Five minutes with… Hannah Murphy

When busy mum Hannah Murphy set herself a bucket list challenge in 2023, little did she know she’d just took the first step on her own entrepreneurial journey. Here, Hannah Murphy - owner of Hannah Lucy Fitness and Nutrition Coaching - shares her story.

Tell us a bit about your business and who it's for

I help mums who want to lose weight, build their confidence and feel fabulous in their swimwear, without compromising family life.

There are 3 parts of each client package.

1.      A nutrition plan that includes delicious recipes that you can enjoy as a family.

2.       An exercise program that takes individual interests or current fitness activity into account with optional extra sessions that can be done at home or the gym.

3.      Invitation to join the Fit Mums community, offering a variety of events throughout the year. There’s also a whatsapp group where we celebrate each others wins, share recipes, fitness hacks or you just need some motivation to step into the gym for the first time

What made you decide to take the leap into owning your own business? 

A few years ago I was going through my bucket list and decided it was time to tick off ‘enter a body building competition’. I loved working towards a goal and having routine but was fascinated at how the body changes and moulds, depending on what you eat and how you exercise.

With the help of a coach I entered my first competition, placed top 3 in all my amateur categories and become a PRO. Later that day I won my pro category to become the 2022 Mums That Lift European Champion.

It’s fair to say I got the bug! I set myself the challenge of entering the Pro World Championships in November 2023.

My Coach told me that my needs came first and the family should fit in to support me. It was a hard time for us all, I spent at least 5 hours per day training whilst working full-time. My children barely saw me and I was too tired to spend quality time with my partner.

I was miserable going into the competition and mis-timed my peak which meant I wasn’t in the shape I wanted come showday. I didn’t place in one of my categories and came 3rd in the other. I had also entered another show two weeks later and didn’t want to do it.

I was dreading the next competition but I knew the extra two weeks meant I would be in better shape and decided to just go and enjoy it! With a new mindset I walked away with two titles. I am the current Miami Pro Universe 35+ Bikini and Fit Mums champion in the pro division.

My journey has allowed me to understand the unique challenges mums face in juggling everyday life. They prioritise everyone else before themselves leaving little time for their own health and fitness.

I took my training to the extreme. However, it surprised me that small tweaks and changes made the biggest difference.  With some practice I found the balance between health, fitness and family life and decided I needed to share it with other mums. That’s when I took the big leap and launched Hannah Lucy Fitness and Nutrition Coaching.

What have been the biggest challenges you've faced on your business journey and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge was how to start and where to get my first clients. I set myself the challenge of signing my first five clients without spending huge amounts of cash.

I asked a good friend of mine to create a logo and brand identity. I then put full focus on building my Instagram and Facebook profiles and getting clients through that.

I coached my first group of clients free of charge in exchange for testimonials and use of their progress pictures which resulted in signing my first group of paying members.

What advice would you give to someone else considering turning their passion into a business? 

Have a growth mindset. Some things you’ll get right first time and others will be a total disaster. Learn from it and move on. Some of the best minds in the world had to try thousands of times before they got it right.

Where can people find out more about you?

You can often find me at Elite Fitness gym, come and say hi! I’ll also be at The Women’s Collective events and would love to meet anyone for a coffee and chat.

Facebook – Hannah Murphy

Instagram- @hannahlucyofficial

Email- hmurphy@manx.net