Meet Meghan Martínez | Business Owner, Coach, Poet, and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meghan Martínez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meghan, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I am a parent to five kiddos. I think the most important thing I have done as a parent is simply being willing to continually look at and lovingly accept the realities of who I am as a person and then do the work to develop myself from there.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is really an extension of my relationship with my husband in a lot of ways. It’s partially a way we can continue to develop and share who we are and the things we value and love to do. The business we are building is an exploration of our own lives and humanity and all the things we need in order to grow well and be supported through that uncomfortable evolution. The name itself, Smokestone, is intentionally poetic. The visual is both concrete and illusive, physical and spiritual—two components to the whole.

What sets us apart is we aren’t afraid to put things together that don’t seem to fit in society, like poetry and strength coaching or art and nutrition. We can take risks like that and feel good about it with the confidence that we will serve the people who come to us fully. We have constraints in other areas, but we see those as gifts— the way limits help us be more creative, not less.

Through this business I’ve learned that my own curiosity lays the groundwork for what is needed and what works for me. While I do need a vision and goals, the big picture doesn’t have to be completely clear. It becomes more distinct as things age, like us!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is funny, because we moved during lockdown so I haven’t explored much myself. I think, in general, I would take by friends to the local national snd state parks. I like to get outdoors to hike or get out in the water. On one or two nights, I would definitely check out any live music in the local area and any artist or poet pop-ups or stand up acts. When people visit, I prefer not to pack too much in because I want to have time to cook for them and hang out at the house or around a fire to chat about meaningful things.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband is my partner and teammate and best friend. Not only do we support each other, but we push and challenge each other as well. Somehow we do it all while laughing. I have been reading books regularly since I was young child and haven’t ever stopped, so countless authors, poets, and leaders have mentored me through those pages. I’m grateful for the many trips my parents made to libraries and bookstores. Some favorites are Seamus Heaney, Mary Oliver, Joy Harjo, Anne Lamott, Ayn Rand, and James Baldwin. Music, breath, and movement sustain me daily. The support of a few close friends can’t go unmentioned: Katie Cousins, Erica Boland, and Brittany Cataldo. The work of Dr. Cara Miller and Logan Gelbrich and their predecessors has been very influential in my own development. The church has certainly influenced my life and my faith in God has evolved over time. The Center for Action and Contemplation has been a lighthouse for me. Through their work, I continually return to love and compassion. In their expression of faith, I have found a renewed spirituality and return to the biblical lessons of my upbringing with a new tenderness and understanding.

Website: Thesmokestone.com

Instagram: @amotionpoet @thesmokestone

Linkedin: Meghan Martínez

Image Credits
Katie Cousins, South Landing Fitness