Kendall Toole: Leaving Peloton, Fighting for Mental Health, and Starting Fresh

Kendall Toole opens up about her lifelong experiences with OCD and anxiety, and how fitness and authenticity have played a central role in her journey towards healing and helping others with similar struggles.

Kendall's lifelong experience with OCD and anxiety

Kendall was diagnosed with OCD at a young age, which manifested in rituals and intrusive thoughts, especially during her college years

In a conversation with host Mari, Kendall discusses her experience with OCD, detailing how the disorder affected her from a young age and evolved over time. She describes how OCD began with overthinking and thought spirals, leading to rituals like wearing socks everywhere and needing to be swaddled in bed by her mother. As an adult, she struggles more with negative thought patterns, risk mitigation, and getting overwhelmed by stimuli, which can lead to short-tempered reactions witnessed by those close to her.

Kendall struggled with the drinking culture in college, which exacerbated her mental health issues and led to feelings of guilt and shame

Kendall recalls the popular drinking culture of Four Loko and drinks like AMFs during her college years, which often resulted in blackouts. She talks about the guilt and shame that followed these drinking episodes, as well as concerns for the potential dangers she and her friends could face. These experiences deepened her negative thoughts and challenged her sense of self-grace.

Kendall experienced a dark period in her senior year of college where she contemplated suicide, but was saved by her mother's intervention

During a particularly dark time in her senior year, Kendall grappled with an identity crisis and felt numb and colorless. She describes going to the rooftop of her apartment building and climbing over the gate in what felt like an out-of-body experience. It was her mother's persistent calls—16 in a row—that reached her and stopped her from taking drastic action.

Kendall's openness about her mental health challenges

Kendall began openly discussing her struggles with anxiety and depression on her Peloton classes and social media, finding it important to be authentic and vulnerable

After a significant mental health event, Kendall sought therapy and chose to share her experiences with anxiety and depression live on Instagram, tired of portraying a perfect life. She created a Peloton class that symbolized the struggle with mental health, building in intensity to simulate the feeling of overwhelming resistance a ...

Kendall Toole's journey from battling mental health issues through fitness to becoming a beloved Peloton instructor showcases both her personal growth and her impact on others seeking empowerment and well-being.

Kendall's Early Fitness Journey as an Escape from Mental Health Struggles

While in college, Kendall found fitness to be a crucial escape, aiding her management of anxiety and depression. Her passion for fitness grew as she immersed herself in gym workouts and fitness videos. A mentor introduced her to boxing, a sport that became transformative in building her physical and mental strength, providing a powerful outlet for her challenges.

Kendall's Rise to Success as a Peloton Instructor

Kendall's early days as an instructor were marked by uncertainty. Initially, she faced impostor syndrome, feeling undeserving of her role at Peloton, especially among established instructors with strong personal brands. Cody Rigsby, noticing her struggles and potential, encouraged her to embrace her uniqueness. Taking this advice to heart—to be genuine—marked a turning point, leading to her success and connection with the Peloton community.

Viral Moments and Connection with the Community

Unexpected viral moments, such as an unintentional yet humorous comment about glute muscles, marked Kendall's authentic presence. Another amusing moment occurred when a participant's name was misinterpreted during class. These instances, along with the energy she brought once people returned to the studio post-pandemic, endeared her to her audience.

Music Choices and Motivational Approach

Kendall's excellent music choices during classes create a cinematic and motivational experience for participants. Her approach to motivation in fitness has been underscored by success stories, like that of an individual who lost a significant amount of weight thanks to the encouragement from an instructor like her.

Embracing Breathwork and Relaxation Techniques

Recognizing the importance of balance in workout routines, Kendall uses a particular breathing technique at the top of her classes and during breaks. This technique serves as a "hard reset" on the body's nervous system, allowing participants to lower their heart rate after intense exercises and achieve a more functional workout.

Impact of Mental Health-Focused Classes

Her classes at Peloton, especially those with a focus on mental health, garnered immense popularity, consistently ranking highly amongst users. Kendall emphasizes pushing people because she believes in their capabilities. Her goal is to help others recognize their own power, leading to a more ...

Kendall's decision to leave the popular fitness company Peloton reflects her ambition to expand her impact, particularly in the area of mental health advocacy. Her departure marks the beginning of a new entrepreneurial chapter with bold plans for the future.

Kendall's desire to expand her impact beyond the Peloton platform

Kendall described leaving Peloton as outgrowing a "shell," a metaphor for the limitations she felt while being part of the company. She aspires to lean more heavily into the mental health community, extending her influence beyond the Peloton user base. Toole mentions her desire to be a part of individuals recognizing their own power. Despite the discomfort with leaving a secure job, Kendall felt an overwhelming need to pursue a path more aligned with her passion for mental health advocacy. This decision was rooted in a desire for not just professional fulfillment but also personal calm.

While in discussions with Peloton about potentially reducing her role and salary, no agreement satisfied her growing ambition to prioritize her mental health mission. Ultimately, Toole bet on herself and her vision, facing the uncertainty of where her next paycheck would come from but excited about the freedom and potential of her upcoming projects.

Kendall's entrepreneurial ventures and plans

Kendall is launching several ventures, including her own fitness and consumer product lines. Her vision goes beyond commerce; it encompasses a me ...

The wellness industry is scrutinized for the authenticity of its environments. Kendall Toole's experiences highlight the need for more genuine connections and support within the space, aiming to establish a more community-driven approach.

The wellness industry's struggle with inauthentic and unsupportive environments

Despite the lack of additional information on this subtopic, the wider narrative by Kendall Toole indicates a recognized issue with a lack of genuine connection and support among some wellness professionals. This lack of authenticity in the wellness industry has inspired Kendall to seek a community-oriented atmosphere that prioritizes real relationships and collaboration.

Kendall's emphasis on authentic relationships and mentorship

Kendall is grateful for the supportive and positive relationships she’s built with women in the fitness and entrepreneurship sectors. These relationships stand out in the wellness community, a field where support can sometimes be hard to find. Kendall aspires to nurture a support network for women who prioritize truthfulness in their interactions and aim to inspire one another rather than compete.

Kendall speaks highly of her relationship with Melissa Wood, a wellness professional who has provided her with positivity and encouragement. Melissa saw Kendall not as competition, but as a friend, offering guidance without reservation. Mari Llewellyn supports Kendall’s perception, sharing a warm experience with Melissa that left a significant impression on her.

Furthermore, Kendall discusses the emotional support she's gained from professionals, like her therapist, on her wellness journey, integrating a mental health aspect into her wellness practices. For instance, she shares a grounding technique involving tactile objects that help manage stress in high-pressure situations.

Kendall defines wellness holistically, considering no ...