Ep. 041 From Breakup to Business: How Ritual Indoor Cycling Is Redefining Fitness with Alison Brien | Future Fox Podcast

Alison Brien is the Co-founder and Cycling Instructor at Ritual Indoor Cycling — a movement studio rooted in rhythm, healing, and human connection. In this inspiring episode, Alison shares how a moment of personal heartbreak became the spark for creating a third space: a calming, community-first cycling studio where people come to move, feel, and reconnect with themselves.

With a background in software, Pilates, and yoga, Alison’s journey is one of reinvention and resilience. She opens up about her early influences, including mentorship from actress and SoulCycle instructor Bevin Prince, and the challenges of launching a wellness business with intention. From pop-up rides in mall parking lots to creating inclusive spaces for emotional release, this conversation is a masterclass in building something meaningful.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

• How cycling can be a calming and healing experience
• Why vulnerability is a strength in leadership and fitness
• The power of building a “third space” that serves community, not just clients

🕰️ YouTube Chapters / Show Notes: 

00:00 Intro 

01:12 How heartbreak became the start of Ritual 

03:58 “The room went quiet” — the moment Alison realized the power of movement 

06:45 Finding healing through sweat, rhythm, and intention 

08:30 The early challenges of launching a wellness studio 

11:00 Building a brand on vulnerability, not performance 

13:20 Why Ritual is different from other cycling studios 

16:03 Training instructors to lead with empathy 

18:45 How movement became her therapy 

20:50 What she tells new clients walking through the door 

24:15 Ritual’s approach to community and trust 

27:00 How to create safe spaces for transformation 

29:32 Final reflections on living your “why” 

👥 Who Will Benefit: 

• Fitness & wellness professionals 
• Aspiring studio owners or coaches 
• Anyone navigating grief, burnout, or transition 
• People looking for healing through community and movement 
  
  
  

✨ Whether you’re a wellness entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone looking for purpose through movement, Alison’s story will move you.

💬 Quote of the Episode:
"Cycling Doesn’t Have to Be Loud and Intimidating."
"It should feel like a place where you can breathe and be."
 "I didn’t want to build a studio where you had to perform to be enough."
 -Alison Brien



📺 Watch the full video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex-z9edC6zA

📍 Episode Links:

• Ritual Indoor Cycling
• Alison on Instagram
• Future Fox Media
  
  
  
  
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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:00 Building a brand on vulnerability, not performance
• 0:00 Why Ritual is different from other cycling studios
• 0:00 Training instructors to lead with empathy
• 0:00 How movement became her therapy
• 0:00 What she tells new clients walking through the door
• 0:00 Ritual’s approach to community and trust
• 0:00 How to create safe spaces for transformation
• 1:12 How heartbreak became the start of Ritual
• 1:12 “The room went quiet” — the moment Alison realized the power of movement
• 1:12 Finding healing through sweat, rhythm, and intention
• 1:12 The early challenges of launching a wellness studio