If you race or train on Zwift, you’ve probably seen Nathan and Gabriela “Gabi” Guerra doing their thing – Nathan anchoring many of the Zwift races and Gabi killing it racing in all of the top events.
But do you know the story of how this loving “power” couple (pun intended) met on Zwift, fell in love, and got married? It’s quite a story of virtual attraction becoming IRL love, and all the challenges associated with a modern-day romance.
Long Distance Longing
In October of 2021, Gabi, who was living in Germany and had just started virtual riding and racing on Zwift, was racing in one of the elite races and saw Nathan anchoring one of the broadcasts. Nathan, who lives in Wisconsin, is an OG of Zwift racing, both as a rider and as a commentator. He’s one of the most knowledgeable esports racers in the world and freely educates others (like me) via his race streams.
Gabi liked what she was seeing and tagged him on one of his videos – making the first connection. She wrote “Nice Job” on his stream, thinking nothing of it.
To her surprise, he responded.
And they started chatting.
Zwift Badge Hunting: “What is going on here?”
For the next 4 months, they would go on badge-hunting rides with each other on Zwift, getting to know each other better. Nathan had been divorced for 5 years, and says, “I was starting to ask myself ‘What is going on here?’”
One night, as they were hunting for a badge in the Makuri Islands, he could feel the attachment happening. They had common goals, and he was wondering if this could be more than a friendship.
“She straight up rejected me!” he recalls, laughing a bit.
Gabi wasn’t looking for a relationship. She was 28, had some bad experiences in the past, and was looking for more of a buddy. She wasn’t sure she was ready to go further. “I started crying. It was very emotional to me. So it took me a while.”
Gabi always dreamed of getting married. As a kid, she even created a checklist of what she wanted in a husband. Was Nathan the one? She worried that she might never get the marriage badge (the two jokingly suggested Zwift add a marriage badge).
“Okay, we have to meet. But where? Zwift Insider’s house, of course!”
Finally, after nailing most of the badges in Zwift, in January 2022, Nathan and Gabi decided they had to meet. In. Real. Life. But where? Gabi lived in Germany, and Nathan lived in Wisconsin.
So the most obvious choice was… Northern California!?
Well, yes! You see, Nathan had asked a bunch of his friends for help in deciding where to meet, and Eric Schlange, Mr. Zwift Insider, invited them to his home. Gabi would fly into San Francisco, and Nathan would drive across the country with his mom. “I would walk 500 miles for you,” Nathan says, quoting The Proclaimers.
So, in April of 2022, they both set out for California. As a sign that they were meant to be, just as Nathan and his mom were driving up to the pickup location at the airport, Gabi walked out of the door. Synchronicity!
First Date IRL
They both hung out at Eric’s house with Eric and his wife. They rode together and had a great time. But Gabi was having a hard time convincing herself it was okay to date Nathan. To believe, after believing it was not possible anymore. She was trying hard to give herself permission.
On one of the rides, deep into the redwoods, they got lost. To Gabi, this was a good test to see if she could feel safe with him. Nathan passed that test of manhood by getting them safely back to Eric’s house.
By the end of the week, they decided that they were, in fact, now dating – and they held hands for the very first time. They decided to take the next, gulp, step: meet the parents (and the kids!).
Since Gabi was from two cultures, Brazil and Germany, Nathan was about to perform a worldwide tour de force. And since Nathan had five children from his first marriage, Gabi would have to meet them, plus his mom.
The question was: could Nathan and Gabi pass the family test, and could Gabi be comfortable with American culture as they decided they would live together in the United States?
Nathan Goes To Germany
So, Nathan goes to Germany in June 2022 to meet Gabi’s mom and stepfather. While there, Gabi decides to challenge Nathan a bit to test him – again. One of the challenges is hiking up a mountain to see if they can make it and if he will keep her safe. He passes that test. But does he pass the parents test (who have been skeptical of this whole thing from the beginning)? Yes, he does! Victory for Nathan.
Now it’s Gabi’s turn.
Gabi Goes To Wisconsin
For Gabi, this was also a chance to see if she could fit into the American lifestyle. She wasn’t sure. Could she live with Nathan and 5 kids from a previous marriage? It was hard for her to imagine that life. She digs deep into her emotions. It would be a big leap for her. She wants more than a 2- or 3-year-long-distance relationship. She loves the kids (even though they could be messy at times). But the whole thing is starting to stress her out, and this was a very important decision.
She needs space to think, so she decides to remove herself from the situation and get a different perspective.
Gabi Goes To Brazil, Alone
To get away from the pressure, Gabi goes home to Brazil to stay with her grandparents, sister, and extended family to get their thoughts on all that was going on with her and Nathan.
“They really rejected him right away. They didn’t even want to meet with him. They thought it was a terrible idea,” says Gabi.
Gabi is in a bind. While her stepdad in Germany gave her the green light, her family in Brazil was sending a hard red.
She calls Nathan, crying.
Nathan Goes To Brazil (With A Ring)
Upon hearing what happened and sensing her sadness amid the confusion, Nathan decides to buy a ticket right away to meet them. And, unbeknownst to Gabi, he buys a ring.
He arrives to a dinner with her extended family who mostly don’t speak English. They discuss everything – divorce, marriage, life, faith. It is tense for a bit. But then, suddenly out of the blue, her grandma stops, looks at Nathan, and says: “I understand. I get it. I trust you.” And at that moment, everything changed. A huge weight was taken off Gabi’s shoulders as her family accepted Nathan into their world.
Later on, Gabi takes Nathan on a ride she loves. To a place where she used to pray. Nathan is full of jitters. He’s about to propose to her. She doesn’t know this. He wonders if she will say yes. He’s hesitant but decides now is the time to make the move.
And she says, “Yes.”
And then she breaks her hip.
Broken Hip
Nathan returns to Wisconsin with a smile since Gabi said ‘yes’ to getting married. Gabi stays in Brazil, and while out on a training ride, crashes and breaks her hip. After stabilizing the break, she packs up and heads to Wisconsin to begin her new life together with Nathan, on crutches.
Getting Married, the Honeymoon, And Beyond!
On December 27, 2022, the two tie the knot at a private ceremony and head out for a honeymoon at a beautiful cabin in the middle of the woods. Nathan remembers that they had a delicious wine at Eric’s house, so he orders it to be there when Gabi arrives. Since Gabi can’t ride outside as she is still recovering, they do some zwifting in the cabin.
Nathan realizes that Gabi is an amazing athlete: “I’ve never seen an athlete like you.” With Nathan as her coach, Gabi starts to excel in virtual cycling. Gabi is now racing full-time and coaching five women. Nathan continues his development of virtual cycling with the creation of Leadout Esports.
Gabi is starting to get used to living with kids and being a parent – she tries to stay calm when the house is a mess and will occasionally toss a dirty cereal bowl down the hall. But she loves the kids, and they love her.
The Value of Distance, First
They both agree that the way they got to know each other from a distance made their IRL relationship better because they started with communication. They had a chance to discuss things like bringing together mixed families and attachment styles before they met, so that they could be more sure that they were a good match.
Ride on, Gabi and Nathan! You’ve definitely earned your marriage badge!
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