Tuesdays with Corey interview with Cathryn Marshall

As the CEO of Simple Fat Burn, Cathryn Marshall teaches people to get fit fast and make it last. As a motivational speaker, author and fitness educator, she teaches simple strategies that result in immediate change. She coaches clients online, via webinars, phone, and text message accountability.

Cathryn coaches professionals to acquire clients, build their network and to get immediate results. The Simple Fat Burn Certification includes business development, networking, marketing and social media skills for professionals. Cathryn is the author of Simple Fat Burn: Three Steps to being Fit and Lean, available on Amazon, Kindle and Barnes and Noble. She has sold over three thousand copies, and the book is being sold internationally.

With 22 years of experience in the personal training and fitness industry, Cathryn offers custom designed fitness programs to create immediate change. Her specialization is creating strategies for motivation, behavior modification and fat loss. Cathryn sets the bar high for a standard of excellence in the personal training and nutrition education industries.

Connect with Cathryn on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it's time for Atlanta Business Radio, spotlighting the city's best businesses and the people who lead them.

Sanjay Toure: Welcome back to this very special edition of Atlanta Business Radio, brought to you by our good friends at the Long Term Care Planning Group. Now, this is one of my favorite shows simply because you're promoting women, and their amazing businesses, and what they do, and how they do it. And I just love anything that's for women. So, here, I'm going to turn this over to you Corey Rieck.

Corey Rieck: Well, that makes two of us, Sanjay. Today, we have another great show. We have Cathryn Marshall, who is the CEO of Simple Fat Burn. Cathryn, welcome.

Cathryn Marshall: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Corey Rieck: Happy to do that. You're in the business of helping people with nutrition and fitness.

Cathryn Marshall: I am.

Corey Rieck: Tell our listenership about that.

Cathryn Marshall: Well, I spent 20 years working as a personal trainer in sort of all aspects of that business. And I just learned over the years there were some very simple things that made all of the difference. So, I really teach people to get fit fast and make it last.

Corey Rieck: So, what do you tell? I mean, did you enjoy being a personal trainer?

Cathryn Marshall: I loved it. I mean, I still love it. It was just time for me to go bigger and to reach more people. And I realized the magic was in the coaching, and the teaching, and the education, and getting people to actually make changes for life.

Corey Rieck: Do you think that the magic is ... were you concerned about what happened to the people you were training when they were outside of your supervision?

Cathryn Marshall: No, because I call it Simple Fat Burn for Life. So, I'm really teaching strategies, and concepts, and things that they might come back, sure, they may fall off the wagon, but it doesn't mean they're losing everything they've learned. It doesn't mean they can't jump back on if they lose some progress. So, now, I had to really gain a healthy detachment when people would move on from me or or maybe go back to some old habits that weren't serving them so well, but still keep the door open and let them know, "Hey, you can pick up the phone and call me or text me. I'm here for you."

Corey Rieck: Healthy detachment, I think that's a-

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yeah.

Corey Rieck: What a great term. I'm going to steal that from you, not give you credit for it.

Cathryn Marshall: Okay, great.

Corey Rieck: You have a book out there, Simple Fat Burn. Tell us about that.

Cathryn Marshall: I do. I wrote Simple Fat Burn to really convey what it is that I do. And I wrote the book in 2014, sold about 3000 copies on Amazon, and the book sells really well. I do get royalties every month, so people must like it. They keep buying it and sharing it with their friends. But it teaches three things. It teaches you about what to eat, what to do, and how to think to become a better version of your former self.

Corey Rieck: The nutrition thing we were talking prior to the show, the nutrition thing seems to me a pretty significant variable.

Cathryn Marshall: It is.

Corey Rieck: And it's something that a lot of people struggle with.

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, most people are struggling. Even the people that look pretty good and healthy would come into my office and sit down, and they're really struggling. I mean, they might look good on the outside, but if they're up 10 or 20 pounds, or they're not functioning well, they don't have energy, they're binging on foods that are not serving them well, and they don't know what to do. So, I would say most people are struggling with their nutrition.

Corey Rieck: How do you help people initially? It seems to me that a lot of people have no problems with working out?

Cathryn Marshall: True.

Corey Rieck: I, for one, really enjoy that thinking it provides a nice opportunity to reset. It allows you to process things. I struggle with that after that, refueling. And it seems to me there's a system of nutrition. Walk us through what you coach your clients during the day.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. Yeah. So, I'm really coaching people, number one, to eat real food. I think we all get into too many processed products. And I'm really educating them on what foods are not going to spike their blood sugar and really sustain energy over time. So, what are the cleanest organic sources of food that are available? And let's face it, it doesn't need to be perfect, but it needs to be better over time. And truly better, and not some of these things that are fly by night fads that come and go. And a lot of things that look healthy are truly not healthy.

Corey Rieck: So, you talk about sustained energy. What kind of foods are we going to-

Cathryn Marshall: Sure, sure. I work with everyone. They may consume animal products or they may be vegans. I mean, they go all across the board. I do not discriminate. So, I'm talking to them about, number one, organic green vegetables. I mean, I think if there's any food out there that is medicine that will treat you well and really give you energy, it's getting more organic green vegetables, and getting from as close from earth to mouth as we can. And again, that's not always possible, but you can shop organic. You can go to the farmer's market. The good season is coming up here. And telling people where they can source these foods.

Corey Rieck: Why do you think that's a big deal? Why are so pro-organic?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, I am so pro-organic because if it's not organic, it's genetically modified. And what that means is the pesticide is in the seed. That's a really big deal. So-

Corey Rieck: Why?

Cathryn Marshall: Why? Because if you know what glyphosate is, glyphosate is what we use to kill all of the bugs when we spray down the crops. And if the glyphosate is in the seed, and then we spray the crops, there will never be a bug in those crops. And we grow that food faster, bigger, quicker. And therein lies a piece of the problem with illness. The fact that we're eating glyphosate meal after meal after meal, we wonder why people are sick, we wonder why people don't have energy. When you get organic foods, we're not using those pesticides and herbicides. So, we're actually getting the nutrients from the earth. We're getting a seed that was not made in a laboratory, and we're really getting nutrient density. So, if the body runs on vitamins and minerals, when we can, we need to put organic food in it. The cleanest sources of nutrition are critical that we start looking at our food and questioning the source.

Corey Rieck: So, do you say the same for people that eat meat?

