Stridist Stories: Hannah Stoner

Hello! Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Hannah, i’m Customer Support at Stridist but I also have my own coaching business working with women with PCOS, which is a condition that I have struggled with all my life

What’s your backstory and how did you end up in your current position?

Unlike many others, fitness wasn’t a passion of mine until about 10 years ago. I have always struggled with my weight and I did what a lot of others did and hired a Personal Trainer. After years of working together, changing habits and improving my lifestyle and mindset, my P.T put a little thought in my head that I would make an excellent P.T because I was empathetic, I have come from a place of struggling and turned my life around. It was his suggestion and my passion for helping others and loving the gym, that first got me into the fitness industry.

What were your first few months like in the fitness industry?

Super tough!! At first, I was working a full time job where I had to change my hours, work through my lunch breaks, so that I could leave work early to work in a gym for another 12 hours a week to get the experience and confidence. I did this for 6 months, working a 60 hour, 7 day week. But it all changed when a brand new gym opened up in a pretty affluent town near me, I quit my full time job, quit the part time gym job, and jumped head first into working for the Gym group, with no savings, no back-up plan, I just knew that I needed to be out there helping people like myself.

What has the journey been getting from those first few months to where you are today?

My journey and success at the gym was honestly awesome, I was super lucky that my leap of faith paid off. Within 4 weeks I had picked up a decent amount of clients, majority were regulars, enquiries were coming in and I was earning the most amount of money. I then decided to go to Thailand for 4 weeks, which has always been a dream of mine. I came back and 5 months later, Covid hit. It felt like i’d lost everything overnight. I did what every other P.T did and had to move my business online, but a lot of clients didn’t want this and just wanted to pause things until the gym re-opened. I had no choice but to get a job working in a shop which I hated but it gave me a chance to figure out what I wanted to do with my coaching business, did I want to be stuck in a gym forever, or could I make online coaching work, so that I could travel again when the time was right. I decided to focus on growing my online business and focusing on content on social media, hired a business coach and after 3-4 months of consistency, I could really start to see it paying off. I decided in April 2021, when the gyms reopened in the U.K, that I didn’t want to return to cleaning treadmills, so I set up my own home gym, where some of my clients from the gym travelled to, and picked up a few new clients to keep me going whilst I built up my online business. The journey definitely hasn’t been easy, with the constant changes in social media, having to utilise reels and video content (which i’ve only just got comfortable with now), it’s been a struggle and i’ve had to overcome a lot of hurdles, adapting to working from home and being alone, financial difficulties and prioritise my own mental health, whilst also prioritising and making sure my clients are getting the best of me. However, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Anyone who says being a coach is easy, or working from home is amazing, it’s hard work, yes it has it’s benefits, but you have to be on your grind every single day.

What’s been the hardest moment/biggest challenge of your career so far?

Naturally Covid was difficult for a lot of us, but last year just when I was starting to get things progressing and being in a financially stable position (and after booking to go travelling for 3 months), I lost 6 clients in one month, it was like £1.5k income gone just like that. I felt like I had to start again, and cancel my trip. Then the opportunity to work for Stridist came along and it answered all my prayers.

What’s been your biggest win / proudest moment?

Definitely being able to change peoples lives. Infertility is a big side effect of having PCOS, and i’ve been fortunate enough to support and coach over 10 women so far who have all conceived naturally since working with me. Getting that message that positive pregnancy test message or the picture of their baby in the arms is just the best feeling I could ever imagine.

How and what are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I’m half way through taking my MNU exams so that has been my main focus for a year now. I’m looking forward to having a break from studying, and jumping head first again to growing the business and hopefully moving abroad.

What does a day in the life of you look like?

I wish I could say I get up at 5am, go to the gym, have a cold shower, meditate for 30 minutes and then fast until midday, but I don’t and I think any coach who tells you that is lying. I am not a morning person at all…but I do try and be up and in my office by 9am. Sometimes prior to this I do a workout, or go for a morning swim which i’ve recently got into, then I have a coffee and make some breakfast, then I get started with my day. Sometimes the gym waits until later on in the day. I try and be organised, but also flexible. I get what needs to get done, done. Lists are my best friend.

Advice for people who are considering or have just started in the industry?

Don’t give up if you don’t see results straight away. If you are doing it for the right reasons, you will find a way to make it work, despite what is thrown your way.

What have been the key moments in your career so far what was the impact of those moments?

I won an award for Women’s Lifestyle Coach of the Year, 2 years running, which one of my lovely clients nominated me for (still not sure who!). It has definitely taught me that there is a space for everyone, no matter your size.

Where can people find you?

Instagram

Website