We’re a finalist in the Start-up Awards

We found out this week that’s we’re finalists in the Start Up Awards! To be listed alongside so many other brilliant companies is such a honour. Sometimes starting and running a company whilst having two small children feels like a war of attrition so we’ll take this nomination and ride with it.

I know that there are people out there that will happily go to the gym every week for years, good on them. Equally there are some that will go for a walk/run/cycle/swim/[insert sport of choice here]. I’m not one of them. I have flirted with the idea of being one of them on and off for years.

I know there are a lot of other people like me. So when we started to slowly build what would become WildStrong back in 2020 I knew that if it was going to work, it would need to work for me.

Research shows that social relationships are key to preventing numerous chronic diseases. WildStrong provides communities with the tools to address both mental and physical health in a sustainable business model.

Watching the groups grow and morph, friendships forge and confidence grow is a beautiful thing. 

While we use exercise as the “hook” we are as much about spending time together, connecting with nature as we are about getting stronger and finally learning how to climb up and over that branch.  I still find the concept of “exercise” odd, but for now it’s what people know so we’ll use it.

We keep a focus on community building and group health instead of making it about the individual – so not about what can you do on your own? More about what can we do together?

We started franchising last year as there are lots of women (like me) living rurally who are looking for flexible working. We provide all the training and guidance to create outdoor exercise communities.

We bring a few groups a year – it might not sound like much but we are building a network of best practice and knowledge sharing, and this takes time. We learn so much from each of our group founders as we grow.

The power of the communities and the founders is where the magic lies.