Meet Malena Martinez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Malena Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Malena , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

For the majority of my 20s I was searching for identity, purpose and value in all the wrong places. I used drugs and alcohol to bring comfort to my soul, which brought a temporary high that always left me feeling empty after. I continued partying and cycling in relationships, but I knew something needed to change, there had to be more. Throughout my entire life God was knocking on the door of my heart and had always been there, but I was too afraid to let go of control and let Him in. When I found myself in a church service in March of 2017, I felt drawn by the altar call the pastor was giving and in that moment I surrendered my life to Jesus. Since then, he’s shown me my true identity and purpose in life and brought healing to my soul. Knowing my identity as a daughter of God has given me confidence to pursue my calling and business in the health and nutrition industry. My passion is to provide people with healthy meals and recipes so they can nourish their bodies while delighting themselves in the One who created it all.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I started my health journey over 10 years ago as an undergrad in college. I was always tired and honestly uncomfortable in my skin due to weight gain. I thought dieting was the answer and sought help from unreliable health sources online rather than help from the pro’s. After experiencing failure, discouragement and overwhelm I decided something needed to change so I joined a health program. I’m so glad that I did because not only did that give me a solid foundation of what healthy eating and living looked like but it fueled the passion that I now have for nutrition. I went on to pursue my Master’s degree in Nutrition, obtained my certification in health coaching and plant based cooking. In the process, I found Jesus who changed my life forever. Because of Him, my business the whole seed exists.

I know firsthand what it’s like to be struggling for energy on a busy schedule and honestly, just wanting more out of life. My mission is to provide people with simple and satisfying whole food meals, recipes and hands on education so they can nourish their bodies while planting seeds of health and hope. I’m currently working on expanding my meal prep services in El Paso County and Teller County Colorado. My meals include a variety of proteins, nourishing vegetables, carbohydrates and healthy fats. I use ingredients that do not include artificial flavors or colors and always source organic when possible. The menu rotates weekly with 3 different meal selections that include a chicken, beef and plant based option. It’s my passion to ensure my customers are getting nutrient dense and quality food so they not only have the energy they need but enjoy every bite!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

A quality that has helped me in my journey is reliance on God. As I’ve put my trust in Him I’ve been able to move past the fear of failure and see the bigger picture. My relationship with Jesus reminds me of how the gifts He’s given me in nutrition and cooking help bring healing and health to people.

Another quality that has been impactful in my journey is grit. My passion for nutrition and cooking healthy food didn’t happen overnight. As I started to walk out my own health journey and realized the health benefits in living a healthy lifestyle, it eventually developed. It’s important to pay attention to where you find the most joy. What makes you light up when you talk about it? What does your heart burn for? You may not be the best at it but don’t give up. And don’t allow comparison to deter you from going after the dreams you have in your heart.

Although I have a certification in plant based cooking I’ve never attended a culinary school. I dreamed of working with a culinary team to grow in my cooking skills. Last year I had the opportunity to work side by side amazing chefs at Glen Eyrie, which was pivotal in my growth as a cook and taking my food and presentation to the next level.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I’ve dealt with many insecurities over the years that stunted me in starting my business and blog. I worried that my food wouldn’t be good enough or no one would want to follow along. As I moved to Colorado and began attending bible college, so many fears I’d been believing began to come to light. There is a chapter in the bible, Proverbs 31, that talks about a business woman who perceives her merchandise is profitable. I realized I didn’t believe in my own worth and this was something I had to overcome. After hearing the word of God 5 days a week in school and believing my identity in Christ, I was able to launch out and start my business and blog. I said no to the lies and figured I had nothing else to lose. Why not just step out and try? Stepping out in faith has been the biggest blessing and area of growth I’ve seen in my life over the past 12 months.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewholeseed.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thewholeseed_

Image Credits

Abigail Eickenroth