She used to run back-to-back meetings without blinking. Marketing campaigns? Mapped out weeks ahead. Product launches? Seamless. Her calendar was full, her mind sharp, her energy seemingly endless.
Then, one day, everything shifted.
An unexpected accident in 2022 changed more than Angie Martin’s daily routine—it transformed her entire way of living, leading, and showing up in business. Pain became a quiet companion. The to-do list had to bend. Systems that once worked needed reimagining.
But instead of hiding the struggle, Angie did something brave—she shared it.
This blog unpacks that powerful conversation—how Angie redefined productivity, rebuilt her business on new terms, and found resilience not by pushing through, but by slowing down and showing up differently.
It’s a story of courage, clarity, and choosing grace over grind.
Let’s dive in.
Running a business is no small feat.
It takes strategy, grit, and unwavering resilience. But what happens when life throws a curveball so significantly that it changes how you work, live, and exist in your body? What if, instead of pushing it all down and “soldiering on,” we opened up about the reality of managing personal pain while striving for professional growth?
That’s precisely what Angie Martin, Founder and Lead Mentor of The Growth Manager, sat down to unpack in her powerful interview on the CEO Wisdom Podcast with host Charles Cormier. This wasn’t your standard conversation about business success or strategy—it was a raw, honest, and profoundly human reflection on how life-altering experiences can shape how we show up in business, and why vulnerability might be our greatest strength.
In this blog, we’re celebrating this unforgettable episode and exploring the lessons Angie shared on resilience, adaptability, and building a business that supports your life, not the other way around.
Watch the episode: CEO Wisdom Podcast: Managing Pain While Running Businesses
Life Before the Pivot: Who Is Angie Martin?
If you’ve ever worked with Angie, heard her speak, or followed The Growth Manager, you’ll know she’s not your average business coach. She’s a no-fluff, big-hearted, strategy-first mentor who works with Australian business owners to grow sustainably and authentically. Her approach is rooted in real-world experience—having run multiple successful businesses herself—and her signature style blends empathy with accountability.
Before the 2022 accident, Angie’s life was what many would describe as thriving. She was running The Growth Manager, overseeing her eCommerce fashion label Pear Collections, speaking at major events, and mentoring through the QLD Government’s Mentoring for Growth program.
She had found her flow—and then, everything changed.
September 2022: The Day Everything Shifted
In September 2022, Angie experienced an accident that would alter the way she lived and worked. She sustained serious injuries that led to chronic physical pain—a challenge that didn’t go away after a few weeks of rest. Suddenly, every part of life required re-evaluation: her schedule, energy levels, the type of work she could do, and how she managed her businesses.
The old mindset of pushing through or “just getting on with it” was no longer sustainable. Instead, she had to redesign her world around what her body and mind could genuinely handle.
That meant something that’s not spoken about enough in the business world: grieving the old version of yourself while learning to embrace a new way forward.
The Power of the Podcast: Why This Conversation Matters
When Charles invited Angie to join the CEO Wisdom Podcast, he wanted to go deeper than the usual business advice. Charles, a visionary himself, created this podcast to explore the real stories behind entrepreneurship—the sacrifices, mindset shifts, and inner work it takes to build something meaningful.
This episode stands out as a refreshing break from the “hustle till you drop” narrative. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present.
Throughout the conversation, Angie doesn’t just discuss business growth; she also speaks about human development. She explains how learning to manage pain is a full-time job in itself and why building systems, routines, and businesses that support your health is essential, not optional.
Relearning Business With a New Lens
Angie’s accident forced her to reevaluate the very foundation of her business model. What used to be 10-12-hour workdays fuelled by adrenaline and back-to-back coaching calls suddenly became impossible.
Here’s what changed—and what others can learn from it.
1. Prioritising Energy Management Over Time Management
Before the accident, productivity was often measured by how much could be done daily. After the accident, everything pivoted to energy management.
“I began planning my days not around my calendar, but around how much energy I realistically had—and what I wanted to give that energy to.” – Angie Martin
She now coaches her clients on this shift, particularly those navigating burnout or balancing health challenges. Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most, in alignment with your capacity.
2. Letting Go of the Perfection Myth
When pain became a daily factor, so did the need to let go of perfectionism. Angie shared that accepting help, saying “no” more often, and building buffer time into her schedule were crucial acts of self-preservation.
Rather than seeing these adjustments as weaknesses, she reframed them as signs of evolved leadership.
“Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is admit you can’t do it all—and delegate, automate, or eliminate from there.”
Building Resilient Systems and Support
Angie didn’t just adapt her mindset—she rebuilt The Growth Manager’s operational structure. This included:
- Automating repetitive admin tasks using AI tools
- Creating downloadable Growth Guides and Templates to scale client support
- Developing evergreen training content
- Releasing new self-paced resources so clients could keep moving without 1:1 sessions
Most importantly, she empowered her team to assume more responsibilities. What could have been her business’s downfall became the catalyst for smarter, scalable growth.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs: It’s Okay to Do It Differently
One of the most profound takeaways from the podcast episode is the encouragement for business owners, especially women, to permit themselves to do business differently.
You don’t need to be “on” 24/7. You don’t need to work 10-hour days. You don’t need to say yes to everything to be successful.
Angie’s journey is living proof that:
- You can grow a business and protect your health.
- You can set boundaries and attract dream clients.
- You can ask for help and be a strong leader.
Using Pain as a Teacher, Not a Barrier
Chronic pain is unpredictable. Some days, it allows for normalcy; others, it doesn’t. Angie learned to listen to her body, give herself grace, and use her experience to better connect with her clients, many of whom are navigating their challenges.
Whether it’s burnout, mental health struggles, or chronic illness, Angie’s message is clear:
“You don’t have to pretend everything is okay to be successful. People connect with your truth, not your perfection.”
Embracing AI to Lighten the Load
During the episode, Angie also shared how integrating AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva’s Magic Studio changed the way she created content.
Using AI, she was able to:
- Create written content faster
- Plan marketing campaigns with less mental strain
- Generate blog topics and email sequences
- Batch create assets in a more efficient way
This empowered her to show up online consistently, even when her energy was low.
And let’s be honest—AI is not about replacing the human touch; it’s about enhancing it. When used strategically, it becomes a growth enabler.
Final Reflections from Angie
In true Growth Manager style, Angie ended the episode by grounding the conversation in hope, action, and possibility.
“I don’t want people to feel like they have to ‘wait until they’re better’ to start or grow their business. You can start from where you are, with what you have—and build something beautiful in your own way.”
It’s a reminder that the entrepreneurial journey isn’t a linear process. It ebbs and flows. And sometimes, the most profound growth occurs in the most challenging seasons.
Tune In, Reflect, and Keep Going
This podcast episode wasn’t just a conversation—it was a call to all business owners navigating difficult seasons:
- You’re not alone.
- You don’t need to fit the mould.
- You can create your own version of success.
If you haven’t already, we highly encourage you to carve out 30 minutes to listen to this episode. Whether you’re managing your own health journey, supporting someone else, or just needing inspiration to stay the course, this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Watch the episode here: CEO Wisdom Podcast – Angie Martin on Managing Pain and Business
Final Thoughts from The Growth Manager
At The Growth Manager, we believe in building businesses that work for you, not businesses that wear you down. Whether you’re navigating life’s curveballs or just looking for a more balanced, strategic way to grow, we’re here to help.
Through our one-to-one mentoring, growth templates, and strategic training tools, we support business owners in thriving in business without compromising their identity.
If this conversation resonates with you, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re building a movement of entrepreneurs who lead with courage, care, and conscious growth.
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