Standing at the edge of adolescence, today's young women face unprecedented challenges. Social media pressures, unrealistic beauty standards, and constant connectivity have created a generation battling anxiety, self-doubt, and disconnection like never before. But in Southwest Florida, an extraordinary organization is offering a powerful alternative.

WellFit Girls, now celebrating its 10th year, is revolutionizing leadership development for girls ages 11-20 with a refreshingly different approach. Their philosophy—"go within to go beyond"—creates deliberate spaces where young women can disconnect from external noise and discover their authentic selves. As Executive Director Brooke Spencer and Marketing Director Natalie share in this conversation, leadership begins with understanding your own identity, values, and vision before you can effectively lead others.

What makes this program truly transformative is their culminating wilderness expeditions. After months of preparation, participants embark on challenging backpacking journeys—eight days in Montana's Pioneer Mountains for high schoolers and five days in Georgia for middle schoolers. Carrying only necessities on their backs, these young women discover capabilities they never knew they possessed. Without makeup, hair products, or technology, they're free to focus on what matters: supporting each other, overcoming obstacles, and connecting deeply with themselves and nature.

Many assume WellFit Girls serves only "troubled teens," but their philosophy holds that all girls face risks in today's culture. By creating diverse groups and teaching concrete skills like boundary setting, conflict resolution, and bold communication, they're preparing young women to navigate life's challenges with confidence and integrity. The impact extends far beyond individual participants—they're nurturing the next generation of leaders who will transform our communities, workplaces, and world.

Ready to support this vital mission? Visit wellfitgirls.org to learn more, donate to sponsor a girl's participation, or register a young woman in your life for an upcoming program. In a world telling girls who they should be, WellFit Girls is creating brave spaces for them to discover who they truly are.

WellFit Girls

Brooke Spencer

Natalie Bradley

6240 Shirley Street #204 Naples, FL 34109

 239-438-1079

info@wellfitgirls.org

wellfitgirls.org