Miles, Muscle, and Motorcycles: An Interview with Sensei of Ride Fit Nation

In this interview, Donovan Green (aka) Sensei, takes us on a journey from his early days in Jamaica to his current roles as a fitness coach, martial artist, and creator of the YouTube channel Ride Fit Nation.

Sensei shares his passion for motorcycles, the inspiration behind his channel, and his vision for the future. Learn about his motorcycle fascination, the transformative power of fitness in riding, and his remarkable journey that has led him to create a community that embraces both miles and muscle.

How did you get into riding motorcycles? What was your first bike?

It all started back in Jamaica when I was a baby. My Cousin Junior would kidnap me from my mom (literally) and take me for a ride around town on his bike. I was too young to remember the full details of the thrill but I do remember the kidnapping. LOL. Unfortunately he lost his life in a terrible bike accident.

However, years later my family migrated to The United States in 1983. I was 8 years of age and everything felt weird. I had my share of bullying because I was different. My accent style of dressing, hairstyle, wasn't what kids were used to seeing back then.

As I got older I began to have a love for motorcycles. I would see guys riding these sporty bikes every summer and they had nothing but style and girls. Well guess what, I already had the girls but needed more style. I decided to buy my first motorcycle at the age of 23. Oddly enough it was from my cousin's brother who lived in Danbury Connecticut. That bike was a 1997 Suzuki Katana. It was sporty, fast, comfortable and most of all it was MINE!!!

How did you come up with the concept of Ride Fit Nation, combining fitness, family, fun, and motorcycles? What motivated you to start this lifestyle channel?

I am martial artist and celebrity fitness coach by trade. I was the trainer to Doctor OZ and other people of status for many years and still am. But I always gravitated to those who didn’t have the money to afford an expensive coach such as myself. I started a program called Chair Workouts where I taught people of all shapes and sizes how to get an amazing workout with great RESULTS even if they have injuries.

Chair Workouts was featured on the Doctor OZ show, O magazine, today show, Hollywood live, etc…Many years later I moved to Covington GA in 2020 and decided to buy my first Harley Davidson in 2022. This was motorcycle number eight. I then decided to start my YouTube channel which was originally titled Road Glide Chronicles. But I thought about the name and realized that there could be some legal issues if my channel should grow with the name Road Glide. So, I gave it some thought and realized that the Motorcycle community isn't the healthiest and I wanted to do something about that. So I gave life to Ride Fit Nation.

Another amazing coincidence is that I decided to prospect for an amazing motorcycle club called Iron Bred, during the same time that I started the channel. Once I finished that process the name Sensei was given to me by my club brothers and that took RFN to the next level.

What’s your favorite part about riding a Harley?

My favorite part about riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle is everything! I love the community, customization capabilities, the stares, the amazement from others who don't ride, but most of all, it just sounds good to say “I have a Harley.”

What's the story behind your Harley's nickname?

I call my bike BEAST because it represents my beast-like mentality towards life. Beast never complains and is willing to go anywhere I choose with no problem. But he has a mean sense of humor. He always looks ready to eat the world alive leaving no room for EXCUSES. It's all gas and no brakes.

The definition of A beast is an animal — and usually not a gentle or attractive one. You can also call a person a beast when they're behaving in a crude, savage, or horrible way. BEAST is loud, obnoxious, powerful, and eager to knock you off if you don't know how to control him. However, this BEAST is very attractive and always seems to get more attention than I do. But I can live with that.

After the custom paint job, what's the next customization you’re planning to add to Beast?

Before getting the parts painted, I'm getting the motor upgraded from a 107 stage 2 to a 124 stage 2 with new headers, pipes, cams and some other goodies to add more power. Once that's done I will then get BEAST painted.

What’s customizations have you made to Beast?

Since I've had BEAST, I added new handlebars, low profile lights on the saddle bags, extended rear, extended tank, king tour pack, lowers, slip ons, went to stage 2, fat front tire, new racks on tour pack and saddle bags, added powder coated parts to accent the BEAST, new grips, and few other little details.

