Exploring London: A Blend of Fitness, Coworking, and Culinary Adventures
My recent trip to London was a whirlwind of activities, from coworking events to fitness classes and culinary adventures. The trip was spurred by the visit of my friend Angie, who flew to London from San Francisco for six days to visit her sister and explore London’s coworking and startup scene on behalf of her employer, the University of Singapore. Since London is just a quick two-hour flight from Santiago, I decided to join her for a few days of exploration and camaraderie.
Arriving in Brentford, a suburb to the west of London where Angie’s sister resides, I stayed at a hotel conveniently located just a block away. This proximity made it easy for us to meet up and embark on our adventures.
Hilariously, before I had the chance to inform Angie of my arrival on Sunday night, she and her sister spotted me from a double-decker bus just as I was preparing to cross the street to the hotel. It was a delightful start to the week, setting the stage for the activities that unfolded over the following days, as outlined below.
Morning Fitness at Digme Fitness
Each morning during my three-day stay in London, Angie and I kicked off our day with invigorating workouts at Digme Fitness. From FIT:Power sessions resembling CrossFit to intense Cycle Ride classes and challenging HYROX sessions, each workout pushed our limits with full-body, high-intensity interval training.
Below is a short video of Angie and I during the FIT:Power class.
Despite the varied formats, all classes emphasized dynamic warm-ups, intense intervals, and focused cooldowns, leaving us energized and ready to take on the day.
Immersed in the London Coworking Scene
London’s vibrant coworking community provided us with enriching experiences and valuable insights. Thanks to Angie’s connection with Bernie, co-founder of the London Coworking Assembly, we gained access to intriguing coworking events across the city.
Urban MBA: Empowering Futures
The first coworking space we visited was Urban MBA. Kofi Oppong, the founder, graciously gave us a tour of the newly built facility and shared the fascinating backstory behind its creation. Growing up in Uganda, Kofi defied his father’s wishes by attending a sporting event, leading to his expulsion from home and subsequent homelessness. However, through determination and hard work, he emerged as a successful entrepreneur in the sports industry. Urban MBA was founded with the mission of providing opportunities for young people who may not have access to traditional university education.
The main floor of Urban MBA serves as a coworking space, where we spent most of our day being productive. Meanwhile, the basement houses courses and workshops focused on life skills such as goal setting, business planning, outsourcing, funding, and marketing. These courses, which span 6 to 12 weeks, are offered free of charge to individuals aged 19 and above.
Urban MBA is forward-thinking in its approach, identifying six key technologies of the future that it aims to educate young people about, including artificial intelligence (AI), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the blockchain, 3D printing, the metaverse, and quantum computing. Additionally, the basement featured a gaming area, reflecting Kofi’s recognition of the growing opportunities in esports, where many youngsters are finding financial success.
Overall, Urban MBA represents a unique blend of coworking space and educational hub, providing valuable resources and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals.
Coworking Conference: “Remixing Community for a Citizen Groove”
This coworking conference was organized by Angie’s friend Bernie, who moved to Vigo–a city only a 20-minute train ride away from where I live in Spain–two years ago. The marquee speaker the first hour was Jon Alexander, author of Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is Within All of Us.
His talk was later posted in the YouTube video below. I’m at 2:48:
The event aimed to brainstorm solutions to questions such as “how can coworking have a greater positive impact on communities.” Attending the conference themed around community engagement offered thought-provoking discussions on fostering collaboration and addressing societal challenges.
Writing Coworking Session at Creative Works
Our mid-week meetup with Bernie at Creative Works exemplified the modern coworking experience. Amidst sleek surroundings and a welcoming atmosphere, we immersed ourselves in focused work, contemplating the value of such spaces for creative endeavors.
Startup Insights and Retail Adventures
As a technologist at heart, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to explore London’s startup ecosystem and visit some retail stores.
Startup Events London: A Hub of Innovation
Attending Startup Events London provided a glimpse into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. From insightful pitches to engaging discussions, the event sparked ideas and connections, leaving me inspired to delve deeper into the startup scene.
For me, this was the highlight of the events I attended in London, one I wrote a whole post about.
Retail Exploration: Oxford Circus and Beyond
Before diving into the startup event, I took a stroll through London’s bustling shopping districts. Conveniently, the Microsoft Store–one of only four remaining in the world–was only a few minutes walk away from the Startup Events. I also wandered inside the Gymshark store–whose clothing brand is a favorite of many fitness influencers I have seen on YouTube–and a store for On, which makes Andrea’s preferred running store. Each encounter offered a glimpse into the city’s diverse retail landscape.
Culinary Delights Across London
Despite the packed schedule, I made sure to savor London’s culinary delights, indulging in a gastronomic journey through diverse cuisines.
On the first night, I opted for an Indian dining experience at a restaurant called Albany Spice which was conveniently located 100 meters in front of my hotel. Despite taking the honor of serving the least spicy-hot Indian food I have ever tried in my life, the rich flavors of the cuisine set the tone for the rest of the week.
The following evening, I had the pleasure of joining Angie and her sister’s family for dinner at a Thai restaurant. The vibrant dishes and bold flavors of Thai cuisine made for a delightful meal.
For my last night in London, I ventured out for a solo dinner at Galata Pera, a Turkish restaurant that left a lasting impression. Nestled next to the Thames River in a charming neighborhood, Galata Pera offered not only exceptional food but also exquisite decor, top-notch service, and very good value. It was truly the highlight of my dining experiences in London, providing an unforgettable culinary finale to my trip.
In addition to these memorable dinners, Angie and I explored a few other notable eateries. Tossed, a Japanese-esque restaurant featuring over a dozen self-ordering tablet stations, offered a unique dining experience. I also had the pleasure of meeting Angie’s friend Hazel at a cozy coffee shop housed inside a yurt, where we indulged in delicious desserts and engaging conversation.
Overall, my culinary adventures in London were a delightful blend of flavors, cultures, and memorable dining experiences that added a special touch to my trip.
Conclusion
My whirlwind trip to London incorporated a nice blend of fitness, coworking exploration, startup insights, retail adventures, and culinary delights. With each experience adding a layer of richness to my journey, I left the city feeling inspired, energized, and eager to return for more adventures.
