Sweat and Tonic markets itself as Toronto’s premier fitness and wellness hub. Yet behind the polished branding lies a troubling culture of duplicitous conduct, toxic favoritism, and discriminatory politics.
As the founder of Indoor Cycling Society (formerly Indoor Cycling Magazine), I have built Canada’s leading spin-focused media platform, reaching tens of thousands of riders, instructors, and studio owners worldwide. My work has given countless studios and instructors invaluable exposure, including Sweat and Tonic.
When I reached out to collaborate during my Toronto visit, your own social media team encouraged me, and leading instructor Morgan Stasiewicz personally extended an invitation for a complimentary class. These offers were entirely consistent with industry norms and a recognition of the reach and value my platform provides.
However, this goodwill was sabotaged by Marketing Manager Angie Wong, who reversed prior commitments, dismissed professional invitations, and treated me with hostility. Her behavior displayed not only arrogance but also toxic bias, suggesting that support and “perks” should be reserved for certain individuals while others — particularly male and non-white influencers — are disregarded or even vilified.
Even more disheartening, Morgan Stasiewicz ultimately withdrew her invitation under pressure, despite having directly benefited from my platform’s reach in the past. Such cowardice betrays the spirit of community that indoor cycling is supposed to uphold.
The deeper issue lies with Sweat and Tonic’s leadership. Co-founders Sarah and Vanessa must answer for why their brand enables and empowers managers who perpetuate elitist, exclusionary, and abusive practices. Boutique fitness should stand for inclusivity, fairness, and collaboration — not toxic feminism, dirty politics, and discrimination.
The cycling community deserves better. Sweat and Tonic’s actions have now been documented publicly, and their reputation will be judged accordingly
