As an official member of the Peloton Boo Crew, I was ecstatic to learn this summer that Cody Rigsby was penning his first book, “XOXO Cody – An Opinionated Homosexual’s Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness.” Little did I know that I wouldn’t be able to put it down – and apparently, neither could JC Chasez of *NSYNC (check out the back cover!)!

Truth be told, Cody Rigsby not only helped me navigate through the pandemic, but also instilled in me the significance of my self-love journey and how fitness can be an inclusive sanctuary for all.

As someone who has grappled with weight fluctuations due to insulin resistance from PCOS, I’ve embarked on numerous fitness journeys. There were triumphs where I shed 50 pounds here and there, but life threw me some curveballs, including knee surgery and bouts of depression, causing the scale to tip back. Yet, I haven’t relinquished my belief in myself. I’m resolute in pushing forward on this path to attain a healthier weight range, fully aware of its implications for my future well-being.

During the pandemic, I bid farewell to in-person classes at Orangetheory and Pilates, opting for home workouts instead. However, the Orangetheory on-demand sessions didn’t quite replicate the in-studio experience. This led me to explore other workout options.

Twitter became a haven for me as we all faced quarantine together. It was there that I stumbled upon a Peloton instructor named Cody Rigsby, a devotee of pop culture, especially Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. One of the times I shed those 50 pounds was thanks to my personal trainer, who knew my affection for the 90s boy band era and always had the perfect playlist ready. It was my sanctuary, where I could sweat it out to that music. So, I decided to take a chance and invest in a Peloton bike, eager to see where this journey would lead.

My bike order encountered several delays, but it was worth every moment of anticipation. Each evening after work, I’d go downstairs to hop onto the Peloton. I began with a few novice classes to acclimate to the ride. Eventually, I tried one of Cody’s classes and was instantly smitten with his teaching style and his sense of humor. His clever anecdotes and playful language kept me thoroughly engaged, resulting in an enjoyable and entertaining ride.

Cody effortlessly brings a smile to my face with his TedTalks on why Kevin Richardson is the hottest Backstreet Boy and how when Britney Spears comes on during a workout – we f*ck sh*t up! His banter on pop culture diverted me from any negative thoughts trying to creep in during a workout. Alongside his pop culture musings, he also champions self-love, celebrating the act of showing up and embracing one’s authenticity.

Rigsby not only offers 90s/00s pop rides, but has also introduced a series of special workouts – one of which is aptly titled XOXO, Cody. In this session, Cody imparts unfiltered wisdom on self-love and relationships. He curates a lively, energetic playlist to ride to and then takes a moment to address audience-submitted questions on love and relationships. It’s no surprise that Rigsby chose to center his book around this theme, in addition to sharing his journey towards success and self-love.

Yet, this book also provides a glimpse into how Cody evolved into this confident, empowering instructor who has undeniably revolutionized the fitness realm. He candidly shares his experiences of growing up gay and impoverished in the South, as well as his family’s battle with addiction. He reveals how he triumphed and how his move to New York granted him a newfound sense of liberation, ultimately paving the way for him to become a renowned fitness luminary.

Whether you’re an avid follower of Cody’s Peloton classes or new to the Peloton universe, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and a rejuvenated sense of self.

In the words of our queen of Pop, Britney Spears (to whom Cody also dedicates this book), “gimme more!” Cody, we eagerly await another installment!