Building SoulCycle & Flywheel: The Entrepreneur Who Reinvented Fitness | Ruth Zukerman

What does it take to build two of the most recognizable brands in fitness, walk away from one, and start all over again? On this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Ruth Zukerman, co-founder of SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports, to explore her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building iconic fitness brands, and the lessons she learned about leadership, resilience, and reinvention. Ruth's journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly. After discovering indoor cycling during a challenging period in her personal life, she became a passionate instructor and built a loyal community around her classes. At 48, she helped launch SoulCycle, pioneering a boutique fitness experience that transformed indoor cycling into a cultural phenomenon. But after her relationship with her business partners deteriorated, Ruth made the difficult decision to leave the company she helped create. Rather than giving up, she went on to co-found Flywheel Sports, bringing a new approach to indoor cycling through technology, performance tracking, and community. Ruth shares the experiences that shaped her career, the challenges of navigating business partnerships, and what it takes to rebuild after setbacks. Her story offers powerful lessons about entrepreneurship, believing in yourself, and finding the courage to pursue new opportunities at any stage of life. In this episode: \- Ruth's journey from dance and fitness instruction to entrepreneurship \- Co-founding SoulCycle at age 48 \- How SoulCycle helped transform the boutique fitness industry \- The challenges of business partnerships and leaving SoulCycle \- Starting over and building Flywheel Sports \- Creating brands built around community and customer experience \- Overcoming setbacks and redefining success \- Lessons on leadership, resilience, and entrepreneurship #LegendsNLeaders #RuthZukerman #SoulCycle #FlywheelSports #Entrepreneurship #FitnessIndustry #Leadership #Business