Meet Hollie - Founder of EmpowerHer Ventures

Hi, I'm Hollie.

The idea for EmpowerHer Ventures was born in 2022, as life slowly returned to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, I was working as a personal trainer and fitness instructor. While I loved helping others, I was quietly struggling with my own mental health. I knew there had to be more women feeling the same way - wanting connection, friendship, support, and a reason to get out into the world again.

I wanted to create a space where women could feel safe and try new things without having to do it alone.

In April 2023, that vision became reality when we launched as HC Gym Girls Community. We started with coastal walks, coffee catch-ups, and wellbeing-focused activities that encouraged women to connect beyond the gym environment.

It didn't take long to realise just how many women were craving a community like this. However, I also discovered that our name was unintentionally holding us back. Many women assumed they had to be a "gym girl" to join, when in reality our community had always been about so much more than just fitness.

In 2024, I was diagnosed with PCOS, now recognised as PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome). Like many women navigating health challenges, the diagnosis brought its own physical and emotional hurdles. It also reinforced something I had already begun to see within our community: women need spaces that support their overall wellbeing, not just their fitness.

That experience deepened my passion for creating a community centred around connection, movement, mental wellbeing, and support. It reminded me that every woman's journey is different, and that having a network of people who understand, encourage, and uplift you can make a huge difference.

After listening to feedback from our members, I rebranded the community to EmpowerHer Ventures in August 2024, a name that better reflected our mission.

Around the same time, we launched our weekly Run Club and Swim Club, and the community began to flourish.

New members joined every day, bringing fresh ideas, interests, and passions with them. What started with a few simple walks soon grew into something much bigger.

This community now includes a wide range of member-led groups and activities. As it grows, so do the opportunities for women to connect through shared interests and new experiences.

What makes EmpowerHer Ventures so special is that we have built it together.

We are shaped by the incredible women who join it. Women who bring their kindness, energy, ideas, and willingness to support one another. Women who show up, take a chance on something new, and help create a space where others feel welcome too.

As the community grew, so did our desire to give back and make a difference beyond our own events.

In December 2024, members of EmpowerHer Ventures took part in a Winter Charity Swim in support of Devon & Cornwall Food Action. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised more money than any other participating group, helping to support individuals and families facing food insecurity during the winter months.

We've also proudly supported environmental initiatives, including taking part in a Surfers Against Sewage event in October 2025, helping to protect the coastlines and outdoor spaces that play such an important role in many of our activities.

Our community has proudly taken on fundraising challenges and supported causes that matter. Members have completed two Plymouth Half Marathons, including running for This Girl Can - Lift the Curfew campaign, which champions women's safety and the belief that feeling safe should be a basic right, not a privilege. Together, these achievements reflect the strength, determination, and unwavering support that define EmpowerHer Ventures.

Giving back has become an important part of who we are, and we're excited to continue supporting charities, local causes, and community initiatives alongside our adventures and events.

Bigger adventures are just around the corner. I can’t wait to share new experiences, retreats, wellness events, fundraising initiatives, and opportunities to give back. But more than anything, I'm excited for the friendships, support, and sense of belonging that will continue to bring women together for years to come.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Here's to EmpowerHer Ventures and all the incredible women who make it what it is.