Ruth Zukerman: The Woman Who Spun Heartbreak into a Global Fitness Empire

Ruth Zukerman never set out to be a fitness mogul. She wasn’t an athlete, a business guru, or a risk-taker by nature.

She was a dancer with a broken heart, searching for a way to put herself back together.

And in doing so, she co-founded not one, but two of the most successful indoor cycling brands in the world—SoulCycle and Flywheel—revolutionizing the way people experience fitness, resilience, and self-worth.

Her story isn’t just about spinning—it’s about reinvention, courage, and proving that it’s never too late to change your life.

The Woman Who Spun Heartbreak into a Global Fitness Empire

A Life Rewritten by Heartbreak

Ruth Zukerman’s love for movement began with dance. She trained for years, hoping to make a career out of it. But life had other plans.

After college, she shifted gears, got married, and dedicated herself to raising her two daughters. For years, she played the role of the perfect wife and mother. But behind closed doors, her marriage was unraveling.

And then, the moment that changed everything—her husband walked out.

Suddenly, at 40 years old, she found herself alone, financially unstable, and unsure of what came next.

That’s when she found indoor cycling.

It wasn’t just exercise—it was therapy, empowerment, and healing all wrapped into one. The rhythm of the music, the sweat, the community—it all gave her a sense of control when her life felt anything but.

She started teaching cycling classes at a local gym, not knowing that this simple decision would lead her to build a fitness empire.

Little-Known Facts About Ruth Zukerman

⭐ She was terrified of public speaking—but taught thousands of classes anyway. At the start of her career, Ruth hated speaking in front of people. But as an instructor, she had to command a room. She forced herself out of her comfort zone, and over time, her voice became her power.

⭐ She never saw herself as a businesswoman—until she had to be one. Ruth’s strength was creating powerful, emotional fitness experiences, not crunching numbers. But after helping launch two major fitness brands, she learned how to lead, negotiate, and trust her instincts in business.

⭐ She co-founded SoulCycle—but was pushed out before it exploded. Ruth helped create the foundation of SoulCycle in 2006, but after a fallout with her co-founders, she was forced out of the company. It was devastating—she had built something incredible, only to have it taken away.

⭐ She didn’t give up—she built another empire. Most people would have walked away. But Ruth picked herself back up and co-founded Flywheel in 2010—a brand that took indoor cycling to the next level with technology-driven classes and personalized performance tracking.

⭐ She reinvented herself in her 40s and built an empire in her 50sMany people think success has an expiration date. Ruth proved them wrong. She started from scratch in midlife and became one of the most influential women in fitness.

⭐ She believes failure is just a detour, not a dead end. Losing SoulCycle was a painful setback, but instead of seeing it as the end, she turned it into a new beginning. Flywheel became a major competitor, proving that sometimes the best revenge is building something even better.

Building SoulCycle and Flywheel: A New Era of Fitness

When Ruth co-founded SoulCycle, she helped introduce a new way to work out—one that was about more than just exercise. It was about community, connection, and pushing past emotional barriers.

Even after being forced out of SoulCycle, she didn’t give up. Instead, she took what she learned and co-founded Flywheel, bringing a more competitive, tech-driven approach to indoor cycling.

Through it all, Ruth stayed true to her philosophy:

• Fitness isn’t just about the body—it’s about the mind.

• Reinvention is always possible.

• Setbacks don’t define you—how you respond to them does.

Her leadership and vision helped create two brands that changed the way people move—and more importantly, how they believe in themselves.

Lessons from Ruth Zukerman for Every Woman Starting Over

💡 It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Ruth built her legacy in her 40s and 50s—age is just a number.

💡 Failure can be a setup for something greater. Getting pushed out of SoulCycle led her to create Flywheel.

💡 Your biggest pain can lead to your greatest success. Heartbreak led her to fitness, and fitness led her to purpose.

💡 You don’t have to be fearless—you just have to move forward anyway. Ruth was scared, but she kept going.

💡 Your voice is your power. She went from fearing public speaking to inspiring thousands in her classes.

Ruth Zukerman’s story is proof that every ending is just the beginning of something greater.

So, if you’ve ever felt like you had to start over—take a deep breath, turn up the music, and keep moving forward.

Because like Ruth, you might just spin your struggles into success.