Meet Lily Tomasula Martin

We were lucky to catch up with Lily Tomasula Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lily with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I’ve always been a driven person. My mom often jokes that I was packing my own diaper bag at 18 months, and that sense of independence and determination has only grown over time. In college, I was a Division I runner, which taught me invaluable lessons about the power of hard work, resilience, and showing up, even when things feel tough. That experience was pivotal for me—it proved that I’m capable of accomplishing difficult things, even when I’m not sure I can.

I bring that same mindset to my work today, both as a therapist and a business owner. The work I do is incredibly meaningful, but like running, it can be challenging. On the tough days, I remind myself that the progress I see in my clients and the success of the business I’ve built are all testaments to what’s possible when we keep pushing forward. It reinforces my belief that we’re all capable of more than we realize.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hello, I’m Lily, a therapist and the founder of Petal & Pine Therapy. Growing up, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I always knew I loved hearing people’s stories. That fascination has stayed with me, and it’s what fuels my passion for being a therapist, even on the challenging days.

I began my career working in an agency setting, but I quickly realized I could offer more to my clients in a different environment. Inspired by a desire to meet a greater need, I founded my own private practice. Petal & Pine is built around the idea of growth—both personal and relational. So often, people think therapy is only for when they’ve hit rock bottom, but I believe it can be transformative at any stage of life. Therapy isn’t just about repairing what’s broken; it’s about making intentional changes and growing in ways that empower us, rather than reacting to crises.

I’m excited to offer virtual therapy to anyone in the state of Colorado, focusing on women struggling with perfectionism, couples, and individuals in their mid-20s who are navigating life’s big questions. I’m also thrilled to be launching a new workshop in January for women in the Roaring Fork Valley, designed to cultivate empowerment through whole-body wellness and nature.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and the work I’m so passionate about. I’m here to help you grow in ways that feel true to you.

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?

1. Trust your intuition. You know what is right for you and you have to trust that feeling! Even when it’s scary.
2. You’re going to make mistakes and that is part of the process. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t.
3. Create a world that allows you to have a life with some work in it. The goal is not to work until we can’t, the goal is to have a full and meaningful life.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

The best piece of advice I can offer is to slow down. In a world that often feels like it’s moving at lightning speed, it’s easy to forget that nothing is so urgent that we can’t take a moment for ourselves. I remind myself of this often. We are all responsible for creating moments of slowness in our lives, even when everything around us feels fast-paced.

For me, those moments of slowness look like snuggling with my dog, spending time outdoors, or simply making a cup of tea. When I pause to appreciate the small, simple things, it helps ground me and makes the overwhelming moments feel more manageable. Remember, you don’t have to solve everything all at once. You’ll get there—one step at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.petalandinetherapy.com
• Instagram: @petalandpinetherapy