Lauren Hanan

I attribute much of my success to refusing to take “no” for an answer—especially when that voice is coming from my own self-doubt. When I catch myself thinking, you can’t do that, I’ve learned to challenge that thought and replace it with yes, you can. That mindset of perseverance and pushing beyond perceived limits has shaped both my personal and professional journey.

I truly believe that when we challenge ourselves and stay committed, the outcome is often even better than we imagined. It’s the same lesson I share with my fitness clients every day. You may not be able to lift the 15- or 20-pound weight today, but if you keep showing up, keep trying, and stay consistent, you will get there.

Learning to push through doubt and self-imposed limitations has been a key part of everything I’ve accomplished, and it’s a mindset I hope to pass on to every woman I work with.

The best career advice I ever received actually came from my husband, Mike—though it wasn’t advice in the traditional sense. For a long time, I talked about wanting to become a fitness instructor, but I wasn’t taking any real steps to make it happen. One day, he simply asked me, “Why aren’t you doing it?”

It was such a simple question, but it forced me to confront the gap between what I said I wanted and what I was actually doing. Mike has always believed in me and has never been afraid to tell me the truth, and that moment gave me the push I needed to stop talking about it and start taking action.

His support and belief in me changed everything. Sometimes all it takes is one person who truly believes in you to give you the courage to move past your doubts and go after what you’ve been dreaming about.

The wellness industry can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also an industry that is constantly evolving. My biggest advice is to focus on building credibility, authenticity, and genuine connection with the people you serve. Trends will come and go, but women are looking for coaches and leaders they can trust—people who truly care about their well-being and are committed to helping them succeed.

It’s also important to invest in your education and never stop learning. Fitness and wellness go far beyond workouts. Understanding nutrition, behavior change, mindset, and overall lifestyle habits will make you a stronger and more impactful coach. The more tools you have to support people holistically, the more meaningful your work will become.

I would also encourage young women to think like entrepreneurs. The wellness industry is not just about being a great trainer—it’s about building a brand, creating a community, and communicating your value. Learning how to tell your story, connect with your audience, and market your expertise can make the difference between simply working in the industry and truly building something impactful.

Most importantly, remember that confidence grows through action. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one. Stay curious, stay committed to helping others, and lead with integrity. When your mission is truly about empowering people to live healthier lives, the work becomes incredibly fulfilling.

One of the biggest challenges in the wellness industry is the overwhelming amount of information—and misinformation—that exists today. Social media has made health and fitness more accessible than ever, which is a wonderful thing, but it has also created an environment where quick fixes, extreme programs, and unrealistic expectations are often promoted as the solution. For many women, this can create confusion, frustration, and the feeling that they’re constantly doing something wrong.

Another challenge is helping people shift their mindset from short-term results to long-term wellness. Sustainable health is built through consistency, patience, and habits that support the body over time. Unfortunately, many people enter the fitness space believing they need dramatic, immediate transformation, which can make it harder to embrace the slower—but far more meaningful—process of building lifelong health.

From a professional standpoint, another challenge is that the industry is incredibly competitive and constantly evolving. Coaches and wellness professionals have to wear many hats—educator, motivator, community builder, and entrepreneur. It takes dedication not only to continue developing your expertise, but also to communicate your message clearly and build trust with the people you serve.

At the same time, these challenges create an opportunity. There is a growing demand for honest, supportive voices in wellness—professionals who focus on realistic, empowering approaches to health. I believe the future of the industry will continue to move toward more holistic, sustainable models of wellness that prioritize both physical and mental well-being.

My number one core value is gratitude. I believe deeply in appreciating the life I live—the body I have, the family who supports me, the work I’m fortunate to do, and the incredible opportunity to connect with and positively impact so many people. Over the past six years, building my own company has allowed me to stay connected with a community of women who continue to inspire me every day, and that is something I never take for granted.

Alongside gratitude, I value maintaining a positive outlook. Life will always present challenges, but choosing optimism and perspective helps shape how we experience those moments. These values guide everything I do, both in my fitness business—where my mission is to empower women to feel strong and confident—and in my personal life, where I try to appreciate the simple joys like spending time with my husband, being near the beach, and truly enjoying the life we’ve created.