The secret to creating new and healthy habits with Leslie Robertson | Ep. 26 Content Magic with Lindsay Smith

One of the best things I've invested in as an entrepreneur is my own health.  If I'm not healthy, my business doesn't run. 

At  a conference earlier this year, I met Leslie Robertson and I quickly creeped her content. And, moreover, it absolutely spoke to me. A mom, over 40 and trying to figure out a way to best take care of myself and my health without being completely overwhelmed by what's already available online. 

Leslie is a personal trainer and a health and lifestyle coach. She helps women, especially other moms, take better care of themselves in person and online. In this episode, she shares her own personal journey to  training and entrepreneurship, the decision to open her own gym and some actionable steps you can take to build healthy some habits. 

Accountability is the one of the keys to maintaining any new habit, whether it's working out, creating content or getting up earlier. 

 Let's dive into this incredible episode!

05:19 Working together has been lovely and accountable.
08:05 Self-care requires training, focus, nutrition, sleep.
12:07 Strive for small healthy actions every day.
15:40 Transformed from athlete to personal trainer, impactful.
17:51 Grateful for own space, balancing in-person, online.
21:49 Longevity, sustainability, and staying active as one ages.
22:42 Start now, small changes add up.

CONNECT WITH LESLIE!
Instagram: @getfitwithles
Website: primepersonaltraining.ca
Freebie: Wellness Guide for Moms

Lindsay [00:00:03]:
If you have an online business, you're creating content. And the way you create content is more important than ever. It's really noisy out there, and learning to stand out is the only way. Hey, I'm Lindsey, and I'm the host of the content Magic podcast, all about being an entrepreneur and creating kick ass content to market yourself and your business. I have a not so secret superpower for copywriting, marketing and content, and I've helped hundreds of folks just like you show up with a ton of confidence in the online space. I've been doing this content thing for 20 years, and I believe the real magic is a combo of intuition, creativity, and strategy. You can create content for your business without losing your mind. I promise.

Lindsay [00:00:48]:
So, tune in every week for tangible content, tips, inspiring guests, and some real spicy opinions. Probably mine. Ready to dive in? Let's go. Hi, gang. Welcome back to the podcast. And I'm very excited to welcome my friend, Leslie. Hi, Leslie.

Leslie [00:01:05]:
Hey, Lindsey.

Lindsay [00:01:08]:
So, full disclaimer, I'm a client of Leslie's, so I am going to go on and on about how great you.

Leslie [00:01:15]:
Are, but stop it, Lindsay. And we're just getting started. You're also amazing, so I'm honored to be guiding you. It's amazing. Stop it.

Lindsay [00:01:23]:
I love it. Okay, this is just like a. This is a show where we just talk about how great we are. In the meantime, I'm going to get you to introduce yourself and tell us. Well, you can tell us where you are, if you'd like, and who you are and what you do and who you help.

Leslie [00:01:41]:
Amazing. All right. Well, hello, everyone. Lindsey, thanks for having me on. I'm so excited for this conversation. My name's Leslie Robertson. I am a 40 year old mom living in Ottawa. I am a personal trainer, and I also like to call myself a health and lifestyle coach because I'm all about helping people in a holistic way.

Leslie [00:02:02]:
So help people get fit, get healthy, have more energy. But ultimately, what I do is teach women how to take better care of themselves, which is so important. And by doing that, by helping the moms and helping the kids. I used to be an elementary school teacher, and I left that job within two years of realizing it wasn't for me. But I knew I always wanted to do work that was helping people be more active. So then here we are. Personal training fell into my lap over 15 years ago now. So, yeah, love that.

Lindsay [00:02:35]:
Okay, so I want to tell a story. So usually in online business, because I know you do a lot of in person training as well.

Leslie [00:02:45]:
Yes, I do both. Yeah. I have my own studio as well. Yeah.

Lindsay [00:02:48]:
So usually in online business, you meet people online first, and then you meet them in person. However, we did it backwards. We met in person first.

Leslie [00:03:00]:
Yes. So love that event. High vibe women's event in January. Right, in Waterloo.

Lindsay [00:03:05]:
Yeah.

Leslie [00:03:05]:
Yeah. So grateful for that event, because you're right. We did connect. I met with some amazing people. Yeah. We met in person, and now we were becoming. We became Instagram friends, and then we. We figured out that you need a little extra help in the health and fitness department.

