A Day in the Life of Linley: Unveiling the Magic Behind Fit Foodie Finds
Step into the vibrant world of Fit Foodie Finds HQ, where passion for healthy living and delicious recipes comes to life! Ever wondered what it takes to bring all that incredible content to your screens? Today, we’re pulling back the curtain and offering an exclusive peek into a day in the life of Linley, the creative force behind @LinleysHands. From recipe development to social media management and beyond, Linley’s journey with Fit Foodie Finds is a testament to dedication, passion, and the joy of a dream job.
My Journey to Fit Foodie Finds: From Hustle to Dream Career
It feels like just yesterday I embarked on this incredible adventure with Fit Foodie Finds, almost three years ago. I vividly recall the moment my dear friend and founder, Lee, realized her vision for Fit Foodie Finds required a growing, dedicated team. Taking that leap into the dynamic and ever-evolving blogging world was exhilarating, if not a little daunting. For the first six months, I juggled my part-time role at Fit Foodie Finds with two other part-time jobs, just to make ends meet. My days were a whirlwind: filing at a law firm by day, serving at a bustling cafe by night, and dedicating every spare moment to Fit Foodie Finds HQ.
Working three jobs simultaneously was undeniably insane and physically demanding. There were moments of sheer exhaustion, but the underlying passion for what we were building at Fit Foodie Finds kept me going. Looking back now, every late night and early morning was profoundly worth it. Thanks to hard work and determination, I no longer need to balance multiple roles. After those initial six months of part-time dedication, Fit Foodie Finds had grown enough to allow me to fully commit. I proudly left my other two jobs, pouring all my energy and creativity into Team Fit Foodie, a decision I’ve never regretted.
My role at Fit Foodie Finds HQ has blossomed into something far beyond my initial imagination. When I first joined, my primary responsibilities revolved around managing social media accounts and meticulously testing new recipes. Today, my responsibilities are incredibly diverse and multifaceted. They include, but are certainly not limited to: comprehensive social media strategy and management, meticulous event planning, engaging post writing, innovative recipe development, artistic food styling, thoughtful relationship management, and, of course, the unique niche of HAND MODELING. The best part? I get to share this journey with some of my dearest friends, which genuinely makes coming to work 1,000 times more rewarding and enjoyable.
A Typical Day at Fit Foodie Finds HQ with @LinleysHands
Many of you have expressed curiosity about what a typical day looks like for me. We hope this “Day in the Life” post will provide some insightful answers. For those of you who work remotely or operate within the dynamic realm of online businesses, you understand that no two days are truly alike. This constant variety is something I absolutely cherish about my job. However, when we have a week free from travel and major events, the general rhythm of my days often unfolds something like this…
Morning Rituals: Fueling Creativity and Wellness
Mornings are my sacred time. Before diving headfirst into the demands of Fit Foodie HQ, I make a conscious effort to begin my day slowly and intentionally. This can sometimes be a challenge, as my natural tendency is to move a mile a minute! My first priority is always getting the coffee brewing – a non-negotiable step to kickstart my energy. While the coffee steeps, I’ll quickly check our social media posts for the day, ensuring everything is on track. Then, it’s time for some cherished snuggles with Frannie, my adorable new housemate and furry companion, who always brings a smile to my face. After these calming rituals, I head out to pick up Lee (and now Marky Mark) for our invigorating morning workout.
We firmly believe in starting the day right with a robust workout. Our preferred spot is often Switch MPLS, where the sessions are consistently killer and push us to our limits. I’ve learned through experience that if I don’t prioritize my workout in the morning, it simply won’t happen later in the day. The energy and focus gained from these early morning sessions are invaluable for tackling the busy day ahead. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s about mental clarity and setting a positive tone.
Post-workout, we head straight to “the office,” where our established routine continues: refreshing showers, a nourishing breakfast (typically sweet for Lee, savory for me – a fun little quirk of our daily dynamic!), another round of coffee, and then a thorough discussion of our plans and priorities for the day. On recipe development days, my next task is to head out for groceries. Confession: I could happily live in a grocery store! Along with airports, grocery aisles are two of my absolute favorite places, so it’s truly a dream that I get to visit them at least three times a week. While we’d love a magical one-stop-shop for all our ingredients, my shopping expeditions usually involve stops at both Trader Joe’s for unique finds and pantry staples, and Lunds & Byerlys for high-quality fresh produce and specialty items. Our visits to Lunds are always made better by their incredible employee, Alison, whose warmth and helpfulness make grocery shopping a genuinely pleasant experience. After gathering all our ingredients, it’s time for essential admin work, followed by my absolute favorite part of the day: RECIPES!
