Who Is Kendall Toole? Fitness Star Behind the Viral 'Get 'Em Banned' Meme

Kendall Toole's fiery words from a 2023 Peloton class have found new life in 2026, transforming into one of the year's most recognisable memes. Her emphatic call to 'Get 'Em Banned' has been clipped, remixed and shared across social platforms, cementing her reputation as a coach who refuses to tolerate disrespect.

Toole has embraced the memes and the clip's resurgence, using them to bolster her advocacy for self-respect and boundaries in fitness and beyond.

From Hollywood to High-Intensity Workouts

Kendall Elizabeth Toole was born on 28 January 1993 in Houston, Texas, and raised in Santa Clarita, California. A multi-sport athlete, she excelled in gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading, later serving as a spirit leader at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with degrees in cinema, media studies, and business.

Initially pursuing acting, she appeared in films such as Hotel for Dogs and Frat House Musical, while interning at production companies like Lionsgate. However, during her senior year, Toole faced severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, OCD, and suicidal thoughts. Boxing became her outlet, eventually leading her to teach classes in Los Angeles.

In 2019, she joined Peloton as an instructor, blending fitness with motivational pep talks that resonated with users. Her candour about mental health helped build a loyal following of over one million on Instagram. In 2024, Toole departed Peloton to launch NKO Club, her own wellness app.

The Pep Talk That Sparked a Meme

During a live workout class on 9 August 2023, Toole spotted a leader board name containing a racist slur. She paused to address it: 'Get them banned. Get them banned. We don't do that here. Oh, now I'm pissed. Find out who that is, and get them banned. We don't do that. I ain't the one, baby. I take no disrespect.' Toole later clarified on social media that contrary to rumours, the username was not 'pedal-phile' but a 'heinous racist slur' that violated Peloton's rules.

The clip, showing Toole in a red top gesturing emphatically on her bike with a serious expression, initially spread among Peloton enthusiasts. It resurfaced in early 2026 on X, gaining millions of views as users adopted it for various contexts, from trivial gripes to serious calls for justice. The meme's popularity, hardly a surprise given Toole's charismatic style, has led to remixes and edits, amplifying its reach.

Other moments from her classes, like pep talks against quitting, have also gone viral, highlighting her protective stance over her community. The original context of the meme—protecting participants from disrespect—adds depth, distinguishing it from mere rage and aligning with her advocacy work.

Advocacy and Entrepreneurship in 2026

Toole welcomed the clip's revival. On 6 February 2026, she shared on X: 'Never been so proud to have said this in my life. We stand on business, get them banned yall.' She updated her profile with #getembanned and linked getembanned.com to NKO Club.

NKO Club offers classes in cycling, boxing, strength, Pilates, plus breathwork, gratitude journalling, and recipes. As an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Toole promotes access to resources and stigma reduction. The app features unfiltered pep talks centred on discipline and self-respect. The meme has boosted her platform, reinforcing themes of resilience and self-advocacy in fitness and beyond.

The phenomenon highlights Toole's enduring appeal as a coach who champions authenticity. With over 50,000 followers on X and the meme still trending, it underscores her role in blending physical and mental wellness. As she expands NKO Club, Toole's influence shows no sign of waning in what fans now call the 'Get 'Em Banned' era.