Cathryn Marshall: [00:06:28] Well, again, I work with people that do eat meat. And I would say, you want to go with wild caught fish, organic chicken. If you consume beef, organic grass-fed beef. So, again, you're looking for that labeling. You're looking for the source of the food. There's a big difference. There's a really big difference between mass produced and something that may cost a little bit more. And it is a myth that you're going to spend three times the amount on the groceries. When we really do the breakdowns, we don't eat that much food. We pay more for processed foods that look real pretty that are produced very, very cheaply. And we go, "Well, gosh, what did that bag of chips cost," right?

Corey Rieck: There's one thing. One of the things that I think is interesting, and it gives rise to this processed foods and in the things that they're putting in the plants or the cows. And here's an example. I'm 54. And when I was in high school, our football team, it was a big deal to have a guy that weighed over 200 pounds.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure, yeah.

Corey Rieck: And now, I go back to the school, and the offensive line there is averaging 250, 260, 270 plus. And I'm not sure why that is, but I've always wondered if it has to do with the things that they're putting on the-

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. The steroids and hormones in the milks, the dairy, the meats absolutely have to do with the hormonal growth, the fact that hormones change earlier in pre-teens than they used to back when we were kids, I'll be 50 in June. So, I've watched that change over the years that it is. And unfortunately, we have a number of people that are sick, and we're talking gastrointestinal problems. We're talking the illnesses and the doctoring has gone through the roof. And we have to look at what are we putting in the body. That is really the big question here.

Corey Rieck: You hear these things said about processed foods. And the idea is always, "Well, it's better to put something clean in that's organic that hasn't had exposure to these chemicals - steroids and so on." And I guess that makes sense that people that consume foods, that have these items on it may be setting themselves up for medical issues.

Cathryn Marshall: Absolutely. There's a direct correlation. And I will say it's a process. This is an educational process. And then, it's an execution process. It's a behavioral process. So, I come from a social work background before I ever spent 20 years in the gym. I've got a master's in social work. I was a therapist, case manager, a social worker. So, I really look at all systems, and how they work together, and how can we do better? We're not going to build Rome in a day, but if we get educated, we can take small steps. And over time, our food becomes cleaner, we're healthier, we're drinking more water, maybe we're taking some great quality supplements. I don't sell any supplements. I'm strictly an educator, but over time, we can do better with some really simple information.

Corey Rieck: It seems to me that the nutrition thing is something that sometimes, it's really hard to get your arms around.

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, yeah.

Corey Rieck: I see the organic component and discussion point for organic vegetables. I see the same discussion point for organic beef and so on. But one of the things that I'm not clear on, it really escapes me, is the supplements because-

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yeah, I would agree.

Corey Rieck: ... for me, if I get up in the morning, and I go swim, I like my coffee, but by 9:00 or 9:30 or 10:00, I need to do something. And I don't know if it is a smoothie, or if it's a supplement, or just having these ... you hear these people say, "Well, you should have some small, neat meals and snacks throughout the day, so then, that way, you don't have the hunger issue." And I traditionally make very, very poor decisions when I'm hungry.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, we all do. We all do, because we're just trying to get that blood sugar up quick. We don't care what it is, but that you're driving the car on empty. That's the problem, right? You've been up, you've been fasting, you were sleeping, then you do a workout. By 10:00 in the morning, you need some fuel. So, knowing what to do, first thing I would say is get some real food in you. Maybe have some eggs and some vegetables, and some walnuts. I come from a fitness background. I've been a competitor. We have little containers of real food we go out the door with. We eat real food. So, again, I'm kind of taking those concepts and applying them to everyday life and saying, "You could have a vegan organic protein shake. That would get your blood sugar up pretty quick. You'd feel a whole lot better and keep on going."

Corey Rieck: Well, there are these opportunities to have smoothies, or nutritional bars, or what have you. And it's confusing.

Cathryn Marshall: It's very confusing, yeah.

Corey Rieck: For me, it's very confusing because I think-

Cathryn Marshall: For everybody.

Corey Rieck: ... "Well, if I'm in QuikTrip and I'm filled up with gas, I know I shouldn't pick the doughnut."

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, first of all-

Corey Rieck: "I probably should pick the-"

Cathryn Marshall: ... we should not be eating from a quick trip, okay?

Sanjay Toure: Oh, man. I always do.

Cathryn Marshall: I know. And I have for years too. And sometimes, you're in a pinch, and it is the only option, but planning is the key. Planning is the key. I'd rather you did your workout. And when you got finish your workout, maybe your protein shake is waiting for you. You're not hunting for food

Corey Rieck: But what's in the protein shake?

Cathryn Marshall: Maybe a good quality vegan protein that's not loaded with chemicals. It's something that has that organic stamp on it. And again, I don't sell anything like that. There are a number of them out there on the market, but something like that waiting for you would solve your problem, cost you a whole lot less more money. Time is our most precious commodity. I know we're business owners. We're stacked up with business. Let's just look at your time everyday of pulling in that quick trip. Take that out of the equation. Break it down and say I'd rather you have your time handy, and give you your time back, and you've got something really, really nutritious waiting for you because of a little bit of planning.

Corey Rieck: Well, it seems to me that, certainly, planning and having the materials beforehand lends itself to a better outcome and less times during the day when you're very, very hungry and putting yourself in a position to make bad decisions.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure, yeah. And not only that, more energy.

Corey Rieck: Does your background as a therapist and social worker, do you think that helps you with what you're doing?

Cathryn Marshall: Tremendously. It has everything to do with what I do because it's really getting inside, and working with people to take baby steps, and reframing a situation, and saying, "Okay, here's what I can do to make a change," because being a social worker is all about behavior modification. That's what we're really coaching and teaching people to do.

Corey Rieck: How did you decide to start your company?

Cathryn Marshall: Good question. I always sort of been wired to be an entrepreneur. So, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. I was looking at getting back into social work, and I just wasn't feeling it. I just hit the wall where I took a break for about a year and a half from working as a professional. And I came up with, "What do I love? I love the idea of being healthy. I was overweight. I needed to lose some weight myself." So, my first step was start working out, start learning, hired a personal trainer, lost 34 pounds in 90 days. And I said, "Within 12 months, I'm going to start taking clients." Didn't know what I was doing, went to a gym, said, "Hey, I'd I'd love to start this." They said, "Yeah. We'll give you a chance to try it out." And I started working as an independent contractor, and became a personal trainer, started taking some clients. I traded my first client a gateway computer. Remember those gateways that never worked really well?

Corey Rieck: There's a blast from the past.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yeah. So, my first client, he said, "I'm gonna hook you up with his computer." He came in, and he trained for six months, lost some weight, really did better with some back problems he was struggling with, and I was off and running.

Corey Rieck: Do you have a perspective set of exercises that you prefer for people or do you kind of ... I'm sure you probably gear it to each client, but do you have some exercises that you're more inclined toward than others?

