From Psychologist to Strong Mum: The Inspiring Journey of Louise Hurley
"I remember being at the gym with a friend, thinking, 'I’d love to be a fitness professional, but it’ll probably never happen." These were the words of Louise Hurley, now the passionate founder of Strong Mums in Gosford, NSW, during our recent chat on the Women’s Fitness Podcast.
Louise's journey wasn't straightforward. Originally from the UK, she migrated to Australia expecting a short stay, yet 13 years and two children later, Australia became home. Initially trained as a psychologist with a Master's degree, Louise enjoyed clinical work at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. However, motherhood changed everything. When daycare drop-offs became tearful for both her and her daughter, and the financial strain of daycare fees left little at month's end, Louise knew something had to change.
Taking the Leap
"I had absolutely no idea what I was doing," Louise laughed, recalling the early days of launching her fitness business. "My husband still reminds me about all those evenings I’d cry, feeling completely overwhelmed by the business side of things."
Her turning point came after the traumatic birth of her second child at just 27 weeks. Spending weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Louise discovered a significant gap in postpartum care. "Nobody was telling these mothers how to safely move their bodies post-birth. Women were in limbo, not fully discharged but needing guidance," she explained. It was here, amongst the uncertainty and struggle, that Strong Mums was born.
Why Mums?
Strong Mums wasn’t just about exercise. It became about community, connection, and providing essential information about pelvic floor health and abdominal separation. Louise described the environment of her group sessions as vibrant and supportive, filled with mums grateful to connect with other adults.
"It's more than physical," Louise emphasised. "Some mums need that physical guidance; others just need connection and reassurance that they're doing okay."
Discovering Her Superpower
Joining Mumsafe™ and meeting Jen Dugard was transformative for Louise. Jen helped Louise see her unique strengths, something women often downplay. Louise realised her superpower lay in her psychology background, particularly her ability to help mums navigate body image issues. This led to the creation of the Body Resilient Mum Project, an online course supporting both mothers and fitness professionals.
"As fitness professionals, we often fall into the trap of wanting to 'fix' our clients," Louise explained. "But true impact comes from consistent, empathetic conversations, modelling positive body image ourselves, and active listening."
Pelvic Floor Realities
Louise highlighted two distinct client profiles: those hesitant to start exercising due to fear around pelvic floor issues, and those eager to rush back into high-intensity workouts. "Both need careful guidance," she said. "It's not just physical; it's managing expectations and understanding the emotional side as well."
Working closely with women's health physios is crucial, Louise stressed, because pelvic floor dysfunction is complex and varied. "Fitness professionals can't diagnose or treat, but we can work collaboratively to support women better."
What’s Next for Louise?
Looking forward, Louise aims to expand her online offerings, reaching a broader audience and empowering more women through her body image resilience training. While she cherishes face-to-face work, she admitted the practicalities of park training sessions might change as she approaches her 50s. "Dragging weights through a cold park at 51 isn't my dream scenario," she joked. "But working with women, whether online or in-person, absolutely is."
Connect with Louise
You can follow Louise on Instagram
or explore her courses at strongmums.com and bodyresilientmumproject.com
Louise’s story reminds us that fitness isn’t just about movement; it’s about resilience, connection, and continuously learning how best to support each other.
