Dana “Truly Inspired” Martin, is a female titan in this world surely. After surviving unbearable pain and suffering, she comes out on the other side even stronger. From domestic violence and a suicide attempt, to creating her own business and graduating from Clark Atlanta University. A true testimony that women are truly the backbone of this nation.
We had the pleasure of speaking to Dana about her trials and how she was able to come out on the other side.
Where did the name Truly Inspired Martin come from ?
The name Truly Inspired Martin came about during Dana’s darkest hours. As a 2x domestic violence and suicide survivor; she knows what it means to overcome and be relentless in pursuit to encourage yourself and become the best version of yourself. Truly Inspired Martin simply means, learning how to truly inspire yourself from within to unleash the woman you were meant to be.
What was the healing process like before your transformation and what are some of the things you did to really start moving forward?
I would never lie to you and say it’s been an easy road or that I just woke up one day and I was just this powerhouse woman that can teach women how to stand in their power. No! It took work. It took therapy, nights of asking myself why and going through hatred of self, it took going through countless pages in journals, waiting for apologies I may never get, and trying to understand a mission in my life that did not align with what I currently saw possible.
Honestly, the steps that I took towards truly moving forward started with me really understanding that I was even standing still. I was stuck with my hurt, blaming everything and everyone with accountability, and understanding the areas I was weak in so I can find the right people or things to mend those areas of brokenness. One of the best things I have ever done was coaching, therapy, and learning the steps towards understanding how I deal with my emotions and strengthening that to help my own day-to-day coping mechanisms. I became a resilient and relentless force of nature.
How has being an HBCU graduate helped you throughout your business journey? What has been one of those valuable lessons you learned?
My HBCU, Thee Clark Atlanta University, was the most pivotal part of my adult existence. Let me explain, I am a native of New Jersey, north Jersey to be exact. I grew up pretty diverse for a good part of my life. I love having a well-rounded background, but there was something that shifted in me when I came to Atlanta in 2007. Clark Atlanta taught me a different type of love for self and I learned a sense of pride for who I am and what I was capable of by seeing a “bunch of women like me”, everywhere. There are lessons I’ve learned from professors such as Dr. Kimbro, Dr. Bass, and Dr. Georgianne Thomas that cannot be unlearned, they are embedded in how I conduct life and business. If there is one word that sticks in my memory bank, it would be EXCELLENCE!
I aim to outperform myself in all areas, because I have to be the best in my arena. The funny thing about it all is the best lesson I remember is actually rooted in our school’s motto: “Find a way or make one”. This one line is the thing that pushes me when I feel “there’s no other options”, I figure out. By any means necessary, I make it happen, because greatness doesn’t make excuses… you are the exception!
Tell us about your company tag line from “B.S to Success” and what that means for women who are looking for a transformation
What if you knew that you were your biggest hindrance and if you had the ability to peel back the layers of your own barriers you would become successful in your own right? Would you take the chance to bet on you or allow the same nonsense you’ve always allowed to block you from your next level?
Well see it simple! Your BS (self-made or otherwise) is the interference that comes between where you are past and present and the life you desire and deserve. I truly believe when a woman taps into her powers and her unique ability to increase and understand her emotional intelligence, then she takes on her purest form. This is when you make your transition from playing small with yourself to unwrapping what YOU DEEM success! The transformation is honestly in your hands; if you take the blueprint and implement it. I truly want to see women win, because I remember a long streak of losing on my journey.
Tell us about upcoming projects you are working on
There are always some things coming down the pipeline. Let’s just say we have a new book coming out this summer, a new program launching women, and some other amazing things for our personal development suite. I can’t wait to expand my reach and be able to help more women on a global scale. Our efforts through coaching and consulting will reshape the way personal and professional development looks. Stay close to our website and instagram pages; you don’t want to miss this!
Leave us with some words of advice you can offer to aspiring and current HBCU students
Even when others can’t see the vision, go for it anyway and give it all you got! You will truly see what it is to be among the elite when you are in an environment conducive to understanding and unleashing pure excellence. Don’t be afraid to explore the greatest parts of you! And always remember to “find a way or make one”.