Cathryn Marshall: Well, I would say more of a structure. You mentioned that you're a runner. So, for someone who's a runner, I would want to see them doing some strength exercises as well, not just running. So, when you look at the meta view or the overview of a true fitness plan, we've got strength training, which could be body weight exercises. You could be working out in the gym with some free weights of machines. And then, we've got cardiovascular exercise. Then, we've got stretching. Then, we've got posture and alignment. So, I think we need to hit all of those points over time to have a well-rounded, comprehensive fitness plan that's really going to serve you as, let's face it, we're all getting a little bit older.

Corey Rieck: That does beat the alternative though.

Cathryn Marshall: Right, but don't we want to be pain-free, and feel good, and have energy while we're here on the planet?

Corey Rieck: Well, I think the stretching is becoming more and more important as time goes on.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: It wasn't something I was a fan of.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure.

Corey Rieck: A fan of when I was younger but-

Cathryn Marshall: It becomes necessary as we get into our 50s, right?

Corey Rieck: It's certainly something to consider.

Cathryn Marshall: And there's also something to do with posture and alignment that will keep you pain-free. We get into these repetitive motions where we've got overuse with some muscles and underuse with others. So, like I said, a little bit of professional help when it comes to an exercise plan goes a long way.

Corey Rieck: Yeah. What is your feeling on CrossFit?

Cathryn Marshall: My feeling on CrossFit, I mean, I think some people love it, and they're like a fish in water. But I would also say it's not for everybody. If you had some injuries, or you're compromised in some way, people there are some injuries. So, I think you need to choose the types of exercise that are appropriate for you. And it's not for everyone. But if it works for you, hey, have at it.

Corey Rieck: So, you mentioned that you've lived in Atlanta, what, 22 years? 23 years?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yup.

Corey Rieck: Where did you live before that?

Cathryn Marshall: I came from Buffalo, New York.

Corey Rieck: Yeah, you're really happy to be here today.

Cathryn Marshall: You got that right.

Corey Rieck: The sun and everything out there. I grew up in Minnesota, so I know you are aware of the snow storms and all that. Do you miss that?

Cathryn Marshall: No. I try to get home to visit. I'm in New York City a lot. I'm frequently three or four times New York City per year. And then, my mom is upstate. So, I miss it, but I go enough that I get enough of New York to where I'm not devoid of New York.

Corey Rieck: I think that the weather is ... as I get older, I think that I much prefer the heat as opposed to the snow and the cold. I lived in the Midwest for pretty much the entirety of my first 33 years, and I moved here in April in 97. And I do not miss the snow. I don't miss the cold. I like to go back a couple of times a year on Christmas and Thanksgiving. But you can keep the rest of that.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, I have to agree with you.

Corey Rieck: So, living in Buffalo, are you a football fan or are you a Bills fan?

Cathryn Marshall: I have been to one Bill's game and it was really cold and painful.

Corey Rieck: So, maybe, no.

Cathryn Marshall: I used to bartend for the Bill's games when I was in college. I was a capitalist. I was out there making the money.

Corey Rieck: Yeah. What appeals to you about being an entrepreneur?

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, gosh. You know what really appeals to me? There's no ceiling. You can diversify your business as long it's in alignment. You can make a lot of money and give back. I think you can network and meet amazing people like yourself. You can become a professional speaker. I'm fortunate enough to be able to do some TV and radio every month. So, you get the variety. And I really believe that you're either wired to be an entrepreneur or an employee. Now, you may need to be an employee and have that baseline income to really get your business off the business, absolutely. But I will say I just think there's a lot of joy and being in a successful entrepreneur.

Corey Rieck: I think you've differentiated yourself within fitness. I mean, you're clearly an author, you're a trainer, you have the recipes, and you also do some professional speaking, right?

Cathryn Marshall: I do. I do some professional speaking on topics like how to get fit fast and make it last, how to manage a super busy schedule, and get your workout in. And I really believe that people are hungry for knowledge, but knowledge that really lends itself to value, things they can actually take out the door with them, put into place and go, "Man, that was a great talk. I walked away with some good things that changed my life."

Corey Rieck: How did you become a speaker and get paid professionally for it?

Cathryn Marshall: Well, I started out, of course, coaching people, and I have a full coaching business. I coach people all over the country in groups and one on one. And I found that when I would speak to groups, I always got clients. And this was before I even knew what I was doing. So, I was hosting my own speaking events as a personal trainer. I'd invite 40 or 50 people, I'd give a little talk, no clue what I was doing, but somebody signed up. And it was a lot of fun. The energy was up. The energy fed me. It fed the group. So, I just started out really winging it.

Corey Rieck: So, your clients, are they more individual or are they corporate companies? You have companies as a client?

Cathryn Marshall: My clients are typically individuals, families, people that are struggling with their weight. And I coach people all over the country. To give you an example, I just did a one-day event called Health is Wealth. And we had 40 people in the room, and some of those folks signed up for a group coaching program. And I get calls every day from people that are like, "Gosh, I know someone you've worked with. They lost the weight. They came off medications. We're struggling where we exercise, but we're not there with our food," or "We need a little bit more motivation, we need some structure, we need some accountability." So, it's really been a blessing to be able to help many, many people. And it brings me a lot of joy. It's all about the results.

Corey Rieck: You mentioned that you help people schedule, you help them with manage your busy workloads, busy schedule. I forget exactly what you said, but a lot of people struggle with, "Okay, when do I get my workout in?"

Cathryn Marshall: Yes. And I'll tell you, it comes back to giving them some tools and some time management skills. I was on the phone yesterday with a couple of new clients, and it was a couple, and they haven't been working out for several months. And they had to actually ... it was a conference call, and I had them working in their calendar to block that time to get it done, whether it was together or separate. We set up the workouts. We started with baby steps, just 30 minutes of exercise, three days a week. But unless someone holds you by the hand while you're running a business and walks you through these step, guess what? Life in business is just too big. It doesn't get done. We need that help and assistance.

Corey Rieck: I have found that I need to do it right away in the morning.

Cathryn Marshall: You sure do because what the what one of the people said yesterday, she said, "I'm not going to do makeup twice for the day. It has to happen early." And they had been going to bed at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning because there's so much work.

Corey Rieck: Yeah. So, I would imagine that you're helping them. Are you helping them manage their workflow, manage their workday? I mean, I know you're helping them schedule the workouts in. That's what I've heard.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, absolutely. I'm helping them with concepts like delegation and saying, "Hey, let's really take a look at what can we delegate, what can we prioritize, what can we let go of?" Because let's face it, if we don't block and protect our time for family, for friends, for exercise, for sourcing clean food, we're not functioning well on average.

