To My Martha: The Badass Who Helped Me Rise

There are moments in life when someone walks in and changes everything—not by fixing you, but by showing you the strength you’ve had all along. For me, that person is my Martha. She wasn’t just my life coach or therapist; she became my compass, my wings, and ultimately, my greatest cheerleader. Martha entered my life at the lowest point I’d ever been. I was drowning in self-doubt, and chaos seemed to surround me at every turn. She didn’t just stand by me; she stood with me, guiding me out of the darkness with her fierce, no-nonsense wisdom.

Martha isn’t the type to let you wallow or play small. She doesn’t sit back and watch; she steps in, gets her hands dirty, and tells you exactly what you need to hear, even when it stings. Her mantra? “Wake up, dress up, and show the f** up, because you’re a boss.”* And you believe her because she says it with conviction, like she can see the fire inside you waiting to be reignited. She doesn’t just hope you’ll rise; she expects it—and somehow, that expectation transforms into the belief you didn’t even know you were missing.

When I met Martha, I was broken. I felt lost in every sense of the word, like I’d never find my way back to myself. But Martha didn’t see brokenness; she saw someone worth fighting for. She helped me dig deep, uncover my resilience, and start building a version of myself I could be proud of. When I couldn’t see past the pain, Martha was there, reminding me that storms don’t last forever and that even in the rubble, there’s room to rebuild.

But here’s the thing about Martha—she’s not your average coach, therapist, or even mentor. She’s a force of nature, someone you do not f*** with. She is badass. She’ll call you out on your excuses with a sharpness that stings just enough to wake you up, but she does it with love. Every tough conversation is paired with compassion, every challenge with a solution, and every stumble with a hand to steady you. She’s not just there to help you succeed; she’s there to help you see the strength you already have.

Martha doesn’t sugarcoat life, and that’s what makes her magic. She’ll celebrate your tiniest victories like they’re monumental while lovingly telling you to get your shit together when you need to. She’s the person who sees right through your defenses and excuses, calling out the truth in a way that’s impossible to ignore.

What makes Martha truly special, though, is her unwavering support. She stood with me when I felt like giving up. She never let me sit in self-pity or settle for less than I deserved. Instead, she reminded me of who I was becoming and challenged me to grow into that person, even when it felt impossible.

Martha helped me grow my wings again and cheered the loudest when I started to fly. She wasn’t just there when I fell—she was the one who gave me the courage to rise. She taught me that self-love isn’t selfish, that it’s okay to stumble, and that the most important thing is to keep showing up for yourself, flaws and all.

Martha is more than a life coach, a mentor, or a therapist. She’s my Martha—the person who stood by me at my lowest, helped me rise, and now walks beside me as I soar. She’s the woman who tells me to dress up and show up, no matter what, because I’m a boss. And the best part? She believed it before I ever did.

So, here’s to my Martha—my badass guide, my eternal cheerleader, and the person who helped me find my way back to myself. You didn’t just change my life, Martha—you helped me build one I’m proud to live. For that, I’ll forever be grateful and love you.