meet

Julie & Melissa

Julie Armstrong

The Hope Experience

Julie is a wife, Mom of two, fitness business owner and lover of all things wellness. Growing up, sports and fitness were a huge part of her life. Being physically active and strong allowed Julie to get through many tough times. In her late teenage years and early twenties she struggled with depression and alcoholism. Realizing she wanted and deserved a better life, she found sobriety at age 27. At this time she realized she needed to go back to the one thing she loved. She decided to leave the corporate world and go back to school to become a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist.

Her dream was to open a fitness studio, so once she graduated she opened a private training studio. Her experience, knowledge, and genuine care for the well being of others, helped her successfully guide clients to not only lose weight but to get healthy in mind, body and spirit. Julie believes that fitness goes far beyond making you look better. It improves your health, well being, quality of life, and self esteem. After 14 years of owning her fitness business Julie hit an obstacle. After struggling with Lyme disease, and then the diagnosis of two autoimmune conditions she realized she needed to head in a different direction with her business. After forming many powerful relationships with women clients over the years, Julie realized she wanted to offer them more. She wanted to offer a safe community of Retreats and Workshops, where women could get away for a little bit to relax, connect to each other and hear other people's experiences.

Julie has been healed multiple times after listening to others that dealt with similar things in life and she wanted to offer the same. The HOPE Experience retreats and workshops offer all women a safe space to dream, reflect, refresh, and renew.

Melissa Smith

the Hale life

Melissa is a mother, wife, VP at a privately owned distribution company, entrepreneur, and self-made super connector. She has overcome obstacles and tragic loss that she never let define her. With the strength she’s gained through life’s journey, she has used it to dig deeper and find connection to her own “why” and purpose in life.

Melissa’s mantra is one of perseverance and strength and living life with a positive outlook. Melissa believes that we have one chance on earth - one body, and sometimes only a moment. We need to take care of ourselves. We need to be healthy and strong. Life’s about pursuing things that make you happy and sharing it with the ones you love.

Happiness comes from finding what lights you up and doing more of it. Beauty sparkles from the inside out, it's not only seen but felt. Melissa believes in the power of curious conversation.

Through creating Hale Bone Broth and The Hale Life, she has seen such an amazing support system of women rise up around her. These women are lifting each other up and cheering each other on. This is her definition of a tribe and this is what excites her. Melissa has taken the initiative to create, curate and offer space for more collaboration, more community supported activities and retreats with her tribe and trusted partners. These events, such as  Hope and Hale,  offer a whole mind and body wellness experience. These experiences help you see the power of feeling connected and living your life with intention.  That’s her mission.