Corey Rieck: Well, if you don't run your calendar, your day runs you.

Cathryn Marshall: Absolutely, yeah.

Corey Rieck: I've had a lot of clients and friends that they have said, "Hey, if I don't get my workout in in the morning, it's easy to say no. It's easy for something else to become more important." And it seems like it's that simple as drawing the line and saying, "Hey, when it gets to be 6:00 p.m., I have to be at the gym for this class, or "I'm going to run, or I'm going to do whatever."

Cathryn Marshall: Right.

Corey Rieck: And then, I think that one of the things that we talked about ... well, Stone, one of the owners of the station, we talk about having tickets. And it could be as simple. It really is having something to look forward to, like I really look forward to my workouts. I look forward to processing whatever happened - good, bad and different - during the day. And usually, after I'm done, it doesn't seem like whatever happened was as bad or as good as maybe I made it out to be in my head. It helps sort of level you out. So, there's a reset component to that, I find.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, well, you're investing in yourself, and you'll always get your return on investment with exercise.

Corey Rieck: So, you've done a good job of setting up the ... you mentioned that you do these group talks and people sign up to become clients of yours. How do you do all that?

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, gosh. Well, I'll tell you, I do it through professional networking. So, I'm also the director, the national director for What Women Want Networking. So, I'm meeting people every day, inviting them to events. And there's really a process to hosting an event, if it's a one-day event, if it's a networking event. And then, letting people know what you do, and then inviting them to have a conversation. There's no sales pitch. But if someone hears something that that speaks to them and say, "Hey, let's set up a strategy session," and then I'll tell you about my programs and see if maybe we're a match to work together.

Corey Rieck: Yeah, people don't respond to sales pitches.

Cathryn Marshall: They don't. Actually, they're repelled.

Corey Rieck: Well, they respond to relationships.

Cathryn Marshall: Right, absolutely.

Corey Rieck: And I always find it interesting to see some people don't value relationships. I personally think that it's really important.

Cathryn Marshall: It's the most important thing.

Corey Rieck: Even if you don't do business with that person, maybe they know somebody that, "Hey, I know I need to find a CPA," or "I need to find somebody to work on my car." And it just is so useful to call someone and say, "Cathryn, I'm looking for somebody work on my car. Do you know anybody?"

Cathryn Marshall: Become the go-to person. Yeah.

Corey Rieck: Well, I think if you don't have a relationship, you might be reluctant to make that call or, at least, I would. So, I really believe that relationships are great. Now, I want to come back to this women's network that you're a part of. Tell us about that.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure. What Women Want Networking is a national networking organization.

Corey Rieck: So, you actually know what women want?

Cathryn Marshall: We do.

Corey Rieck: This just in.

Sanjay Toure: Breaking news.

Cathryn Marshall: There is the big news. They all want different things.

Corey Rieck: Hit the recorder.

Cathryn Marshall: You better ask them what they want, and then be quiet and listen.

Sanjay Toure: Oh, yeah.

Corey Rieck: So, tell us about that.

Cathryn Marshall: Well, it's a networking organization that we have four chapters here in the Atlanta area. And I'm over the Perimeter chapter. So, we meet once a month. And we really genuinely find out what women want. And we really work to pay it forward and help them get it. So, that's the number one thing, is that we foster relationships. We encourage them to have connection conversations either by phone or over coffee in person, and grow your network. But if you don't teach people what you want, and what you do, again, we go to all these functions. Are they really working for us? Not unless we're focused.

Corey Rieck: Well, I think one of the things that one of the past guests mentioned that, sure, you meet a lot of people, but who are you connecting with.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure.

Corey Rieck: And it is easy to go to these networking events, and I'm going to get X number of cards or Y number of cards. But really, I'm interested in, okay, who could I walk away with, and who could be a friend of mine, and who is there a connection with? And it is okay if you don't connect-

Cathryn Marshall: It is. It's totally okay.

Corey Rieck: ... with the open person. But I think as you get older, you realize, okay, here are the things that I like. Here are the things that they just don't work for me.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And I think once you're organized, you can always make time for a phone call. I know when you reached out to me, I made time to really talk to you. And we're all busy. But unless we utilize those delegation skills, we're just going to be too busy to return our phone calls, to return our emails, and to really be a good connector, and a great communicator, which is really, really important these days?

Corey Rieck: Well, I think what was helpful, it was helpful that Liz Parker introduced us, a prior guest in the show.

Cathryn Marshall: Absolutely.

Corey Rieck: I think that this has been interesting. Having this show has been just tremendous for me because when I was growing up, my mom started a preschool called Hansel and Gretel. And when I was young, and I was young a long time ago, she would call us in, and we would read and do the flashcard thing, and word association, and spelling. And we were three or four years old. And then, she realized, hey, I can't give my kids only this advantage. And so, she started this. And this is like the late 1960s.

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, wow!

Corey Rieck: And it kind of was really cool. My mom died a year and a half ago, but it's still in use, still running.

Cathryn Marshall: Wow!

Corey Rieck: And my sister was an excellent high school athlete and gained twelve or thirteen letters, captain, three or four sports, widely recognized as one of the greatest. And it never occurred to me that these two things were out of the ordinary.

Cathryn Marshall: Extraordinary, actually.

Corey Rieck: I mean, no. I'm sorry. What I mean is it never occurred to me that these two things were-.

Cathryn Marshall: Not normal things that most people do.

Corey Rieck: Yeah. And it was fine with me that my mom had that business. It just seemed ... it didn't bother me. It didn't register with me. I thought it was really cool that they did those things. So, I realized when I built the show that I've been heavily influenced positively by women early on. And so, I never had a problem anywhere with females being successful. And I think it's interesting even now, sometimes, I run into people that will say, "Well, your sister, she was a great female athlete." I have to correct them and say, "No, she was he was a thoroughbred. She was an excellent athlete."

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: But some people can't. They just can't make that connection. And it's interesting too because if you want a dentist, does it really matter if it's a male or a female? Don't you want a good one?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, you want a good dentist.

Corey Rieck: So, having the show here has really been really cool. We've met some really extraordinary people. The people here at Business RadioX have been incredibly supportive. And it's been a way to really talk about all of the contributions that ladies that are on the show are making to their industries, to their communities, to their churches, to their families and so on. And just been an incredible experience. But I think that it's been fascinating to watch it. And then, I know that as I meet people like you, then you have this network, What Women Want. And that sounds just incredible.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And it's really about paying it forward and helping other women and men as well. I mean, we're all in this together. But if you can pay it forward, get to know people, find out how you can help them, we all win. It's pretty exciting.

