Welcome back to the Speak to Freedom podcast. Today, we have the incredible Robyn Tanner as our guest. Robyn’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From sleeping in her gym with her kids to becoming a speaker, author, and coach, she's faced incredible challenges with resilience and determination. But Robyn’s story isn't just about her own battles; it's about how she empowers others to find their own fights and emerge victorious. Through her experiences, she guides others to a place where they can wake up every day and say, "I love myself. I love what I've achieved." Join us as Robyn shares her inspiring journey and insights on how to turn your struggles into triumphs, not just for yourself but for those around you as well. [1:45] Robyn, if you're comfortable sharing with the world, imagine someone walking into a room with you and asking, "Hey, what do you do?" How would you respond? Fighter" is my first instinct, but it goes deeper. I'm a warrior, a nurturing mom, a dedicated wife, and a passionate coach (since the age of 19, no less!). This drive to empower others is ingrained in me. While I'm a transformation coach now, and even owned a gym for years, the fighting spirit is what truly defines me. With your help, I've embraced this powerful side of myself, and that's what I want to share with other women: to unleash their inner badass and own it. But my drive extends beyond the gym. I'm a writer at heart, with a book ("The Machete Mentality") already under my belt and several more in the works. Public speaking is a natural extension of this, as I'm now a motivational speaker as well. [3:00] Would you be willing to share with us what contributed to developing the fighter within you? From a young age, resilience defined me. Though I had a loving family, their divorce at five turned my world upside down. Witnessing my brother's struggle with addiction added another layer of hardship. I learned to take care of myself early on. Then, a rare, undiagnosed illness nearly took my life. Dismissed and doubted by the medical system, I had to fight for myself. This "fighter within" led to a grueling surgery and a chronic condition I manage daily. Tragedy struck again when my stepmother passed away from cancer. Wrestling with survivor's guilt and a life unlived, I realized I was trapped in a picture-perfect life that felt empty. This internal battle ignited a fire – the warrior spirit I'd buried as a stay-at-home mom resurfaced. This awakening was my turning point. It was scary, but I embraced authenticity. Now, I empower women to do the same. Through coaching and my "Wake the Warrior" speech, I guide them to confront their inner demons and own their battles. Life is a gift, and I choose to live it fully, limitations and all. Just like me, many walk around unseen battles and unfulfilled dreams. I want to help them shift their mindset from "should" to "get to" – to create the life they truly desire. That's the message I want to carry forward. [7:58] What was the idea behind your decision to help others despite battling your own struggles? It all began at my gym. I was ready to ditch the "picture-perfect" life that felt inauthentic, even if it wasn't outwardly terrible. Opening the gym was a fresh start. People came with typical fitness goals – weight loss, aesthetics, health. But with my 19 years of experience as a trainer, I saw something deeper. This wasn't just physical; it was emotional, mental, and spiritual. Their inner world needed an overhaul for their outer world to truly reflect them. Clients started opening up about struggles at home, work, relationships, and food. It wasn't laziness or lack of discipline; it was misalignment. They weren't facing their inner giants, living a daily lie. Yelling instructions or new diets wouldn't solve it. They needed an "inside strategy" – purging negativity, letting go of the past, and fighting for their future selves. Otherwise, it was a cycle of quick weight loss followed by regain. This is when I knew I had to share my story. I'd battled eating disorders, a dishonest marriage, and actions I wasn't proud of. My own "wake-up call" almost cost me my life, but it also showed me how to help others. Being vulnerable about my past became the key to guiding them on the right path. [13:20] How does one begin to define and give the necessary honor and focus to solving their struggles? Many of my clients are high-achieving women who project strength outwardly. They juggle careers and families, presenting a "grin and bear it" facade. However, this often masks a fear of vulnerability. They don't want to burden their partners or express their true needs. This lack of communication hinders their growth. I believe the path to transformation is threefold. The first step is surrender. This isn't giving up entirely, but rather questioning what truly serves them. Letting go of outdated versions of ...
