You may know her as one of the most bubbly and motivational faces of Peloton, but Leanne Hainsby-Alldis is much more than the 30 or 45 minutes you see on the screen. For starters, she’s a former professional dancer who’s toured with big names like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. And besides the fitness and all the glitz and glam, the 37-year-old is a breast cancer survivor.
Her journey to Peloton was a little unorthodox, to say the least. “I was in my early 30s and I was really ready for a change, but I didn’t know what that would look like,” Hainsby-Alldis tells Well+Good. “I was in a really unhappy relationship, I was losing my love for dancing, and I just felt I wanted to do something different.”
That change presented itself to her one day when teaching a fitness class in a boutique studio in London and Peloton’s own Cody Rigsby walked in. “Cody came up to me after that class and said, ‘I’m going to change your life,’” she recalls. “He asked if we could meet for a coffee, and I actually said no.”
While she declined the first offer, she later received a message from fellow instructor Robin Arzón, who urged her to fly to New York to audition for the role. “After that, everything snowballed really quickly,” she says. “It was a big decision to say yes as it meant ending my dancing career. But I knew I needed change—I just didn’t know it was going to look like Cody Rigsby turning up to one of my classes. We laugh about it now.”
“I had to be very vulnerable to over 7 million Peloton members. And that vulnerability allowed me to connect with people on such a deeper level.” —Leanne Hainsby-Alldis, Peloton instructor
At the time in 2018, Peloton was just gaining traction outside of the U.S., making Leanne the first UK-based female instructor, while her now-husband, Ben Alldis, secured the male role.
In September 2022, at the age of 33, Hainsby-Alldis discovered she had breast cancer. She decided to keep her diagnosis private and continued to teach her classes. “Teaching my classes during my treatment was a big focus for me because I wasn’t a cancer patient when I went into the Peloton studio,” she states. “Life was very tough and heavy, so those moments in the day where I could teach a class were special—but my energy during my treatment definitely wasn’t limitless.”
Through her chemotherapy, Hainsby-Alldis learned the importance of physical activity and self-care. “I felt like I had a platform to lead by example, and I knew that when I shared what I was going through, just by teaching my classes, moving my body, and showing up, it would make a massive difference to people.” Since sharing her story, she has inspired countless women to prioritize their health.
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1. A Consistent Wake-Up Routine
Leanne aims to rise between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, extending to 8 a.m. on weekends. She shares her mornings with Jags, her working cocker spaniel who ensures she gets outside early. After a cuddle, she checks her Oura Ring for her sleep score and readiness for the day, embracing productivity instead of hitting the snooze button.
2. Prioritizing Hydration
Following her morning walk with Jags and after feeding her, Leanne prepares matcha and water with Humantra electrolytes, one of her essential morning staples. While sipping matcha, she scrolls through a curated Instagram feed that uplifts her mood.
3. A Dedicated Skincare Routine
Leanne believes in winning the morning for a productive day. Around 7:30 a.m., she indulges in a quick yet crucial skincare routine, using products from Dermalogica and Skinceuticals that provide her a refreshing start.
4. Selecting Outfits in Advance
To avoid indecision, Leanne picks her outfits the night before. She favors a sports luxe style, often wearing brands like Lululemon and Varley, ensuring she feels both comfortable and stylish.
5. Nutritious Breakfasts
Leanne believes in fueling her body early, always eating breakfast within two hours of waking. Her go-to meal consists of yogurt with frozen berries and homemade granola, a recipe gifted to her by a nutritionist that supports her health journey.
6. Mindful Morning Walks
Taking Jags for a walk ensures she gets fresh air and sunlight, typically spending 40 minutes outside without distractions. This mental downtime helps her prepare for the busy day ahead.
7. Boundaries Around Work Hours
Post-walk, Leanne is strict about her work boundaries. She listens to podcasts during her commute, balancing light-hearted and true crime themes to maintain focus and calm.
8. Distinct Workout Sessions
Leanne distinguishes her teaching sessions from workouts and trains with a personal trainer three times a week to stay committed to her fitness goals, focusing on strength training and accountability.
9. Prioritizing Mental Health
From morning to night, Leanne prioritizes her mental health with therapy sessions and calming evening rituals, such as chamomile tea and her infrared sauna, to unwind and reflect on her day.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