Leslie [00:03:24]:
So here I am, helping provide some accountability and supporting you, which I love, is my favorite thing to do, especially with you being a mom and a business owner, they're like, my favorite people to work with because they really do require the most help. You're helping everyone else, helping your clients and your family, and it's just the most important thing, I think, to outsource and you can get the most return on your investment when you work with a really good health and fitness coach, I find.

Lindsay [00:03:49]:
Yes. And this is the thing, right? Like, after I met you in person, and obviously, I started to creep you online, and obviously this show is about content. Sometimes it is about content. It's supposed to be about content. So after I creeped your content, I realized one, like, you're just a normal person and you also have young kids and you don't like. And so I really related to everything you were saying, so I really feel like you. Your content was, like, speaking to me. I was like, oh, my God, all these things.

Lindsay [00:04:22]:
All these things. And so I think that's why I reached out the first time, or. I don't know. I don't even know how I reached out.

Leslie [00:04:29]:
I didn't have to look back through our messages. Eh, I must have, like, asked a question. Or you engage with one of my posts, which I appreciate the love, so, yeah, that's cool. Yeah, I try and be. I can't help being myself. It's one of my, like, gifts, but can be also a downfall. I'm very, like, open and keep it real. Sometimes that rubs people the wrong way or they're offended, but for.

Leslie [00:04:50]:
For most people, it. It, yeah. Makes me relatable. And people like, oh, she's a real person. She gets it right. Cause I've. I've had my own weight loss journey, I would say for the last 20 years, it's ongoing. And then becoming a mom, my approach completely changed.

Leslie [00:05:06]:
So I know it's. It's hard. It's super hard, but it's easier when we have support. Right? Like, I've had coaches help me in the past, so I see the value in having someone there for you.

Lindsay [00:05:19]:
And I think what has been so lovely about working with you is that accountability. And I think you've made it super easy for me. You're like, okay, here's three week workouts. You can do, like, alternate them, and also, here's more protein, right? And you've made these super easy steps for me because I think what happens if we're trying to do this on our own one, like, nobody knows where to start or, like, what to do, right? And then even just, like, your little voxer messages, right? Like, I find that just, like, just to have a person to be like, hey, how you doing? How is this? Are your legs sore? Um, what's happening? Like, how did you do?

Leslie [00:06:12]:
Would you do what you said you were gonna do today? Yes.

Lindsay [00:06:14]:
Yes.

Leslie [00:06:14]:
What did you have for breakfast?

Lindsay [00:06:15]:
Yes, yes.

Leslie [00:06:16]:
Love it.

Lindsay [00:06:17]:
Yeah. But you do it in a way that's, like, super approachable because. So, and this is, this is a question with your experience in personal training. Are all personal trainers like, this approachable and lovely?

Leslie [00:06:33]:
No.

Lindsay [00:06:34]:
Okay.

Leslie [00:06:35]:
Definitely not. But everyone has their strengths, right? Some people are all about, like, you know, the form. Like, we gotta get perfect form. Your knee needs to be in this position, your heads here, your backs here. I mean, I help people do that as well. And that's one part of it. Like, there's, like, people that are just all about the training aspect where, like, did you do your cardio? Did you do your five workouts? Like, did you sweat? Blah, blah, blah. And for some people, that works.

Leslie [00:07:01]:
For other people, it's like, I just need to know that I got my work. I done it. Done. I did something. I didn't injure myself. I made the time. Right. That's a win, even if it's.

Leslie [00:07:10]:
I only had the chance to do half of it. And then we also need support with the nutrition, especially when it comes to, like, fat loss or. Or, you know, um, anything related to body transformation or having more energy. The food is the biggest thing. Um, so I also like to make you realistic. I don't like getting crazy about macros and calories and weighing and measuring everything we're putting in our mouth. So it's all about, like, what works for you, what can. What is one or two things that you can do every day, and then once we master that, then we add something.

Leslie [00:07:42]:
So instead of, here's a meal plan, follow up perfectly. And again, there's some coaches like that. Here's your meal plan. Why can't you follow it? You followed, it works. You're not following the plan. So I'm like, where are you at? I start with the client. Where are you at? What are you able to do consistently? And then that allows us, I want my clients to feel successful, like they're making progress, not failing. So I set my clients up to win as opposed to fail.

