Leticia Gardner is a business owner, health and fitness entrepreneur, and a mother of two. She sat down for this week’s episode of the Mompreneurs podcast, speaking with host and New York Times bestselling author, Nancy Redd, about navigating life as a single mom in survival mode to becoming a thriving entrepreneur.

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The health and fitness influencer, alongside husband and retired NFL player Rod Gardner, oversees multiple ventures. From starting out in meal prepping and home workouts, to now running a functional medicine clinic and more, the Gardners were able to turn their shared passion for healthy living into a thriving business. “We believe in being healthy — mind, body, and soul,” said Gardner.

Together, the couple shares their active lifestyle, marriage, and beautiful blended family with the world, engaging with their online community to inspire others and to grow their companies.

‘I was in survival mode.’

The Jersey City native became a mother at age 19. The young mom was determined to create a better life for her daughter, and decided to move down South for a fresh start.

When Gardner met her husband Rod in Atlanta, she was working as a bartender and waitress, “hustling every which way I could.” She knew she was destined for something more; it just took time to see the vision. “I was on a mission to figure out something, I just didn’t know what,” she said.

“I was in survival mode being a single mom when I met my husband, so I didn’t have a lot of direction on where my life was going at the time. I had asked God for vision and clarity … Fitness came up, and it clicked. I already had everything I needed to move forward in this industry.”

Gardner’s passion for health and fitness made it easy to transition this lifestyle into a business. At the time, social media was taking off too, and Gardner leaned into sharing and engaging with her followers. “Being your authentic self is everything, because there’s a tribe for you,” she said. “God can’t bless who you pretend to be. Just be you and the rest will come together.”

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‘Being a mom is one of my favorite jobs in the world.’

As she created more opportunities for herself, Gardner was able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that came with entrepreneurship. “I’ve always been a hustler,” she said. “I was never made to work the 9-5 life. I love freedom. I like my own schedule.”

While entrepreneurship is not for everyone, Gardner acknowledged, it allows the busy mom to be there for her children as much as possible. “Being a mom is one of my favorite jobs in the world,” she said. “Being present is the most important thing for me. Kids remember you being there more than the stuff that you can buy them.”

‘I had to leave my comfort zone.’

Gardner’s advice for aspiring mompreneurs: let go of fear. “I think the biggest thing is that you have to release the spirit of fear,” she said. “If you’re not willing to jump or take a risk, then you’re not going to get anywhere.”

As a young mother, Gardner took a leap of faith by leaving her old life behind for a fresh start. “I was 19 when I left with a trash bag full of clothes and $323 to my name,” she said. “I had to leave my comfort zone — my friends and everything that I knew — to start over … I knew that I wanted more for her when I became a mother. I knew even at 19 that I can’t live the way I’m living … So I think you first have to start with mindset. What are you willing to do? Do you really want it?”

By maintaining a focused mindset, Gardner navigated her journey one step at a time. “I don’t believe in giving up. I fall down all the time, but I’m going to get back up every single time.”

Don’t miss out on the full conversation. Watch this episode of Mompreneurs featuring Leticia Gardner above.

Catch new episodes of ‘Mompreneurs’ every week.

Every week, we celebrate beautiful Black entrepreneurs who are simultaneously amazing business moguls and awesome moms. Join host and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Redd as these mompreneurs share their life stories and inspiring advice. Catch new episodes of Mompreneurs every Monday on MadameNoire’s YouTube channel. Or listen to the podcast online on the Urban One Podcast Network.

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