S16, BONUS EPISODE: Cody Rigsby on queerness, addiction and being Rishi Sunak's favourite Peloton instructor
Mar 29, 2023
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Cody Rigsby, Peloton instructor, shares his inspiring life story and the role Peloton plays in acceptance. He discusses overcoming rejection, the impact of living your truth, and the responsibility of being a Peloton instructor. Cody also opens up about his father's drug overdose, the loss of a friend to addiction, and the struggles of finding role models as a queer individual.
Failure can lead to personal growth and resilience, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes.
Unexpected opportunities, like joining Peloton, can provide purpose and fulfillment in life.
Trusting one's instincts and following intuition is crucial, as it can prevent regret and lead to positive outcomes.
Deep dives
The Power of Failure
Failure is a natural part of life and can lead to personal growth and resilience, as showcased in this podcast episode. The importance of learning from mistakes is emphasized, as failure can ultimately make us stronger.
Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places
The podcast discusses how unexpected opportunities, such as joining Peloton, can lead to finding purpose and fulfillment. The guest, Cody Rigsby, shares his journey from being a dancer to becoming one of the most popular instructors on the platform.
Navigating Addiction and Loss
The episode explores the challenges of dealing with addiction and the pain of losing a loved one to addiction. Cody opens up about his own experience of failing to address his friend Oscar's addiction and the grief he experiences after Oscar's passing.
Trusting Intuition and Personal Growth
The importance of trusting one's instincts and following one's intuition is highlighted. Cody reflects on the lessons he has learned from his failures, including the importance of listening to intuition and taking action when something feels wrong.
The Healing Power of Memories
The episode delves into the healing power of memories and how they can provide comfort and solace after losing a loved one. Cody shares personal stories of dancing, friendship, and the emotional connection he still feels with his late friend.
Regular listeners of How To Fail will know that I love Peloton: the one-stop fitness workout which offers cycling, strength, yoga and more. THIS IS NOT AN AD, JUST A GENUINE FEELING! Anyway, the undisputed King of Peloton is Cody Rigsby - an instructor who brings a combination of poptastic joy and savage sass to the bike. He is one of the most popular instructors on the platform, with over 1 million Instagram followers, and counts Prime Minister Rishi Sunak amongst his die-hard fans. But Rigsby had a tough upbringing: his father died of a drug overdose when Cody was just four months old. Raised by a single mother who also had addiction issues, Rigsby endured spells of homelessness and financial instability. Growing up queer in North Carolina, he struggled to find role models or representation, which is why, on the Peloton bike, he uses it as 'a Trojan horse' of acceptance. Rigsby also talks movingly for the first time about losing his friend Oliver to addiction and his belief that he failed to intervene until it was too late. Even if you've never stepped foot near a Peloton, I promise you this is an interview that will move and entertain you in equal measure.
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My new book, FRIENDAHOLIC: Confessions of a Friendship Addict, is published tomorrow and is available to order - at half price - here.
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How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com