In Her Heels Feature Tiffany Martin
“She believe she could, so she did.”
Have you ever “met” someone online and thought to yourself “Ooo we would be friends IRL”? That’s how I felt when I first came across Tiffany with Ignite Cycle. Her energy is contagious, she keeps it real with motherhood and she’s out there doing the damn thing at Ignite Cycle. Read below to learn more about this boss and why she doesn’t hide that sometimes you don’t have it all figured out and you don’t know what you’re doing.
How did you enter into your industry?
I’ve worked in fitness on and off since I was in college. While I began my career and education, I always retained a passion for fitness. When my daughter was born, I began working as a personal trainer and teaching group fitness classes. However, it wasn’t until I took my first SoulCycle class that I felt I had found what I was meant to do the day after that class I found a local training, took a class there the next day, and started training the following day. To say, my journey in the Fitness industry has been a whirlwind would be an understatement.
Did you always know you wanted to have this career?
No! I had intended to be a stay-at-home mom until my youngest was in kindergarten, but when we found out that we were moving to Birmingham and I looked for a place to instruct cycling, I noticed there wasn’t one and wondered whether I was the only one who felt the void. With just a little bit of market research, I learned that hunch was correct. At that point, I realized that I did have an idea for this business in the back of my head and it’s been. a dream to bring it to fruition.
If you could tell yourself one thing when you first started your career, what would it be?
When I first started Ignite, I was all in. I believed I could do it all and I did. Be at the studio first thing in the morning, instruct a million classes, and make it appear to my kids that I didn’t even work. I kept up an unmanageable pace for years. It finally caught up with me and I learned the hard way to rest. if I could return to five years ago, I would’ve built and rest along the way.
How do you manage imposter syndrome?
Honestly? I’ve found it’s best for me to just be honest about it. When people talk to me about being a “businesswoman” I laugh because I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing… And I’m happy to share that. I think one of the biggest services we can do to other women is lead them to believe that we have it all together and that we’re as confident as we appear. Well, that may be true for some women, it is not true for me. Also, on the days, I really do feel it. I have my own version of Sasha Fierce that I tap into😉
If you could go back and tell your teenage self advice what would it be?
It’s OK if everybody doesn’t like you. It’s OK not to be someone’s cup of tea. We’ve still and learn who you really are - YOU deserve to know her and the people around you do too.
Where are we likely to find you on the weekends or when you aren't working?
Most likely traveling. If I’m in town I’m probably doing something my kids dragged me to, or in my bed, reading a book.
Name 3 things you cannot live without.
Nordstrom, the Pacific Northwest, and…obviously…my family
What are you currently listening to? Podcast? Favorite song that motivates you?
This feels like a loaded question to ask a fitness instructor haha I actually love listening to audiobooks. I am right now listening to one called the lonely hearts book club. I get lots of fun light fiction on there. There are way too many songs to choose from so I’ll say my favorite song of all time is, “tell him” by Lauryn Hill (and that album is undeniably the absolute best album ever in the history of music)
How do you get yourself out of a funk when you are having an off day?
Two things: 1. Instructing (yes really😜), 2. helping someone else. It makes a world of difference to get out of my own head.
What would surprise us about yourself?
I rarely listen to music in my car. I love music, but with this job, I occasionally have sensory overload. Finding and listening to new music is a huge part of being an instructor, and sometimes I just get a little burnt out on it. **insert audiobook plug**
What is the best advice you have received?
“You can’t be afraid to fail.”
What are some career highlights and biggest career accomplishments?
When it comes to accomplishments, it always feels great to have the public acknowledgment of my hard work and the hard work of my team. We recently voted the best fitness studio in Birmingham, and four of our instructors were on the best instructor list. I feel so much gratitude to have my team, talent, passion, and drive recognized. my career highlights may sound mundane, but there are a few things I’m most proud of any time a writer tells me that Ignite has changed their life, I feel like I have accomplished what I set out to do. I’m also incredibly proud of the team that we have built. Our employee retention is incredible, and we really have the best people.
Contact information: Where can members connect with you?
@itstiffanymartin @ignitecyclebhm
If you want to take a class with Tiffany, make sure to sign up on their website at Ignite Cycle.