This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Unknown speaker: The community was wide, large, and varied. I mean, you had people who just came in, they didn't give a shit who was teaching. They just wanted to say that they went to SoulCycle, did their 45 minutes of cardio, and went home. You had people who would only ride with me. You had people who would only ride with Stacey. You had people who would only ride with Janet. Then you had relationships that would form, and people wanted, you know, to go out to dinner with the instructor. I mean, it was just, it was like any hero worship. Then you had the whole front desk situation, and, you know, somebody going, don't worry, I'll get you in. We made it this monster, this beautiful fucking monster of a whole bunch of bikes in a dark room with a bunch of people that just wanted to feel better. And make no mistake, it was a magical time. But they're like anything, there's always, when you peek behind that curtain, Professor Oz, there's shit going on.

[1:12] Unknown speaker: This is The Cult of Body and Soul, episode three, noon on Monday. In this episode, we're taking a peek behind the curtain of instructor auditions and the elusive training program. Plus, the cult of personality the brand thrives on, and the chaos it can breed. You know, at the time, getting picked to be an instructor was this Holy Grail kind of a thing, right? They were very, very particular about who got into the training program, and if you got a spot in that training program, like, you were it, like, you were the shit.

[1:39] Unknown speaker: Chris's performing career had ended, and he was now running a dance company. This was his first class. And I was terrible at it. I was absolutely terrible at it. I kind of loved, hated it, hated it. Because here is this thing where, like, the instructor looks so amazing, and like, they're riding to the rhythm, and I'm a dancer, and I'm like, I should be able to do this. Like, why can't I do this? Dancers tend to be perfectionists, so he could not handle being bad at this one thing. I went back, like, because I just, I couldn't be bad at it. Like, it wasn't an option. And to be honest with you, like, I would have panic attacks on my way to this train. Like, I was like, I don't know that I can physically do this.

You know, I was used to pushing myself as a dancer, but again, like, I was not in dancing shape. It wasn't like I was still performing. And I would literally, like, have to talk myself into going to class. Because I would start walking to the train, and I'd be like, oh my god, I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this, I'm going to die on that bike.

[2:44] Unknown speaker: And he called me one day, and he said, Julie Rice is looking for crazy people to ride the bike. And I said, who is Julie Rice? And he said, are you fucking kidding me, Hallie? She and Elizabeth Cutler own SoulCycle. Unlike Chris, Hallie Becker was already a sought after personality, having taught yoga in Manhattan, at festivals and retreats around the world. I go, and what do they want me to do? Teach yoga at SoulCycle? He's like, no, no, Hallie, they want you to teach. I go, well, I can start teaching right now, but I have to ride that fucking bike. There's just no way this is happening. And that's exactly how I felt. I didn't even make it through the training. They were so, they were like, all right, just go, just go here, Tuesday, Thursday, 12, 15, and 63rd. These are going to be your classes, just go. I really did not ever complete the training.

[3:32] Unknown speaker: While Hallie was fast tracked, Chris had to will himself into performing the art of SoulCycle. He, of course, was eventually asked if he would like to audition. And so the auditions begin. There was a lot of nervous energy in the room. I remember we had to do like three songs, so we like got up on the bike and we they would just like put the music on and we just had to go and teach like no direction and no like nothing. I don't know, 30 seconds or a minute to like teach through a song and then they would switch the song and you'd have to like switch your whole vibe immediately. You picked your own music. So like I went in there with like Gavin DeGraw, Pink and like Beyonce. It was like kind of like a whiplash. It was fun. I think it was like one of the most fun audition experiences I've ever had.

[4:26] Unknown speaker: Well, the earth shattered beneath our feet when Janet left. So many of her tribe were, oh, my God, where's she going? She's going to a place called SoulCycle in New York City, which we knew nothing about. Oh, but we would. We would. This is Stevie Santangelo. She was a master instructor at SoulCycle for eight years from 2012 to 2020. Stevie was my gateway to a lot of SoulCycle lore. It was through Stevie that I first learned the name Janet Fitzgerald. See, Stevie worked for Janet at Body and Soul back in L.A. I introduced myself after a few weeks and she asked me to dinner after class, just the two of us. I quickly got her backstory that she had moved to New York for SoulCycle after 20 years in Los Angeles. She actually wasn't a fitness instructor at all, but a professional chef with a passion for spin. For her 40th birthday, they offered her a job at Body and Soul, which would alter the trajectory of her entire career.

