Routines & Rhythms Saving my Life This Summer: Kirsten Ferguson

Edition 2/4: How a Peloton Instructor balances motherhood + work in the Summertime

(flowers in the background are from a rare rainy morning in santa monica)

I met Kirsten in 2011 at an NFL conference called PAO. She and her fiance at the time were put in a small group with O and me and it was an instant friendship. Kirsten is one of the most vibrant people I’ve ever met and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of taking one of her Peloton classes, you’ll know she has an energy and a light radiating from her that is something special.

When I was thinking of who would best fit this series, Kirsten topped my list because her job is so incredibly unique. As a single mom who made the decision to prioritize her health in one of the lowest moments of her life, her story is inspiring in more ways than one. Today, though, we’re here to talk about some of the routines and rhythms that help keep everything on track in the summer when her girls are out of school and work is busier than ever. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit better today!

---

1. Can you introduce yourself for anyone unfamiliar with you? Your elevator pitch, if you will.

My name is Kirsten Ferguson and I am a Peloton instructor, public speaker and full time single mama!  I live in NJ with my two beautiful daughters Eden Grace (8) and Emery Faith (7).  I have been working in fitness since 2018 but really fell in love with fitness during one of the darkest times in my life.  I had a difficult journey to motherhood and during that storm, I absolutely fell in love with cycling.  It was the one place I could go where I could escape what was happening in my life. 

Fast forward a few years later after I had been blessed with my two children, I turned my passion into purpose and became a cycling instructor.  After teaching cycling for two years and finally catching my stride, our world was forced into stand-still during the global pandemic.  I started teaching on IG Live and—lo and behold— was discovered by a scout from Peloton.  After a full year of interviews, auditions and training, I finally became a Peloton tread instructor.  I truly feel at 38 years old, I am doing exactly what I was created to do.

2. Where do you actually do the bulk of your work and what are the benefits and challenges of that?

Peloton has two main studios, one in New York City and one in London.  I film classes 4-5 times a week out of our NY studio which means I have to commute from home in New Jersey into NY several times a week.  Some days are better than others, but it usually takes me about a hour to get in and out of the city which means roughly a two hour commute round-trip.  For my early morning classes, I have to rush to get the kids to school for early drop off and then sit in commuter traffic in order to make it to the studio in time do my hair/makeup and prep for class. Depending on the class and the day, sometimes I’m teaching in front of a live class and other times it’s just me but all classes are equally exciting. 

In addition to the classes I teach, we are required to participate in meetings, photoshoots and appearances.  Every day can look a bit differently which can be challenging at times to balance it all along with my two daughters’ busy schedules.