Leslie [00:08:05]:
And that requires some training, focus, some nutrition, and then the sleep and stress is another part. Moms feel like they're failing on those all the time. But I'm like, no, but did you take five minutes to, like, sit in silence? Did you, you know, put your phone away 15 minutes earlier? Right. Are you trying to, like, you know, get up a little bit early? And we're working on that with you, too, like, trying to get up. Even our kids get up earlier. Can we still get up a little bit earlier so we have that time to ourselves? Because that might be the only time we have all day. So for me, like, I. I coach for my own experience and the way that I know I feel best.

Leslie [00:08:40]:
And all these things need to be rolling together where some people, maybe they can only just focus on training, and the rest of the day is great. Right? So. So, no, not all trainers do. Um, but. But that's the way. That's the way I coach. That's why I call myself a health and lifestyle coach, because it's. I'm all about helping people improve their lifestyle, not just get fitter and, you know, be able to squat 300 pounds or have super amazing mobility.

Leslie [00:09:05]:
I'm all about, like, are we, you, you know, optimizing our health and being more intentional. That's really the word I was trying to say. There is helping people be more intentional with their choices and how they take care of themselves every day. That's a big thing.

Lindsay [00:09:19]:
And I feel like you're accomplishing that with me. Anyway, I can't speak for all your.

Leslie [00:09:22]:
Clients, and we just started.

Lindsay [00:09:23]:
I know, and I, like, I don't want to, like, message you at all hours on voxer, but this morning, I walked with the dog for, like, an hour with my weighted vest on, and I just want to be like, wow. Yeah, I did.

Leslie [00:09:39]:
Why didn't you message me that? No, I just.

Lindsay [00:09:41]:
I was like, I don't have to tell her every single thing about me.

Leslie [00:09:44]:
Yes, you do. I want to tell her. If you're excited, I'm going to be doubly excited.

Lindsay [00:09:49]:
Okay. Okay.

Leslie [00:09:50]:
That's a great. That's amazing. Weighted vest. Damn.

Lindsay [00:09:55]:
I know. Who am I?

Leslie [00:09:57]:
You're a fit, Lindsey. That's who you are.

Lindsay [00:10:00]:
So. And this is the thing I have found. And tell me that if this is true for a lot of your clients, because I know, like, you work with a lot of moms, a lot of women who are in their four. So this is what I have found. I will go, like, a good stretch of, like, doing all the things, and then I stop, and you're like, well, I'm just gonna throw on the towel because obviously I can't keep doing it. This, like, weird, all or nothing approach. Is this common among your.

Leslie [00:10:33]:
Oh, my God. It's definitely not weird. And, yes, it is common. I also used to be the same way. And again, like you said, like, as moms, like, someone gets sick, like, something happens where you don't have help or whatever, something's going on in the business. So. And that's the thing. Like, we have this perfectionist mindset, because maybe in the past, that's what we needed to do to have success, and we were just, like, one track mind.

Leslie [00:10:58]:
I only had to focus on me. And we feel like, well, if we can't do it perfectly well, might as well, you know, I have one flat tarmac will slash the rest. But I think it's just we're all. Instead of focusing on. Okay, so, you know, we're so focused on what we're not doing. So I always get people think about, keep it. What did you do? That's why I'm like, hey, what's a win? What's a win? What's when? Well, I. You know, I made myself breakfast today.

Leslie [00:11:22]:
Awesome. Right? So I just think we're all. If it's not everything, that it's nothing. We're all. I'm always like, no, but what did you do? What are the things that are going well, even if it feels like everything's going to shit. So just shifting your mindset to focusing on what's not going well. To what is going well. And, like, the sooner you get back on track, the better.

Leslie [00:11:42]:
But once you continue skipping a meal, skipping a workout, staying up late, you're not just having a bad day or bad week, you're making it a habit. Right? So something that helps people get out of that is never skip twice. Right? So you missed a workout, Kate. Don't miss another one, because then it becomes so much harder to get back. So super common. I get it. But that's something I work on with my clients. It's a mindset shift.