[5:32] Unknown speaker: Like how the hell am I supposed to teach these classes? And she gave me the single best piece of advice I've ever gotten, which is teach it the way you want to take it. Don't cater something to them. Do the thing that you really want. Play the music that you really believe in, because if you love it, they love it. Stevie witnessed how SoulCycle West Hollywood put all of the boutique spin studios out of business. So it wasn't a surprise that Janet was in L.A. with Julie Rice scouting for talent. I also had in my head, I'm good. I've got a great career. I have a house. I didn't want for anything. But in the back of my head, I'm like, God, this is so good. I don't know if I could do that. Like, I really didn't know if I could do that because that is a hell of a lot of physicality six days a week and to knock it out of the park every single time. And it scared me the right way. I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can.

[6:20] Unknown speaker: And then they started to say the stuff that really perked my ears up. SoulCycle is a really great place to work. You'll be insured. You'll have a 401k. You'll be taken care of. You're being hired for your talent. And I was like, you know what? After being an indie contractor for this many years, it is tiring. And I have no intention to purchase my own studio and have a triple net lease and deal with insurance and deal with employees. None of it. I don't want that overhead responsibility, but I definitely want to do what I want to do, how I want to do it. So I auditioned along with a bunch of other people. It was nerve wracking because my favorite instructors from L.A. were there, along with Janet, which is always a terrifying prospect if you're a new instructor. Because auditions can happen over several weeks, people had to wait to find out if they were accepted into the training program.

[7:14] Unknown speaker: All of us sat on our hands until the fourth of July. Nobody, not one instructor, not one leaked out any information as to whether we got it or not. And now at the time, that was the top of the bar to work at SoulCycle. It was the top of the fitness bar for numerous reasons, and we can get into that later. But to get a nod was like getting a nod from the academy. And for the first time in a long time, I was nervous. I'm like, oh my God, what if I don't get it? I was like, I'll be okay. But I really wanted this. And so on the fourth of July, through a letter and an email, congratulations, I still have the letter at home. You've been welcomed into the program, and pretty much you leave in a month. We leave in a month.

[7:51] Unknown speaker: But then it's kind of like, you're kind of waiting for your life to start at that point, right? You're kind of like, you're so excited about this thing that you just accomplished that I think from my audition, only two, like of those like 30 something people that were in the room, I think only two of us were accepted into the training at that point. And they were also scouted people, like one of the people that was in my training group, Janet was like, he was Janet's waiter. And Janet was like, do you want to be a SoulCycle instructor? Like, come to this audition, like she just like plucked him out of the restaurant. The training program was now somewhat codified. It took place between eight and 12 weeks, three days a week. It was a mix of lectures, drills, and you were expected to ride frequently.

[8:41] Unknown speaker: We had to really work to go to training. We had to work to stay in training, practice choreography, practice riding on the beat, practice riding on your opposite leg, which is we try to ride on the left, not the right. We were encouraged to make it personal, but not have a yard sale of emotion. We had to practice saying things as we were riding to be able to ride fast and hard and do all that and be able to articulate something is difficult. So we practice that. We practice what if there's somebody in row, whatever, who's doing their own thing? How do you reel that in? And Janet's great at that. When to leave you guys alone. You know, when to leave you guys alone. And there's a point where you ride, you ride, you do all these different textured movements. But when to not talk. Wait, why am I talking? Wait, why am I talking? Because you want to give people room to arrive at themselves. I make sure you have the quiet time.

[9:42] Unknown speaker: A lot of the way that we were taught how to maintain control over the room was to be really specific with what we were saying, how we were speaking the language that we were using. There's this idea that it's just like going up on a bike, being cute, like doing the workout and like spouting off mantras. And that's not what it is. They taught us how to do that, how to create space. We do not manage or manipulate. We give you a space where you can ask all of the questions. And it's not just about queuing in and out of choreography. It's also about the tone that you're setting. It's about helping them create a purpose and an intention for themselves in the room. So I think when we're taught to kind of be that discerning about the way that we're leading, that's what fosters that ability to be able to have control over the room.

[10:36] Unknown speaker: And none of us are therapists. In fact, a lot were ex-attorneys. But having that plain speak was key. And we kept getting groomed. It was a terrible word. We kept getting encouraged how to access more and more of that language, to speak more and more of that truth and to give you more and more space. There's many layers to why someone became obsessed with someone at SoulCycle. Many, many layers. But it's very powerful when someone can see you. And I made sure that the instructors were trained in a thoughtful, mindful way to make sure that everyone in that room felt seen and part of something.

