Meet Trailblazer Lindsay Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Martin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lindsay. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), I was at my heaviest weight, my emotions were uncontrollable, and I was at the unhealthiest point in my life. It took years before I was diagnosed, and it took the event of having an ovarian cyst rupture before I found my current doctor who specializes in this disorder. After experiencing the ups and downs, and the years of hearing, “nothing is wrong with you… you don’t look like you would have PCOS… you’re hypochondriac…”, I made the decision that I would learn from my new doctor how to manage my hormonal disorder.

​I’m at nearly two decades of living with PCOS, and almost ten years of researching, understanding, and conquering the management of living with it. When first diagnosed I couldn’t understand how or why I had this hormonal disorder, it didn’t make sense. When I look back on that time in my life and I compare it to my life now, I now know I live with this so I can help other women. My life is not all about my disorder, I don’t focus on only helping women with PCOS, I focus on helping ALL women. I truly believe my purpose is to empower women to achieve the lifestyle they desire. I have made the decision to step into my purpose and make a difference in other women’s lives.

​I want women to understand that just because you are dealt a different hand in life does not mean you can’t achieve the desires that are in your heart. We are all made for something great; you were not given this life to just be present, you were given the life you have so you can make a difference in this world. Instead of letting my diagnosis control my life, I decided I would take back my life and use it to change other’s lives. I didn’t get to this point overnight; in fact, it wasn’t until nine years into my diagnosis before I opened up about it. Before opening up about my disorder, I had to take many years to learn what worked best for my body, which supplements instead of medicines were most effective, and discovered what exercises complimented my goals.

Don’t let the fear of how long it may take you to reach your goals stop you from trying. Remember, the journey is just as important as the success of achieving your goals.

When I created FitChick Squad programs, I knew my goal was to help ALL women achieve the lifestyle they desired, what I didn’t know was that I too would be discovering a side of myself I had always been searching for. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I have God, my husband, my family & friends, and the journey of building my business to thank for all of it!

​As women, we are surrounded by the pressure to be perfect and hide our “flaws” that society claims don’t fit. What I teach my ladies is that perfection does not exist, if you’re chasing something that can’t be achieved then you will never feel happy or satisfied. Learn to love yourself, the imperfectly you that is capable of anything you set your mind to do!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This has not been a smooth road. There are days that I feel ecstatic about what’s evolving and growing, and then there are days that I feel everything is quiet and still. Being a business owner, you can feel alone and that no one is listening or interested in what you have to offer. You must keep pushing, you can’t give up, and you need to create a mindset that keeps you strong.

When I made the leap to start my own business, I was still working a full-time job as well. Having a job helped keep me in a routine of waking up early, being in the hustle mode (what felt like 24/7), and it honestly… helped fund my business. Late last year I was laid off, and we (my husband and I) made the decision I would stay home and focus solely on my business. It was a scary decision to make because that meant I wouldn’t be bringing in the income I was before, I wouldn’t necessarily stay busy constantly, and I certainly wouldn’t have a crystal ball that would show me the future. What I did have, and still do, is faith. Any woman out there working a job and building business I encourage you to hustle for that healthy walk-away. For any woman who has started staying home to focus on their business, or was already home working their business, I say keep the faith! We all have a purpose, trust the outcomes that come along the way.

The most difficult days are the quiet days. As a newbie fempreneur, I didn’t know to expect these moments, nor did I really understand there were seasons as a business owner. For women we tend to feel we need to stay busy as much as possible, we can be overthinkers and staying busy helps keep our minds occupied. Running away from the quiet moments and slow days isn’t going to fix or change our situations. I’m not saying we don’t need to work hard; rather, I’m encouraging women to embrace the slow moments and understand these are times for rest and reflection. Having a faith-based life is crucial. I encourage my clients to create a spiritual life that helps keep them connected. For someone interested in starting this, a great first step is to begin journaling, you’re able to get your thoughts and feelings out, and express your goals and desires. If I didn’t have my faith, I don’t believe it would be possible for me to trust that the path I’m on is where I’m meant to be. There are days where the anxiety wants to creep in and take control. My faith makes it possible to give things over to God and keep pushing forward with His plan for me to reach more women to help them achieve the lifestyle they desire.

Being all positions in your own business can be overwhelming, especially when we don’t know everything we need to do and how to do them. Marketing and sales came easier to me as I’ve been in business for almost ten years and I studied my undergrad in Marketing. When it came to social media, building a website… that was a different story. I was used to being private, not blogging and vlogging, or attracting anyone to my pages. I will flip through my social media feed and reflect on how much I’ve changed in such a short amount of time. I’ve learned on friends and Google to help me understand how to create an eye-catching feed and how to attract more followers. Understand growing your followers needs to be more about the quality and less about the quantity. Remember, we are not building our businesses for someone else’s approval, we are building them to create solutions.