Do you have any special pre-ride rituals or habits?

I always do 25 push ups at every gas station to keep my body strong. Energy high, and spirit flowing in a positive way. I also never tell my family goodbye, I say “ SEE YOU LATER”. Goodbye just feels dark leaving no life to the spirit.

What’s a bike trip every rider needs to go on?

I don’t have a specific bike trip that every rider needs to go on because each person is wired differently. I encourage riders to ride their ride and be sure to make each trip unforgettable.

Riding a motorcycle demands physical fitness and mental focus. How do you believe staying fit contributes to becoming a better motorcycle rider?

Riders who are physically fit tend to be stronger riders than those who are not. And I’m not talking about having the most ripped abs and biggest chest. I'm talking about being able to bend, pull, push, squat, climb, jump, etc…A person who has what I call functional fitness will also have amazing mental clarity which leads to being able to take longer rides, more responsiveness on the road, higher level of awareness, less fatigue, more stamina, and can withstand a fall better than those who are not fit.

Do you have any recommended fitness routines or exercises specifically tailored for motorcyclists to enhance their riding skills?

There aren't specific exercises that I recommend for riders because the body uses multiple muscles when riding. My routine to stay fit is to do at least 30 minutes of strength training exercises 5 days a week. Some of my favorite exercises include bench press, lat pulldown, push ups, squats, leg press, planks, stability training, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, and pull ups. These exercises will work multiple muscle groups in which we use when riding. I tell riders to choose 5 exercises and do as many repetitions as possible within 30-45 seconds. Rest for 10 minutes then go to the next exercise for the same amount of time. The goal is to complete 5 rounds.

An example of a great strength routine would be:

• Reverse Lunges with Dumbbells
• Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press
• Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
• Jumping Jacks
• Dumbbell Goblet Squat

You’re nearing 5k Youtube subs! How do you envision Ride Fit Nation growing and evolving in the future?

Thank you for all that you guys have done for RFN. Your sponsorship and support will never be forgotten. This is just the beginning. The goal for RFN is to be the #1 motorcycle lifestyle channel where people go to learn about things that can be life changing. We cover rides, financial goal setting, and fitness. I now have a weekly podcast where I'm inviting other YouTubers, CEO’s from top companies and subscribers to the channel to share their passion for riding.

I want to have a store filled with merchandise where supporters can purchase top quality clothing and accessories. I also want to get back on TV to spread the good word about riders and MC’s. There is too much negative information being shared to the public and Ride Fit Nation will be the equalizer. The next goal is to hit 10k subscribers and I know it will be done in no time. Thank you Hogworkz for being on team RFN. Let’s get these Miles, Money, and Muscle.

Have you attended many bike rallies? If so, what was your favorite and can you share any memorable moments?

Every ride for me is special. Even though I attend rallies, I have the best times when I take long rides for no specified reason. I’ve ridden to Daytona, Harley 120th in Milwaukee, and plan on going to Sturgis, but I find those events to be too crowded. My rides to NYC, the 6 states in New England, Knoxville TN, Tampa, Key West, Miami, Washington DC, New Orleans, etc…have all been my favorites because the energy is relaxing. Plus I get to meet a lot more people and have amazing conversations when traveling on non bike events.

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Through his YouTube channel, Ride Fit Nation, Sensei has tapped into a distinctive blend of fitness, family values, and the freedom of riding, creating a community that resonates with individuals seeking more from their motorcycle experience. With a commitment to helping others achieve functional fitness and mental clarity, he's not only inspiring motorcyclists to become better riders but also enabling them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

In a world where the road is a canvas of self-discovery, Sensei reminds us that the journey is just as important as the destination. Through camaraderie, strength, and a shared love for the open road, he invites us all to embrace the ride, rev up our engines, and find the perfect balance between miles, money, and muscle.