[11:16] Unknown speaker: And then we would have other different kinds of workshops, like we had to do a CPR class, like branding and hospitality, which was super cool to be enmeshed in the culture of it, how it all started. Some of the other top instructors would come in to give us workshops, like Lori Cole. I remember we did mic training. But then it also turned into her taking pictures of all the supplements that she was taking. Unlike fellow studios like Barry's Bootcamp or Boxing Gyms, SoulCycle does not require their instructors to be certified in personal training or group fitness. So you could have an entire career at SoulCycle and still not be qualified to take on personal training clients or teach at a competing studio. So the degree to which your soul instructor knows about human anatomy, physiology and exercise science is pretty unclear.

[12:07] Unknown speaker: I think a big part of SoulCycle and the training program was if they liked you, you were going to make it. They liked me. The company liked me. And I think that's a big piece of the training, because if they don't like you, it's going to be ugly. Your career is going to be tough. Yeah, there was definitely favoritism and pecking order. And again, it's because we made giant celebrities out of these regular people riding a fucking bike. Yeah. So the riders are either going to want to be or fuck you was essentially the...

[12:47] Unknown speaker: We got in training. What we do on the bikes is very sexual. It just is, it feels erotic. You moving your body, in the music, the sweat and the candlelight. What we now know as a parasocial relationship that we're having with all of these people on the internet. It wasn't like, make sure you're seducing your riders. It wasn't coming across that way. It was more about understand your position in this room. A lot of people were sexually attracted to their instructor. I used to tell them, everyone stay grounded. They either want to be you or do you. You can ride that line in between. I was working on a screenplay to describe my life at SoulCycle. Looking back, there was a lot of coyote ugly energy of appear available, but never be available.

They were being exposed to what felt like these mini concerts, these mini experiences. Of course, they're obsessed with them. The lights were dark, the music was loud, the energy was high. When you do find that and it hits, it is like you're flying. There was really this expectation that we were turning ourselves into these athletes who could do this job. It's a very demanding job. I think that the breaking down just kind of happened as a result of the schedule that we were keeping. I never really found that they were in our faces trying to break us. What I think was lacking in that program, which is always what's lacking because it can't be taught, is finding your authentic voice. You find your authentic voice through your stories and your background.

I think that through your stories and your background, you become the teacher that you were meant to be. I think that SoulCycle, Janet was sort of bad cop, good cop. Janet would be really, really hard on you, and Melanie would soften it. They wanted us to kind of cut the bullshit. They would call it dipped in soul. Someone who had just been such a fanatic and had found their person and was sort of like a carbon copy of the person that they aspired to be. I think there is a level that we needed to be broken of habit. We needed to be broken of our idea of what we thought this thing was so that we could actually do what it really is. It's not this frivolous thing that we're doing, that we can just look cute on the bike.

Dipped in soul. Dipped in soul. When I say dipped in soul, we don't want an instructor dipped in soul, meaning I don't want to take the voice that you've been using at Berries, Orange Theory, your yoga class, just like anywhere else you've taught. I don't want you bringing that instructor voice into SoulCycle, slapping the method on top. Without saying it, I think there's the side of, well, you have to look good on the bike. Drew was with the company for eight years, starting at the front desk and later an instructor. Even broader than sexuality, it's about like what's attractive in a class, whether that's your availability, your vulnerability, your speech pattern, your body. There is a very gray area that I'm kind of comfortable with because I grew up doing like theater and musicals and like you're playing with emotion, you're playing with experience.

What I was asking for was a giant ask. And so when they gave it and then their room filled up and then people became obsessed with them, I'm sure it was a lot of energy to handle. There wasn't a lot of talk about how to deal with that kind of attention. There was a professionalism that was pushed on us about like our role in the room and how to be like in control of the room and command the room. How do you build a community? How do you grow a group of riders to get to know each other, to get to know you, to want to come back every week to take the same class from the same person? We have a very specific role that wasn't necessarily about like seducing the rider so much as it was like creating an atmosphere and an environment for them to like feel really comfortable and relaxed and engaged in what we were doing and with us.

A lot of us had stalkers. A lot of us had stalkers. There was one point where I was like talking to my doorman. I'm like, listen, under no circumstances anyone to be sent up to my apartment today. We all had to go to HR a million times over to just like get people removed from our classes. I mean, like people were obsessed. In the beginning, they're very much like just stay on the bike. Don't try to get on and off the bike. Like just stay on the bike, teach from the bike. But as we start to get more comfortable with ourselves and with being in the space, there definitely is that encouragement to start connecting more, right? Like there's a lot of ways to like connect with the riders that you can't really do from on that podium, right?

