Elizabeth Cutler

From its inception, SoulCycle was the hottest, fastest-growing fitness studio in New York City, catering to the rich, obsessive, famous, and fame-adjacent.

From its inception, SoulCycle was the hottest, fastest-growing fitness studio in New York City, catering to the rich, obsessive, famous, and fame-adjacent.

We'll explore how this cultural phenomenon captured the zeitgeist in a way nothing has before or since.

We'll explore how this cultural phenomenon captured the zeitgeist in a way nothing has before or since.

My name is Jessie Rothschild. I'm a writer and producer living in Manhattan. In 2023, I created a docuseries centered on the history, mystique, and lore of Fire Island, home of the oldest queer communities in the United States. Over the last 20 years, I have found connection and meaning in two places, on Fire Island and in the New York City fitness community, specifically at SoulCycle.

My name is Jessie Rothschild. I'm a writer and producer living in Manhattan. In 2023, I created a docuseries centered on the history, mystique, and lore of Fire Island, home of the oldest queer communities in the United States. Over the last 20 years, I have found connection and meaning in two places, on Fire Island and in the New York City fitness community, specifically at SoulCycle.

And while I've spent much of my adult life dedicated to fitness, my time at SoulCycle transcended far beyond that of boxing, yoga, or boot camp. I've spent years obsessed with soul, analyzing every single aspect of the phenomenon with friends. My first class was in 2011 and I went about four times a week until 2019. People I met at SoulCycle spoke at my wedding.

And while I've spent much of my adult life dedicated to fitness, my time at SoulCycle transcended far beyond that of boxing, yoga, or boot camp. I've spent years obsessed with soul, analyzing every single aspect of the phenomenon with friends. My first class was in 2011 and I went about four times a week until 2019. People I met at SoulCycle spoke at my wedding.

They were also there for me when that relationship suddenly ended. We took destination spin rides in the Hamptons, Miami, and LA. Destination spin is basically an excuse to travel and then revolve your day around an instructor's schedule.

They were also there for me when that relationship suddenly ended. We took destination spin rides in the Hamptons, Miami, and LA. Destination spin is basically an excuse to travel and then revolve your day around an instructor's schedule.

I've had instructors to my home for Thanksgiving, and I was so intrigued by the secretive nature of the training program that I almost applied to be an instructor myself. Today, I find myself looking back, yearning for this time in my life. Like, what were the ingredients that made it so unique and special?

I've had instructors to my home for Thanksgiving, and I was so intrigued by the secretive nature of the training program that I almost applied to be an instructor myself. Today, I find myself looking back, yearning for this time in my life. Like, what were the ingredients that made it so unique and special?

Throughout this series, you'll hear from instructors, studio managers, and other riders like me. We'll even talk to folks who worked on the corporate level. While all instructors are named, other employees have chosen to remain anonymous.

Throughout this series, you'll hear from instructors, studio managers, and other riders like me. We'll even talk to folks who worked on the corporate level. While all instructors are named, other employees have chosen to remain anonymous.

To fully understand the story of SoulCycle, we need to go to Los Angeles in the 90s.

To fully understand the story of SoulCycle, we need to go to Los Angeles in the 90s.

This is Janet Fitzgerald. Many fitness contemporaries cite Janet Fitzgerald as one of the original spiritual fitness instructors. Janet took the intention setting typically associated with yoga and applied it to high-intensity spin classes. Through her voice and specific music curation, she is able to take riders to a place of reflection and meditation.

This is Janet Fitzgerald. Many fitness contemporaries cite Janet Fitzgerald as one of the original spiritual fitness instructors. Janet took the intention setting typically associated with yoga and applied it to high-intensity spin classes. Through her voice and specific music curation, she is able to take riders to a place of reflection and meditation.

Janet is playfully naughty and has commanding energy. Think Madonna in Truth or Dare. She was the director of instructor training at SoulCycle for a decade, producing over 200 instructors. And she still teaches at Soul six times a week. Soon after landing in Palm Springs, Janet began dating a drummer in a Christian rock band. She believed his straight edge lifestyle would wear off on her.

Janet is playfully naughty and has commanding energy. Think Madonna in Truth or Dare. She was the director of instructor training at SoulCycle for a decade, producing over 200 instructors. And she still teaches at Soul six times a week. Soon after landing in Palm Springs, Janet began dating a drummer in a Christian rock band. She believed his straight edge lifestyle would wear off on her.