CULT OF BODY & SOUL
“Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series that explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality.
We expose the intoxicating power dynamic between riders and instructors, the gate-kept instructor training program, the true story behind founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, and the political scandal that torched the brand’s image.
Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff, and corporate insiders — this is the story behind the brand that became the SoHo House of fitness.
Presented by:
Broadway Podcast Network
Watch the trailer
About Jess Rothschild
“Cult of Body & Soul” is created, executive produced and narrated by writer, producer and native New Yorker Jess Rothschild.
In 2023, Jess created and exec. produced the GLAAD-Award nominated series "Finding Fire Island," centered on the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines.
Since 2019, Jess produces and hosts “Hot Takes & Deep Dives” centered on queer pop iconography & New York City culture. Guests include Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Mizrahi, Bruce Vilanch, Fran Drescher and The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken.
Instagram: @jessxnyc
Featuring:
JANET FITZGERALD
Master Instructor; Director of Instructor Training
STEVIE SANTANGELO
Master Instructor, 8 years
HALLE BECKER
Yoga & Soul instructor, 8 years
JONAH HILL
SiriusXM Host
MILES J.
Corporate
AMIT BAGGA
Rider, NYS Office of the Governor
NOA SHAW
Instructor
LOUISE G.
Instructor
SUMI VATSA
Instructor
CHRIS HALE
Instructor
IAN M.
Instructor
DREW B.
Instructor
Ep 1: "Made in LA"
Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-founded SOULCYCLE, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protections in place. We trace SoulCycle's origin story back to the '90s Los Angeles spin craze before it revolutionized boutique fitness in New York City 2006.
Ep 2: "A Star is Born"
SoulCycle takes off in New York City and The Hamptons, with celebrities like Kelly Ripa & Katie Couric becoming superfans. Co-founder Julie Rice's muse Janet Fitzgerald moves to Manhattan to work with budding talent. A beloved 22 year-old party-girl instructor Clare Veronica Walsh tragically dies on Christmas Day. A "wreck the studio" party signifies the end of the 72nd Street era as SoulCycle grows.
Ep 3: "Noon on Monday"
The gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program are revealed for the first time. Servers crash every Monday at Noon during sign-ups. Hurricane Sandy causes chaos when people cannot access classes. Cults of personality form between instructors and riders.
Ep 4: "You Create Monsters"
Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million Dollars each. The 2016 Presidential election and its aftermath causes a great divide at SoulCycle among corporate HQ, instructors and clientele.
Ep 5: "S*x with an Ex"
ERROR: same copy as Ep 4
Ep 6: "Boogeyman in the Corner"
Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is banned from the studio. Barry's Bootcamp CEO attempts to poach SoulCycle instructors and is banned. Two hard-charging directors of instructor training use rough, sexual language to intimidate new trainee recruits.
Ep 7: "Turn on the Smile"
We follow three instructors’ careers at SoulCycle — in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Christina Aguilera surprises riders at her own theme class. An instructor is recruited after a life of crime, addiction and losing 100 pounds at Soul. While some charismatic instructors are paid $1K+ per class, others max out at $150.
Rothschild,
in the wild
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