Afternoon Flow: Recipe Magic and Coffee Shop Productivity
Our goal for the afternoon is usually to create and photograph two or three new recipes. This collaborative process with Lee is a well-oiled machine. I typically kick off the recipe development in the kitchen, meticulously measuring and mixing, while Lee sits at the computer, diligently jotting down measurements, important notes, and creative ideas. We’ve honed a highly efficient system. First, I begin the initial styling of a dish for the photoshoot, ensuring all elements are aesthetically pleasing. Then, Lee steps in, adding her unique “magic touch” to the setup before capturing the entire process and the final, beautiful product with her camera. This is where @LinleysHands truly shine – holding ingredients, presenting the dish, adding a final flourish – BOOM! I’m known for being a bustling, energetic presence in the kitchen, and I’ll be the first to admit: I am incredibly MESSY. When I’m in the zone, creating and experimenting, the kitchen often looks like Cookie Monster himself has torn through it in search of his next batch of cookies. #oopsiepoopsie. Thankfully, Lee often trails behind me, wiping counters and sweeping floors, keeping the chaos somewhat contained.
Lunchtime typically features something delicious we’ve just tested or, on particularly lucky days, a refreshing arugula salad – a welcome, light contrast to the rich flavors we often sample during recipe testing. I absolutely adore afternoons that blend the creative energy of recipe development with the focused calm of working from a coffee shop. If we’ve successfully completed our recipes for the day, we’ll often head to a local coffee shop. I have a genuine passion for discovering new coffee establishments, and these hands somehow manage to get a heck of a lot more computer work done in the buzzing, inspiring atmosphere of a cafe than they ever would at home. Please feel free to leave your favorite MN coffee shop recommendations in the comments; we’d love to check them out!
Evening Unwind: Work-Life Balance and Culinary Exploration
Despite the productive days at HQ, if I don’t manage to complete all my tasks during “normal” business hours – which, admittedly, is often the case – I dedicate some evening time to computer work at home. This usually involves scheduling social media posts, pinning engaging content, or writing new blog articles. Another common evening task I bring home is recipe testing. Fortunately, my partner, Cole, thoroughly enjoys this particular perk of my job! After all, people need to eat, so I figure these hands might as well be making delicious food, especially when I have a willing taste tester right at home to provide valuable feedback.
On evenings when there aren’t new recipes to test, Cole and I often find ourselves dining out. A lot! I simply can’t help it; I adore food in all its forms. I love discovering new restaurants, not just for the sheer enjoyment of a good meal, but also for inspiration and a refreshing change of palate. We also share a fun, ongoing quest: to find the best chicken wings in town. You can often find us enjoying our fair share of wings as we meticulously rank contenders. It’s also worth noting that Lee, Emily, and I aren’t just colleagues; we’re close friends outside of work too. Once the workday wraps up, we often transition into “play mode,” regularly meeting up for dinner, enjoying an invigorating hike, or unwinding by the river. These social connections are invaluable and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Navigating the Entrepreneurial Life: Challenges and Joys
As I mentioned earlier, every single day at Fit Foodie Finds is wonderfully different. I truly love my job, the creativity it demands, and the incredible team I get to work with. However, like any profession, it comes with its own set of challenges. Sometimes, I find it particularly difficult to manage deadlines and maintain focus, especially when working from my home office. My brain can feel a little chaotic if I don’t take the time at the beginning of each week to meticulously schedule out my week’s structure and detail my to-do list for each individual day. This need for planning and organization is entirely human, right?
Despite these minor hurdles, life at Fit Foodie HQ is genuinely good. It’s a vibrant, supportive, and incredibly fulfilling environment. I wouldn’t trade these busy, often crazy, but always rewarding days for anything in the world. Being a part of the Fit Foodie Finds team, contributing to a mission I believe in, and constantly learning and growing alongside amazing people, is an absolute privilege. The journey has been transformative, and I look forward to many more exciting days ahead, continually bringing delicious, healthy inspiration to our community.
Discover More from @LinleysHands
Toast Tuesday: Eggs and Arugula Toast – A Wholesome Breakfast Idea
Toast Tuesday: Peanut Butter Banana – A Classic, Quick Snack
Toast Tuesday: Strawberry, Avocado, and White Cheddar – A Unique Flavor Combination