HOW SOULCYCLE SHAPED MY JOURNEY
This post is not sponsored by or affiliated with SoulCycle or Equinox, but it stems from a deep personal connection to a community that shaped me in ways I could have never imagined. Captured so beautifully by Mitchell Royel in the heart of the fashion district, this moment feels like a celebration of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery. Life has a way of coming full circle, and as "DO IT AGAIN" by Pia Mia, Chris Brown & Tyga plays in the background, I am reminded of those pivotal moments that have defined my journey. From the highs to the lows, and every unforgettable beat in between, I’ve grown into a version of myself that feels true, unwavering, and unapologetically confident. This reflection is a nod to every twist and turn, every challenge and triumph, and every ounce of love I’ve poured into building the life I have today. Mitchell Royel’s lens captures not just an image but an essence—a kaleidoscope of growth, identity, and the fearless pursuit of one’s true self.
When I look back on the past few years, there’s one place that stands out as a constant source of joy, growth, and connection: SoulCycle. To be honest, when I first took Logan’s class while working at Urban Outfitters, I told him it was my first time at SoulCycle. It wasn’t. I had been there many times before and just as often at Equinox, but something about that moment sticks with me. Maybe it’s because SoulCycle has always felt like more than just a workout. It’s been a place filled with tears, laughs, and most of all, love.
Before SoulCycle, there was BeatBike. That post-rehab phase of my life feels like a lifetime ago now, but it was the precursor to this chapter I’m now closing. I remember walking into BeatBike fresh out of rehab, hoping to find purpose, support, and maybe feel a little less untethered. It was there I learned what it meant to work hard and show up for myself in ways I never had before. Eventually, as I transitioned to SoulCycle, I carried the lessons I learned with me. SoulCycle became not just a place to ride but a reflection of everything I was trying to rebuild—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I think about all the memories that orbit this vibrant community. Sneaking away in the middle of my Erewhon shift (with permission, of course) just to squeeze in a quick ride, the early-morning classes I’d hit before Mitch Leyor photoshoots (and by the way, I’ve brought many brand ambassadors to classes, so don’t feel too special, Deck). There was even that time I found myself in a SoulCycle studio during Landmark Forum with a new friend, bonding over the rhythm and the energy like we’d known each other forever. Each ride, every moment, and all of the connections I've made there have shaped me into the person I am today.
Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for those first steps I took into a BeatBike studio and later, for that very first desk I checked into at SoulCycle. It feels almost poetic to realize how much of myself I discovered there. The SoulCycle community is, remarkably, still the same as it was the day I stepped into the studio for the first time. It has remained a space that meets you where you are, pushes you to your limits, and sends you back out into the world a little brighter, a little stronger, and a little more yourself.
As I close this chapter of what I like to call my “mall kid era," I am struck by the incredible growth, love, and change I’ve experienced. Post-rehab, through my jobs at Urban Outfitters and Erewhon, and all along this crazy, beautiful ride, SoulCycle has been a constant. To my friends, the teachers who inspired me, and the community that embraced me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. SoulCycle will always hold a special place in my heart—not just as a workout, but as a part of the story of who I’ve become.
-Mitchell Royel + Friends