Soul Stories: Adina K.

Soul Stories is our blog series where we shine a light on the incredible individuals who make up our community. Each story will feature a different rider or instructor, sharing their unique stories, passions, breakthroughs and milestones. From inspiring journeys to everyday achievements, we aim to celebrate the diverse perspectives that enrich our community. 
Join us as we dive into their experiences and discover what makes our community so great.

PRONOUNS: She/Her

AGE: 50-60

OCCUPATION: Depends when you ask

HOME STUDIO: TRI

FAVORITE INSTRUCTORS: Melanie and Janet 

HOW OFTEN DO YOU RIDE: 3 to 5-ish times a week 

“I've been to SoulCycle on my darkest days (and there have been way too many of them) and my brightest.” 

Meet Adina K., a single mom and freelance creative who rides in NYC. Read on to discover how SoulCycle helped her find friendship, stay grounded, and remain focused and mindful while building strength during her recovery from her second hip surgery. 

How Long Have You Been Riding At SoulCycle?

My first class was in Boston, MA, Thanksgiving weekend, 2016, but I consider my real first class when I first rode with Melanie Griffith on Dec 12, 2016. It’s my Mel-aversary. 

What’s your favorite music/artists to ride to? 

Any of the Gals: Madonna, Gaga, Beyonce, Alanis, Gwen, Pink, Billie, Olivia, Lana, Florence, oh yeah and Taylor. 

Everybody’s got a favorite bike? What’s yours? 

When I first started I was on bike 51 at Union Square, always a back row rider. Then I fell off of bike 51 during the stretch (I couldn’t get my cycling shoe back in the pedal after a stretch!) and moved to bike 50. After Covid I started mostly going to TRI. 

Originally I was on Bike 5, first row sidebar. I liked it because no one was directly behind me but I had a front row view. Now I'm on bike 27,  next to my best friend Vivian. Occasionally I'll go in the front row if I'm feeling frisky.

What does SoulCycle do for your mind? 

I'm the least woo woo person I know, so practicing mindfulness is very difficult for me. I take class to stay in the present for 45 minutes (or an hour during Weekend Survivors.) 

“...there's no pressure, except the pressure you put on yourself, so if I need to skip the choreography or stay in the saddle while I'm healing that's fine.” 

What does SoulCycle do for your body?   

I've recently had my second hip replaced: I’ve named the new ones Thelma and Louise. Ironically, both injuries were from being on an ACTUAL bike. My recovery was rather quick, since I already had strong leg muscles from riding. SoulCycle classes have been great physical therapy. My body is locked into alignment and I can regulate the amount of tension I put on the wheel as I rebuild my lower body strength.  

Also, there's no pressure, except the pressure you put on yourself, so if I need to skip the choreography or stay in the saddle while I'm healing that's fine. Instructors actually praise you for listening to your body. The sweat and adrenaline release just makes me feel better. 

“I know that SoulCycle instructors meet you where you are: there isn’t a quick fix for anything or anyone but it helps you celebrate your story.” 

What does SoulCycle do for your Soul? 

I’m a single mother “by choice” which really means I had my daughter on my own via an anonymous donor. When I started going to SoulCycle my daughter had just started kindergarten. It was right after the 2016 election. I had a big job as Creative Director and a young child: I was exhausted and didn’t have much time or energy to date or make plans to go out with my friends.

I sort of stumbled into Melanie Griffith’s class which was around the corner from my kid’s school on a rare morning off from work. I didn’t know who she was, or what kind of music she played. But from the first song (“Halo” by Beyonce) there was something about what she was saying and the music. It wasn’t all butterflies and rainbows- that I remember. I know that SoulCycle instructors meet you where you are: there isn’t a quick fix for anything or anyone but it helps you celebrate your story. And that joy can be an act of rebellion. I wept through the entire 45 minutes. Turns out she taught Tuesdays and Thursday nights a few blocks from my office.

In the beginning, those classes were the only times during the week that I was surrounded by “grown-ups” who weren’t connected to my job or my job as a mom. It’s weird how many different types of people wind up in those dark rooms.

You do find your people. 8 years and over 1000 classes in and I've made some of my closest friends at SoulCycle. Now that I work freelance and spend a lot of time alone in my studio, going to class has the added benefit of socializing, if only for a few minutes before and after class.

I've been to SoulCycle on my darkest days (and there have been way too many of them) and my brightest. 

We love connecting to our community. If you’d like to be featured in our Soul Stories Series send us your story here. 

Let’s keep riding together. We’ll see you on a bike soon.