Five years. Eight prototypes. One vision: to prove women are stronger than the fitness industry thinks.

When Laura Meyer couldn’t find adjustable dumbbells that were functional, beautiful, and designed with women in mind, she built them herself—bootstrapping Lifting the Mood from sketches on paper to a near sell-out launch.

In this episode of Defining Next, we dive into Laura’s journey from navigating life in three different countries to cold-pitching trainers in New York City, all while holding onto her mission to change how women see themselves in strength training. This is a story about resilience, design thinking, and building something the world hasn’t seen before—yet.

This Episode's Highlights:

• 
  
• The moment Laura realized fitness products were failing women
• 
  
• Turning isolation into innovation (and a brand)
• 
  
• The reality of bootstrapping a product-based business
• 
  
• Why aesthetics matter just as much as function in fitness gear
• 
  
• Selling fast without paid ads or big investor backing

• • The bigger movement behind Lifting the Mood

  
  

  Find Laura at liftingthemood.com & on Instagram @liftingthemood & TikTok @liftingthemood