rethink productivity
Lauren Ruth Martin, LPC-MHSP
Licensed Therapist // Speaker
Founder of Nine to Kind
I help burned out perfectionists and OVERDOERS break FREE from productivity guilt so they can feel seen, supported, and back in charge of their life.
SELF KINDNESS >> SELF OPTIMIZATION
SELF KINDNESS >> SELF OPTIMIZATION
The burnout conversation has been had.
And had. And had.
But so many of us are still walking around saying things like:
“I’m tired of pretending I’m okay just because I get things done.”
“I miss feeling my life — everything’s just a checklist.”
“Even when I rest, I feel guilty. Like I’m missing something important.”
We all want to feel better, to live softer, slower, and more honestly. But change feels risky.
What happens if you’re no longer the go-to person?
What if you lose your drive?
What if giving yourself a break goes too far?
The truth is: we don’t need more willpower. We need a new way to understand and practice self-compassion, one that doesn’t sacrifice our ambition, our standards, or ourselves.
That’s where I come in.
COMPASSIONATE CALL OUTS
THAT MOTIVATE WITH KINDNESS
Signature keynote:
Nine to Kind: Rethinking Productivity
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That constant pressure to do more, be more, prove you’re worth your seat at the table?
That’s not ambition. That’s productivity guilt — and it runs deep.
We’ve been taught to measure our worth by what we produce.
To believe that rest must be earned. That saying no means letting someone down. That if we’re not constantly growing, we’re falling behind.
This isn’t just a personal struggle — it’s a cultural one. Productivity guilt is rooted in perfectionism and fear. And no amount of scented candles or self-care checklists will fix that alone.
This keynote challenges the tired narratives we’ve been fed about success, hustle, and what it means to be “enough.”
We’ll explore how redefining success, not as constant output, but as sustainable alignment. is a powerful act of self kindness.
This talk offers mindset shifts and tangible tools to help you break free from productivity guilt and start building a version of success that feels like yours.
Because you can’t build a sustainable future if you’re too busy proving you deserve one.
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Burnout isn’t about capability. It’s about capacity.
Self-compassion is not soft. It’s strategic.
Burnout management isn’t just about surviving chaos, it’s about learning how to stay with the calm.
Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury…it’s a leadership strategy.
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Nine to Kind: Bringing Kindness Back to Office
This hands on workshop expands on the principles shared in my signature keynote and turns them into action.
Whether delivered as a breakout session, team retreat, or standalone training, this session invites you to reimagine the relationship with productivity, burnout, and care…both for ourselves and our coworkers.
Together, we’ll explore how productivity guilt shows up in workplace culture, and how we can shift from reactive burnout cycles into proactive, people first practices.
Participants will:
Develop a personal burnout management plan they can implement that same day
Explore self-compassion as a leadership tool, not just a personal practice
Co-create office strategies that support mental wellness and sustainable work rhythms
Because kindness isn’t just a personal value…it’s a cultural shift.
And it starts right where you spend most of your time: work.
nice words from awesome people
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“Lauren’s presentation on burnout was eye-opening for me. I thought I had a great grasp on boundaries and balance, but her workshop showed me I was missing a few key pieces. I walked away with great action items that I can implement right away, and feeling motivated to do them!”
Madison: TN Small Business Association
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"I just finished a session with Lauren Martin on Adapting to Change. Her guidance in this area, during a time of change in my own life, has been very encouraging. She's challenged me to approach my situation in a more mentally healthy way. I appreciate her expertise and will apply her guidance. "
Tracy: News Channel 5
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"Lauren has a unique way of engaging an audience, even virtually, while making participants feel safe. During a period of burnout, exhaustion, and anxiety for so many professionals in the corporate world, Lauren was able to bring poignant and relevant content that provided our staff with practical skills for weathering the challenges of daily life and taking better care of themselves."
Brittany: Axios
Get to know lauren
First i’ll Get the professional stuff out of the way…
I’m a seasoned therapist with over a decade of experience specializing in Depression, ADHD, Anxiety, and Maladaptive Perfectionism. My work is deeply informed by evidence-based practices, including Radically Open DBT, Brainspotting, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
In addition to my clinical work, I regularly guest lecture for graduate counseling programs, consult with college counseling centers, and offer trainings to therapy practices looking to deepen their approach to burnout, mental health, and workplace wellbeing.
Before I became a therapist, I was a radio DJ and promotions director — so speaking isn’t new to me, it’s just evolved. What started as a side gig has become a central part of my work since 2020. I now speak nationally to organizations, universities, and conferences on topics like productivity guilt, redefining success, and building self-compassion into the workplace.
My approach blends clinical depth with real-life application — research meets real talk.
what’s a piece of advice you give often…and still need to hear yourself?
“Other people are allowed to judge you and misunderstand you.”
Listen, I’m a people pleaser at heart, so it’s still hard to just let people be. That doesn’t mean I move through life without empathy, but I’ve learned to draw the line at trying to change the minds of people who are committed to misunderstanding me. It’s not my job to over-explain my way into being seen clearly.
what’s your go to self care ritual?
I’m a big believer in transition rituals — especially between work and the rest of my life. The moment I disconnect from work mode, I change into cozy clothes, grab an afternoon snack, and give myself a few minutes to check out. Sometimes that means sitting in the sun, sometimes it’s a hot shower. Either way, I need that in-between space. It helps my brain and body remember: we're done for the day.
why speaking?
As someone who learns best in conversational, immersive environments, some of my biggest ah-ha moments have come while sitting in the audience of a keynote. There’s something powerful about feeling seen and walking away with a next step you can actually use. That’s what I aim to offer every time I step on stage — clarity, connection, and something that sticks.
“one day you will pause and notice all the things you did to build that life worth living. it might not look like promotions or raises, but you will become rich with experiences, connection, and contentment. contentment is our north star and we won’t stop until we get there. we might take a few breaks but we will get there.”
— LRM