching Hannah do things she enjoyed when she was younger. I took her to ballet but she didn’t like that, but she enjoyed more contemporary dancing, and I enjoyed watching her dance around the stage. Then of course she started doing athletics, and it was always great to see her compete and do well. These were things I never did myself when I was young, so it was fun to watch my daughter do all these activities.”
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve taught each other?
HANNAH: “My mum has taught me the importance of character and confidence. I know she consciously made sure I grew up seeing people who looked like me. I remember having black baby dolls and reading books with black characters in them, which at the time didn’t seem like a big deal, but I think it helped give me a bold confidence in who I was deeper than what people could see. To my mum, it wasn’t about saying ‘you are beautiful because of your skin or how you look,’ it was more ‘you’re beautiful just because you are you.’”
LIZ: “I don’t feel like I was ever as passionate about something as Hannah is. She has taught me how when you have a passion and stick to it, you can achieve some amazing things.”
HANNAH: “She also taught me to ‘be nice’ … she still tells me that now actually.” (LAUGHS)
LIZ: “Hannah has also taught me how important it is to have standards and values set for yourself. Sometimes as a parent, you want to bend your own rules because you love your child. Even when I saw Hannah doing things I didn’t agree with or make mistakes, I still taught her the values and standards that I believed in, and seeing her do well and succeeding in the way that she has made me proud that I stuck to what I believed was the right thing.”
Do you take Peloton classes together? If so, what’s that like?
HANNAH: “I’ve never done a ride alongside my mum, but she has dropped me a message to let me know if she’s riding live, which is always fun.”
LIZ: “I take Hannah’s rides on the days I’m not working. I like her 80s, EDM and pop rides the most.”
HANNAH: “I was so proud to shout out my mum's Century Ride … I can’t believe she has done 100 rides! I think now she’s closer to 200. That’s mad.”
Shop the full Mother’s Day apparel collection here, available in the U.K. only from 2/25.
And count yourself in for Hannah’s U.K. Mother's Day ride, encoring on Sunday, 3/14, at 10:30 AM GMT / 6:30 AM ET.