Corey Rieck: Well, I think too that something that has been really a great outcome here is that I've learned that to connect people, if you're connecting the right people, that's kind of cool.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, it's a big deal.

Corey Rieck: And what it gives you is a boost. It certainly helps the people you're connecting. And so-

Cathryn Marshall: And then, we can share more of our gifts and talents. We've got all of these business owners that are so good at what they do. And usually, what they need is more clients. So, they've got to get the word out. They've got to utilize their social media. They've got to show up in person for networking. And then, we get to know each other and make these amazing connections. And we don't only meet women that are spectacular, they are world changers.

Corey Rieck: Yes. Well, there's an old saying I just made up. We have room for one more client.

Cathryn Marshall: I love it.

Corey Rieck: It's interesting to see how people are getting business. I mean, you're networking. You have your networking groups. How are you utilizing social media to drive the interest?

Cathryn Marshall: What a great question because I've just been talking with ... we're hosting a summit with Aurea McGarry of Aurea McGarry Productions, and that's coming up March 24th and 25th. And we were talking about how do you get traction on Facebook, in particular? And it's all about organic connections and people talking to each other in the newsfeed, not just an emoji or one word, but actually ... Facebook's goal now is to foster relationships, like truly. So, that's how you actually talk to people on social media. You post, you talk to them, you repost, you like, you tweet. So, it's really amazing. Just before coming up here, I was hosting a Facebook watch party. Now, re-hosting a show that was on last night, what I've got is more people logging on and watching it. And I'm commenting, and getting people involved, and letting them know about the summit that's coming up. So, pretty amazing. But we actually have to do a little bit every day, and we have to be authentic, we have to be engaging. It has to be interesting.

Corey Rieck: Well, I think you have to be sincere-

Cathryn Marshall: Yes.

Corey Rieck: ... because people can smell insincerity and all that.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. It's not a numbers game anymore, Actually, I call them dead numbers. Let's say you've got 5000 friends on Facebook, but you're only engaging with 50, you've got a lot of dead numbers there. And it's not helping your case on social media at all. It's actually hurting you.

Corey Rieck: Well, and you only have capacity for so many, right?

Cathryn Marshall: Right, absolutely. What's become golden now and, really, platinum is a small following of engaged people in you, and your business, and your platform. So, that really is the golden goose now.

Corey Rieck: How else are you getting your clients? It seems like you're everywhere.

Cathryn Marshall: If somebody just said that yesterday, "You're everywhere," I will say it is making it known on social media, number one, but I am getting clients through speaking events, sponsorships, networking events, and social media. Those would be the four ways that I'm consistently doing those things. And not just doing them; there is a formula behind each of those things, so that they're not only effective and efficient, they're actually bringing me conversations with people who get what I do and are leaning and say, "Hey, I'd like to know more." I'm not selling out there in any of these things.

Corey Rieck: What's the most satisfying thing about your business?

Cathryn Marshall: I will tell you, it's the results. It's people like Rick getting off medication, no more blood pressure medication. People who were pre-diabetic are no longer pre-diabetic. Type 2 diabetics reversing those symptoms. That is the most rewarding thing because health is wealth.

Corey Rieck: How do you track your client's progress?

Cathryn Marshall: That's a great question. Usually, it's an accountability system in which they're emailing and texting in their food log, their body fat percentage, their weight. So, it depends on the client. But we actually try to implement the appropriate amount of tracking and type of tracking for the client. And I will say better is better. I'm looking at photos, I'm looking at text messages, I'm getting feedback. And we also have a private Facebook group. And right now, there are 160 active people in that Facebook group for Simple Fat Burn. So, it's a community. They're encouraging each other.

Corey Rieck: That's great. How was your business evolved over the years?

Cathryn Marshall: I've been able to scale my business. That has been the most amazing thing. So, I actually-.

Corey Rieck: How did you do that?

Cathryn Marshall: How did I do that? Through some fantastic business coaching with a company called Revenue Breakthrough that Monica Shaw owns. And I'm actually a sponsor at her events coming up May 16th, 17th and 18th. So, it's called Master Your Money. That event is hosted here in Atlanta, Georgia once a year. And she lives in New York City. So, I have a coaching community that I'm involved with, and I'm a client. I really believe in coaching. I will say the answer is coaching.

Corey Rieck: Well, not all of us. Even though we may be very, very good at what we do, we can't possibly have all the answers to the questions and have answers to the obstacles that we see everyday. So, I think it helps to have somebody that has an independent perspective to coach.

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, absolutely. And you want to coach who's been successful, right? I mean, I really have been ... my mission has been to help millions of people end the struggle with weight. So, I got a coach who was way more successful than I was, and knew a lot of things that I knew nothing about, and really had a proven track record, a history of being successful with other clients. I hired a seven-figure coach. I had been working with other coaches and they just couldn't get me those answers. They wanted to help, and they were pieces of the puzzle, but when I was really ready, the right coach showed up, and it was almost three years ago.

Corey Rieck: Isn't that interesting? You know you need something. You're not exactly sure what direction to take. And then, all of a sudden, sort of the teacher presents itself.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And people kept telling me for years, you need to leverage your expertise, and you need to scale your business. I was willing. Maybe I wasn't quite ready for those tools until the last three years. But then, it just took off like a rocket.

Corey Rieck: That's good stuff.

Cathryn Marshall: It is good stuff.

Corey Rieck: Tell us about one of the more unusual clients that you've had.

Cathryn Marshall: Well, one of the more unusual clients was Chuck [Grenner]. He came to me, he was over 400 pounds, and he really needed to clean up, get off the sodas, get off the bread. And I said, "Let's cut back on the bread," when we got started. So, the next time I looked at his food, like I said, "Where's the bread?" He goes, "Oh, I just gave that up." And Chuck lost 200 pounds in 16 months. I mean-

Corey Rieck: Good for him.

Cathryn Marshall: I mean, those are results that are unsurpassed. And then, his daughter, he really did it for his daughter, she lost 100 pounds in eight months. And she's now a Simple Fat Burn coach.

Sanjay Toure: Oh my God.

Cathryn Marshall: So, she helps other people get healthy.

Sanjay Toure: That's amazing.

Corey Rieck: How do you help them substitute whatever they're giving up? Do you have a strategy for that?

Cathryn Marshall: Yes, it's a crowding out. We build their meals, and we're putting the good stuff in place of the stuff that's not so healthy and saying, "Hey, you can have some of the other stuff. Let's just do less of it." So, it's a very gentle approach. It's a very kind approach. We need self-forgiveness. I mean, there are so many emotions around weight loss and food choices, and we all have a story. So, we really set out to write a new story.

