Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Morgan Martin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Morgan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

It’s been 10 years, and I’ll never forget the day my younger brother, Marcus Martin, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 25 from a pulmonary embolism. That moment shattered me. It was one of the darkest seasons of my life..one that brought deep grief, depression, and a pain I didn’t know how to carry.

But somehow, through all of that heartbreak, a seed of transformation was planted.

At the time, I was living in California. But after Marcus passed, something told me to come back home to Chicago to be with my family and to start rebuilding. What felt like a step backward actually became the catalyst for everything that was to come.

In my healing, I dove deep into health, wellness, and spiritual growth. I didn’t want to just survive I wanted to LIVE and THRIVE. I wanted to help others do the same. That’s when LiveAndBelieve Wellness was born—a reminder to live every day like it’s your last and believe that anything is possible.

It started small. Workouts in the park. Hosting programs around the city. Creating online transformations for women and families. And then, by God’s grace, we opened our very own community space on the South Side of Chicago known asThe LAB. A place where people could come as they are, feel supported, and build the version of themselves they were proud of. Is a nutrition, healthy hangout Café in the front and a small workout and Workshop space in the back.

And this mission has only expanded. From serving women through fitness and mindset programs, to now working in schools and corporate spaces bringing wellness, journaling, movement, and healing to staff, students, and teens. I think so much about my brother and the things that he loved and he loved working with youth, even if we had different gifts and talents. So I get to continue on that Legacy in my work also, it’s the #chicago program manager for a nonprofit call Creative Netwer.k. I’ve also partnered with my best friend Victoria Passmore to create the We LiveAndBelieve movement which is a community rooted in sisterhood, celebration, and creating safe spaces for Black and Brown women to connect and feel well.

Through it all, my brother Marcus has never left my side. His spirit is in every smile, every hug, every photo on the wall of our space. His life reminds me that the best way to honor someone you’ve lost is to live your life fully in their memory.

Turning tragedy into triumph wasn’t easybut it was possible. And if you’ve ever lost someone, know this: you are still here. Your life still matters. And the best way to keep their legacy alive is to keep showing up, shining, and living out your purpose.

Morgan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey! My name is Morgan Nicole Martin, and I’m the founder of LiveAndBelieve Wellness which movement, a space, and a mission dedicated to helping our community but especially women live fully, love themselves deeply, and believe that anything is possible.

Fitness has been a part of my life since day one. I grew up as a track runner, constantly on the move, and spent my entire life cheering including through college, where I was a Division I cheerleader at the University of Illinois. I’ve always had a love for movement and sports, but what I didn’t fully understand back then was REAL wellness. not just what you do physically, but how you nourish, care for, and speak to yourself on the inside.

For years, I struggled with extreme yo-yo dieting, body image issues, and unhealthy habits that included falling into an eating disorder—because I thought that’s what it took to “look” or “feel” a certain way. But deep down, I knew that couldn’t be real life. I knew there had to be a better way and not just for me, but for all the women out there trying to fit into an image that was never designed to honor their true selves.

My turning point came in the midst of one of the hardest seasons of my life when I was grieving the unexpected loss of my younger brother, Marcus Martin. That loss shook my world, but it also pushed me into purpose. I made the choice to stop just surviving and start truly living. I began educating myself on nutrition, mental health, holistic healing, and movement that feels good and not punishing. I immersed myself in self-practice, and through that journey, LiveAndBelieve Wellness was born.

What we offer now is a range of transformational wellness services for women and communities. We lead group classes, including strength, dance cardio, Thrive Drum Cardio and meditation. We create 6week transformation programs that blend mindset work, journaling, fitness, and clean eating. We bring wellness into schools and corporate spaces with workshops for students, staff, and leadership teams. And we host events and retreats that are rooted in sisterhood, healing, and joy especially for Black and Brown women.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just talk about wellness but we strive to live it. We build safe spaces where you can be seen, supported, and celebrated. Whether you’re walking into The LAB, our wellness space in Beverly, or joining one of our online programs, our mission stays the same: helping you glow from the inside out.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. Seeing women walk through our doors feeling unsure or stuck and watching them come alive through accountability, support, and consistency that’s everything to me. My journey has taught me that healing is possible. Joy is possible. And transformation doesn’t have to be lonely it can be beautiful, empowering, and fun.

So if you’re looking for more than just a fitness class… if you want to feel like yourself again, to reconnect with your body, and to surround yourself with a community that lifts you up we got you. We don’t just move here. We heal. We grow. We live. And we believe.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped us build our reputation within the community was love… like real, genuine love for the people we serve.

Before we ever opened our doors, we made it a point to show up not just as a business, but as a presence. We were in the parks, in the schools, at pop-up events offering free classes, conversations, and energy to the community with no expectation other than to connect. We didn’t wait for people to come to us. We went to them. We introduced ourselves, shared our mission, and let them know, “We’re here for YOU.” And that intention has never changed.

I’ve always believed that no one really cares what you’re selling until they know you care. So everything we’ve built—from the programs to the partnerships—has been rooted in service first. Our community knew our heart before they knew our price list. They felt our passion before we ever had a building. We weren’t just another wellness brand popping up we were their wellness space, their transformation family , their people.

That foundation of trust is what set us apart. And that’s why people still walk through our doors today even having to go through the pandemic season. I believe they return not just because of the services we offer, but because of the energy, the consistency, and the community we’ve created. Our reputation was never built on marketing. It was built on mission. And that’s what keeps it strong.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

When it comes to managing a team and keeping morale high, my biggest piece of advice is to treat your team like family. That’s how I see mine. We’re all aligned in purpose and mission, even if we don’t always agree that’s okay. We’re open to bringing ideas to the table, listening to each other, and making decisions that may not please everyone but are always in line with the bigger vision.

We focus on keeping good vibes in our space, while also giving each other grace. If someone’s having a tough day, they know they can step back and reset without judgment. It’s important that my team knows I care about them as people, not just for what they do. That kind of connection is what keeps our energy strong and our work impactful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Morgannicolemartin.com
• Instagram: @morgannicolemartin_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8vbnV6uS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: Morgannicolemartin
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@morgannicolemartin?si=dbYbqnLEeuWDKIVJ
• Other: Weliveandbelieve.com
  Themarcusmartinfoundation.com
  Liveandbelievewellness.com

Image Credits

Morgan