I know it seems at times that Peloton instructors are super human. I’m looking at you Olivia Amato. But they are in fact regular people with normal and relatable problems.
We all laugh when instructor Callie Gullickson forgets her socks once again. We nod along as Cody Rigsby gives us relationship advice. And we are in awe of their strength when our favorite Peloton instructors share their health issues, past and present.
I respect the Peloton instructors immensely and would not ever share anything personal that they have not put out there publicly themselves. They speak so that others can feel less alone and find their own inner strength.
That said, here are some of the health battles Peloton instructors have faced and continue to battle.
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Cancer
Breast Cancer
Leanne Hainsby
In January of 2023, Leanne Hainsby, 35, publicly announced her 6-month battle with breast cancer. She found a lump just two days before the death of her best friend. She’s since had surgery, chemotherapy, and will undergo radiation treatment.
On February 1, 2023, over 8000 members joined her on the bike (myself included) to celebrate her return to the London studio using the hashtag #werideforleanne to show their support and love for her.
Skin Cancer
Ben Alldis
Leanne’s fiancee, Ben Alldis had a major health scare of his own, when a few years ago, in his 20’s he was diagnosed with stage 2 skin cancer and given a 20% chance of dying within 6 months. This setback actually propelled him to follow his dream of working full-time in health and fitness.
His announcement was made in conjunction with Peloton’s The Comeback campaign that awarded bikes and memberships to those with inspiring stories.
Christine D’Ercole
In 2021, Christine was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The cancerous spot on her nose was successfully surgically removed. This is a common form of skin cancer that can turn aggressive if untreated.
Thyroid Cancer
Susie Chan
In October 2017, while training for the Chicago Marathon, Peloton Tread instructor Chan noticed a cough that wouldn’t go away. She received a thyroid cancer diagnosis and underwent a successful thyroidectomy surgery.
IVF and Fertility Issues
Jess King
Jess King and her partner, Sophia, welcomed Lucien “Luz” Urista King, on November 16, 2022. She announced her pregnancy to the Peloton world during her May 7, 2022 House Ride.
She underwent “two egg retrievals, two intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures, and an embryo transfer” according to Shape Magazine.
Robin Arzon
Robin has publicly shared her IVF struggles. I remember jumping on an Instagram Live where she shared her experience and gave hope to those dealing with their own fertility issues.
She is now pregnant with her second child with her husband Drew Butler, having given birth to Athena on March 2, 2021.
Becs Gentry
While it’s not clear if she underwent IVF, Tread Instructor Gentry publicly shared her own fertility issues. On October 22, 2022, she and her partner, Austin Curtis, welcomed a baby girl, Tallulah.
Kirsten Ferguson
Ferguson suffered two miscarriages before giving birth to daughter Eden in 2015 and her sister, Emery, sixteen months later. She talks about her experience in this article.
In fact, Ferguson is one of the Peloton OGs, getting her Peloton bike back in 2015 as a push present.
Kristin McGee
Kristin shares her IVF journey on her website. She was actually teaching yoga for fertility classes at the time.
Today, she is a divorced mom to three boys, one singleton, Timothy, born in 2013, and a set of twins, Robert and William, born in 2016. She teaches pre and post-natal yoga classes on the Peloton app.
Eating Disorder
Kristin McGee
Kristin McGee revealed in this interview that she battled anorexia as a teen and into her 20’s.
Diabetes
Robin Arzon
If you take one of Robin Arzon’s classes, you will notice a patch on her arm. She wears this insulin patch called an OmniPod to manage her Type 1 Diabetes. She was diagnosed at the age of 32, weeks before her first 50-mile ultramarathon in 2014.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hannah Corbin
In 2018, after feeling exhausted for months and going through weight fluctuations, gaining 15 pounds seemingly overnight, Hannah Corbin found out she has Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder.
Hashimoto’s Disease affects women more than men and can be identified through a blood test. She takes a daily pill to control her thyroid levels and will live a normal life, although may can affect fertility.
Ash Pryor
Two years before Corbin, Peloton Row instructor, Ash Pryor, received her own Hashimoto’s diagnosis.
She gained over 80 pounds in one year. She uses her platform as a Peloton Instructor to inspire young girls and to stop fat-shaming.
Stroke
Bradley Rose
In 2019, before becoming a Peloton instructor, Bradley Rose suffered a stroke at the young age of 33. Caused by a congenital heart defect called atrial septal defect (ASD), he underwent surgery.
He claims to still feel a bit off sometimes, especially in his memory.
He started teaching for Peloton in March of 2021.
Out of all of the instructors, Rose is probably the most likely to reply to an Instagram tag or mention. I guess that’s all part of his spreading positivity in life.
Accidents
Ally Love
If you take one of Ally Love’s classes, you will hear snippets of this story. When she was 9 years old, she was hit by a car, told she might not survive, and later on, that she could never be an athlete. She grew up to become a professional dancer.
Love has lived a healthy life, with some rare bouts of arthritis.
Logan Aldridge
Adaptive trainer, Logan Alridge lost his left arm (he was left-handed) in a boating accident while wakeboarding when he was 13 years old.
He went on to become a Cross-Fit enthusiast before Peloton hired him to teach Tread and Strength classes. He’s one of the most motivational instructors on the platform.
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Mental Health
Kendall Toole
When I first heard Toole’s tagline, “they can knock you out but they can never let them knock you out,” I thought it had to do with her boxing past. Little did I know the inspiring meaning behind this saying.
When Toole was at her lowest, suicidal, fighting depression and anxiety, her dad shared these words. She describes this time, not as a breakdown but rather as a break through.
She’s battled mental illness almost all her life. At the age of 10, doctors diagnosed here with OCD. The Today Show did a great interview with her.
If Kendall speaks to you, check out her mental health and anxiety rides.
Anna Greenberg
Anna has been pretty open about her anxiety and depression as a teen. It got so bad that she didn’t want to go outside. She eventually sought treatment including as an in-patient at a hospital. She credits therapy and yoga for getting her through this dark period.
Final Thoughts
We’ve all had our own health scares and concerns. I’ve had my own personal experience with skin cancer and melanoma. I too was involved in a horrible car accident.
I thank these instructors for coming forward to help spread awareness and to trust your gut. Hainsby said she was dismissed initially when she discovered a lump on her breast.
I hope that Peloton continues to give these instructors a voice on their platform.
Michelle Platt is a content creator and certified personal trainer. Proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, she’s a former attorney and teacher who loves to do the research so you don’t have to. She takes a deep dive into each topic and writes about her wellness journey here. She loves trying out new workouts, fitness tips, healthy foods, and products to share with you. This native New Yorker recently made the move to the suburbs of Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.