13 Mar, 2019
1.Before we begin, our viewership would love to get to know you. What is the "cliffnotesversion" of who Martina is? I am a Mom, Wife, Author, Chakra Healer, Yoga Teacher, Space Holder, Card Reader, Self-Love Advocate and Diet Culture Disrupter. I enjoy volunteering as a volunteer firefighter and my work with The Self-love Maven Magazine. 2. Your work encompasses a variety of roles, from author and motivational speaker to yoga teacher and chakra healer. How do you integrate these different aspects into your approach to empowering women and promoting self-love? I'm thrilled to share how I integrate my diverse roles into empowering women and promoting self-love. It's all about creating a holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. As an author, I express my thoughts on self-love and empowerment through my writings. Books serve as a powerful medium to provide insights, share personal stories, and offer practical advice that women can relate to on their journey to self-discovery. Motivational speaking allows me to connect directly with my audience. I use this platform to inspire women, sharing stories of resilience, personal growth, and the importance of embracing one's unique qualities. It's about fostering a positive mindset and encouraging women to believe in their capabilities. Yoga is a beautiful tool for physical and mental well-being. As a yoga teacher, I design classes that go beyond the physical postures, incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion. The practice becomes a space for women to connect with their bodies, release stress, and cultivate a loving relationship with themselves. Chakra healing adds another layer to my approach. By addressing the energy centers within the body, I guide women in balancing their emotional and spiritual well-being. This can be particularly transformative, helping them tap into their inner strength and wisdom. By seamlessly weaving these aspects together, I create a comprehensive and personalized approach to empowerment. Whether through the written word, spoken inspiration, mindful movement, or energy work, the goal is always to uplift women, helping them recognize their worth and fostering a deep sense of self-love. It's a journey we embark on together, embracing the beauty of holistic well-being. 3. The promotion of self-love is crucial, especially in a world that feels increasingly divsive, day by day. What 2 minute strategies or tips would you share with someone that they can implement, starting today, to increase their feelings of self-love and self-compassion? Absolutely, fostering self-love is vital, especially in today's world. Here are two quick strategies anyone can implement, starting today, to boost their feelings of self-love and self-compassion: 1. Daily Affirmations:Take a few minutes each morning to affirm positive statements about yourself. Stand in front of a mirror and say things like "I am worthy," "I am capable," or "I love and accept myself as I am." Repeat these affirmations throughout the day. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but with time, it can profoundly impact your self-perception. 2. Mindful Breathing and Self-Reflection: Dedicate a few moments to mindful breathing. Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly, allowing yourself to be present in the moment. As you breathe, reflect on your strengths, achievements, and moments of joy. Acknowledge any negative thoughts without judgment, and gently redirect your focus to positive aspects of yourself. These strategies are simple yet powerful. Incorporating them into your daily routine helps create a habit of self-love and mindfulness. Remember, self-love is a journey, and these small steps can lead to significant shifts in how you perceive and appreciate yourself. 4. In your method of disrupting diet culture, you emphasize self-love at any size. How did you develop this approach, and what inspired you to challenge the conventional notions of beauty and happiness? Challenging the conventional notions of beauty and happiness is at the core of my approach to disrupting diet culture. My journey toward this perspective has been shaped by personal experiences and a commitment to promoting genuine well-being. Development of the Approach: My approach developed organically, influenced by witnessing the struggles individuals face within the confines of societal beauty standards. I noticed the damaging impact of diet culture on mental and physical health. It became clear to me that true well-being goes beyond restrictive diets and unrealistic beauty ideals. Inspiration to Challenge Conventional Notions: Several factors inspired me to challenge these conventional notions. Firstly, personal experiences of overcoming societal pressures and embracing my own unique beauty played a significant role. I realized that happiness is not a size; it's a state of mind rooted in self-acceptance and love. Additionally, witnessing the emotional toll of diet culture on others fueled my determination to make a difference. The stories of individuals trapped in cycles of guilt, shame, and self-criticism pushed me to advocate for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to health and beauty. Understanding that happiness and well-being are multifaceted, I drew inspiration from the growing body positivity movement. It reinforced the idea that true happiness stems from self-love, regardless of one's size or appearance. Key Elements of the Approach: My approach emphasizes: Body Positivity: Encouraging individuals to appreciate and celebrate their bodies for what they are, fostering a positive relationship with their physical selves. Intuitive Eating: Promoting mindful eating and listening to the body's signals rather than adhering to restrictive diets dictated by external standards. Self-Love Practices: Incorporating practices that nurture self-love, such as mindfulness, positive affirmations, and gratitude, to foster a holistic sense of well-being. By challenging the norms perpetuated by diet culture, I aim to create a space where individuals can embrace their uniqueness, cultivate self-love, and redefine their relationship with beauty and happiness on their terms. It's a journey of empowerment and authenticity that I'm passionate about sharing with others. 