My Story: From Chronic Pain & Self-Doubt to Strength & Faith
How I fought for my health, healed my body, and learned that true strength is built on faith—not just fitness. This is why I created The Foundation Project. The reason why I do what I do. And why I believe so deeply that your story can change too.
The Athlete At War With Herself
I'm Lianne Herbst, the founder of LHF. My entire life has been in motion. From gymnastics and athletics to horse riding, dance, and netball, I grew up loving what my body could do. But internally, I was at war with it.
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Diagnosed with ADHD at 16, I constantly felt I was falling short. I became obsessed with my appearance, restricting food and chasing a six-pack as if it were a trophy for my worth. This destructive cycle was compounded by bigger challenges: a diagnosis of endometriosis, chronic acid reflux, and the deep exhaustion of stress that, at one point, took me from 52kg to 45kg in just three months.
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And then came the back pain. The kind that stopped me in my tracks. Doctors looked at scans and said the words that filled me with dread: "We need to fuse your spine." I was 25. I refused. There had to be another way.
The Turning Point & The Fight
I didn't find wellness in a textbook. I fought for it.
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For years, I was stuck in a cycle of pushing too hard and burning out, battling disordered eating and the silent, chronic pain that felt like a life sentence. The lowest point came when doctors told me that conceiving a child might not be possible.
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That was my turning point. I realized I needed more than fitness; I needed a complete approach to healing my body, mind, and habits. I stopped fighting my body and started listening to it.
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I became a student of my own healing. I got certified as a personal trainer and a sports massage therapist not just to help others, but to understand. I researched fascia, posture, and natural nutrition. This became a faith journey—learning to see my body as a temple to steward, not a problem to fix.
"Doctors said pregnancy was impossible. My daughter is living proof that true healing is more than physical."
The Healing & The Proof
I traded punishing routines for purposeful strength training. I discovered the transformative power of fascia release and sports massage to manage my pain. I learned to eat for energy and strength, not restriction. Through journaling, faith, and embracing natural living, I rebuilt myself from the inside out.
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The ultimate proof of this holistic approach? My daughter. She is my living, breathing testament that true healing is possible when you address the root cause, not just the symptoms. I became stronger—physically and mentally—than I ever was before.
The Mission & The Foundation Project
My Mission: To Be Your Guide
My journey taught me that health isn't about trends or a perfect aesthetic. It's about resilience, recovery, and unapologetic self-care. It's about breathing life back into your body.
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But I also learned that trying to piece it all together alone—the faith, the fitness, the food, the recovery—is overwhelming. That's why I created The Foundation Project.
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It's the exact 90-day framework I wish I had when I was lost in pain and frustration. It weaves together the four pillars that saved me: Faith, Fuel, Fitness, and Fellowship. It’s not just a program; it’s the map I didn't have.
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Now, I watch my daughter copy everything I do. I'm not just building my body; I'm building her example of what a strong, faithful, and healthy woman looks like. If you see yourself in my story—the pain, the frustration, the desire for a real, God-honoring solution—then you are exactly who I built this for.
The Principles That Guide My Practice
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TRUTH: You will get raw, honest guidance. No fake filters, no trendy nonsense. Just evidence-based strategies that deliver real results.
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STRENGTH: We will build more than muscle. We'll build the physical, mental, and emotional resilience you need to thrive in your daily life.
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HEALING: We will address the root cause—be it fascia adhesion, muscular imbalance, or chronic stress—to create lasting relief and recovery.
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FAITH: This is a lived commitment to hope and purpose, providing a steady foundation for your journey, free from preachiness.
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SIMPLICITY: I will cut through the overwhelming noise of the wellness industry and give you clear, sustainable, natural solutions that actually work.
Why LHF Exists
I created LHF – Breathing Life Back Into Your Body to help women like me who are tired of being told what “perfect” looks like.
Here, we focus on:
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Strength: Safe, effective workouts tailored to your body
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Recovery: Fascia release, posture correction, and massage
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Nutrition: Family-friendly, easy-to-follow meal plans
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Sustainability: Programs and habits you can take anywhere, anytime
And yes — I know what it feels like to struggle, feel overwhelmed, or doubt yourself. With my lived experience with ADHD, stress, and health challenges, I understand what it takes to rebuild your life from the inside out.
My Approach
At LHF, I blend science-backed fitness, holistic recovery, and real-life wellness solutions.
Everything I do is designed to:
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Fit into your life — even if you’re a busy mom or juggling work
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Be approachable — no intimidating gym jargon
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Empower you — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally
Whether it’s through personalized coaching via the LHF app, in-person sports massage therapy, or hydration solutions with Quench, my goal is to help you breathe life back into your body.
Fun Facts About Me
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I’m a sports fanatic — gymnastics, athletics, dance, and horse riding shaped me
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Mom to a 3-year-old daughter — I understand the chaos of motherhood
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Full-time sports massage therapist at Flex Sports Massage
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Obsessed with natural living — from nutrition to hair care