Corey Rieck: So, when you have free time, how do you spend it?

Cathryn Marshall: Gosh, I block free time. So, I am blessed that I have plenty of free time. I spend it with friends and family, and I love to get down to the beach. Like the beach is my thing. I like to travel.

Corey Rieck: Where was the most recent place you've traveled to?

Cathryn Marshall: The most recent place I traveled to was New York City. I go to New York City a lot. I've got friends there. What Women Want is owned out in New York City, and so is Revenue Breakthrough. So, I go for business intensives. And then, I spend a couple days going to museums, hanging out with friends. And it's business and pleasure. It's actually all pleasure. It's all a lot of fun.

Corey Rieck: Then, do you see family when you're up there as well?

Cathryn Marshall: That's a separate trip. Upstate New York is the other direction. My mom's right over towards Buffalo. So, I usually do one trip to New York City. It will not be the same trip to upstate.

Corey Rieck: When you work out, what do you do? What are your preferences?

Cathryn Marshall: What a great question. I'm sort of a strength training cardio girl. I actually last year did a 10-minute plank, worked up to it. But I love strength training. I've been a fitness competitor in the past. That's how I learned a lot of this craft. But typically, I like to get outdoors and run. The weather is breaking now. I'm with you, I don't like cold weather, but this morning I saw joggers, I was like, "Oh, I can't wait to get outside and run tomorrow morning." And then, I get in the gym, and I do some strength training three or four days a week. And I still work with a personal trainer. Again, I'm a big believer in coaches. And my trainers, George Terman. He is an IFB pro bodybuilder, which means he's sort of the kingpin with TNT fitness studio in Duluth.

Corey Rieck: Yeah, outstanding. What hobbies do you enjoy other than working out and things associated with your business?

Cathryn Marshall: I love art. To me, art is like coming up for air. So, I love anything and everything art. I love to paint. I love to get together with friends and paint. That's probably my biggest thing that brings me joy.

Corey Rieck: What's the most challenging thing about your business?

Cathryn Marshall: Gosh, the most challenging thing about my business. I don't really have a big challenge at this point. I'm in a real growth phase, and I'm highly organized, and I have a team. So, I think, over the years, the most challenging thing has been building the team.

Corey Rieck: How did you do that? What made you decide that you needed to build a team?

Cathryn Marshall: Well, it wasn't so much a decision, is it? Like I needed help getting organized. I needed a personal assistant. So, I think sort of the decision came to get me, and I said, "I've got to get help." And I had a life coach years ago, and she said, "Get someone to help you at the house. Get someone to help you with the cooking. Get someone to help you with the kid." So, I'm a fan of delegation. I honestly delegate everything I can, so that I can efficiently run a business and have time for the friends and family. But I think it's attracting the right people. And over the years, you get better at spotting who has those qualities. I've got a phenomenal personal assistant. I spend lots of time just knowing her as a person and building her up because she keeps me going. She's probably the most important person inside Cathryn's world as this business grows in leaps and bounds.

Corey Rieck: And she probably can anticipate what you need next and maybe think of things before you maybe consider them-

Cathryn Marshall: Absolutely.

Corey Rieck: ... and just sort of take care of it. That's outstanding.

Cathryn Marshall: Well, even bigger, we have a Google doc that we're constantly adding to, and refining, and changing. It's sort of our living document for our work together. So, when you've got good help, and if somebody goes, we've got that information. Let's say she had to go out of town for a month or had a sick family member, I could bring someone else in and keep the wheels on the bus without Cathryn getting stressed out. I actually don't get stressed out anymore, which is wonderful. I actually can't get stressed out.

Corey Rieck: Well, it sounds like you've done a very good job of organizing everything and putting everything in this place from talking to you and from what I know about you.

Cathryn Marshall: Years of helping practitioners and still a work in progress.

Corey Rieck: Do you have a set work schedule that you abide by every day?

Cathryn Marshall: I do. I'm usually up pretty early and work out around 6 a.m. And then, I schedule my appointments. And I will tell you the one thing that I don't do is I don't over schedule myself. That way, I can take a phone call, I can answer the emails, I can do the most important things first. And I think that is the gift in life and business is learning to do what matters and letting go or delegating the rest.

Corey Rieck: You mentioned this thing at the outset - healthy detachment.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: Tell us about what you mean by that.

Cathryn Marshall: Well, let's say you have a difficult client-

Corey Rieck: No. You have difficult clients? You have clients that don't do what you tell them?

Cathryn Marshall: Only until we fire them. But I'm saying somebody who really doesn't want to play by the rules, somebody who wants special treatment, who really is going to just pitch a hissy fit in every corner. I think you have a healthy detachment, and you handle things professionally. You do your best-

Corey Rieck: Yeah, healthy detachment.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, you do your best for what's in it for everybody. And if I'm saying, "Hey, this is good for me, this is good for you, let's communicate. Let's put all the cards on the table and make wise decisions, not emotional decisions. Let's not come from ego. How about that plan?"

Corey Rieck: It's much easier if you don't take things personally.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And you have to-

Corey Rieck: Although it's no easy ... sometimes, it's much easier said than done.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And you have to come from love and kindness. I think you've really got to slow down sometimes and just not react and respond. But let's be proactive, and let's learn from every experience, and let's be sure to really communicate on the front end.

Corey Rieck: Do you have any charities that you feel strongly about?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. I'm glad you asked that. I'm actually the ambassador for the TutuDesk Campaign.

Corey Rieck: What's that?

Cathryn Marshall: Desmond Tutu started this project several years ago because when he grew up in sub-Saharan, South Africa, children did not have desks. And to this day, there are 95 million children in sub-Saharan South Africa that do not have a desk. So, it really is a barrier to education. And for $20, a child can get an education, that they can get a desk. It's a wooden board that they carry with them. And when they finish school, they pass it to another child. So, for $20, the desks are produced in South Africa. They actually provide jobs. And sometimes, they don't even have a classroom. They don't have electricity. Sometimes, the class room is held under a tree.

Cathryn Marshall: So, I was introduced to Thandeka Tutu, and that's Desmond Tutu's daughter, and became one of the ambassadors. I'm the Atlanta ambassador for the Tutudesk Campaign. So, if you go totutudesk.org, for $20, you can make a difference in a child's life. 50 desks will supply a classroom, and a thousand desks will supply a school. They actually have a handover ceremony. So, there's a lot of joy for a very small amount of money. And I want to teach people that for holidays, birthdays, why not donate to a charity? We don't need more stuff. I'm pretty clear about that. So, I say when you have a big a special occasion, choose your charity, give to your charity, and maybe do that for the party instead of us going out and buying more tchotchke.