You want to get on the level with them. You want to look them in the eyes. You want to seek people out. They finally attempted to document the training program because they were hiring a lot of new instructors. For the first time ever, I had to create a manual because before it was just like I'm hanging out with these kids and I'm going to make sure that they're the best. But like there was no formula to it. I mean, there was in my head, but like not really, you know. And so we made a handbook and we had a training group in Tribeca and we gave one to each of the trainees. And that night, Julie Rice texted me and said, get all of those back and don't ever hand it out again. It just dawned on her.

She was like that she can't have that material out in the world. And really our department trained the entire industry because if you didn't make it at SoulCycle and a lot of them didn't, then they went on to teach at Cycle Bar and Flywheel and all the rest of them or a gym or wherever. So we touched and trained, I consider, most of the industry. Once you complete the training program and perform several community rides, you are officially placed on the schedule. Getting people to place a $35 bet on an unknown entity is an impossible proposition. So the company would get creative by having them substitute extremely popular instructors classes with the hope that people wouldn't cancel. They usually would.

Chris was offered to debut his class on one of the most popular days of the year. So my very first class on the schedule was December 31st of 2013, New Year's Eve. I got the assignment that my first class was going to be a New Year's Eve class and watching that class fill up on the back end to the point where it was a completely sold out class was kind of mind blowing for me that my first class on the schedule was going to be a completely packed room. Because at this point you're not used to teaching to that many people. And so I just remember being so absolutely nervous that I could throw up. And the energy in the room was just so high because it was New Year's Eve. Everyone was there to get in their last workout of the year.

And it just felt so magical to be able to be on the schedule for the first time in that way. Because I think I had an out of body experience just like being up there for the first time where the reins have been handed over to you. Up until that point there's been somebody watching you over your shoulder.

[21:13] Unknown speaker: Yeah. So Monday at noon.

[21:17] Unknown speaker: Noon on Monday. I mean Monday at noon. It's like what a rush. Noon on Monday. It was like bracing for war. Noon on Monday is not a thing anywhere else. It never was before and it never will be again. Noon on Monday is an expression that yields both panic and delight by folks. It's the time when classes for the week open for booking. Servers would crash. The site would freeze. People would freak out because the website could not handle the volume of traffic. We had all the phones set up ready to go. We had a fully staffed midday shift. So the midday shift is when there's no classes, just busy work, maintenance. And we'd have a full staff with the phones and emails and classes ready because classes would fill up.

Wait lists would start. People would call to book their bikes. You know, it's so funny. I remember when the noon on Monday tank tops would sell out in five minutes. You couldn't even grab them. You could not get your hands on them. Noon on Monday. And you would if you lived in certain parts of New York City and you ran in certain circles and you went out in that tank top, even like to a club, everyone would know what the fuck you're talking about. The panic on Mondays at 12 o'clock was sort of insane. So when you talk about the cult creation, yeah, I wanted to take who I wanted to take. I wasn't taking just any Saturday 930 class. I was addicted to Lori. I was addicted to Stacy. I was addicted to Janet.

And I think the instructors that can cultivate that, it's pretty genius when you think about it. I mean, again, it's their own business too, right? It is their own business. They are the celebrity. They're managing their own path. And some of them do it really well and some of them don't. So the ones that have done it really well are selling classes out. They're still on the schedule. They're still making it happen. I'm sure it's exhausting.

[23:27] Unknown speaker: When you walk through the doors of SoulCycle, you are immediately greeted by the front desk staff. Funny, flamboyant, clicky, overworked, underpaid, gossipy. The front desk was the first moment of the riders experience at SoulCycle. So to me, and it's an excellent question, the front desk personnel were also mostly actors, dancers, singers, future teachers, wannabe SoulCycle teachers. They were fabulous and magical, as magical a lot of them as those that were on the podium. Front desk staff and studio managers interviewed for this project have chosen to remain anonymous. We were obsessed. And then my friend ended up working the front desk and he was like, oh, I think they're hiring if you're looking for a job.

And so I loved riding and I loved being there. And I was like, well, if I can ride for free, like obviously I'm going to work there. Just being in love with the culture of it and the classes made me want to work there. Once upon a time, you used to be able to call the studio, give them your information and have the studio book you in. And people loved it. And they used it because it was like it was a direct line to the front of the line. What I saw more was just really wild entitlement from riders. Like, I mean, we had specific riders that we knew that were an issue and we would see their name on the list to come into class. It's like, all right, who's dealing with them today? And it was just like being treated like we were not human beings sometimes.

