Partnering with the Y for Cycling Success

Born in Brazil and having lived in Germany, Gabriela Guerra moved to Wisconsin in 2022 after marriage and while recovering from major action-sports injuries. She found a home at the YMCA at Pabst Farms, where her husband Nathan Guerra and his family—the Steinkes—have long been members and supporters.

Training at the YMCA helped Gabriela rebuild and grow into a professional cycling-esports athlete, now a two-time UCI Vice World Champion. Although she loves mountain biking and road cycling, Gabriela chose to focus on esports cycling, drawn by the ability to train safely, target specific goals, and compete without long travel—while earning prize money to make a living.

At the Y, Gabriela’s training is intentional and focused. She warms up with stair sprints, moves into strength routines with leg presses, trap bars, step-ups, and box jumps, and finishes with sauna recovery. “Every session is about concentration, awareness, and building power,” she says, fully committing to each minute to maximize strength, agility, and recovery.

She also enjoys seeing her stepkids staying active and appreciates being able to work out alongside her husband. Gabriela values the YMCA’s convenient facilities—from showers and water stations to the sauna and relaxing corners—which make it easy to stay consistent with her training.

“The YMCA doesn’t just provide equipment or facilities; it creates a supportive, inclusive community that meets people wherever they are in their fitness journey,” Gabriela says. “The staff and programs encourage growth, confidence, and consistency, whether someone is just starting out or training at a higher level. I also appreciate the YMCA’s core Christian values, which show up in the way people treat each other—with respect, encouragement, and a genuine desire to help everyone succeed. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, find support, and build healthy habits, which makes the YMCA a powerful partner for anyone pursuing personal fitness goals.”