In a world where wellness has become a multi-trillion-dollar industry, women’s health still lingers on the fringes of serious discussion. The global health and wellness sector, which now exceeds $4.3 trillion, is booming—yet women, who account for more than half of global health spend, remain underserved. Despite the FemTech industry alone projected to hit $75 billion by 2025 and the increasing visibility of women’s health issues, the narrative remains frustratingly unchanged. Thinness is still celebrated as the ultimate marker of health, while complex, gender-specific issues like menopause, heart disease, and reproductive health remain on the periphery.
For decades, the medical community has under-researched, underfunded, and misunderstood the unique needs of women. Only in recent years has the conversation begun to shift, largely due to growing public demand and emerging FemTech innovations. However, the deep-rooted stereotypes that continue to shape the health space—blaming mental health, self-care, or weight for women’s struggles—show just how much work is left to be done.
While the rise of social media and new technologies has sparked an increased focus on health, it has also perpetuated narrow standards of well-being. The pressure to achieve the 'perfect' body or follow the latest fitness fad can be overwhelming, and these ideals often fail to capture the diverse realities of women’s health. Stereotypes like the glorification of thinness and the oversimplification of health through aesthetics continue to dominate conversations, despite growing awareness of the deeper, more nuanced challenges women face.
It’s clear that despite progress, the health space still doesn’t fully serve women. What’s needed is a shift in the conversation—one that not only prioritizes their unique needs but also dismantles the outdated narratives that have long defined their health journey. Women deserve a health experience that is as multifaceted as their lives, where well-being isn’t reduced to a number on a scale or an image on a screen, but embraced as a holistic pursuit of balance, strength, and self-care.
We asked four women operating in the space how they define health, the misconceptions they encounter and how we can support women and change the narrative on what it means to live well.
Eleanor Hoath is a registered Naturopathic Nutrition Practitioner, writer and Head Editor at Healf, a leading voice in the wellbeing space. With a deep passion for holistic health, she uses her expertise to empower others through nutrition and lifestyle guidance following her own health journey. Combining her clinical experience and deep rooted interest in alternative and complementary medicine, Eleanor educates and empowers people through various content forms to optimise and enhance their wellbeing.
Georgia Canavan is the head of Wellness & Pilates at The Lighthouse Club. With over twelve years of experience, she is an accredited Pilates, Barre and Personal Trainer. Kick-starting her career in the Middle East, Canavan has a background in martial arts and gymnastics, where she honed her skills and passion for wellness. As a previous ambassador for Lululemon and Puma, she’s had the opportunity to share her love for fitness and lifestyle with a wider audience. Driven by her passion for sharing knowledge and empowering others to lead healthy, fulfilling lives through movement and holistic Wellness practices, Canavan has hosted retreats, combining her expertise in movement and wellness to create transformative experiences for her participants.
Sophie-Rose Harper is a dynamic Pilates instructor known for her holistic approach to movement and body awareness. With a passion for empowering others through mindful exercise, she integrates strength, flexibility, and alignment into her sessions, creating a balanced practice for her clients. Harper’s teaching style focuses not just on physical fitness, but on mental well-being, offering a transformative experience that nurtures both the body and the mind. Her dedication to personal growth and health has made her a sought-after figure in the Pilates community, inspiring those who work with her to connect deeply with their bodies and achieve their fullest potential. Harper teaches at 180 Health Club, The Lighthouse Club and at a soon-to-open Classical Pilates studio of her own in West London.
Michelle Siman is the founder of Lemon Water, a podcast and platform that explores all areas of wellness and growth. Michelle is also a creative consultant who works with brands in the wellness and lifestyle space, she is also currently the head of brand marketing at Sidia.
THE DEFINITION OF HEALTH
AN EVOLVING CONVERSATION
A SHIFT IN MOVEMENT
THE BALANCE NARRATIVE
THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE AND CHALLENGING 'IDEALS'