Ruth Zukerman - Riding High: How I Kissed SoulCycle Goodbye, Co-Founded Flywheel, and Built the Life I Always Wanted

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To my daughters, Rachel and Kate for the unconditional love that we share and your ability to always make me laugh, no matter what

I have to thank my co-writer, Holly Robinson, first and foremost. Without her talent and expertise, I wouldnt have been able to organize, add on, delete, and shape my story into something worth reading. She understood who I was very quickly into the process. She also was there to encourage me during the many phases when fear kicked in and I honestly didnt know if I had enough courage to talk about my lifes path in the only way I knew how with complete honesty.

I have so many supportive friends who have also encouraged me over the years to write a book. But it was Clifford Ross who actually insisted on it. He told me whom to see and wouldnt rest until I saw them! Clifford connected me with Peter and Amy Bernstein, now my literary agents. I met them at their apartment one evening, sat on their living room couch, and they said, So lets hear your story I brought my Flywheel co-founder Jay Galluzzo with me so that he could fill in with things that I would undoubtedly forget. An hour and a half later we left, and before I got home there was a contract in my inbox.

Thank you, Peter and Amy, for believing in me.

Back to Jay my former partner, my friend, and my Flywheel co-founder. We shared an office for four straight years and were probably communicating through some form or another during the rare parts of the day when we werent in that office. I attribute so much of Flywheels success to our constant collaboration and absolute love for what we, and our third co-founder, David Seldin, were creating. He took the good with the bad, tolerating my moments of complete frustration and tears, probably because there were so many more moments of joy and laughter. His concept of adding metrics to the bike was genius and clearly a huge part of our success. He protected me, supported me, encouraged me, and respected me always.

Thank you, David, for pushing me at times when I didnt have the confidence to push myself. Ive learned a lot from you, especially when it comes to relentless negotiating skills! Your wisdom and confidence is something I will always admire. The three of us were really the perfect team.

Ill never forget our first meeting with the Frankforts. We had the whole family come take a ride followed by a meeting in our dingy Flywheel offices while the grandchildren played in the Flybarre room. Feeling Lews energy and hearing his excitement over the brand that we created was exhilarating. Thank you, Lew, for believing in us. It was that moment when I felt that we really created something important, and with you on our team, we could continue to introduce and spread Flywheels empowering energy to more and more people nationally, as well as globally.

This book would not be possible if it werent for all of my incredible riders with whom I have sweated through every pedal stroke. To those who have stuck with me since my Reebok/Zone/SoulCycle days, to all of the incredible people that I met at Flywheelyour energy and shared stories have inspired ME and kept me going every single day that I get on that bike even when Im not in the mood. The transformation miraculously happens every time, and you are a big reason for that.

To my Dad, who left me way too soon. Thank you for teaching me how to be everyones best audience. Your sense of humor conditioned me to be able to laugh through so much of my life and find humor in everything. Your expert status in your field as a physician taught me to strive to be the best. To my Mom, who was never easy(!), I know that your love for me was always there. You were a career woman at a time when most moms werent, and I know that influenced me greatly. I also thank you for both influencing my style and instilling the importance of grace and class. That was all you.

If I hadnt tried my first spin class at Reebok, I never would have met Philippe Reines. I will always have a place in my heart for you. Four years after I started to really dig deep into my therapeutic process, I met you because I decided to try that Reebok spin class. As my relationship with you and spinning grew simultaneously I was able to muster up the strength to make a drastic move in my life. You set me up for success when I felt like a fish out of water. I can never thank you enough for teaching me everything from how to work a computer to how to enjoy life.

And lastly, I have to mention my daughters, Kate and Rachel. It is now twenty-one years since we have been a three-some. We never had to close a bathroom door in our home and it was pretty hard to have any secrets, for good or for bad. As you have grown into adults and are venturing out on your own, our bond just gets deeper. I have been able to seek out your advice, ask for your opinions, be your best friends, and still be your mother. I thank you for your love and support and your fierce loyalty. Kateyour ability to advocate for and express yourself with complete abandon is always impressive. Rachelyour sensitivity and incredible insights always blow me away. Despite all of the differences between you two, your senses of humor alone will always keep me going and laughing to the point of crying.

In February 2010, after nearly four months of intense collaboration and many sleepless nights, my dream had finally come true: my two partners and I opened our flagship Flywheel studio in Chelsea, in Manhattan. By October, Flywheel was off the ground and running. I couldnt have been happier. All three of us were thrilled with our concept and our rapidly growing business. We couldnt wait to get to work every single day and never minded putting in long hours.

One rare evening off, I decided to go out with my friend Josh to see The Social Network , which had just been released. The buzz around the film was off the charts. Josh and I are avid cinephiles, and we were eager to share the excitement of opening weekend together. We arrived early and, popcorn in hand, settled happily into our prime, center-row seats.

Prior to seeing the movie, I hadnt known many details about the founding of Facebook and how it had taken off as a business.

Now I was riveted by the story of co-founders Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg. As the tangled, emotional story unfolded on-screen, my heart began pounding and I couldnt help but reflect on how every successful business is a personal story, too, about hopes and disappointments.

Watching the tale of Facebooks creation play out in that darkened movie theater prompted me to begin reliving my own experiences as co-founder of SoulCycle and Flywheel. I think thats the moment I first started thinking about the book I might write one day.

My path to success definitely wasnt an easy one. It was a journey with many low points, all of which I share here, including low self-esteem, nightmare scandals, and financial troubles. Along the way, I learned that it takes time and experience to truly know ourselves, our potential, what makes us happy, and how to achieve balance and contentment in life.