S10E3: Revolutionizing Wellness and Community with Julie Rice of SoulCycle and Peoplehood

We’re back with another installment of The Room Podcast! In this episode, we're honored to host Julie Rice, the co-founder of SoulCycle and Peoplehood. Join us as Julie shares her journey from revolutionizing the fitness industry with SoulCycle to her latest venture, focused on strengthening human connections.

We discuss the genesis of SoulCycle, exploring how it became a cultural phenomenon by fostering community and motivation beyond traditional fitness. Julie also sheds light on Peoplehood, a practice aimed at enhancing relationships through guided group conversations. Julie re-defined a category with SoulCycle and now she's doing it again with making self-workouts a habit in building stronger relationships with Peoplehood. 

Key topics include finding your own entrepreneurial path, the importance of transparency and investing in people, and Julie's thoughts for founders thinking about acquisition or strategic partnership. Whether you're into fitness, entrepreneurship, or building connections, this episode offers valuable insights from a true trailblazer. 

We're also excited to offer a special Peoplehood promo code for The Room Podcast listeners. Simply use the code "Peoplehood1" for one free Gather!

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5:32 - Where did Julie grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:06 - Did Julie always think she was going to become a founder?
8:12 - What was the entertainment industry like when Julie was a part of it?
10:31 - What was the “aha moment” that led to the founding of Soul Cycle?
13:52 - How did Julie and Elizebeth come up with the product of Soul Cycle?
18:15 - When did Julie think that Soul Cycle had reached product market fit?
20:49 - How was word-of-mouth marketing impactful to the growth of Soul Cycle?
22:41 - What does it mean to get acquired or to sell or to chart an exit strategy and, what advice does Julie have for founders looking to sell?
28:10- How did Julie and Elizebeth come up with the product of Peoplehood?
33:56 - What can consumers expect from Peoplehood?
39:57 - Where does Peoplehood lie on the spectrum of spiritual to tactical?
42:35 - What can consumers look forward to in the future of Peoplehood?
44:19 - What’s next for Julie, personally?
45:53 - What is Julie’s favorite music to Soul Cycle along to?
47:18 - Who was a woman in Julie’s life that had a profound impact on her and her career?

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