Cult of Body & Soul

“Cult of Body & Soul” is a 7-part docu-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.

Episodes

TRAILER - Cult of Body & Soul

May 16, 2025 • 2 mins

“Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series created & executive produed by Jess Rothschild which brings to life how the boutique indoor cycling (spinning) phenomenon SOULCYCLE captured the New York City fitness zeitgeist. We will take you behind the curtain of the cult of personality that forms between instructor and rider, the elusive instructor training program, the untold story of how Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded...

Mark as Played

1. "Made in LA"

May 27, 2025 • 45 mins

Episode 1: Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-found SoulCycle, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protection 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. Follow ⁠@jessxnyc⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 1 on YouTube _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠Jess Rothschild⁠ ...

Mark as Played

2. "A Star Is Born"

May 27, 2025 • 49 mins

Episode 2: 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. Follow ⁠⁠@jessxnyc...

Mark as Played

3. "Noon on Monday"

June 3, 2025 • 54 mins

Episode 3: 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 riders and instructors. Follow ⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 3 on YouTube ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Produ...

Mark as Played

4. "You Create Monsters"

June 10, 2025 • 51 mins

Episode 4: Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million each after selling the company to Equinox. The 2016 Presidential election and its aftermath causes a great divide at SoulCycle. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 4 on YouTube⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!...

Mark as Played

5. "S*x With An Ex"

June 17, 2025 • 45 mins

Episode 5: News leaks that Equinox Chairman Stephen Ross will hold a Trump fundraiser in the Hamptons. Instructors share their pay structures and how they were fired / why they quit. All of SoulCycle's goodwill and reputation for LGBT inclusivity is extinguished. Has anything come close to capturing the zeitgeist the way SoulCycle did? Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 5 on YouTube⁠⁠ Live event July 9 in NYC...

Mark as Played

6. "Boogeyman in the Corner"

June 24, 2025 • 50 mins

Episode 6: 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. Hard-charging instructor training directors use rough, sexual language to intimidate new recruits. A firehose of Soul gossip! Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 6 on ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠ __...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com