About US

Her Spirit was founded by Mel Berry and Holly Woodford in 2018 out of frustration with how the needs of women were being continually overlooked in traditional sports, gym, and leisure markets.

​

Despite the growing demand, there is still limited research on women’s sports and fitness, a rising fear of exercising alone—especially in the darker winter months—brands that fail to create products that truly reflect women's needs, and a continued lack of inclusive imagery. It’s no wonder many women struggle to start and sustain their fitness journeys.

​

Today, there are 1 million more inactive women than men, with a gender gap of 5%. The inequality for Black, ethnically diverse, and disabled women is even wider, contributing to poorer health outcomes for women.

Much like the NHS, investments in women's sports and physical activity are falling short. Even with high-profile campaigns like This Girl Can, women's activity levels have barely increased.

​

Holly and Mel quickly realized that the system was not only broken and inequitable but, most frustratingly, had stopped listening to women. They knew they needed to create a solution that not only makes it easier for millions of women to get active but also advocates for and challenges the systemic inequalities that persist in women’s sports and fitness.

​

Since launching Her Spirit, Holly and Mel have swum, run, cycled, and walked alongside thousands of women in the Her Spirit community. They’ve shared countless cups of coffee, slices of cake, and heart-to-heart chats, learning what truly motivates women and understanding the barriers that prevent them from staying active.

Her Spirit today is the embodiment of all those conversations and moments. It’s a community-driven, inclusive platform that connects women to local peers and helps them discover activities they love—empowering women of all backgrounds to move, thrive, and be part of something bigger.