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Conversations with Lauren Hanan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hanan.

Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story really begins when I was just 11 years old. I was an overweight child—a latchkey kid who would polish off a sleeve of Oreos after school. At some point, I decided to take ownership of my health. I taught myself how to read nutrition labels, count fat grams, and make healthier choices, and by my 12th birthday, I had lost 30 pounds. That experience shaped the foundation of who I am today—not just in terms of health, but also in how I approach life with compassion, kindness, and a drive to help others.

Even though I always dreamed of becoming a fitness coach, I didn’t initially have the confidence to pursue it. With encouragement from my husband—and a desire to prove to myself that I could come back stronger after reconstructive foot surgery—I took the leap and got certified in Zumba. From there, one certification led to another, expanding into additional fitness modalities and nutrition coaching.

Then came COVID, which changed everything. I couldn’t imagine not moving alongside my community each week, so I built a website, launched a virtual fitness platform, and Forever FIT was born in April 2020. What started as a way to stay connected and keep moving quickly grew into something so much more.

Today, Forever FIT continues to thrive, fueled not only by my passion for fitness but also by my background in marketing and communications. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, I’ve been able to seamlessly tie the two together—building out a virtual platform, publishing a monthly newsletter, creating a blog, and even launching a podcast. It’s been an incredible journey of merging two passions into one purpose-driven business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. While I’ve built my business around compassion and empathy, there were times in my personal life when I struggled to find those things for myself. I faced adversity in the form of an abusive relationship that left me feeling isolated and with very little confidence.

But that experience ultimately became a turning point. Overcoming that chapter not only made me stronger, but also deepened my belief in the power of resilience and self-worth. It ignited a passion in me to help others who may be struggling with confidence, self-doubt, or setbacks of their own. Today, those challenges fuel the way I lead—with empathy, encouragement, and a firm belief that anyone can rise above adversity and come out stronger on the other side.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Forever FIT, I specialize in helping busy professional women build strength, confidence, and balance in their lives through a holistic approach to fitness and wellness. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to prioritize health when you’re juggling careers, families, and countless responsibilities. That’s why my programs are designed to be supportive, realistic, and empowering—so women can finally feel confident in their bodies and in control of their well-being without adding more stress to their already full plates.

What sets me apart is the combination of my fitness and nutrition expertise with over two decades of experience in marketing and communications. I’ve built Forever FIT not only as a fitness platform, but as a community experience—one that meets women where they are. Through my virtual classes, monthly newsletter, blog (The FIT Focus), and podcast (Hustle & Glow), I create touchpoints that keep women engaged, inspired, and connected in ways that go beyond a single workout.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed—not just physical, but emotional and mental. Many of my clients start out doubting whether they can make time for themselves, and then go on to rediscover their strength, confidence, and joy. To me, that’s what Forever FIT is about: creating a safe space where busy women can thrive, inside and out.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is helping people build confidence and believe in themselves—because I know from experience how life-changing that can be. Fitness and wellness are the tools I use, but at the heart of it, my mission is about empowerment. I want women to feel strong in their bodies, proud of their choices, and capable of handling whatever life throws at them.

That matters to me because I’ve been on both sides. I know what it feels like to doubt yourself, to struggle with self-image, and to wonder if you’re enough. I also know the freedom that comes when you finally step into your strength. That transformation—going from self-doubt to self-confidence—is what fuels everything I do.

It’s not just about workouts or nutrition plans. It’s about helping women see themselves in a new light, showing them they’re worthy of prioritizing their health, and reminding them that confidence in the gym or kitchen translates to confidence in every area of life. That ripple effect is what matters most to me.

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