Gina Martirano shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gina, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I feel called to fully step into my path as a yoga teacher and entrepreneur, something I was once afraid to do. Leaving the security of corporate work to dedicate myself to teaching and to building my business felt daunting—there’s a lot of uncertainty in carving your own way. But I’ve realized that aligning my work with my passions is the most meaningful choice I can make.
I also want to recognize the privilege in being able to take this leap. Not everyone has the resources, support, or safety net to pursue their dreams in this way, and I don’t take that lightly. I try to honor that by creating spaces—through yoga and through my business—that are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in empathy. My hope is that by stepping into this path, I can use my own opportunity to encourage and support others on theirs!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Gina Martirano, and I’m the founder of Empathic and a yoga instructor based in the Chicagoland area. Empathic is an online wellness boutique that curates small-batch, intentional goods—everything from candles and aromatherapy to mindful lifestyle products—sourced primarily from women-owned, family-owned, and minority-owned makers. What makes it special is that every product is chosen with the values of empathy, mindfulness, and connection in mind.
Alongside running Empathic, I also teach yoga and am a Reiki practitioner, blending movement and energy work to create inclusive spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and feel supported. To me, Empathic is more than just a shop—it’s a way of building community and reminding people to live with intention. Right now, I’m focused on expanding our reach through pop-ups, markets, and studio partnerships, with more exciting offerings to come. My hope is to continue making mindful living both accessible and personal.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that I’m learning to release is the version of myself that always felt the need to perform, prove, and perfect. For a long time, especially coming from corporate America, I believed success meant constant productivity, overextending myself, and measuring my worth by external validation. That mindset served me at one stage of life—it helped me stay disciplined and driven—but it also kept me disconnected from my true self.
Stepping into yoga and building my business has shown me another way. I’m realizing that I don’t need to carry that pressure anymore. I can release the version of me that was defined by hustle and instead embrace a way of working and living that feels aligned, intentional, and sustainable. That release has been liberating, and it’s allowed me to create from a place of authenticity rather than fear.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: you are not “too much.” For a long time, I was called dramatic or overly emotional, and I carried that as if something was wrong with me. What I know now is that my sensitivity and emotions are not weaknesses—they’re gifts. It’s okay to feel deeply, to express yourself, and to honor your own emotions.
I’d remind her that being emotional doesn’t mean being fragile—it means being human. Those feelings are what allow you to connect, to empathize, and to create in meaningful ways. I’d tell her: trust your voice, trust your heart, and don’t ever shrink yourself to fit someone else’s comfort.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
For a long time, the public version of me wasn’t the real me. I spent years masking—trying to be the person everyone liked, the one who fit in, even if it meant dimming parts of myself. What I’ve learned is that it’s okay to stand out. It’s okay to show up authentically as yourself, even if that doesn’t land with everyone.
Now, the version of me you see through yoga and Empathic is much closer to who I really am. It’s the most grounded, intentional side of me—rooted in empathy, mindfulness, and connection. Of course, I still have private struggles and moments of doubt, but authenticity for me means no longer hiding. It means finding love and acceptance for who I am, and choosing to show up from that place instead of from fear.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel very aligned with where I am on my journey right now. For a long time, I tried to follow the path I thought I was “supposed” to take—what I was told success should look like. It took a lot of inner work, reflection, and courage to step away from that and really ask myself what I wanted.
Today, teaching yoga and building Empathic feels like what I was born to do. It’s not about following a script anymore—it’s about trusting myself, listening to my intuition, and choosing work that feels meaningful and authentic. That shift has been incredibly freeing, and it reminds me daily that alignment matters more than expectations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopempathic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.empathic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamartirano/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shop.Empathic/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shop.empathic
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
