Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Martin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I was always encouraged to be my own boss. Both of my parents worked full time. My mom worked a high-stress corporate job in recruiting. My Dad worked for himself in construction management. I got to see what both of them experienced on a daily basis- when it was good and when it was really tough. My overall take was that on the bad days, at least my Dad only answered to himself. It seemed worth it for me to make owning my own business a goal.
As far as what my business would be. there were many iterations as my strengths, weaknesses, and interests presented themselves over time. Being a classically trained ballet dancer who went on to pursue that in college and then professionally in San Francisco, I always imagined my business would have to do with that. Most obviously, owning a dance studio.
As time went on in my early and mid-20s, I found myself more and more interested in the concept of physical hard work. My favorite thing about dance was not being onstage, but being in the studio doing rep after rep, out of breath and sweating through 4 outfits in one day. I liked the idea that the harder I worked, the more I saw physical benefit in the ways of increased stamina and higher self confidence from pushing through tough moments. I also liked that there was no subjectivity in determining if that hard work was paying off. This was the complete opposite experience from a dance audition, where artists are judged based on personal opinions and being deemed “right” or “wrong” for a part. It always frustrated me that being the hardest worker in the room wouldn’t necessarily make you “right” for a part. I saw lazy, but very talented and/or naturally gifted people win a lot.
While living in San Francisco, I also got really into CrossFit and running. What started as cross-training for my dance career, soon turned into my favorite communities and hobbies. By my late 20s, I found myself looking forward to my workouts more than my dance classes and rehearsals.
At my CrossFit gym, I met two men starting a run coaching company (The Run Experience). They were excited and it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn a bunch about entrepreneurship and also coaching people in working hard. It couldn’t have come at a better time. With them, I learned a TON about creating a good product, getting eyes on that product, being on camera for a YouTube channel (aka public speaking and taking criticism from internet trolls), and so much more. I also became a personal trainer during this time.
I worked with The Run Experience for 5 years, and during that time, got super obsessed with ultra running. As of today, I’ve run many marathons, five 50ks, three 50 milers, and two 100 milers.
Those 5 years gave me knowledge and experience with every level of athlete – the super beginner, to the sub-3 hour marathoner always chasing the next PR. Through my own running and coaching, I was able to study so many types of people – what made them want to try hard, and what burned them out.
I moved to Nashville in 2020 with the goal of finally going solo with my work. I started my own YouTube channel for run coaching and lifestyle vlogs, and used my knowledge of SEO/marketing to build out my own fitness business here.
What started as your standard personal training business, has evolved into what I never knew the world needed so badly – concierge in person run coaching.
I have built a business (now with multiple coaches in multiple cities) entirely based on meeting people for walks, run/walks, and runs.
My team and I focus on providing accountability (showing up in the dark at 6 AM when you don’t want to be there), run form correction in order to prevent aches/pains and long term injury, and keeping our clients motivated to keep pushing in the tough moments of training. We have helped countless clients run their first mile ever, and others qualify for Boston. Lately, we’ve also seen an uptick in female clients wanting a run buddy to keep them safe for early morning or evening runs that they’d rather not do alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Believing in your idea, and being flexible when it needs to be adjusted, are the toughest parts. Even when you see something start to work, having your own business can increase anxiety and paranoia. Are people even going to want this in a year? Is someone out there doing this better than I am? If they are, how do I use that knowledge as encouragement vs. seeing it as a reason to give up?
I’ve learned that something not working should be looked at as data or information – within that is always your next move, how you evolve. The answer (what people need or want) will always continue to present itself if you don’t fight the change.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Holly Martin Run Coaching?
We are a concierge walk/run coaching business, based in Nashville, TN and Phoenix, AZ, with other cities being added soon. We meet individuals for walks, run/walks, or runs on demand, at a time and location convenient to their schedule.
My team and I focus on providing accountability (showing up in the dark at 6 AM when you don’t want to be there), form correction in order to prevent aches/pains/discomfort and long term injury, and keeping our clients motivated to keep pushing through in the tough moments of training. We also provide safety in the way of being someone’s walking or running buddy when they don’t want to be out in the dark alone.
We have helped people lose 50 lbs by sticking to a walking routine for the first time ever, we’ve been next to countless clients as they run their first mile without stopping, and we’ve helped many others qualify for Boston.
What sets us apart from your standard “globo gym” personal trainer, AI-driven run training app, or half marathon PDF spreadsheet plan, is that we understand and motivate each of our clients on a very personal level. We provide face to face interaction, we study what makes you feel more or less motivated when it comes to staying disciplined and showing up, and most importantly, we don’t judge. We understand that physical fitness is a small (but influential part) of someone’s hectic, stressful life. We keep your fitness goals on track for you, no matter what.
You will leave each session having worked harder than you would’ve alone, having offloaded some of the day’s dramas to a neutral party (we are fabulous listeners), and you will have another day of “showing up” under your belt.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Going to see the ballet at the Kennedy Center on Sundays!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.martinholly.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gofarsogood
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/holly-martin-nashville-2
