Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
SoulCycle co-founder Ruth Zukerman says business partners forced her out
Ruth Zukerman says she was forced out of SoulCycle by fellow co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice.
She says the decision was delivered in a meeting about a year and a half after the company was founded in 2006.
Zukerman says she had brought riders from her Reebok Club classes and helped develop SoulCycle’s workout, but had never signed paperwork.
Cutler and Rice said in 2010 that they decided to part ways and wished Zukerman well.
After leaving, Zukerman founded rival indoor cycling chain Flywheel.
She is telling her story in the documentary Spin Wars, which explores the rivalry between SoulCycle, Flywheel and Peloton.
Zukerman said at a screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival that speaking about the experience now felt important to her.
SoulCycle co-founder Ruth Zukerman says business partners Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice forced her out of the company.
Zukerman recounts her account in the documentary “Spin Wars,” which explores the rivalry among SoulCycle, Flywheel and Peloton.
She says she was told in a meeting that she was no longer a partner, but could stay on as an instructor.
Zukerman says she helped develop SoulCycle’s workout method and brought a loyal following from a Reebok Club cycling class.
Cutler and Rice previously told The New York Times that they parted ways with Zukerman and wished her well.
- Who
- Ruth Zukerman, SoulCycle co-founder, says business partners Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice forced her out.
- What
- Zukerman says Cutler and Rice told her she was no longer a partner. She discusses her account in the documentary “Spin Wars.
- When
- Zukerman says she was forced out a year and a half after SoulCycle’s founding in 2006.
- Where
- The reported meeting took place at an unstated location; Zukerman discussed the story at a screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival.
- Why
- Not stated
Ruth Zukerman
Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice
Departure
Ruth Zukerman
Zukerman says Cutler and Rice told her she was no longer a partner and forced her out.
Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice
Cutler and Rice said they decided to part ways with Zukerman.
Role in the company
Ruth Zukerman
Zukerman says she helped develop the workout method and brought a loyal following to SoulCycle.
Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice
Not stated
SoulCycle was founded.
Zukerman says she was told she was no longer a partner.
The New York Times reported that Zukerman had left SoulCycle in November under circumstances she said she could not discuss for legal reasons.
Zukerman discussed why she had decided to tell her story in “Spin Wars.
- SoulCycle co-founders
- Ruth Zukerman, Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice
- SoulCycle founding
- 2006
- Zukerman's reported departure
- A year and a half after the company’s founding
- Zukerman's teaching schedule
- 21 classes a week
- Documentary
- Spin Wars
What people are saying
I’m 68. I literally had a thought at one point two years ago . . . ‘Why am I not talking about this?'
I would regret keeping this story secret
It’s been very cathartic, obviously, to finally tell the story
Ruth worked with us for a time. We decided to part ways. We wish her the best