5. Miss Nepal 2023 (Miss Universe Pageant in El Salvador) broke entrenched stereotypes around size inclusivity in the entertainment and pageant world. Do you believe our society is growing one step toward self-love at all sizes? The groundbreaking moment at Miss Nepal 2023, particularly in the context of size inclusivity, signals a positive shift in societal perceptions. It reflects a growing acknowledgment that beauty comes in diverse shapes and sizes, and everyone deserves to be celebrated. The fact that a pageant on such a global stage took a step towards breaking entrenched stereotypes is a significant stride towards fostering self-love at all sizes. It challenges traditional beauty standards and sends a powerful message that beauty is not confined to a specific body type. This moment encourages individuals to embrace their uniqueness and reinforces the idea that self-love is inclusive and should be celebrated in all its forms. As society witnesses and appreciates a broader range of body types in influential platforms like beauty pageants, it contributes to dismantling harmful stereotypes. It opens up conversations about diversity, promoting self-love, and underscores the importance of accepting ourselves and others without judgment. While there's still work to be done, such instances demonstrate a positive trajectory towards a more inclusive and accepting society. It encourages individuals to reevaluate their own standards of beauty and challenges the notion that only one specific body type is desirable. Ultimately, this contributes to a culture that values and celebrates self-love at all sizes, fostering a more positive and accepting environment for everyone. 6. You are the Founder of the Self-Love Maven Magazine. How does this medium contribute to creating a supportive community for women on their self-love journey As the founder of the Self-Love Maven Magazine, I'm passionate about creating a space that goes beyond traditional media narratives to foster a supportive community for women on their self-love journey. Diverse Representation: The magazine prioritizes diverse representation. By featuring women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and experiences, we ensure that every reader can find relatable stories that resonate with their own journey. This diversity helps break down stereotypes and fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging. Authentic Storytelling: We prioritize authentic storytelling. Contributors share their personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs on the path to self-love. By being transparent and vulnerable, these stories create a connection among readers, reassuring them that they are not alone in their journey and that imperfections are a natural part of the process. Expert Insights and Advice: The magazine provides expert insights and advice from professionals in various fields related to self-love, mental health, and well-being. This information equips our readers with practical tools and strategies to incorporate into their lives, enhancing their self-love journey. Community Engagement: Through forums, social media, and events, we encourage active engagement within our community. Readers can share their thoughts, ask for advice, and support each other in a positive and uplifting environment. This sense of community fosters a collective energy of empowerment and encouragement. Empowering Visuals: We curate empowering visuals that showcase beauty in all its forms. Our visuals challenge conventional standards and celebrate authenticity, encouraging women to embrace their unique beauty. Positive and empowering images contribute to reshaping societal perceptions and standards of beauty. Educational Resources: The magazine serves as an educational resource, offering articles, guides, and resources that empower women with the knowledge and tools to navigate their self-love journey. This combination of inspiration and education creates a holistic approach to personal growth. In essence, the Self-Love Maven Magazine is more than just a publication; it's a movement. It aims to shift cultural norms, redefine beauty standards, and create a supportive community where women can learn, share, and grow together on their journey toward self-love. 7. What is next for Martina Wall? How can our viewership follow along and support you? I'm excited about the journey ahead, and there are a few avenues where you can follow along and support me: 1. Upcoming Projects: Stay tuned for upcoming projects! Whether it's a new book collaboration, speaking engagements, or innovative initiatives related to self-love and empowerment, I'll be sharing updates through various channels. 2. Social Media: Follow me on social media platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook. These channels are where I regularly share insights, quotes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my life and work. It's also a great way to stay informed about any live events or online engagements. @martinahealthandwellness @selflovemavenmagazine 3. Website and Blog: Explore my website and blog for in-depth articles, resources, and updates. I often share valuable content related to self-love, mindfulness, and personal growth. www.martinahealthandwellness.com 4. Events and Workshops: If you're interested in attending live events, workshops, or speaking engagements, keep an eye on announcements. I'll share details about these opportunities on my website and social media platforms. 5. Collaborations and Partnerships: I'm always open to collaborations and partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations. If you share a passion for empowering others and promoting self-love, feel free to reach out. 6. Community Engagement: Join the conversation! Engage with me and the community through comments, discussions, and participation in events. Your input and support are invaluable in creating a positive and uplifting space for everyone. Remember, the journey toward self-love is a collective one, and I'm grateful for the support of each individual on this path. Together, we can continue to inspire and uplift others, fostering a community that celebrates authenticity and empowerment. I look forward to sharing more moments of growth and joy with you!