Like, truly, it was crazy. Like just coming in being so I'm always on this bike. Like, why am I not on this bike? I was moved. It's like you weren't moved. We literally didn't move you. It was always a thing. It was like throwing things around the studio, like yelling. And it was always like, why isn't this person being banned?

[25:33] Unknown speaker: And he struck the East Coast. Over the course of 48 hours, wind, rain, and water left hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers without power and limited access to food, drinking water, and healthcare.

[25:48] Unknown speaker: I have never seen such chaos uptown, west side, east side, for people to try to get into classes. It was chaotic. You thought people were going to actually expire because they didn't have their fucking SoulCycle class. And there was such craziness to get into the classes. I had never seen anything like it.

[26:13] Unknown speaker: All apartments and office buildings below 14th Street were left without electricity and power. The downtown epicenter of Tribeca was scrambling to reroute their classes uptown. And on the flip side of that, I was doing charity classes with my yoga teacher community for Hurricane Sandy. So you had the 1% screaming because the Tribeca, so they didn't care what had happened to people. They just cared that they couldn't get into a SoulCycle class.

[26:45] Unknown speaker: And then you had the polar opposite coming together in yoga to raise funds and to bring quiet and community. And it was that was the most wild thing I'd ever seen in my life. People fighting to get in the doors and into classes because, God forbid, screw the disaster, I want bike six. I mean, it was I was like, you have got to be fucking kidding me, actually.

[27:17] Jess Rothschild: I am excited to announce we are doing a live show to celebrate Cult of Body and Soul. I will be interviewing Janet Fitzgerald and Halle Becker together on stage, plus a live concert by the band Betty, whose music is featured at the end of every episode of the series. It's happening on Wednesday, July 9th at 7 p.m. at Joe's Pub here in New York City. Tickets are on sale now. You can find a ticket link in the show notes and I will see you there.

[28:00] Jess Rothschild: People who love spinning are often competitive, discerning and successful, or at least have access to money. They also have very high standards. Perhaps why clients in Tribeca and the Upper East Side felt so entitled is because they were willing to throw money at the problem. For those willing to pay double the price of class, you would have access to the, quote, concierge department called Super Soul, which booked your classes up to six weeks in advance. Plus, you got priority status on waitlists and invitations to exclusive events. For somebody riding four times a week, this is costing well over $10,000 a year.

[28:46] Jess Rothschild: People that were part of the program where you would kind of have a dedicated team at corporate to help you book bikes early and things like that. And that also carried a lot of weight worth people being like, well, I pay extra for this. And I'm like, OK, that's great. But that still doesn't give you the right to treat people like we're garbage. I remember being in Calabasas at an opening and somebody came in and was like, can you park my Tesla? And I was like, I don't even know how to drive a Tesla because it was kind of a new car at that time. I was like, I don't want to take that responsibility.

[29:16] Jess Rothschild: We are a culture of yes at SoulCycle, which I've taken that into my other careers, like a culture of yes. But sometimes we would say yes to things that I would always tell my team. I'd be like, sometimes a no is the yes. Gotta find your no sometimes before you find your yes. And not everything can be a yes. We had a genuine science to these classes where especially these master instructors, they had their riders, right? The instructor knows where they like them.

[29:40] Jess Rothschild: So some days, every Sunday ahead of Monday at noon, we would have our staff go through one instructor's class and hold all the front row bikes, which is not normal. It wasn't part of anyone's job description. It was specific to this one instructor where we'd hold every single front row bike this way that instructor could pick who rides in the front row.

[30:01] Unknown speaker: Stevie can analyze the psychology of what your SoulCycle bike says about you. Like, you can break down the SoulCycle classes, row one, you don't have to do anything. They're already in the front row. They're totally comfortable. They know their shit. Second row is the row of indecision, right? They probably can go to the front row, but they really want to stay anonymous somehow. And then the back row is I call it the smoking lounge of SoulCycle because you've got really talented people. They know their shit. Sometimes they just want to be left alone. But they also, because the third row is elevated, they like to watch the entire room. They have the best seat in the house. And then to the right and left of the podium, the sidebar, honestly, they are the closest to me. There are also exhibitionists because they really want to be up there and seen.

[30:55] Jess Rothschild: Imagine you're in the SoulCycle app looking at a class Monday at noon. What we would do before that class opened up to the public, we'd go through and hold. There's no rider on the bike. It's just blocked. It's like when you look at the airline and you go to pick your seat and there's some seats that have X's on them and they tell you there's no one sitting here. We're just holding the seat. We'd go through and block every single bike in the front row. This way, the instructor could come in before class on Tuesday morning and pick who was going to ride in the front row based on how well they knew the rider or how strong of a rider that person was.

