Lauren Ruth Martin

Licensed Therapist
Founder of Nine to Kind
Keynote Speaker

I help overachievers ditch burnout and create lives led with intention, self-compassion, and balance—starting with themselves.

  • Lauren zeroed in on our unique profession and the challenges it brings as if she'd been working alongside us for years. She provided thoughtful, practical coping strategies in a manner that was comforting and empowering.

    Carrie // News Channel 5 Nashville

  • Lauren is a consummate professional and still brings humanness to everything she does. She is an absolute delight and offers information in an approachable and digestible format. She is fantastic as a presenter and out of this world as a moderator. Seriously cannot sing her praises enough!

    Elisa // Insure Equality

  • Her words resonated with so many of us, and several of us now have conversations in our departments about how we really are and how we can best support each other.

    Danielle // Spectrum Entertainment

  • Lauren has a unique way of engaging an audience, even virtually, while making participants feel safe. Her ability to get attendees to open up, engage in her content, and participate is skillful and incredibly valuable. Her speaking workshops are a fantastic way to invest in and support staff and make great content for all hands meetings and team retreats.

    Brittney // Axios

  • Lauren is a great storyteller and presenter. Her presentation on burnout was timely and the tangible takeaways on boundaries made me change the way I interact with some of my relationships.

    Charles // Tennessee Small Business Association

Burnout is not a capability issue…
It’s a capacity issue.

Your Compassionate Companion Through Burnout Recovery

Nine to Kind Possibility Planner

  • The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner is the anti-perfectionism planner for overthinkers and overdoers. The Nine to Kind Planner equips you with simple methods to subtly shift your daily routines, mindset, and bandwidth while juggling life — in a way that doesn’t make you feel like crap. Available now!

  • We love to collaborate with companies on bulk orders and customizations! Our notepads and planners are gifts that make a personable impression all year long.

Keynote Speaking

  • Self-care doesn’t have to feel like another item on your to-do list. We unpack why burnout is a bandwidth issue, not a personal failure, and how small, intentional shifts can create lasting change. Using practical tools from the Nine to Kind Planner, Lauren shows you how to replace perfectionism with realistic, compassionate systems for thriving in your daily life. Through relatable stories, audience exercises, and actionable strategies, you’ll learn to reclaim your energy, set meaningful boundaries, and cultivate a self-care routine that actually works. It’s time to move from survival mode to a life where kindness—toward yourself—is your greatest asset.

Workshops & Trainings

  • Let’s be real—leaving stress and mental health challenges “at the door” isn’t realistic. In this collaborative workshop,I provide actionable insights on how to approach mental health in the workplace with empathy and clarity. You’ll gain practical tools, including specific language and scripts, for navigating sensitive conversations and addressing potential mental health issues. Plus, discover approachable ways to promote mental wellness at work without overhauling your existing systems. Bring your questions and ideas—this is a space for learning, connection, and creating a more supportive workplace together.

  • Boundaries

    Caregiver Burnout

    Marketing for Therapists

For years, I was the ultimate hype girl—cheering everyone else on while secretly running myself into the ground. I looked unstoppable, but behind closed doors, the burnout, self-doubt, and endless comparisons were killing me. I wasn’t living; I was performing—and losing myself in the process.

I’d built my identity on achievements that didn’t even feel like mine. So, I hit the brakes. I stopped saying yes to things that drained me and started saying no to the toxic belief that my worth was tied to how much I could do. Spoiler: saying no was hard as hell. I lost opportunities, friends, and my curated identity—but I found something better: me.

Slowing down taught me that the little things—like sipping coffee without guilt or taking a walk because it feels good—makes a big impact on our burnout. It wasn’t just life-changing; it was survival.

Along the way, I noticed a problem: productivity tools weren’t built for people who need balance. So, I created Nine to Kind, the planner for humans who want to get things done and treat themselves with compassion. It's for those who want structure without the perfectionist pressure—and zero washi tape required.

As a speaker, I bring honest, relatable energy to stages everywhere, sharing stories and strategies that help overachievers ditch burnout and design lives with intention and self-compassion. From corporate conferences to workshops, I inspire audiences to rethink productivity, prioritize their well-being, and say yes to what really matters.

Let’s Get Started!