Her Spirit is an app that connects women together virtually and locally and enables them to take part in virtual and real-world events, weekly challenges and coaching. It was founded by Mel Berry and Holly Woodford and is on a mission to make it easier for women to be more active together across the UK.
Why was Her Spirit created?
Her Spirit was created in response to the first This Girl Can campaign, which identified the need for suitable, supportive and social opportunities to become more active and to get fitter, stronger and healthier together.
Her Spirit was created to transform that energy and togetherness into positive change - helping every woman improve and maintain the health of her mind, body and soul.
The essence of Her Spirit comes from a quote from Maya Angelou and is about a woman finding her way: "A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretence and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”
How important is the social element of Her Spirit?
We believe that the magic of communities can change how we feel about ourselves and give women the permission to prioritise themselves - Her Spirit is a community of over 30,000 women inspiring each other to be active everyday.
Her Spirit offers the opportunity to join a community via our app, which the gives you access to community challenges, coaching groups and a vibrant community of women cheering each other on.
The community is for EVERY woman no matter your age ability, stage of life or location. We are a community of women who swim, cycle, run and walk together to get fitter, stronger and healthier.
We harness the collective power of real women, supporting each other and finding the positive changes that will make the biggest difference to how you feel, inside and out.
Our quotes from our member show how important our community is to them:
"I found HS when I was at a very low point in my life mainly as I lost my lovely Mum and one of my oldest friends I was utterly devastated and lost every bit of motivation. With the help of this amazing community I have regained my confidence and back training I actually feel like I know each of the coaches."
"I think the community aspects that keep me active are accountability and allowing myself to express my vulnerabilities - sharing with the community allows me to feel proud of what I’ve done, sharing the highs and achievements, but also sharing the lows, the doubts, the fears, the insecurities.
"When you share the lows, there’s always someone who’s been there and experienced it, or is also feeling exactly the same. It’s allowed me understand that expressing this vulnerability is healthy and part of our strength as women."
What would you say to other people thinking of starting their own group or changing something in their local areas?
Starting your own group in your local community comes with many challenges but so many rewards. It takes time and hard work but once you get the ball rolling can give so much back and many times change so much too. If you get it right you will change people's lives.
Top tips
- Be clear on what you are offer and for who?
- Be consistent - Keep turning up at the same time and location. The first couple of weeks and maybe months will be hard
- Understand where to promote what you are doing and remember word of mouth is so powerful
- Build your tribe and remember “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou.
- Adapt and change - sometimes what you think is what women want isn’t right for the present moment and listen to what others tell you.