What are 3 fun facts most people don’t know about you ?
Whew, interesting question! 3 fun facts most people don’t know are:
1. I was a singer and songwriter for the majority of life starting at around 4th grade.
2. I played the violin very well for many years.
3. My HS guidance counselor told me I would HAVE TO go to a community college without real reasoning, and I was accepted into 13 out of 14 colleges and universities I applied to. The funny part was not one of these colleges were in NJ; because I wanted/needed to get away.
What legacy do you want to leave behind for the next generation?
Legacy. Just like that good Beyonce song “I was here” the lyrics speak so deeply to me and truly summarize how I choose to live my life. The words go:
“When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won’t forget
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I’ve done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here
I wanna say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in somebody’s life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference and this world will see”
It may sound like something you’ve heard before, but let’s be clear! One of my driving forces was and still is my mother. My mom has been there through the thick and thin;I have to level up my generational imprint, impact, and income for not only her but for those to come behind me. I understand NOW that life happens whether you are ready for it or not and I had to cultivate a mindset that would combat all the negativity that I
or others caused in my life. All the trauma I have endured was absolutely devastating to the woman that was trying to blossom from me. But in some odd way, it made me reevaluate so much about myself and the way I would matriculate through life. I had
to become strong because staying with that weakness I felt would not bring forth a powerful woman. I know now and on my journey that healing through therapy, time, and reaffirmation of self-worth is the only thing that reshapes the sharp edges of a broken soul.
Dana Martin Bio
Dana ”Truly Inspired” Martin teaches women how to go from BS To Success ™ in their life by increasing their emotional intelligence and becoming more self-aware. She is a captivating, real, and raw international speaker, host, Author of “Recrown You”, “90 days to Recrown You- the guided journal”, and will release the BS TO SUCCESS™ planner system for 2021. She is a certified RESET Coach, and an HR Consultant for small business owners domestically. She is also the founder of her nonprofit “Spoken 4 Causes”, an organization to help women getting past domestic violence situations and combating recidivism. In 2018, She was awarded Entrepreneur Of The Year by Canada’s Women on Fire.
As a native of New Jersey; she hopes to be able to go back to her old neighborhoods and help the young ladies like her find their way out of the darkness as well. She is a true inspiration and leader in aiding young girls and women in the community. Dana is a graduate of the Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Business Management/Entrepreneurship and has several other certifications in the Human Resources space, Personal development, and self-awareness training. She will soon be working towards a certification to aid with helping the domestic violence population and helping female ex-felons with recidivism.
She is a 2x suicide & domestic violence survivor and has overcome childhood and adult trauma; amongst many other trials and tribulations. As a professional speaker for 7+ years and as an entrepreneur she has received many accolades and awards; such as being nominated 4 years in a row for Orator of the year, Woman of Purpose and Trailblazer, Mentor of the year, Motivational Speaker, and Women’s advocate by several organizations. She has been honored for her contributions to the community and also received a certificate of advocacy for her dedication to reverse diabetes by Heeling Diabetes LLC. Dana has been a member of the NAACP, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, National Association for Professional Women, and served on the royal court for Spelman’s organization ACTS as “Ms. Social Awareness”. Dana has received recognition from Dekalb County and Atlanta Public Schools for her dedication to our youth. She has been featured in VEU Magazine, Rolling Out, VoyageATL, ShoutOUTATL, FOX, NBC, Bloomingdales, STS Publications, Jamaica Observer, BE100 RADIO, Michael & Joi Morning show; among many others.
Dana believes we are all given a reset button—a chance to move from the BS in our past to unlock the success you desire and deserve. Your yesterday is a life lesson in your book of becoming; learn the lesson and move into your greater. She helps women globally to live life real, raw, and relentless
Visit Dana online at https://www.itstrulyinspiredmartin.com/
Follow Dana on her Instagram below
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