Corey Rieck: Yeah, there's certainly something to be said for being a minimalist and looking after people as opposed to things.

Cathryn Marshall: Less is more. Don't you think?

Corey Rieck: I concur. So, you've been invited on the show because you've been highly recommended by a former guest, and you've had a lot of success. What else do you think sets you apart?

Cathryn Marshall: Gosh, I really love people. And I think it shows in everything I do. Like I think every human being on the planet, there's some purpose. And I think what sets me apart is I don't really look at work as work. I look at it as sharing my love for people. And I really want to be a thought leader, an influencer, an educator. And if anything, I can put out there to help someone, I say pass it on. This stuff is good stuff. It's for sharing. I tell all of my clients, whatever you learn, go out there and share it with people when it's appropriate.

Corey Rieck: I think it does come back to if you put good mojo and karma out there, I'm a firm believer in that. Do you enjoy the speaking, the coaching? Does it all fit together?

Cathryn Marshall: It does. I'll tell you, I have a lot of joy out of each piece of the business. We have a conference with What Women Want Networking every year. And it's coming up November 1st through 3rd this year in Atlanta. And last year, I spoke to the breakout rooms. And I was teaching them about some things they could do immediately. And one woman came up to me after I spoke and said, "You talked about drinking more water." And we did this whole exercise and exercise for the group. She said, "When I committed to drinking more water," she said, "I have a health condition. You have saved my life."

Corey Rieck: What is enough water?

Cathryn Marshall: Enough water is when you're hydrated. So, for the average person, let's say your target lean body weight is 150 pounds, half of that in ounces would be appropriate. So, if you have someone and say, hey, 150 pounds, I'm lean, I'm good. And if I drink 75 ounces of water for the day, it's just a simple formula I've used for years. You'll be very well hydrated. Now, you might not make it every day, but if you know you're not drinking enough water, and sometimes energy is just a matter of drinking more filtered clean water. And if we look at what's in our tap water, maybe not so good. So, I'd much rather we source good clean water and, really, again, just do your due diligence and say, "How can I do this and really take care of my body to the best of my ability?"

Corey Rieck: So, do you have an opinion on tap water versus the bottled water that's sold?

Cathryn Marshall: I would much rather see people drink filtered water than than tap water. I think-.

Corey Rieck: What does that mean.

Cathryn Marshall: Meaning, we've got bottled water that comes from a good source. It's been filtered out. We have a lot of toxins in our water that the more we look, the worse it gets. Our water filtration system, we recycle water. There are medications that actually, when it's tested, that show up in our water supply. So, I think you do have to get good clean watering. I would highly recommend reverse osmosis. We go to one of the grocery stores and fill up those bottles. And we've done our research. We've really. And I recommend, I say, you don't have to agree with everything I say, but do your research, do your due diligence. Start looking, and listening, and watching, and digging. Watch some YouTube videos. Talk to people. Hey, if somebody else is healthier than you, take a look and listen at what they're doing. And you may pick up some good tips.

Corey Rieck: Yeah, there's something to be learned by experiencing things vicariously through others. That's for sure.

Cathryn Marshall: Sure. And a little bit of expertise can go a long way.

Corey Rieck: Well, is it as simple as just having people take a first step toward something, so they get the motion going?

Cathryn Marshall: Absolutely. I think we've got to get the ball rolling. We've got to get through resistance a lot of times. And maybe that means just reading a book, or maybe it means talking with a health professional. Maybe it means just sharing with someone in your inner circle. Hey, I've got to get back to my exercise. And just having a conversation can be taking a step. But I think people truly want others to be healthy. I think we really care for each other. We hate when we're suffering and are having health issues. We're only on the planet for a set number of days. Why can't they be healthy, and good, and filled with as much joy as we can have given our circumstances?

Corey Rieck: Where do you see the next step in your business?

Cathryn Marshall: Gosh, the next up in my business, like I said, my mission is to help millions of people end the struggle with weight and teach them to balance their blood sugar. I think the next step for me is more TV and radio. So, thank you so much for inviting me today. I'd like to do TV and radio regularly, more of it, bigger stages, reaching more people with the message podcasts. I do have a few more books in me, so.

Corey Rieck: So, what's the next book going to be?

Cathryn Marshall: Oh gosh. The next book is going to be about friendship, friendship and relationships. I have already written the structure of it. It's just a matter of finishing the book. And it doesn't take a long time to do anything. I think you have to block time, and you have to commit to some deadlines, and getting it done, and push through the sticky points.

Corey Rieck: Friendships and relationships. Do you want to tell us kind of the some of the things you're going to focus on and tease the listener?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yeah, I'll tease the listeners a little bit. And I think, I guess, that'll get me moving a little faster too, but it's really-.

Corey Rieck: That really was why I brought that up.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. Thanks, thanks. I think we could all use and deepen our friendships and relationships, those that are existing. This morning before I came on the show, I made time just to call a friend that I haven't been able to see recently. We had a beautiful conversation, and we spent 10 minutes just talking.

Corey Rieck: What prompted you to call your friend?

Cathryn Marshall: [00:48:47] Her son's been ... he's having a little bit of an illness. And I just wanted to give her some love and support and say I hope he's feeling better and back to school. She just went to a funeral.

Corey Rieck: All right.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. So, I think it was good to just connect on the phone. We live in this digital society where “like” on a Facebook post is a whole lot different than picking up the phone and telling someone, I care about you, I love you, I'm thinking of you, give your son a hug for me. So, it's really about connecting and and, really, how do we foster those relationships and friendships because people don't know how. Yet, it's another whole skill set. And I realize when people get older, one friend doesn't call back, one friend passes away, and you had five friends on your list. Your roll gets thinner. So, I want to encourage people to meet new people and really have some guidelines and some ways to do friendships.

Corey Rieck: Well, make the most of the relationships you have.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: Do you think that people believe that they're just so busy that they don't afford themselves the joy that goes with picking up the phone, and calling someone, and helping them up if they're struggling?

Cathryn Marshall: Yes, absolutely. And we're talking about the mega successful folks. We're talking about folks that are running six and seven-figure businesses that have resources. Money is not a problem, yet we're so busy. We're suffocated sometimes by the roles and responsibilities that we've taken on. And what I do want to say is I want to encourage them to say get coaching, get help, get strategy because somebody can walk you through how to relieve some of that pressure.

Corey Rieck: Do you think people hesitate to pick up the phone like you did this morning because it's hard?

Cathryn Marshall: It's really hard. I think we have blocks. I think we get stuck. I think we think somebody doesn't want to hear from us, or they're too busy, or we're bothering them.

