Meet Theresa Paganini, founder of Love Yourself Lean, a company that cultivates self-love to heal women’s dysfunctional relationships with their body and food.
Through public speaking, Theresa helps women believe in their worthiness to live confidently in their bodies. Theresa also coaches and teaches workshops to help women think, speak, eat and move with confidence and clarity.
“When you believe you are worthy of love and acceptance at every size, you allow yourself to lose weight while eating and move with joy rather than guilt, resentment, and shame. Self-love creates a positive, graceful, and empowering journey toward ultimate health and your ideal body.”
AZF: What is your “life motto?”
TP: Be intentional with your “yeses and noes” so you can live your most satisfying life.
AZF: Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur? If not, when did you realize that it was the right path right for you?
TP: I always knew I was put on this earth to inspire people to love and accept who they are in all their imperfections, but being an entrepreneur was never on my radar. I was lucky enough to fall into a career as an Instructional Designer and I loved it! I am one of the very few entrepreneurs out there who has very fond memories of corporate life. I had a career I loved, traveled the world on someone else’s dime, never took work home, and made great money. But, I wasn’t fulfilling my life’s purpose. My life was everything I wanted it to be, but I wasn’t inspiring people the way I believed I was meant to. So, as I neared my 37th birthday, I thought, “When exactly am I going to do all of this inspiring if I’m about to be 37 and haven’t done it yet?” That’s when I realized I needed to leave my career and start living my purpose. I quit the day before my birthday, having no clue how to run a business but trusting I would figure it out. Ten years later I’m continuing to inspire men and women to love themselves into a leaner body. Being an entrepreneur is tough for me. It isn’t something natural or intuitive like public speaking and coaching are, but the challenges of running a business are worth it every single time I positively impact someone’s life. For that, I am grateful I took the scary step of leaving my thriving career to become an entrepreneur.
AZF: How do you feel best supported?
TP: I feel best supported when people coach me the way I coach others – with faith, love, empowerment, and hard truths. I surround myself with people who believe in me, brainstorm with me, encourage me, celebrate with me, challenge me, and give me a reality check when I need it. I teach others how to stop being their greatest roadblock; I’m great at coaching that aspect because I have plenty of experience being my greatest roadblock! I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by an incredible husband and amazing friends who are willing to step in and point out when I’m roadblocking myself so I can get out of my own way. There’s no better support than that.
AZF: What motivates you to keep going amidst the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur?
TP: My complete faith in my life’s purpose is what keeps me motivated to keep going when things are tough. My work is much larger than myself. I don’t just heal people, I am a healer, so no matter how successful or unsuccessful the business appears at any given moment, I need to be available to heal.
AZF: Describe your perfect Saturday morning.
TP: I love Saturdays! My perfect Saturday morning is waking up at sunrise, cuddled up to my husband in the pine forests of the Mogollon Rim. I love waking up to the cool, crisp air of the forest, smelling the earth and the pines, while watching the sun peak over the mountains. When I get out of bed, I’m greeted with the unconditional love and joy that only my puppies can give me. Then I make myself a latte (yes, we have a Nespresso in our travel trailer and admit we are very spoiled!), and go outside to play with the pups while taking in the beautiful day. I’ll allow myself to relax with a book for an hour while David sleeps. Once he’s awake, I’ll make us a gourmet breakfast before we suit up for a hike with the dogs. That is my absolute perfect Saturday morning and I’m lucky enough to experience that at least once a month from March through November.
AZF: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur who is just starting out?
TP: Do at least one thing to grow your business that pushes you outside of your comfort zone every single week. I believe the number one roadblock to entrepreneurial success is fear. If we give into fear, then we stagnate. Instead, plan to be uncomfortable – literally. Every single week, plan one uncomfortable step you will take in the name of success. That can be as simple as talking about your business to a stranger, attending a networking event, or making a cold call. It can also be as complicated as pitching to investors, speaking on a stage, or pitching to be on a television segment. No matter what it is, plan it and put it on your to-do list for the week. Courage is acting despite fear. Confidence is acting without fear. You can’t have confidence without practicing courage, so take a courageous step every single week, because you deserve to live confidently.
AZF: What excites you most about being an entrepreneur?
TP: The ability to work without boundaries or politics to build others up and inspire them to love who they are. I am a no-nonsense, G.S.D. kind of coach who doesn’t believe in the words “try” or “can’t.” My clients are not allowed to be victims, nor are they allowed to be self-abusive; I advocate empowerment and demand self-respect. Being an entrepreneur affords me the freedom to adapt my coaching style to the needs of my clients, who sometimes need tough love. I really appreciate the freedom to be who my clients need me to be and say what my clients need to hear without worrying about the wrath of HR.
Follow Love Yourself Lean on Instagram or visit the website.
About the Foundress
The Foundress is a creative community of female entrepreneurs established by Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, owners of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. The women-led networking group currently has over 120 members who receive exclusive access to mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs and industry leaders; community gatherings that feature expert speakers and the opportunity to connect with like-minded women; as well as monthly Mastermind Groups where members can brainstorm and collaborate together.
Every Friday AZF will spotlight a member of The Foundress and her business in the online series Foundress Fridays. Learn more about The Foundress and join the community at www.foundress.co
