LOUISA SMITH: Helping women build strength THROUGH peri-menopause and beyond

Tell us a little about your background.

I’m the founder of Feel Body Strong, a platform dedicated to helping women, particularly those in peri to post menopause to build strength, confidence and long-term health.

My work focuses on supporting women who want to feel better in their bodies but often feel unsure where to start, or who may feel intimidated by traditional fitness spaces. Many of the women I work with have spent years prioritising careers, families and responsibilities, and now want to refocus on their own health.

Through coaching, strength training and online guidance, I help women develop simple, sustainable habits that improve their energy, strength and wellbeing. My aim is to make exercise feel accessible and achievable - without extreme diets, punishing routines or the pressure to be anything other than where they are right now.

Where did it all start for you?

My journey into coaching began with a strong belief that fitness should empower women rather than intimidate them.

Too often the health and fitness industry focuses on unrealistic expectations, quick fixes and messaging that can make women, particularly those in midlife, feel like it’s too late to start or that they’ve somehow missed their chance.

The truth is the opposite.

Women in peri to post menopause can experience enormous benefits from strength training and movement, but many simply need the right support, guidance and environment to begin.

I wanted to create a space where women could approach exercise without fear or pressure - a place where they could start at any age, build strength gradually and learn how to support their bodies through the hormonal changes of midlife.

That idea became Feel Body Strong.

What do you offer?

Through Feel Body Strong I provide coaching and training programmes specifically designed to support women through peri to post menopause.

My work focuses on helping women build strength safely and confidently, particularly those who may be new to exercise or returning after many years away from it.

The approach combines strength training, simple lifestyle habits and supportive guidance that helps women stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

A huge part of what I do is helping women realise that they are not too old to start exercising, that they don’t need to be “fit already” to begin, and that small steps taken consistently can lead to powerful changes in how they feel in their bodies.

The goal is never perfection - it’s progress.

What does it mean to you to be a woman in business?

Running a business that supports women’s health, particularly women navigating peri to post menopause, is incredibly meaningful to me.

So many women spend decades putting everyone else first. Creating a space that encourages them to prioritise their own wellbeing, strength and confidence feels incredibly important.

Being a woman in business also allows me to lead by example. It shows that it’s possible to build something purposeful that not only supports other women but also challenges outdated ideas about ageing and what women are capable of.

Who are your clients?

Many of the women I work with are in their 40s, 50s and beyond and are navigating the changes of peri to post menopause while balancing busy careers, families and full lives.

Some have never exercised before. Others may have stopped years ago and feel unsure how to start again.

What they all have in common is a desire to feel stronger, healthier and more confident but they want a realistic approach that fits into real life.

They want guidance that feels supportive rather than intimidating, and a way of exercising that makes them feel empowered rather than judged.

Tell me something interesting about the way you work.

One of the things I emphasise most is that strength training isn’t just about physical results.

When women begin to build physical strength, it often transforms how they see themselves. They stand taller, feel more capable and start to realise that they are far stronger than they ever believed.

I love seeing women who once felt nervous about walking into a gym begin to feel confident lifting weights and trusting their bodies again.

The shift, from doubt to confidence, is one of the most powerful parts of the work I do.

What’s next for Feel Body Strong?

The goal is to continue growing the Feel Body Strong community and helping more women discover that it is never too late to start prioritising their health.

I’m passionate about making strength training more accessible for women in peri to post menopause and removing the fear o

r intimidation that can stop many from starting.

Moving forward, I’m excited to expand the Feel Body Strong online programmes, create more educational resources around strength and midlife health, and continue supporting women to build bodies that feel strong, capable and resilient for the years ahead