Leslie [00:12:07]:
So you can't do it perfectly today, but what can you do, right? Because we have, like, this spectrum of, you know, how, like, what our day looks like. We're gonna have really awesome days and really not great. So days. So what are, like, those bare ass minimums that you can do even on your worst day to make you feel like, yes, I did something to make me healthier or something for me. So maybe, yeah. Your awesome day, you're gonna do your workout, you're gonna do your walk, you're gonna get your water, you're gonna get your meals in. Great. Awesome.

Leslie [00:12:34]:
But then you're not. Great day. You had breakfast, you meditated for five minutes, and you went to bed a little bit earlier, and that's also good. But you didn't do your workout, and you ordered, you know, McDonald's or something. But focus on what you can do, um, even when life gets really tough, and then just try and get back to it as soon as you can. Um, not all is lost, even if it's, like, a couple weeks. It's like, what is the next best thing you can do?

Lindsay [00:13:00]:
Yeah.

Leslie [00:13:00]:
I'm, like, giving the longest answers here.

Lindsay [00:13:02]:
No, I love it. You're a good talker. Like, this is when I used to work in journalism. We'd have to, like, pre interview people. But I've already talked to you, and I already knew you were a good talker, so.

Leslie [00:13:15]:
You'Re a good question asker.

Lindsay [00:13:17]:
Oh, good. That's how I like to roll. That's. I feel like that's one of my superpowers, is just totally questions. Okay, so talk to me a little bit about the business part. So you mentioned that you were an elementary school teacher, so sort of what led you down this path?

Leslie [00:13:40]:
Well, I'll keep it short. It's a super long story, but basically, when I went to university, I studied kinesiology and physical education, like, a concurrent edge thing. So got rid of school. I was able to get a teaching job soon after, and I realized early on that it wasn't for me. Like, I like the classroom management, the, like, the assessments, the lesson planning, the dealing with parents. And I was also, like, 22 years old, so all that responsibility. And I had just left university, where I was a scholarship athletes. So every part of my day was planned.

Leslie [00:14:24]:
I didn't have to make it. It's like, you got strength training, you got practice, you got class, you got games. Here's where we're eating, you know? So to make that transition, and thinking back, if I were to go and teach now, probably wouldn't get as upset about and take it personally if kids weren't learning or listening, right? So I think I was just really young and still adjusting to like, having all that responsibility. But regardless, wasn't for me. And then I was trying to find myself and what I was going to do next without having any plan. I was like, I'm done teaching. I'm depressed, I'm overwhelmed. It's not for me.

Leslie [00:14:58]:
I have no idea, but I'm going to figure it out. I was living in Hamilton at the time and I moved to Ottawa and I'm like, I don't know what to do. So I have some serving experience. I worked in a restaurant. I did that for a year. Loved it. Met some awesome people. But I got super out of shape.

Leslie [00:15:15]:
Lindsay, like, we're talking like, drinking, eating, staying up late. Like, I was also depressed because I left my career and I was like, oh, my God, I'm working in a restaurant. So then through that experience, I was living with my sister and thank goodness for her because she's like, les, you, like, need to do something. You're not in. You're not in a good place. Like, why don't you go to the gym, get a trainer? And I'm like, like, I'm not. I can't do that. So.

Leslie [00:15:40]:
But anyways, took me about six months, joined, got a gym membership, I actually got a trainer. And then it was through that experience of working with the trainer and getting myself back to like, feeling like an athlete, I'm like, wow, this is. And it completely changed my life. So through that experience of getting really fit and my trainer's like, you know what you're doing. And I'm like, yeah, well, kinesiology, former athlete. Like, well, why don't you become a trainer? You're clearly not happy as a server. So then I became a personal trainer and because of the effects of getting myself in incredible shape and having that mentor to guide me and like, I want to help other people and have an impact in their lives. So that's where really started.

Leslie [00:16:17]:
So going through really dark time, personal training, getting fit got me into a much better place where I'm like, hey, now I want to get back to helping people with their health and fitness. So worked at a commercial gym for three years. I did really well there as far as from like a marketing and sales perspective. Then I got tired of it and then I had an opportunity to actually apply to be police officer. Until I get told, this is a very long story. And at the time they weren't hiring then I'm like, okay, still know I want to help people. That's not going to work out. And I had a friend who was like, hey, Les, I'm looking for trainers to come be a private contractor at my gym.