[31:24] Jess Rothschild: And I know a lot of people who said, oh, Lori Cole, she's mean. No, she's not mean. She's trying to make you the best rider you can be. My husband used to take her and get tortured. And he'd be like, I just love when she tortures me, right? Because she's teaching you how to become a better rider. I mean, listen, it was so dramatic at one point. You're working with divas who created the industry in the first place, right? Lori Cole, Stacey Griffith, they put everyone out of Los Angeles. It was so incestuous and culty and wild and fabulous.

[32:02] Jess Rothschild: It was every fucking color of the rainbow working there. She wanted it to be exclusive. She wanted people to earn their way up to the front row, whereas most instructors really don't care. If you want to be in the front row in your first class, it's not preferred. But do you, rock star? Get up there. The energy of each studio took on the vibration of the instructors and regulars. NoHo and the West Village felt chic and light and sounded like a mix of hip hop and house music. The Upper East Side, West Side and Tribeca were chaotically entitled and sounded like Hall and Oates meets Top 40. Williamsburg was the forgotten stepchild. And as for the Hamptons, well, that's another proposition altogether, which we'll get into next episode.

[32:52] Jess Rothschild: As NoHo was opening, the neighborhood was transitioning really at a breakneck pace. It was a little quiet at night, a little, you know, what's out there at night. But on the sidewalks prior to the studio opening, someone, someone had spray painted yellow wheels that went from one place to the studio, then from the train to the studio. I don't know who could have painted those yellow wheels, but that was, we're coming to town. And it didn't take very long because there were students and people in the neighborhood that did want a place to move. And let me tell you, if your studio was great, it is a direct result of your front desk and your manager and your ASM, a direct result.

[33:40] Unknown speaker: So the very first time that I went to SoulCycle was late August of 2014. And I have to tell you, I was completely transfixed. And I had had a very colorful life up until that point, you know, having worked in politics and government for 20 years. To say it was spiritual is perhaps overstating it, but it was close. It was close.

[33:58] Unknown speaker: For me, Stevie is an eccentric mystical creature who was always a bit unknowable, but she saw me. She understood and validated my intense craving for movement and adventure. She had the letters for more and less tattooed on her left and right fingers. To this day, I can visualize that writing on her hands as a way to self-regulate. She also introduced me to some of my closest friends you'll hear in this episode.

[34:28] Unknown speaker: To be honest, I'd never seen anybody like her before. She was so unique and different from the world that I grew up in, the world that I was currently even living in in New York City. She had dreads. She had a bunch of tats. She had these bright, bright green eyes. There was something about her that was really bewitching. And I just signed up and didn't really think too deeply about it. I just knew there was something special about her and I needed to know more.

[35:04] Unknown speaker: Sumi and Amit are among the deep community I found through Stevie. While Amit first went to Seoul with friends, it was actually Sumi's therapist who suggested she try it. Sumi had been struggling with compulsion and OCD related to body issues, and her therapist was an original 72nd Street writer. So I think to understand any instructor in particular and Stevie in particular, we first need to lay out just a little bit of context about SoulCycle.

[35:29] Unknown speaker: I think everyone understands that it is a relatively elite thing. It has been out of reach for a lot of people. And what that means in our society is that SoulCycle is very, very white. And so, as a person of color, as a queer person who was often sometimes the only person of color in some of the classes, but in many classes, one of just a very few. Now, there were a lot of instructors of color. The instructor roster was maybe more diverse than the actual writers. Stevie was someone unique. So obviously, as a person who is a person of color, who has had a very varied life, Stevie bridged all of these gaps, right? Also, she was older. She wasn't 25 or 30. You could tell that she had had a lot of life experience. She was willing to talk about that life experience.

[36:26] Unknown speaker: But when Stevie's magic was just right, you felt like you were walking into a room that was a little bit of a sanctuary. And that in taking care of yourself is the only way that you can go out and deal with the world. I remember very, very distinctly sitting in the back row. And when she came out, and she got on the pedestal, and she got on the podium, and she got on that bike, and she commanded the room, every fiber in my body was paying attention to her. And it was not something I had ever experienced. And I wouldn't say that it was spiritual or sexual, but maybe it was something in between.

