Trammell: A SoulCycle Journey of Strength & Second Chances
Trammell’s journey isn’t just one of fitness; it’s a story of resilience, renewal, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Directed by RIOT’s Chris “MUG5” Maguire, with Directors of Photography Richard Shelton and Mark Sherman, this docufilm captures Trammell’s tenacious spirit and his connection to both his craft and his community. After suffering a sudden, life-threatening heart attack that led to a critical bypass surgery, Trammell found himself back at square one—a place that would challenge him not only physically but mentally. His journey from this point became a testament to the human body’s capacity for healing and the mind’s resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
“Life happens. Just gotta bounce back and do what we gotta do,” Trammell reflects, a philosophy that’s now at the core of every class he leads.
A close-up of Trammell, a SoulCycle instructor, reflecting on his journey of resilience and mental strength following a critical heart surgery.
SoulCycle Docufilm: Trammell – The Resilience of Body and Soul
For Trammell, SoulCycle isn’t just about a high-energy workout or a place to burn calories; it’s a sanctuary, a place to rediscover strength, purpose, and connection. His classes are unique in that they offer more than physical exercise; they are an invitation to explore personal resilience and mental toughness. Trammell’s classes build on his own journey from physical limitation to freedom. In each session, he encourages riders to “find the balance” in their lives, to go beyond perceived limits, and to experience the power of unity and self-empowerment.
“Your job is to push through it. Your job is to overcome it,” he urges, challenging riders to tackle obstacles as he did during his recovery. His message is clear: no matter the hurdle, we can always come back stronger.
Trammell strikes a boxing pose, embodying the strength and determination he brings to each SoulCycle class.
Teaching with Purpose: Strength in Vulnerability
What makes Trammell’s classes stand out is his openness about the personal challenges he’s faced. His survival after the intense heart attack and bypass surgery wasn’t just a physical comeback; it was a psychological victory. At his lowest point, Trammell could barely walk, let alone teach. But his drive to bounce back turned his recovery into a journey of self-discovery, allowing him to connect with his students on a deeply personal level.
Trammell displays a photo of his chest scar, a reminder of his life-saving surgery and the resilience that defines his approach to fitness.
In every session, Trammell brings this story to life, reminding riders that, just like him, they can rebuild, renew, and find a deeper strength within themselves. He shares his journey, not for sympathy, but to inspire courage and mental resilience. Riders are encouraged to leave judgment behind, strip down the facades they carry daily, and allow vulnerability to guide them forward—a mindset that has transformed his classes into a community of authentic, shared experiences.
Trammell points to a photo of himself with the doctor who performed his life-saving heart surgery, a key moment in his story of resilience.
“I learned a lot about my body…seeing what it could handle. The mental side of it is still a recovery,” he shares in the film, highlighting that recovery is not a linear process but one that requires constant recommitment.
A Class Like No Other: Rhythm, Resilience, and Real Talk
What sets Trammell apart in the studio is his dedication to bringing a personal touch to each class. He blends his background in dance with the rhythm of SoulCycle, creating a unique atmosphere where music and movement flow seamlessly. This approach resonates deeply with his riders, many of whom see his classes as both a physical challenge and a form of emotional release.
The clapperboard from the set of Trammell’s SoulCycle docufilm, directed by Chris “MUG5” Maguire, marking a powerful moment of storytelling.
Trammell’s classes are infused with his passion for music and movement. Outside of the studio, he’s a dance instructor with his own studio, and he brings that same energy to SoulCycle. Music isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the rhythm of resilience, a heartbeat that drives every pedal stroke forward. He brings his background in boxing into the room as well, inspiring riders to “envision something right there in the middle, and that’s your target.”
With each beat, he challenges his riders to go deeper, to find their own resilience, and to push past their perceived limitations. For Trammell, it’s about creating a space where each person can connect with their purpose, letting the music and movement guide them to a stronger self.
Trammell at his home SoulCycle studio in Harlem, sharing the energy and sense of community that drive his classes.
The Power of Community: Building a Judgement-Free Zone
Trammell’s class is also about creating a safe space, one that feels like a community where riders can feel seen and valued. He’s seen the transformative power of that environment firsthand—how it creates a bond, a shared space where life’s challenges are met with collective strength. This theme of community is central to his philosophy.
“We all come from different backgrounds…For us to come into that room, and none of that matters, and we just really strip down everything that we stand for, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, that’s the unity that makes SoulCycle what it is,” he says in the film, capturing the essence of what makes his classes such a unique experience.
In Trammell’s words, SoulCycle is about much more than fitness. It’s a place for people to escape the noise of everyday life, to reconnect with themselves, and to support one another in a shared journey of growth.
Trammell, a SoulCycle instructor known for his resilience, stands in his New York neighborhood, sharing his story of recovery and strength.
Resilience in Motion: The Heart of Trammell’s SoulCycle Docufilm
The RIOT team, led by Chris “MUG5” Maguire & Nastassja Simone and filmed by Richard Shelton & Mark Sherman, captures the highs and lows of Trammell’s journey in this evocative docufilm, using New York as a backdrop that reflects Trammell’s resilience and grit. Each shot, each pedal stroke, and each beat of music brings his story to life, blending the energy of SoulCycle with the pulse of the city.
A vulnerable portrait of Trammell in the studio, reflecting the introspection and resilience that characterize his story.
In this film, the viewer is drawn into Trammell’s world, his philosophy of resilience, and his unbreakable spirit. As he reflects on his journey and pushes through each obstacle, it’s clear that his message transcends fitness. It’s about the courage to rebuild, the strength to rise, and the resilience to thrive, no matter what life throws at you.
Trammell’s story is a living testament to the power of resilience and community in fitness. Through his classes, he shows that life’s greatest obstacles can be met with inner strength, unity, and a commitment to bouncing back. His journey is a reminder that resilience isn’t just about physical strength; it’s a holistic process that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Trammell’s classes, infused with his personal story and set to the rhythm of the city, offer a unique and transformative experience that’s much more than a workout—it’s a celebration of life, strength, and unity.
