The story shared in this article discusses sensitive topics, including homelessness, eating disorders, and mental health struggles. If you are facing similar challenges, please know that you are not alone, and support is available. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, mental health concerns, or any personal hardship, we strongly encourage you to seek professional help from a qualified therapist, counselor, or support organization. Your well-being matters, and there are people ready to support you on your journey to healing. 💙
When you think of the word empowered, you think of resilience in the face of adversity. You think of strength—not just physical, but the kind of inner fortitude that refuses to be broken. You think of someone who rises, time and time again, no matter how many times life knocks them down.
Well, nothing embodies this word more than Lauren Richardson.
Lauren Richardson knows what it means to fight a battle no one else can see. At her lowest, anorexia had taken over—controlling her thoughts, her body, and her sense of self-worth. Recovery felt impossible, like a distant dream she might never reach. But she held on. In her own words:
"I know you feel like you’ll never recover. But you can. It’s going to be hard but it’s going to SO be worth it. You’ll feel lost along the way and you’ll want to give up at times, but please hold on a little longer. The world truly is better with you here in it."
It wasn’t an easy road, but she walked it anyway—step by step, rep by rep, fuelling her body not out of fear, but out of strength. And now? She stands as a HYROX champion, an athlete, and most importantly, a woman who has reclaimed her life.
There was a time when Lauren Richardson had nothing—not just in the emotional sense, but physical too. She was lost, faced with the crushing weight of homelessness and heartbreak, a future that felt uncertain at best and hopeless at worst. The world around her seemed to move forward while she remained stuck, fighting battles no one else could see.
But even in the darkest moments, something inside her refused to quit.
Lauren’s journey is a testament to the unbreakable spirit within every woman. No matter how lost, broken, or defeated you may feel, there is always a way forward. Strength isn’t just about lifting weights or crossing finish lines—it’s about choosing to keep going when life tries to pull you under. It’s about believing, even in your lowest moments, that you are worthy of happiness, of health, of a future filled with possibility.
At Exsto, we believe in that strength. We know that true empowerment comes from within, but it’s also built through community—through the people who lift you up when you can’t stand on your own. Whether it’s through fitness, encouragement, or simply knowing you’re not alone, we are here for you. The Exsto community isn’t just about activewear; it’s about resilience, about supporting each other through every challenge, and celebrating every victory, no matter how big or small.
If you’re struggling, hold on. The road won’t be easy, but every step you take toward healing is a step toward the life you deserve. Like Lauren, you have the power to rise, to rebuild, and to inspire others in the process. You are stronger than your past, and your story is far from over. Keep going—we’re with you every step of the way. 💙
If you want to follow Lauren's story you can view her instagram profile below
https://www.instagram.com/_lauren.leighfit/