Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally
Episode: Sets & Seasonality (w/ Cody Rigsby)
Date: January 1, 2026
Guest: Cody Rigsby (Peloton instructor, motivator, performer)
Duration: ~62 minutes
Episode Overview
In this energetic, candid, and irreverent episode of "Staying Alive," Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally ring in the new year with Cody Rigsby, star Peloton instructor and social media personality. The conversation covers Cody’s journey from dancer to wellness motivator, the unique comedy-and-compassion approach he brings to fitness, the realities of building healthy habits, and why failing—or being a little silly—is part of staying alive. Listeners will find both practical takeaways and heartfelt, funny reflections along the way.
Major Discussion points & Key Insights
1. New Year, New Goals: Comedy, Aging, and Optimism
- The hosts riff about resolutions, joking about their own mortality and the shifting optimism that comes with each year.
- Jon and Adam reflect on their health journey, repeatedly poking fun at themselves and the “Stay-Alive” ethos.
- “Let’s set small goals and hit them and then set slightly bigger goals and hit them, you know, baby steps. Something is better than nothing, as we always say over here.” —Jon Gabrus, [04:01]
2. Introducing Cody: Peloton’s Blockbuster Personality
- The hosts introduce Cody Rigsby as the rare fitness instructor who blends humor, self-deprecation, and showmanship, breaking the typical “toxically positive” or “drill sergeant” mold.
- Memorable introduction:
- “He's arguably famous for getting you motivated and making you fucking exercise.” —Jon Gabrus, [07:09]
- “Changed the way exercise came into your home.” —Adam Pally, [07:09]
3. Cody’s Origin Story: From Stage to Studio
Background:
- Born in LA; moved to North Carolina age 8; relocated to NYC at 22
- Began as a professional dancer, then found his voice in fitness through a serendipitous Peloton audition
Key Moments: - “I had never taught a fitness class before I started working at Peloton…But you know, I got a little. I have great ambition, a cute face, a fat ass, and like a determination to succeed.” —Cody Rigsby, [09:06]
- On NYC survival: “My rent was only $400 though…it was Washington heights with, like, five roommates.” —Cody Rigsby, [18:57]
4. Finding His Lane: Comedy in Fitness
- Cody details how leaning into comedy, authenticity, and being “the idiot” made fitness accessible and less intimidating for people who might otherwise feel judged—even at home.
- “I'm grateful for Peloton because it allowed me to kind of really, like, find purpose...bringing more people into the fitness space and wellness space and on, like, a journey of a relationship with their body and having fun with it.” —Cody Rigsby, [11:43]
- The hosts—and Cody—agree self-deprecation diffuses insecurities and fosters connection.
- “I just try to kind of be like a clown or like a little bit of a distraction where I can, like, make fun of myself so that people feel a little bit more comfortable doing something that intimidates them.” —Cody Rigsby, [12:30]
5. On Gym Intimidation and Social Dynamics
- Jon and Cody both emphasize that most “gym bros and gym bras” are supportive—echoing Cody’s analogy to New Yorkers being brusque but helpful.
- “Most people are happy to see other people at the gym usually. You know what I mean?” —Jon Gabrus, [14:20]
6. Cody’s Fitness Regimen: Seasonality and Cross-Training
- These days, Cody prioritizes strength training 4 days a week, integrates conditioning, and cross-trains by using the Peloton Tread (not just the bike):
- “I don't ride on the bike, but I do strength training for about four days a week…And then right now, I'm really, like, focused on conditioning.” —Cody Rigsby, [16:09]
- Endorsement for equipment:
- “They have knobs on the side [of the Peloton Tread]…you just like spank them and they like go fast or go up or down. And so, it makes the transition between, like, speeds very quickly.” —Cody Rigsby, [17:10]
7. Career Growth through Peloton & Pandemic
- Cody’s career trajectory benefited from starting with Peloton pre-pandemic, giving him time to evolve his style before “a lot of eyes” showed up.
- “I could make a lot of mistakes…I could develop. From when I started in 2014, that gave me a five to six-year runway to, like, game time—which unfortunately or fortunately was pandemic.” —Cody Rigsby, [21:12]
- Discussion on luck vs. preparation in success.
- “Success is a little bit of obviously, skill, but also like, luck and preparation.” —Cody Rigsby, [22:17]
8. Parasocial Relationships & Fitness “Fame”
- The hosts joke about the odd “parasocial” connection fans develop with Cody and other podcasters—where fans see him daily, sometimes before their own families.
