The 10 pounds that weigh more than you think
Key illuminated insight
Losing weight has been my personal challenge since my teens — a journey of setbacks, resilience, and hard-won lessons.
Just like marketing in fintech and financial services, sustainable progress requires:
Focusing on what matters, not everything at once
Aligning your mindset before tactics
Accepting that growth isn’t linear
Growth happens when you lead with honesty, empathy, and focus.
That’s true for your health — and for your business.
Step into full illumination
My doctor recently told me I should lose 10 pounds. Easy, right? Nope. Not for me.
Watching what I eat — and watching my weight — has been a challenge since my teens, where my uncle would regularly call me out for being “too fat.” My metabolism? Always low. My relationship with my body? Complicated.
So, here I go again. Another attempt to lose that 10 pounds that just keeps creeping back — this time armed with honesty and transparency.
Because that’s the kind of leader I am: I bring transparency and honesty to everything I do.
And this journey? It’s taught me lessons that founders and CEOs can apply to their own growth journeys, too.
Lesson 1: More isn’t always better
When I start thinking about losing weight, I instinctively pile on too many changes:
→ Cut carbs
→ Cut sugar
→ Do 10,000 steps a day
→ Start strength training
→ …all at once.
It’s overwhelming. And it rarely sticks.
The same thing happens in fintech marketing. Founders try to do everything at once:
→ LinkedIn posts
→ Paid ads
→ Webinars
→ Podcasts
→ Cold outreach
→ Content marketing
The result? Burnout. Confusion. And a marketing budget that feels like a black hole.
Just like my weight loss journey, focus is key. Start with one small, consistent change that’s sustainable — then build from there.
Lesson 2: Mindset matters more than tactics
Climbing the Grouse Grind. My why: I can do this and be stronger if I persevere.
I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that no meal plan or gym schedule works if my mindset is off.
If I’m doing it to punish myself, I quit.
If I’m doing it to feel better, to get stronger, to build energy for my day — I’m more likely to stick with it.
In fintech, marketing tactics are everywhere. Tools are everywhere. But if the mindset of your team is scattered — or worse, panicked — no tactic will save you.
Your marketing has to be aligned with your why.
Why are you in this market?
Why are you serving this audience?
Why does your story matter?
Without that mindset, every tactic becomes a short-term fix — and your brand becomes just another voice in the noise.
Lesson 3: Progress isn’t linear — And that’s okay
I’ve gained and lost the same 10 pounds more times than I can count.
It’s frustrating.
It’s also human.
Progress isn’t always a straight line. There are setbacks, days when I don’t hit my step goal, days when the scale doesn’t budge (or goes the wrong way).
The same is true in marketing. Campaigns will flop. Experiments will fail. CAC might spike unexpectedly. Investors might ask tough questions.
That’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that you’re in the game — that you’re trying, learning, and refining.
Illuminating the path forward
As a fractional CMO, I bring clarity and vision — cutting through the noise, finding the signal, and building marketing systems that align your story with your customers’ needs.
I cried at the top of The Grouse Grind. A huge challenge and elated that I persevered and made it!
That means every marketing dollar works harder, every campaign ties back to business outcomes, and every growth effort feels less like a gamble and more like a smart investment.
That’s the same mindset I’m bringing to my weight loss journey. I’m not trying every new hack. I’m not beating myself up for setbacks. I’m focusing on progress, not perfection.
The Final Thought
Whether you’re losing 10 pounds or building a marketing strategy that fuels your next funding round, the same truth applies:
Growth happens when you lead with honesty, empathy, and focus.
So, here I go again — one step at a time. And I invite you to do the same.