Meet Tamra Andress | Christian Business Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamra Andress and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamra, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I believe balance is a lie. Mainly because I was a gymnast for 12 years and I never landed a 10.0 on balance beam. It was basically IMPOSSIBLE – and stats prove this even for Olympians. So if balance is a lie, how do we create work life balance? We show up with intention. We show up with support and open communication. We show up with obedience and diligence. We realize that there are seasons of more emphasis on work than perhaps family – but never forget that LIFE is being lived even while focused on the business. If you aren’t breathing LIFE into you, your passions aren’t being utilized, and you aren’t looking forward to “creating” (which is my word for working with my family rather than I’m going to work!) then you are putting yourself into a state of being that is less than your purpose and your promise.

Don’t strive for work-life balance. Build habits, language, and communication, that allow your family, hobbies, core values, etc. all be integrated and in tandem with your “business”.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
F.I.T. in Faith Media launched 5 years ago! F.I.T. stand for Founders, Innovators and Trailblazers and our mission is to obliterate shame and activate purpose as we multiply marketplace mentors/ministers.

We focus on building and broadcasting their businesses through Podcasting, Publications, and Play. We’ve brought to life dozens of podcasts, published several books (including annual anthologies with multiple authors!), developing unique coaching programs and retreats that blend to serve their mission!

Podcasting is one of my favorite endeavors! The F.I.T. in Faith Podcast is globally ranked in the top .3% of the spirituality and business charts, 3 years running with over 300 interviews of other founders, innovators and trailblazers and their comeback stories and insight into their version of success and wholeness.

My passion for coaching start-up and growing entrepreneurs stems from over a decade and a half of first hand experience with multiple of her own businesses, network marketing adventures, a Fortune 500 company, a brick and mortar, a global e-commerce launch, and several non-profits. Needless to say, if it’s missional business oriented – I’m in!

Is it easy? Depends on how you define EASY! I wake up around 4:30am and my mind rarely “shuts off” – Is that really a thing for entrepreneurs? I’m always dreaming. I’m always building. And as my best selling book says I’m “Always Becoming”. I don’t like to use the word HUSTLE, but I will tell you there are days and seasons that it’s really hard. Fighting your own mental stories and limiting beliefs. Dealing with marketing trend shifts. Personal family matters, etc. How I overcome those scenarios – tons of reading, tons of podcasts, tons of work outs and prayer to clear my heart and reset my energy and focus. I’ve also driven deep in the development of my communication skills through emotional intelligence and personality studies – so I can vocalize how I’m feeling, ask for help, recognize my “achiever” tendencies and operate in my zone of genius.

I want the world to know that my story is not too different than most. I just chose the road less traveled. I almost lost it all: my marriage, babies and life. I did in fact lose two of my previous businesses and over a course of 3 years of re-development and identity design through a mental, physical and spiritual health journey – I knew I didn’t want any others to suffer in the same way. The F.I.T. in faith podcast was birthed out of this season and the coaching elements came out of desire to re-active my entrepreneurial spirit and help others do the same! We all have a fire inside of us, a purpose, a calling – we just need someone to fan our embers! Our company is here to do that – ACTIVATE.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Virginia Beach, VA and LOVE adventure and soaking. So we’d do it all! From coffee houses and healthy dining spots, to beaches, bike riding and boats. To back porch chilling, fireside toasting and my hubs in the kitchen. We’d enjoy deep conversations, great music, and little kiddos laughing and playing the whole time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ah this one is hard. I need to create a running list of the dozens of people, hundreds of books and podcasts, that are circling my mind as I process “who do I give this shoutout series too”.

But if I shave all the way down to the CORE of how I get to show up the way I do today – the support, effort, mentorship, love and encouragement award hands down goes to my husband.

There’s never been a day on my crazy wild entrepreneurial journey (even fresh out of college with not a penny to my name but lots of debt instead) that he has not championed me to go after it! He’s supported me in the darkest times and lifted my eyes to the perspective and identity of the one who gives me the truth and the vision. He’s an entrepreneur too and several years ahead of me on the journey, so we not only have that personal connection with have professional integration that allows us to be each others biggest cheerleaders, sounding boards and devils advocates.

So this one goes to my “Gary Hot Hubby” – yes, this is his name in my phone and most of my clients and friends know him as such!

Website: www.fitinfaithmedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamra.andress/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamraandress/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamraleighandress/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/TamraAndress

Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRLs2f8L/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fit-in-faith-podcast/id1455139662?mt=2