[37:14] Unknown speaker: So I think it was interesting to have that kind of reaction to a woman as a woman, who is, you know, fairly straight, all the things. But it was a button that got pushed in my brain. And I needed to keep pushing that button. But I did get the impression that Stevie, in putting out energy, where she was basically telegraphing, I am here for you to access me. And in you accessing me, I am sort of quieting or I am soothing a part of you that is vibrating anxiously for something. And I do think that that is something we all found in her in our own unique ways.

[38:03] Unknown speaker: I think a lot of people who look at group fitness, especially SoulCycle from the outside, think of it as this quote unquote cult or have thought of it at times. I think that that requires a little bit of unpacking. And some of that is a little bit unfair and lacking in nuance. But if you got hooked, and you found the right instructors, right, so in my case,

[38:20] Jess Rothschild: Welcome back to "Cult of Body & Soul." In this episode, we dive into the gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program, which has been shrouded in mystery for years.

[38:30] Jess Rothschild: Every Monday at noon, servers crash as eager riders rush to sign up for classes. It's a phenomenon that has become a part of the SoulCycle culture.

[38:40] Jess Rothschild: And then there was Hurricane Sandy, which caused chaos for many riders who couldn't access their beloved classes. The impact of such events on the community is profound.

[38:50] Jess Rothschild: Cults of personality form between riders and instructors, creating a unique dynamic that goes beyond just fitness.

[39:00] Jess Rothschild: In this episode, we’ll hear from instructors and riders who experienced this firsthand, sharing their stories and insights into what makes SoulCycle so special.

[39:10] Jess Rothschild: Stay tuned as we uncover the layers of this intriguing world and explore the relationships that define it.

[39:20] Jess Rothschild: Let’s get started.

[39:30] Jess Rothschild: The instructor training program at SoulCycle is not just about teaching cycling; it’s about creating a brand and a lifestyle that riders want to be a part of.

[39:40] Jess Rothschild: Many aspiring instructors face significant hurdles to get into the program, which is known for its rigorous selection process.

[39:50] Jess Rothschild: We’ll hear from those who have gone through the training and what it takes to become a SoulCycle instructor.

[40:00] Jess Rothschild: The allure of the instructor role is undeniable, but it comes with its own set of challenges and expectations.

[40:10] Jess Rothschild: As we delve deeper, we’ll also explore how the community reacts to these instructors and the cult-like following that can develop.

[40:20] Jess Rothschild: It’s a fascinating look at how fitness can transcend into something much larger than just a workout.

[40:30] Jess Rothschild: So, what does it really take to become a SoulCycle instructor?

[40:40] Jess Rothschild: Let’s hear from some of the instructors themselves about their journey and experiences.

[40:50] Jess Rothschild: The training process is intense, and many have described it as transformative, not just physically but mentally as well.

[41:00] Jess Rothschild: The camaraderie among trainees is palpable, but so is the competition.

[41:10] Jess Rothschild: It’s a pressure cooker environment that can lead to both incredible friendships and intense rivalries.

[41:20] Jess Rothschild: As we continue, we’ll also touch on the impact of external events, like Hurricane Sandy, on the SoulCycle community.

[41:30] Jess Rothschild: The storm created a ripple effect that affected not just classes but the very fabric of the community.

[41:40] Jess Rothschild: Riders were left scrambling for alternatives, and the sense of loss was felt deeply.

[41:50] Jess Rothschild: It’s moments like these that really test the strength of the bonds formed within the SoulCycle family.

[42:00] Jess Rothschild: Now, let’s hear from some of the riders about their experiences during that tumultuous time.

[42:10] Jess Rothschild: Their stories highlight the resilience of the community and the lengths people will go to stay connected to their fitness family.

[42:20] Jess Rothschild: It’s not just about the workout; it’s about the relationships and support systems that develop along the way.

[42:30] Jess Rothschild: As we move forward, we’ll explore how these dynamics play out in the everyday lives of riders and instructors alike.

[42:40] Jess Rothschild: The sense of belonging that SoulCycle fosters is a key element of its appeal.

[42:50] Jess Rothschild: Let’s dive deeper into the personal stories that illustrate this connection.

[43:00] Jess Rothschild: We’ll hear from instructors who have built their careers on this foundation and the riders who have been inspired by them.

[43:10] Jess Rothschild: The impact of these relationships can be life-changing, and it’s a testament to the power of community.

[43:20] Jess Rothschild: So, what happens when the community faces challenges?

[43:30] Jess Rothschild: How do they come together to support one another?

[43:40] Jess Rothschild: These are the questions we’ll explore as we continue our journey through the world of SoulCycle.

