Outset Wellness - helping busy adults stay consistent with movement

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Today we're excited to meet Sonia Ponzo of Outset Wellness

So Sonia, tell us more about Outset Wellness

Outset Wellness is a London-based startup helping busy adults stay consistent with movement, especially those navigating ADHD and burnout. Our web app syncs with your calendar, adapts to your day, and gives you smart nudges to move.

You can track your progress visually with a growing plant, reflect on what worked after each activity, and stay motivated by seeing when friends are active too. We’re not here to push strict routines or unrealistic goals.

We’re here to remove friction - so exercise stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like something you actually want to do.

How did you come up with the business idea and what problem are you looking to solve?

Outset started because movement was the only thing that made my brain shut up - and even then, I couldn’t make it stick. I was recovering from burnout. I knew that getting outside, going for a walk, doing something active made me feel human again.

It was the one thing that helped me cope - mentally, emotionally, physically. But when you’re that depleted, even deciding what to do and when to do it feels impossible. That decision fatigue, that endless internal negotiation - it got in the way of the thing I needed most.

Every app I tried made it worse. They wanted me to choose a plan, set goals, track progress. I didn’t need a plan. I needed someone to take the weight off, make the decision for me, and help me keep going - gently.

That’s what Outset does. It removes the mental load around movement. Because for so many of us, the hardest part isn’t doing the activity. It’s getting to the start line.

What made you want to start your own business?

I didn’t set out to be a founder - I set out to solve a problem that no one else was solving in the right way. After recovering from burnout, I knew there had to be a better way to support people who wanted to move but couldn’t make it happen consistently.

I had spent over a decade in psychology and digital health, leading science teams and building evidence-based tools for millions of users - but none of them spoke to the chaos, guilt, or decision fatigue I was living through.

So I built the product I needed. And once I saw how powerful it could be - how much it helped people feel less broken, less alone - I knew this had to exist in the world. That’s what made me start Outset.

What stage is your business currently at?

Outset is live and growing. We launched the product recently and are now laser-focused on refining the experience, supporting our early users, and proving that we’re solving a real, painful problem.

Right now, my priority is making sure the people who find us stay. That they feel supported, understood, and actually start building the habit of movement - not just downloading another app that gathers dust.

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

It’s never boring — and I love that.

You wear a million hats, switch context constantly, and learn faster than you ever thought possible. Some days you’re deep in product decisions, other days you’re figuring out legal, pitching partnerships, or rewriting copy at midnight.

It’s chaotic — but also incredibly rewarding. What I love most is that every challenge ties back to something meaningful. I’m not just building a business — I’m building something that I know helps people. And that makes all the hard bits worth it.

What is the number one business tip you've learned that you'd like to share with fellow budding entrepreneurs?

Startups are just messy experiments - stay curious, stay wrong, learn fast (and don't let it get to you too much!). Being a scientist taught me that progress comes from testing, not guessing. Same rules apply here.

Who are your startup heroes?

Melanie Perkins is one of my favourite founders. She quietly built one of the most used tools on the internet by obsessing over simplicity and accessibility. She didn’t chase hype — she just solved a massive problem beautifully. That kind of long-game thinking really inspires me.

Is there a favourite podcast, book or series you'd like to share with the world?

One of my favourite books is Engaged by Amy Bucher. It’s a brilliant, science-backed look at how to design products that actually drive behaviour change - without manipulation or fluff.

It’s shaped a lot of how I think about user experience, especially when you're building something for people who already feel overwhelmed.

Anything else you'd like to share?

If movement feels hard, it’s not because you’re lazy or broken. Life is messy, brains are noisy, and consistency is harder than most people admit.

That’s why I built Outset - not to push people harder, but to make it easier to keep showing up, even when things aren’t perfect. You’re not the problem - the way the system was built is.

Where can people find you online?

We’d love for you to stay connected with us online -  Add us on LinkedIn and let's chat!

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