Leslie [00:16:54]:
Do you want to do it? And I'm like, sure. So I left my very stable personal training career at the gym I was at, and I started from scratch. Zero clients. And within six months, I had a full clientele because I love what I do. I feel like I'm pretty good at it. And then after that experience of working within his gym for three years, I had a very good friend of mine who actually was a trainer I worked with. He died suddenly at the studio at a heart attack. And it just really puts life in perspective.

Leslie [00:17:32]:
And you're like, wow, life's too short. And I was getting kind of, like, annoyed with some of the ins and outs of what is going on. The studio wasn't clean. It wasn't a water fountain. Like, it was in a basement. I'm like, I want my own place. So it took another six months to a year, and then I found the perfect spot. And that was ten years ago this October.

Leslie [00:17:51]:
So now I have my own space, which is like, I'm grateful, and I can't believe it's been ten years. So I have the in person. I've been doing that. And then when I became a mother, I used to work, like, morning, tonight, like six in the morning till eight at night, training clients, and I became a mother. It really forced me to think about ways to free up my evenings. And then that's where the online business portion came in. So then hired a mentor, learned how to do, create an online course, and then now I've been doing that for over five years now. So now I have the hybrid, I have the in person and the online, and it just kept evolving as, like, life kind of hit me, you know? So left the gym when I was getting miserable there, and I felt like I wasn't, like, being challenged.

Leslie [00:18:36]:
And then I had a friend pass away, and I'm like, I know there's more. I feel like I can have more of an impact, and then now it can have more of an impact with my own space and now having the online capacity so I can train even more people and spend more time with my family. So that's a long story, but ultimately gone to personal training. I always knew I want to have a job that provided, um, you know, a way for me to help people be fit and healthy. And initially was kids. And now, and specifically, since I'm working a lot with moms, by helping the moms, I'm also helping the kids. So it's kind of cool how it comes full circle. Right?

Lindsay [00:19:17]:
And this is the thing about, like. And I know you've already touched on this, but this is the thing, being able to take this half hour to do whatever it is.

Leslie [00:19:27]:
Right?

Lindsay [00:19:28]:
Like, and I know I've told you this, but, like, any kind of workout or even going for a walk with the dog, she's under my desk, so I can't say her name. Like, it's, like, it's. It's such a mental game, right? And I sometimes I think, like, you know, and I know I've told you, like, I was going to kickboxing until I broke a bunch of bones. And, like, even that was, like, I just feel like it was a mental thing. Like, mentally, you're just so much better, and it gives you the tools to, like, face whatever. As an entrepreneur, as a mom, as a, you know, like, it. I don't know. I feel like.

Lindsay [00:20:09]:
Yeah, for sure. I feel stronger in the short time that we've been working together.

Leslie [00:20:13]:
Yeah.

Lindsay [00:20:13]:
But also, like, my mental health, mental.

Leslie [00:20:18]:
Emotional mood, your energy, even I find on when you have the least amount of energy, you do a workout. So as you have to expend energy to have energy. Right. And then eating more food helps with that, too. So I love hearing that. And that's the best part. Like, my clients always leave either our sessions in person or online feeling better. And that is, like, the best thing ever.

Leslie [00:20:39]:
Like, that's, like, the most amazing thing about my job is I'm helping people feel better. And the trans, it's just like me going, your nails done, it's like you automatically feel and see the difference. Right? I love your nails.

Lindsay [00:20:52]:
I know. I'm waving my nails right now.

Leslie [00:20:54]:
Nobody can see. It's very. I get a dopamine hit, and so does the client. So it's like a win win for both of us. Yeah.

Lindsay [00:21:03]:
I used to teach yoga, and I'd always tell people, like, you never regret going to yoga. Like, you don't go to yoga and leave and being like, ugh, I hate everybody.

Leslie [00:21:12]:
Right?

Lindsay [00:21:13]:
And I think it's this.

Leslie [00:21:15]:
Oh, no. If you have an instructor that's like, me, or, like, for me, I'm very, like, sensitive to the music. So if it's, like, too many nature sounds or. Yeah, but, yeah, no, I'm joking, but, yes, always you're like, okay, I'm a little bit annoyed, but I always feel better.