Self-love is a quality that I hold to a high standard, and not just for myself, this is something I also teach my clients. If you can create a routine for your day-to-day, incorporate time for yourself, and have aspects to your routine that are not negotiable I believe you will find your balance becomes smoother. There will not be anyone else who loves what you do, what your goals and desires are more than you do. Ensuring self-love is high priority will help keep you above any negativity that may come along the way. It is your authority to make self-love a priority.

Hustle & Flow, Grind & Grace. I learned this from my empowerment coach Tiffany Hendra. This mentality has become essential in my journey, it’s simple and to the point of how to keep your mindset in a place of balance.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about FitChick Squad – what should we know?
I’m a women’s lifestyle coach. My purpose is to help women achieve the lifestyle they desire. What is a lifestyle? It’s all things nutrition+fitness, personal growth, and self-love. My niche is the nutrition+fitness aspect and having already helped over forty women with weight loss ranging from 15 pounds to 50 pounds, I have no doubt I’m doing what I’m meant to do. My ultimate passions and goals are to become a motivational speaker and author. I’ve always had a love for writing, something I’ve kept pretty much to myself. I truly enjoy encouraging other women to embrace who they are, to step into their purpose, and I have a huge passion for female empowerment.

What makes my programs different than others is that we approach your journey together. There are coaches who have only preset programs available, and that can be difficult as it doesn’t consider the individual. I teach my clients that we need to look at their gut health and self-love as a first step. Getting the body in balance and aligned will be key to the rest of the journey. I want my clients to understand that food is their friend, and it is possible to eat the foods you love while still becoming healthier. It’s not about weight loss for size, it’s about weight loss for health. Size does not define who you are as a woman. I offer three programs – 28 Day Kickstart, 8 Week 1:1 Coaching, & my VIP 16 Week 1:1 Coaching that includes a Personal Development program as well.

My coaching is more than just health, I also focus on personal growth. In addition to my three nutrition+fitness programs, I also offer a personal development program. My goal is to help more women empower themselves to reach their highest potential and to step into their purpose.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
Hands down, first, a woman that comes to mind is my mom. My mom is a hustler, she grinds, and she provides. My parents have always made sure we had everything we needed and then some. If I didn’t have the childhood I did, I’m not sure I would be who I am today. I remember being a little girl going to work with my mom, quite often it seemed to my little mind, and I can picture myself watching her work. The assumption to myself was my mom was the head boss, and that’s all I needed to think so I could tell myself, “I want to be just like her.” My mom wasn’t just a hustler at work, she was a business owner as well. If you ever wanted to meet a woman who knew how to slang promotional items and clothing to schools, it was her! She now is the manager of my parent’s plumbing business and neither of them forgets to work hard, be partners, and to keep the faith.

I have a big sister, Jamie, without her, I would probably be a complete mess talking to strangers in bathrooms, ladies I think we have all been that person a time or two! She is always there for me and never turns her back on me. She is always encouraging, she’s selfless, and without a doubt is there for everyone when they need her. Jamie is one of the strongest women I know, I’m not sure I could overcome the things she has had to face. The older we get the closer we are, and I dream about the day my business grows to the level that we can work and build an empire together!

I have a friend Bri Richardson that I’ve known for 20 years, and this woman has built an empire! When I have moments where I think I just want to give up, I think of Bri. She has encouraged me many times that I’m doing what I’m meant to do, and she reminds me of the grind she had to go through to get where she is today. This woman knows just what to say to get you to snap back into the strong and powerful woman you are. I love when we have power sessions to encourage each other on our businesses, and I’m grateful for our time together as sisters and friends.

My empowerment coach Tiffany Hendra has absolutely been a light in my life this past year. I was searching for someone that could help me build my business and I received way more than I asked for with Tiff. Not only has she taught me how to be empowered on camera and use my voice, but she has also helped me learn to be more connected to God and those around me. My parents instilled faith early on in my life, connecting that with the routine Tiffany helped teach me took me to another level in my spiritual life. Her guidance and advice are helping shape the path to my success as a lifestyle coach and a desired motivational speaker.

Last but certainly not least, my circle of girlfriends. I’ve had friends come and go over the years but, I have many friends that have my back and I have theirs. The women in my close circle of friends are without a doubt the women I know I can go to for anything no matter the time of day or night, and certainly vice versa. These women are strong and empowered, they each encourage me in their own unique ways and I am grateful for each of them.

I think it helps to surround yourself with other women who inspire you, you connect with, and you can collaborate with. I’ve always believed like-attracts-like and that couldn’t be more true for your tribe. Set-up mastermind meetings with women, connect with women (and men) outside of your industry, and keep your circle tight!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lindsayrenemartin.com – please note my website is live, & still under construction. I encourage visitors!!
• Email: empower@lindsayrenemartin.com
• Instagram: @lindsayrenemartin
• Facebook: @fitchicksquad
• Other: @pcosfitchick on Facebook for any woman living with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Image Credit:
Charlotte Moncrief (my mom), My husband Brad, and myself

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