Trailblazing Balance: Women, Wellness, and Entrepreneurship – I think I’m addicted to stress. It’s the only way I can explain why I’ve found myself yet again in another hospital emergency room, hooked up to IVs after undergoing EKG tests, CAT scans, x-rays, and enough bloodwork to leave me feeling drained. Ten grueling hours later, what I thought might be a heart attack or stroke was diagnosed as symptoms of chronic stress.
Chronic stress—a condition so many women know all too well. For centuries, we’ve been taught to put our well-being on the back burner, to juggle roles, and to make sacrifices for the sake of others. As women, we wear so many hats that it’s easy to forget about the most important one: self-care.
I take full accountability for how I ended up in that emergency room. I’ve worked too long and too hard without knowing how to slow down. But as I sat there, utterly drained, I couldn’t help but hear my mama’s voice in my head: “You’re so hard-headed.”
She was right. My hard-headedness, however, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s what has fueled my determination to do what I love—writing stories that matter, giving back through my nonprofit Saving Promise, and empowering other women through my brand FAST. On the other hand, it’s also what has driven me to the brink, ignoring the warning signs that come with pushing too hard for too long.
My late mother was the very definition of a trailblazer. Her memory is what gets me out of bed every day to chase my dreams. But lately, I’ve found myself asking: Is this what she would want for me? Would she want her daughter burning out in pursuit of “success”?
The truth is, growing up in poverty, I idolized women who defied societal norms—women who shattered glass ceilings and created opportunities where none existed. These trailblazers taught me that with vision, resilience, and determination, anything is possible. Their courage inspired my own journey as an entrepreneur.
But inspiration has its limits. It wasn’t until my health scare that I realized something had to change. I was so consumed by the demands of entrepreneurship that I’d lost sight of what truly mattered: my well-being, my family, and the joy of simply being present.
This reckoning forced me to reevaluate what success means. Is it hitting financial milestones at the expense of your health? Is it growing a business while losing touch with yourself and those you love? For me, the answer was a resounding no.
Despite my stubborn nature, I knew I had to learn to cultivate balance—not just for myself but for the women I aim to inspire. Balance, I’ve discovered, isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a lifelong journey. It’s a dance of prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and nurturing your purpose without losing yourself in the process.
I think about women like my mama—women who didn’t have the luxury of “balance” because they were too busy surviving. I owe it to her and to the women who came before me to chart a different course. A course where we honor both our ambitions and our well-being.
This revelation transformed not just my personal life but also my business philosophy. I’ve vowed to begin integrating mindfulness practices into my daily routine, setting non-negotiable boundaries, and creating space for what truly matters. My brand, FAST, has become an extension of this ethos—a way to inspire and empower women to pursue their dreams while prioritizing wellness.
Through my journey, I’ve met countless women who are also navigating this delicate balance. Their stories, like mine, are a testament to resilience and determination. Women who have battled the odds to build businesses, nurture families, and live with purpose. Together, we are creating a new narrative—one that says it’s okay to dream big, but not at the expense of your health or happiness.
I feel immense gratitude for the path I’m on. I get to do what I love every day—write stories that matter, give back to my community, and help other women ignite their passions and step into their power. Yes, I’m hard-headed. But I’m also deeply blessed to live a life filled with purpose, passion, and possibility.
This month, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I reflect on the trailblazing women who paved the way for us. They remind me that the strength we need is already within us, and the legacy we leave is not just in what we achieve but in how we live.
So to every woman reading this: Take a moment to pause. Breathe. Remember that your worth isn’t tied to how much you accomplish or how many roles you juggle. Your worth lies in the simple, profound fact that you are here. Alive. Capable. Enough.
Let’s continue breaking barriers, but let’s do so with grace and self-compassion. Let’s create a world where women can thrive—not in spite of their challenges, but because of how they embrace them. Let’s rewrite the story of success to include not just ambition but also joy, wellness, and balance.
Together, we can inspire a generation of women to do what they love while honoring the beautiful, complicated, and powerful people they already are.