- “It's a parasocial relationship that is unlike any other.” —Cody Rigsby, [27:02]
- “You have all the makings of a cult leader. The fact that you're using your powers for good…instead of filling your pockets and having concubines, you chose correctly, Cody.” —Jon Gabrus, [28:32]
9. Navigating Failure, Seasons & Resolutions
- Cody is candid: he doesn’t really believe in “New Year’s Resolutions” as the key to change.
- “I think most of the time, you just kind of, like, set your expectations too high. And I think real change just, like, comes over time and it's a lot of, like, trial and error.” —Cody Rigsby, [42:00]
- Emphasizes that failing or being imperfect is normal and a part of long-term consistency.
- “A lot of people let perfect be the enemy of good. Where it's like, if you're not doing it perfectly, then they use that as an excuse to, like, okay, well, I'm just not going to do it at all. You got to allow yourself to fail. You got to allow yourself to make mistakes and just kind of modify as you go.” —Cody Rigsby, [45:03]
10. Staying Healthy: Nutrition, Sleep, Strength
- Cody’s non-negotiables:
- Protein first (“Prioritize sleep, prioritize protein.” —[51:17])
- Preparation and ease: “Have things readily available…after a stressful day…if you have it already, ready to go…that’s.”
- Sleep: “Turn the fucking TV off at like 10 and just like force yourself to go to sleep…Set your alarm early and deal with the discomfort that that might come up with for a few weeks.” —Cody Rigsby, [48:43]
- Accepts “seasonality” in good/bad phases with food, aiming for small course corrections over time.
11. Humor, Material, and the Next Act
- Cody and the hosts discuss the comedy in his classes and whether he scripts material (“Mostly off the top of my head, or inspired by the leaderboard or pop culture.” —[54:42])
- Discussion on whether Cody would move into more “content”—on-camera career, comedy, or even standup:
- “If I had the time…I actually thought about, like, learning how to do standup…A comedy special done on a Peloton.” —Cody Rigsby, [55:15]
12. Community, Friendship, and Chosen Family
- Cody’s friends, especially as a gay New Yorker, are “chosen family” and essential to his well-being.
- “They feel like chosen family to me because they are the people that I've, like, developed into an adult with…it's because of them that I feel like I'm actually, like, in the place that I'm supposed to be.” —Cody Rigsby, [57:16]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Peloton’s Impact:
- “I think part of the reason that I'm not dead.” —Adam Pally to Cody, on how Peloton got him through the pandemic [58:56]
On Gym Anxiety:
- “I would just like to say…I think most of the real gym bros and gym bras that I know…are just so happy other people are at the gym usually.” —Jon Gabrus, [14:20]
On the Struggle to “Stay Alive:”
- “It's just about, like, creating consistency…If resolutions is a thing you need, then use it…whatever's going to get you to do something is all that matters.” —Cody Rigsby, [44:12]
On Role Models & Humor:
- “You have this…humor without judgment…It's like the perfect way to instruct a class.” —Adam Pally, [08:48]
On Building Confidence:
- “I'm just trying to make fun of myself so that people feel a little bit more comfortable doing something that intimidates them.” —Cody Rigsby, [12:30]
Top Timestamps
- 04:01: Jon sets up the “small goals” mindset for the New Year
- 09:06: Cody’s Peloton origin and unique approach
- 12:30: Making fitness less intimidating through humor
- 16:09: Cody’s current fitness regimen
- 21:12: Growing with Peloton before the pandemic boom
- 28:32: Joking about the potential for a fitness "cult"
- 42:00: Cody’s take on why resolutions fail and how real change happens
- 48:43: Sleep and routine
- 51:17: Prioritizing protein and planning meals
- 57:16: Chosen family and friendships
- 58:56: Adam credits Peloton for pandemic survival
Tone & Language
The episode is casual, unfiltered, and consistently funny—often with self-deprecating riffs, adult-language asides, and a “real talk” approach about health and wellness, balanced by sincere moments from Cody about finding purpose and connection.
Practical Takeaways & Summary
- Changing your health is small, imperfect steps, not instant resolutions.
- Make fitness fun and approachable—don’t fear being silly.
- Prepare your environment (meals, schedule) for success.
- Humor and humility open doors for connection—in exercise and life.
- Prioritize sleep, move your body however works for you, and know that failing or falling off routine is normal.
- Loyalty and community (your chosen fam) matter to well-being as much as any physical practice.
Episode Highlight:
Cody’s philosophy on motivation:
“Consistency…allow yourself to fail. You got to allow yourself to make mistakes and just kind of modify as you go.” ([45:03])
For listeners craving laughter, real-talk about the rollercoaster of getting and staying healthy, and personal wisdom from one of Peloton’s most beloved figures, this episode delivers inspiration with a side of self-aware snark.