In the world of boutique fitness, instructors are the heartbeat of the experience. They set the tone, build community, and inspire riders to push beyond limits. In Seattle, one such instructor—Lucy (@lucy.h.0723)—has built a reputation as exactly that: a gifted motivator, music-driven leader, and rider-favorite.
Recently, Lucy auditioned to become a SoulCycle instructor, a path many instructors view as the pinnacle of rhythm-based cycling. Despite her talent and proven community impact, she was turned down. The decision left many in her rider community, and beyond, disappointed—not because SoulCycle has the right to set its own hiring standards, but because it’s hard to reconcile turning away strong, authentic instructors at a time when the brand itself is wrestling with its own controversies.
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Lucy’s Strength as an Instructor
Those who have ridden with Lucy in Seattle describe her classes as energizing, inclusive, and deeply connected to the music. She embodies what boutique cycling should be: a mix of athletic coaching, emotional uplift, and a communal spirit that keeps riders coming back week after week.
Her Instagram presence reflects that same energy—playlists that inspire, behind-the-scenes authenticity, and a warmth that makes new riders feel like old friends. In short, Lucy is the kind of instructor that boutique fitness needs more of: approachable, dynamic, and rooted in community rather than ego.
SoulCycle’s Decision in Context
SoulCycle has long been seen as a dream destination for many fitness professionals. Its brand recognition, chic studios, and cult-like following once made it the gold standard. But in recent years, its image has dimmed.
Numerous media outlets have documented allegations of toxic workplace culture, instructor misconduct, and mismanagement within SoulCycle. Stories of favoritism, elitism, and exclusion have circulated widely, leaving some riders questioning whether the brand still embodies the inclusive, empowering ethos it once promised.
Against this backdrop, the decision to overlook instructors like Lucy raises questions: What exactly is SoulCycle looking for? If not instructors who motivate, inspire, and bring communities together, then what does “fit” really mean in their audition room?
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A Community Response
The disappointment around Lucy’s rejection isn’t just about her personal setback—it reflects a broader sentiment within the fitness community. Riders and instructors alike are increasingly skeptical of large, branded chains that prioritize image over authenticity.
Boutique fitness thrives when instructors are empowered to bring their unique style, voice, and humanity into the room. Lucy represents that future: instructors who don’t just ride to the beat, but who connect on a human level, where every class feels like a safe, welcoming space.
That is something a corporate audition panel may fail to capture, but every rider who’s sweated it out with her in Seattle already knows.
Shifting Power Dynamics in Boutique Fitness
Lucy’s story also points to a bigger trend: the power in boutique cycling no longer rests solely with big brands like SoulCycle.
Independent studios, local chains, and even instructor-driven followings are proving that authenticity wins. In the post-pandemic fitness landscape, many riders choose their class based not on brand name, but on the quality of the instructor and the sense of community.
Seattle is no exception. With a rich mix of local studios and a discerning rider base, instructors like Lucy have the opportunity to build something just as powerful as a SoulCycle platform—without the baggage of corporate missteps.
What We Can Learn
Lucy’s rejection is not the end of the story—it may, in fact, be the beginning of a bigger one. Her journey underscores a few important lessons for the industry and its followers:
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Great instructors are everywhere. Sometimes, the best talent isn’t behind a big-name brand. They’re in local studios, teaching morning and evening classes, building grassroots communities.
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Brands need to evolve. For companies like SoulCycle, overlooking strong, community-focused talent could be a missed opportunity to rebuild trust and authenticity.
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Community is king. Riders care less about logos and more about the energy, safety, and connection they feel in class. That’s where real loyalty comes from.
Celebrating Lucy
At IndoorCycling.ca, we celebrate instructors like Lucy who exemplify what makes this industry thrive: passion, authenticity, and commitment to community.
While SoulCycle may have passed on her audition, the riders of Seattle haven’t. And in an industry increasingly defined by grassroots voices and local powerhouses, that might be the truer measure of success.
Lucy’s story is a reminder to all riders and instructors: the brand name matters less than the person on the podium. And when the person on the podium is someone like Lucy, the ride is always worth showing up for.