[43:50] Jess Rothschild: Stay with us as we uncover more stories and insights from this unique fitness culture.

[44:00] Jess Rothschild: The next segment will feature interviews with both riders and instructors, shedding light on their experiences and the bonds they’ve formed.

[44:10] Jess Rothschild: It’s a fascinating look at how fitness can create a sense of family and belonging.

[44:20] Jess Rothschild: Let’s hear from them now.

[44:30] Jess Rothschild: The stories you’re about to hear illustrate the profound impact that SoulCycle has on its community.

[44:40] Jess Rothschild: From personal transformations to the friendships that develop, these narratives are at the heart of what makes SoulCycle more than just a workout.

[44:50] Jess Rothschild: So, without further ado, let’s listen to their voices.

[45:00] Jess Rothschild: Each story is unique, yet they all share a common thread of connection and support.

[45:10] Jess Rothschild: It’s this sense of belonging that keeps riders coming back, week after week.

[45:20] Jess Rothschild: As we continue, we’ll explore how these relationships evolve over time and the lasting impact they have.

[45:30] Jess Rothschild: The next part of our journey will delve into the instructor training program and the experiences of those who have gone through it.

[45:40] Jess Rothschild: We’ll hear about the challenges they faced and the triumphs they achieved along the way.

[45:50] Jess Rothschild: It’s a rigorous process, but for many, it’s worth every moment.

[46:00] Jess Rothschild: The dedication required to become a SoulCycle instructor is immense, and it’s a journey that shapes not just their careers but their lives.

[46:10] Jess Rothschild: Let’s hear from some of the instructors about their training experiences.

[46:20] Jess Rothschild: Their insights will provide a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of this community.

[46:30] Jess Rothschild: As we listen, consider how these experiences resonate with your own fitness journey.

[46:40] Jess Rothschild: The bonds formed in this environment are powerful and lasting.

[46:50] Jess Rothschild: So, let’s dive into their stories and discover what makes SoulCycle truly special.

[47:00] Jess Rothschild: The next segment will feature a series of interviews with instructors who have navigated the challenges of the training program.

[47:10] Jess Rothschild: Their perspectives will shed light on the unique culture that defines SoulCycle.

[47:20] Jess Rothschild: It’s a culture built on support, competition, and a shared love for fitness.

[47:30] Jess Rothschild: Let’s hear from them now.

[47:40] Jess Rothschild: The stories you’re about to hear highlight the dedication and passion that instructors bring to their roles.

[47:50] Jess Rothschild: It’s this commitment that inspires riders and creates a sense of community.

[48:00] Jess Rothschild: As we continue, we’ll explore how these relationships evolve and the impact they have on the overall SoulCycle experience.

[48:10] Jess Rothschild: The next part of our journey will focus on the connections formed between instructors and riders.

[48:20] Jess Rothschild: These relationships are at the heart of what makes SoulCycle so unique.

[48:30] Jess Rothschild: Let’s listen to their stories and discover the magic that happens when fitness meets community.

[48:40] Jess Rothschild: The next segment will feature interviews with riders who have been deeply affected by their experiences at SoulCycle.

[48:50] Jess Rothschild: Their insights will provide a glimpse into the transformative power of this fitness culture.

[49:00] Jess Rothschild: As we listen, think about how your own fitness journey has shaped your relationships and sense of belonging.

[49:10] Jess Rothschild: The stories you’re about to hear are a testament to the power of community and connection.

[49:20] Jess Rothschild: So, let’s dive into their experiences and see how SoulCycle has impacted their lives.

[49:30] Jess Rothschild: The next part of our journey will explore the challenges and triumphs faced by riders in the SoulCycle community.

[49:40] Jess Rothschild: Their stories will illustrate the resilience and strength that define this unique culture.

[49:50] Jess Rothschild: Let’s hear from them now.

[50:00] Jess Rothschild: The insights shared in these interviews will provide a deeper understanding of the SoulCycle experience.

[50:10] Jess Rothschild: It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, but ultimately, it’s about connection and support.

[50:20] Jess Rothschild: As we continue, we’ll explore how these relationships evolve and the lasting impact they have on the community.

[50:30] Jess Rothschild: The next segment will feature a series of interviews with both instructors and riders.

[50:40] Jess Rothschild: Their perspectives will shed light on the unique dynamics that define the SoulCycle experience.

[50:50] Jess Rothschild: Let’s listen to their stories and discover what makes this community so special.

[51:00] Jess Rothschild: The bonds formed in this environment are powerful and lasting, creating a sense of family that keeps riders coming back.