Grief, growth and turning pain into purpose - w Lucy Worley

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o4iuMyHlaQc

In this episode of Beyond the Hustle, I sit down with Lucy Worley - one of our talented kaimahi at Hustle Group, dancer, mental health advocate, and fierce boxer who has packed a lifetime of challenges and resilience into just 21 years.

Lucy shares her journey growing up in Halswell, the impact of her parents’ separation, and how her early experiences in the dance world sparked struggles with body image and control. We talk about how dance shaped her teenage years, her decision to leave traditional schooling to pursue ballet full-time, and ultimately finding her way back to education and work.

But this kōrero goes much deeper. Lucy opens up about losing her dad unexpectedly at 18, navigating grief that at times felt impossible to survive, and how therapy - and the mental health system stepping up when it mattered most - helped keep her here. She shares candidly about the loneliness and confusion of losing her best friend, Chelsea, to suicide at just 13, and how that tragedy ignited Lucy’s drive to speak openly about mental health and the realities of suicide prevention.

We also explore Lucy’s passion for physical health, boxing, and how channeling pain into purpose has become one of her most powerful tools for healing. She talks about the mental strength it takes to step into the ring, her hopes to become a boxing coach, and her dream of creating a gym that blends kōrero with throwing punches – a place where people can walk in feeling heavy and leave feeling lighter.

Finally, we dive into Lucy’s growing connection to her taha Māori, her pride in discovering her whakapapa, and her hopes to learn te reo Māori so she can one day pass it on to her own tamariki.

This episode is raw, real, and full of hope. If you’ve ever wondered how someone finds the courage to keep going after unimaginable loss, Lucy’s story will remind you that even in the darkest moments, there’s light worth fighting for.

Lucy’s kōrero is a testament to the resilience of young people who have faced far too much, far too soon. Her journey is a powerful reminder that grief and hope can coexist - and that with the right support, it’s possible to turn pain into purpose. 

Connect with Lucy:
 → Come and say kia ora at Joe’s Garage Wigram

Learn more about our kaupapa here: www.hustlegroup.co.nz