Lindsay [00:21:31]:
Yes, yes, you're a little bit annoyed, but, yeah, you always feel better.

Leslie [00:21:35]:
You're right. You're right.

Lindsay [00:21:36]:
And I know, like. And I know you and I have talked about this, too. Like, some of my goals is, you know, my mom is 77, and she's probably in better shape than I am.

Leslie [00:21:45]:
I love your mom. Yeah.

Lindsay [00:21:47]:
And I'm gonna be four years.

Leslie [00:21:48]:
You gotta get her on the podcast.

Lindsay [00:21:49]:
I know, I know. So when I think about that, like, I think about longevity and, like, sustainability, right? Like, even though I'm 40 now, like, when I'm 70, I want to be able to get up and down off the floor and, you know, like, she lives in a. In a townhouse with, like, two. Like, she lives in one of those, like, tall, skinny townhouses, and there's, like, two sets of stairs, so she's going up and down the stairs all the time anyway. She's in great shape, but sometimes I joke with her. I was like, mom, we're going to get you one of those buttons. She's like, don't you dare. I don't want one of those buttons.

Leslie [00:22:26]:
Oh, my God. So, so true. Love your mom, but also love you. Like, the fact that that was, like, your number one goal, you're like, I want to be able to, like, play with the grandkids. I want to be like my mom. Like, it starts now. Like, if you don't get your life together in your forties, I mean, good. And I not.

Leslie [00:22:42]:
Good luck to you, but it's never too late. But, like, why not get your life together when, like, the kids are young? Because then it's only going to get easier. But, like, the longer you wait, the harder it is, and then the. The harder it is to get started, too. So, like, just start now and start. Maybe it's just walking. Maybe you're gonna stop eating, you know, or drinking wine every night before bed or stop skipping lunch. So there's just, like, little things that can really add up over time.

Leslie [00:23:09]:
Like, they always talk about 1% better every day or every week, and by the end of the year, that's a lot of percents better.

Lindsay [00:23:16]:
Yeah. And, you know, I know you touched on this idea of habits.

Leslie [00:23:20]:
Yeah.

Lindsay [00:23:21]:
And I think that's. Whatever. It sounds so simple, right? When you look at it, you're like, oh, it's a habit, right? Like, you brush your teeth, like, yeah, you know, and you know what I did? I'm gonna tell you tomorrow. I put my workout on my schedule.

Leslie [00:23:36]:
What are the work. I did schedule.

Lindsay [00:23:38]:
Now see if they're not. I put it in my phone schedule.

Leslie [00:23:42]:
Oh, my gosh.

Lindsay [00:23:44]:
Like, I wasn't doing that before. So now I'm like, well, and you know what?

Leslie [00:23:47]:
I'm the type of person that does this now. That's it.

Lindsay [00:23:50]:
I know. Who am I? Who am I? I get my nails done and I work out, and I was. I was joking the other day, like, our very first workout together. I was like, I'm in the best shape ever. I've done one workout.

Leslie [00:24:05]:
Like, keep going with that feeling. It's amazing. You are, though. You're fitter than you were when you, like, the day before, right?

Lindsay [00:24:13]:
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you are. Leslie, thank you for coming. People find you, and how can they work with you?

Leslie [00:24:21]:
Well, I would come over on Instagram. That's the best place. I'm taking a little break, but we'll be coming in hot real quick. So at getfitwithless on Instagram, you can also shoot me an email lessetfitwithless.com. And then, of course, my website is primepersonaltraining ca. But Instagram's the best way. I'm in there way too much.

Lindsay [00:24:46]:
Well, we all are.

Leslie [00:24:47]:
Yeah.

Lindsay [00:24:48]:
And on that note, don't let Instagram suck you in, okay. I'll put all that stuff in the show notes. Thank you for joining us, and it's always lovely to chat with you.

Leslie [00:25:02]:
Always lovely to chat with you too, Lindsay. Thank you so much. It was fun.

Lindsay [00:25:06]:
Okay, toodaloo, everybody. Thank you so much for listening. If you loved what you heard, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode on social media. And don't forget to tag me on Instagram at lindsaysmithcreative. And if you do all three, I'll be your best friend forever and invite you to all my birthday parties. That's it for today, and I'll see you next time.