SoulCycle & Flywheel Sports Co-Founder Ruth Zukerman on Overcoming Self-Doubt, Growing Through Pain, and Finally Owning Her Success

Ruth Zukerman is a force in the fitness industry known for co-founding SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports, and for creating the communities that made them take off. 

But Ruth never imagined starting a business, let alone two of the biggest names in fitness. She first started taking spin classes as she was going through a divorce, and quickly found how empowering they could be. She became an instructor at the Reebok club and built a loyal following, and in 2006, co-founded SoulCycle at the age of 48. Just a few years later, she left to start Flywheel Sports, one of SoulCycle’s first competitors — but there’s a lot more to the story. As SoulCycle became a cult phenomenon, Ruth’s partnership with her cofounders fell apart — a moment that hit hard personally, and left Ruth feeling betrayed and stuck. 

During this conversation in her home in New York City, Ruth shares that story and other challenging moments that she’s learned to see in a positive light, how her setbacks have paved the way for her success, and why today, she feels more comfortable in her own home and in her own skin than she ever has before. Make Yourself at Home with Ruth Zukerman. 

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Season 1 guests on Make Yourself at Home include Bess Freedman (Brown Harris Stevens), Frédéric Fekkai (FEKKAI), Kara Goldin (Hint), Greg Davidson (Lalo), Danielle Canty (Bossbabe), Kate Torgersen (Milk Stork), Adrian Grenier (Earth Speed Media, DuContra Ventures), Loren Brill (Sweet Loren's), Nyakio Grieco (Thirteen Lune), Noora Raj Brown (goop), Tara Williams (Dreamland Baby), Dr. Wendy Borlabi (Chicago Bulls) and more.

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Make Yourself at Home is hosted by Kristin Twiford and presented by Nines, the household management app designed to help you manage your home and everything that comes with it, so you can live with ease. Learn more at ninesliving.com.