How the Year of Yes Series Changed Our Members’ Lives

Peloton’s Year of Yes series may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the story is over. Far from it. For many Members, the Peloton x Shonda Rhimes collaboration was a chance to dive deeper into self-discovery, to find out what they are capable of when they start showing up for themselves. Over the eight-week series of classes led by instructors Robin Arzón, Tunde Oyeneyin, Jess Sims, Adrian Williams and Chelsea Jackson Roberts, Members had a chance to reflect on important topics that would guide them on their journey in fitness and in life. Let’s take a peek into what the Year of Yes series has actually meant, one week at a time.

Week 1: Yes to the Power of You

The series kicked off with a bang, with the first week dedicated to “the Power of You.” The first ride, with Robin, resonated with a lot of folks. “It was so powerful because she said we need to say yes to ourselves so we can say yes to everyone else,” says Member Heather B. “That is hard for me because sometimes I feel like taking time for myself and saying yes to myself is selfish … but I know that when I get up and ride early before work, my mind is better, I have a better workday, I have more patience. Overall I am just better because I said yes to getting up early to start my day on the Bike.”

Often it’s hard to pick out a favorite quote from a Peloton instructor when they’re dropping truth bombs—especially when they’re so darn good at it. Member Michele D. took that first Robin class as well, and though she has a notebook where she keeps inspiring quotes, she went a step further after this ride: “Robin had this quote that I literally wrote on my bathroom mirror, which was, ‘I’m not shrinking myself for someone else’s comfort,’” says Michele. “And I just thought that was so powerful, because as women, we’re always shrinking ourselves for someone else’s comfort—our children, our family, work, friends and we call it nurturing, but we actually are shrinking who we are to accommodate someone else. That spoke to me.”

Week 2: Yes to Self-Care as a Form of Resistance & Activism

We’ve heard a lot about self-care over the past few years—but it’s more than just spa days and candlelit baths. Member Bre P. knows this, but sometimes a well-timed reminder is just what the mind and body need. “That particular week I was struggling with my mental health on top of everything else, and riding with Robin really helped remind me that no matter what is going on in the world or in my world, I just have to get on the Bike for 20 to 30 minutes and let loose, forget what is going on off the Bike and focus on myself,” says Bre, adding, “Robin makes me feel unstoppable and like a badass!” (We’re sure she’s not the only one.)

Week 3: Yes to Your CEO Mission Statement: What Is Your Why?

Michele D. probably didn’t have enough room on her bathroom mirror for all the quotes she wanted to write there, but during a week 3 strength class, Jess Sims dropped a gem that remains top of mind today. “The thing she said that stuck with me is ‘You are the CEO of your life,’” she recalls. “That struck a chord because we don’t think in those terms.” Michele is still mulling over her list of whys to determine what feels the most true, but the series has been instrumental in helping her figure things out: “Each week has really impacted me. The instructors lift you up, but they make you think about things differently. This particular series has been very motivating, inspiring and thought-provoking.”

Week 4: Yes to Regal Resilience

Tunde Oyeneyin’s ride from January 4 has made the rounds on social media as a must-ride in recent weeks, and for good reason. She tells a personal and powerful story of loss, one that Bre P. felt deeply. “I was honestly crying on the Bike when Tunde was talking about losing her brother and parents and how she had to persevere through those terrible things in her life and how they shaped her into the person she is,” says Bre, who was involved in a serious sledding accident at age 15 that left her with a spinal injury that still causes a lot of pain. “Sometimes my injury is all I can think about, and I blame a lot on it and let it hold me back a lot, so hearing that Tunde used those terrible things in her life and pushed through to make herself stronger really gave me motivation and something to think about. Sometimes the thing going on in your life is so big in your eyes, but then you get humbled really quick when you hear about others’ struggles.”

Week 5: Yes to the Power of Saying No

Week 5 flipped the script: After lots of saying yes, suddenly the focus was on the power of saying no. Bre was feeling a little sore and burnt out—and extremely guilty about taking a rest day—when she decided to take Chelsea Jackson Roberts’ Year of Yes meditation. “It was like she was speaking right to me. It made so much sense when she said, ‘Sometimes you have to say no to ultimately say yes’ because I knew that if I ended up cycling when my body was screaming no, that I would not be able to say yes … to anything the next day, including my workout and daily life. I definitely thought about this after the class, and still do every day, especially when it comes to my spine and rest days.”

Week 6: Gratitude Roll Call

Week 6 explored the theme of cultivating gratitude for the things you have. For some people, that’s foundational. Member Shavon S., who has taken the majority of the Year of Yes series, is one of those people. “I loved the message about being grateful. I posted on Instagram, ‘What are you grateful for? I'm grateful for having a roof over my head, my village, food and all the necessities we need, all thanks to God and our hard work.’"

Meanwhile, Michele D. accepted the challenge to think about 10 things she was grateful for and came up with #1: “I woke up today.” (Think she’s an Alex Toussaint fan?)

Week 7: Protecting Your Peace

As the series began to near its end, the self-empowerment messages continued to captivate Members. Shavon S. was taking this week’s run with Jess Sims when she slowed down to a walk in order to better hear the “protect your peace” message. “I have just recently learned how to say no (another Year of Yes discipline) to things, events, people, etc. I need to protect myself and stay out of unnecessary drama and toxicity to keep my peace. I’m loving the person I am becoming that keeps me stress-free,” she says, adding that Jess’ advice about setting boundaries hit home. “We have a keypad on our door, and my husband’s side of the family are very close. They’re used to just inputting the code and coming over without an invitation. I kindly let them know to let us know in advance and ring the doorbell.” Brava, Shavon!

Week 8: Unlocking the Unknown

The series wrapped up with a look ahead to the future. This week, Michele D. took the opportunity to reflect on what she’d learned from the Year of Yes, both the series and the book. “To me, unlocking the unknown is allowing yourself to live and truly be yourself. The book is rooted in how saying yes opened up so many things to Shonda personally and professionally,” Michele says. “Unlocking the unknown is also about letting go of the fear that really lives in your head. Fear keeps us from the unknown, keeps in a safe, non-changing place and allows us to not really see what is going on in us and around us. For me, I have taken a deep breath and had that hard, truthful conversation.”

Ready to dive into your own self-discovery journey? Find the full Year of Yes collection on the Peloton App!