Corey Rieck: It is really easy to think that.

Cathryn Marshall: It's really easy to just park it, and keep on going, and say, "Oh, I wish I would've called."

Corey Rieck: I think what I found is that if you do have those people that it might just be easier to pick up the phone and take whatever outcome happens.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: And deal with it. And a lot of times, it's completely different than what you might think.

Cathryn Marshall: Right, right. And especially, I think people avoid difficult conversation.

Corey Rieck: They do.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. They avoid them. And wouldn't it be better to have a difficult conversation than to really let a problem build until it becomes a blow up, right?

Corey Rieck: Well, I think you mentioned a couple of things - block, people get in ruts. I know I do. And it becomes easier to not do something as opposed to, "Hey, let's address this." And many times, what you think is going to happen doesn't even come close to happening.

Cathryn Marshall: Right, right.

Corey Rieck: And so, you've spent all that time wondering about what could happen as supposed to addressing the item right there.

Cathryn Marshall:Absolutely.

Corey Rieck: How did you decide this morning that you were gonna make that call? I mean, because one thing that I get from you is that you're extremely disciplined, unless I missed something.

Cathryn Marshall: You're correct. You're correct.

Corey Rieck: So, did you just decide, just like a muscle and a flex, "I need to do this"?

Cathryn Marshall: Well, I work off intuition. So, yes, I've got 40 people and 40 things I could talk to you before getting here this morning. And I was up early. I was up at 5:00 a.m. and the list is scrolling. But I think it's a matter of intuitively deciding what matters the most, what matters the most, who matters the most. And really taking those few precious moments and reaching out. And here's my real gift and talent is to really focus on what matters the most, and then get it done, and to teach others to do the same thing.

Corey Rieck: When you coach your clients, do you tell them, "Hey, put three things on your list. Do put one thing on your list," because I've heard varying degrees. I'm always interested with all of the success we've had in the show. I'm always interested in how people, they make their list. Some people do it mentally. Some people write down three things. And what do you do?

Cathryn Marshall: What do I do personally?

Corey Rieck: Yeah, to make sure you get things done or things in motion?

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, yeah. I've got a list and then I've got reminders. So, I've got systems on top of systems. I've got a calendar. And then my assistant, I'm telling her, "Don't forget to remind me of this." And so, she sends me reminders every morning. She follows up with me. So, it's a team effort since I'm juggling so many things that I've got systems on top. And I'm not perfect. I messed up a couple calls this week. Somebody says, "I'm here," and you're like, "Oh, gosh, who are you and where are you?"

Corey Rieck: But if you have the right relationship with people, they can-

Cathryn Marshall: No, I didn't even know these people. They were brand-new people, but they were gracious, they were sweet. I was transparent. I said, "Hey, I did a speaking event. I did a live event. I had 14 conversations come in in two days. And I'm so sorry." And they were so gracious. And we continued. But I'll tell you, authenticity and being transparent trumps excuses. I didn't make excuses. I said, "I messed up." So, I think jump up, apologize profusely, make it right. I had someone I messed up an appointment with, I said, "Let me take you out to dinner."

Corey Rieck: Own it.

Cathryn Marshall: Own it. Yes. And then-

Corey Rieck: It's a novel idea.

Cathryn Marshall: And then, sort of just go a little overboard to be gracious, and sweet, and give that person your time, and really listen, and find out how you can help them.

Corey Rieck: Well, isn't the reverse true? When somebody makes a mistake, and you're on the other end of that, when you call for a meeting and somebody else-

Cathryn Marshall: Messed up.

Corey Rieck: ... says, "Hey, I don't know who you are, Cathryn," and you know what I mean? Isn't the reverse also true towards the-

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. And I'll tell you what, I'm really quick to forgive. Really.

Corey Rieck: You have to be-

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, I think be quick to forgive and be kind. If there's one message, I would say be kind.

Corey Rieck: One of the things that I've done a lot of reading on and studying on is the whole idea of being grateful and how we can shape up, shape your personality, shape your thought. And every morning, I try to pick a couple of things that may be different things that I'm grateful for. What are you grateful for?

Cathryn Marshall: Oh, gosh, it's a big list. I'll tell you what. I start every morning and say I'm grateful for my life. I'm grateful that I have the capabilities to help people. I'm grateful to live here in this country. We live in the top 1 percent of the world, Corey. It's a big deal. We hit the lottery before we ever even are walking on this earth. So, the fact that three quarters of the world lives on less than $2 a day, man, I'm grateful. And I'm grateful for my home, my dog. I'm grateful for my son, my family. I'm grateful for everybody in my world that I can touch and be an influence on. So, I mean, the list goes on and on. It's an infinite list for me. So, I live in gratitude. I start with it every morning. I am grateful as I'm just opening my eyes in the morning for another day.

Corey Rieck: It does beat the alternative.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah.

Corey Rieck: If you could give the younger version of Cathryn some insight, what would it be?

Cathryn Marshall: Number one, stop worrying. It's gonna be okay.

Corey Rieck: How do you do that?

Cathryn Marshall: How do you do that?

Corey Rieck: I hear that a lot.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah. You hear that answer from a lot of people.

Corey Rieck: Well, not just on the show. Pretty much deep in the daily conversation.

Cathryn Marshall: Yeah, I will say keep showing up. Keep showing up, and keep talking to people, keep learning from people. Keep, of course, correcting. Accountability is just a series of course corrections. I learned better ways to think. I learned better ways to do things to get them done. I learned better ways to do business. I learned to be quick to forgive and not come from ego. It's so many little things that really make up what the fiber of success and living in grace is what I call it. If you're living in that vortex, and enjoy most of your day, most of the time, boy, you're really winning.

Corey Rieck: If there was a young lady that wanted to follow your arc and your career path, what would you tell her?

Cathryn Marshall: I would tell her to get a mentor.

Corey Rieck: That's really crucial. Well, Cathryn, you've been a great guest. You've had great success. We appreciate the opportunity to have you on the show. We want to make sure that people can get a hold of you. And how would they do that?

Cathryn Marshall: Sure. The easiest way to get a hold of me is through my website, simplefatburn.com. And you can contact me through the website, check out what I do on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Google me. I cover it up.

Corey Rieck: Cathryn, continued success. And thank you for being such a great guest.

Cathryn Marshall: Thank you for having me. It's been a joy.

Sanjay Toure: Make sure to tune into another episode of Tuesdays with Corey here on Atlanta, Business RadioX. This is brought to you by our great friends at the Long Term Care Planning Group. This is Sanjay for ABR.