L.Y. Marlow is an author, philanthropist, and business strategist driven by three core ambitions Trailblazing Balance: Women, Wellness, and Entrepreneurship
I think I’m addicted to stress. It’s the only way I can explain why I’ve found myself yet again in another hospital emergency room, hooked up to IVs after undergoing EKG tests, CAT scans, x-rays, and enough bloodwork to leave me feeling drained. Ten grueling hours later, what I thought might be a heart attack or stroke was diagnosed as symptoms of chronic stress.
Chronic stress—a condition so many women know all too well. For centuries, we’ve been taught to put our well-being on the back burner, to juggle roles, and to make sacrifices for the sake of others. As women, we wear so many hats that it’s easy to forget about the most important one: self-care.
I take full accountability for how I ended up in that emergency room. I’ve worked too long and too hard without knowing how to slow down. But as I sat there, utterly drained, I couldn’t help but hear my mama’s voice in my head: “You’re so hard-headed.”
She was right. My hard-headedness, however, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s what has fueled my determination to do what I love—writing stories that matter, giving back through my nonprofit Saving Promise, and empowering other women through my brand FAST. On the other hand, it’s also what has driven me to the brink, ignoring the warning signs that come with pushing too hard for too long.
My late mother was the very definition of a trailblazer. Her memory is what gets me out of bed every day to chase my dreams. But lately, I’ve found myself asking: Is this what she would want for me? Would she want her daughter burning out in pursuit of “success”?
The truth is, growing up in poverty, I idolized women who defied societal norms—women who shattered glass ceilings and created opportunities where none existed. These trailblazers taught me that with vision, resilience, and determination, anything is possible. Their courage inspired my own journey as an entrepreneur.
But inspiration has its limits. It wasn’t until my health scare that I realized something had to change. I was so consumed by the demands of entrepreneurship that I’d lost sight of what truly mattered: my well-being, my family, and the joy of simply being present.
This reckoning forced me to reevaluate what success means. Is it hitting financial milestones at the expense of your health? Is it growing a business while losing touch with yourself and those you love? For me, the answer was a resounding no.
Despite my stubborn nature, I knew I had to learn to cultivate balance—not just for myself but for the women I aim to inspire. Balance, I’ve discovered, isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a lifelong journey. It’s a dance of prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and nurturing your purpose without losing yourself in the process.
I think about women like my mama—women who didn’t have the luxury of “balance” because they were too busy surviving. I owe it to her and to the women who came before me to chart a different course. A course where we honor both our ambitions and our well-being.
This revelation transformed not just my personal life but also my business philosophy. I’ve vowed to begin integrating mindfulness practices into my daily routine, setting non-negotiable boundaries, and creating space for what truly matters. My brand, FAST, has become an extension of this ethos—a way to inspire and empower women to pursue their dreams while prioritizing wellness.
Through my journey, I’ve met countless women who are also navigating this delicate balance. Their stories, like mine, are a testament to resilience and determination. Women who have battled the odds to build businesses, nurture families, and live with purpose. Together, we are creating a new narrative—one that says it’s okay to dream big, but not at the expense of your health or happiness.
I feel immense gratitude for the path I’m on. I get to do what I love every day—write stories that matter, give back to my community, and help other women ignite their passions and step into their power. Yes, I’m hard-headed. But I’m also deeply blessed to live a life filled with purpose, passion, and possibility.
This month, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I reflect on the trailblazing women who paved the way for us. They remind me that the strength we need is already within us, and the legacy we leave is not just in what we achieve but in how we live.
So to every woman reading this: Take a moment to pause. Breathe. Remember that your worth isn’t tied to how much you accomplish or how many roles you juggle. Your worth lies in the simple, profound fact that you are here. Alive. Capable. Enough.
Let’s continue breaking barriers, but let’s do so with grace and self-compassion. Let’s create a world where women can thrive—not in spite of their challenges, but because of how they embrace them. Let’s rewrite the story of success to include not just ambition but also joy, wellness, and balance.
Together, we can inspire a generation of women to do what they love while honoring the beautiful, complicated, and powerful people they already are.
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