About Us

My journey to launching Brave Active is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep belief in the power of community and fitness to transform lives. After a 46-year career in IT, I found myself at a crossroads. I had faced my share of challenges—redundancies, health struggles, and the constant battle to prove myself in a male-dominated industry. But it was my personal health journey that truly reshaped my perspective. Diagnosed with osteoporosis, I refused to let it define me. Instead, I turned to weightlifting and dietary changes, determined to rebuild my strength and reclaim my health. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. And it sparked a passion for fitness that would change my life.

When the pandemic hit, that passion took on a new purpose. My personal trainer, like so many others, was struggling to keep his business afloat. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I stepped in to help. I created an online fitness community, managing the logistics and fostering a network that kept over 40 participants connected and motivated during one of the most isolating times in recent history. It wasn’t just about exercise—it was about creating a space where people could come together, support each other, and find strength in the midst of uncertainty.

As restrictions eased, the community evolved. A core group of six participants began meeting in a member’s garden, while the remaining 34 continued their fitness journeys in their own homes and gardens. For one member of the core group, a woman living with cystic fibrosis, these meetups became a lifeline. She shared how much they meant to her, giving her a sense of belonging and purpose during a time when isolation could have been overwhelming. Moments like these reminded me why I’m so passionate about fitness—it’s not just about physical health, it’s about connection, resilience, and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever thought possible.

The impact of our community didn’t go unnoticed. The BBC featured a snippet of our group exercising together, shining a light on the power of community and the importance of staying active, no matter the circumstances. Seeing our story shared on such a platform was a proud moment. It reinforced what I had come to believe so strongly: fitness is for everyone, and it has the power to change lives.

Brave Active was born from these experiences. I wanted to create more than just a gym wear brand—I wanted to create a movement. A brand that empowers mature women to embrace their fitness journeys with confidence, style, and functionality. Because I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to face challenges, to feel like the odds are stacked against you. And I also know what it’s like to overcome them, to find strength you didn’t know you had, and to come out the other side stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Brave Active isn’t just about clothing—it’s about community. It’s about proving that fitness is for everyone, regardless of age, obstacles, or where you’re starting from. And it’s about inspiring women to believe in themselves and their ability to achieve incredible things.

As Ruth Gordo once said “Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use. So ladies, let’s flex those physical and mental muscles! Get those leggings, get that sports bra, don those trainers and get out there! Be Brave. Be Active.

All the best, Sue