Kelly Martin Adam Fotheringham BE SEEN BE HEARD
Launched in 2007 as a blog for people suffering from anxiety, depression and who feel ‘not good enough’. This site is a place to learn to be seen; to be heard and to release the fear of failure and success. Where your humanity meets your soul and self-compassion grows.

Welcome to Kelly Martin Speaks

Here at Kelly Martin Speaks, you’ll find a collection of deeply thought-provoking articles and reflections because life can be tough, anxiety can feel overwhelming, and being stuck or lost is a painful experience.

My hope is that you leave this blog feeling more at home in your own skin and discover a way through whatever challenges you may be facing.

A Little About Me

I’m a British writer and blogger based in Gloucester, United Kingdom. Life hasn’t followed the traditional script for me—no conventional career path, no family or house with a garden, and my best friend, Michael, was a wise and compassionate teacher who influenced my life in countless ways. Michael passed away in May 2024, but his impact is something I carry with me every day.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy gardening, looking after the wildlife in my garden (squirrels, birds, and more), and losing myself in a good book while sipping a latte.

Living an Unconventional Life

My life has been anything but ordinary, and I’ve come to embrace that. I rent my home, work from home, and am on a journey to release fears around success and abundance. For many years, I struggled with severe anxiety and a deep fear of public speaking. Writing became my voice when I couldn’t find the courage to speak.

Kelly Martin Speaks was born from this need for self-expression. Over time, I’ve also learned to embrace spontaneous speaking, though it remains a challenge. On my YouTube channel, I talk about topics such as self-esteem, people-pleasing, one-sided friendships, and more. My aim is to help others see the beauty in their humanity, imperfections and all.

Life hasn’t unfolded in the way I imagined in my twenties, but I’ve discovered a deeper sense of peace, freedom, and satisfaction by letting go of societal expectations and embracing the life I have.

Why Read Kelly Martin Speaks?

At Kelly Martin Speaks, you won’t find off-the-shelf advice or generic solutions to life’s difficulties. Instead, you’ll find raw, honest reflections and practical tools that have helped me personally navigate life’s ups and downs.

Being human can be messy, but it’s also sacred—and I’m passionate about exploring this shared journey and finding meaning in the struggles we all face.

As a seasoned blogger, I’ve written for well-known websites such as TinyBuddha.com and Steven Aitchison’s blog, sharing insights with a wider audience.

A Few Fun Facts About Me

  • I love talking to bees, flies, and spiders (though I’m still working on my relationship with cockroaches and scorpions).
  • I’ve spent over 40 years living with anxiety and depression but am learning to navigate these experiences through mindfulness and inner work.
  • I’ve been deeply shaped by loss, including the passing of my father when I was 26, a close friend in 2022, my best friend Michael in 2023 and my mother in 2024.
  • I have vivid dreams that often provide intuitive guidance.
  • I once ran a mental health and music radio station called Peace Within Radio, which received wonderful feedback before closing due to limited resources.
  • I have a passion for beautiful doors and love photographing them!

Stop Seeking

After years of searching for external answers to life’s struggles, I’ve found solace in looking within. I spent over a decade chasing “solutions” through philosophies like the law of attraction, only to realise that unfulfilled desires often lead to suffering—and even fulfilled ones don’t always bring lasting peace.

These days, mindfulness, ho’oponopono, and challenging my beliefs are the foundations of my personal growth. I’ve stepped off the treadmill of constant seeking and embraced the unknown, finding peace in simply being.

As someone on this journey, I love to share resources and insights that might help others dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and life’s many challenges.

Explore More

If you’re new to Kelly Martin Speaks, have a look at some of my favourite posts [HERE].

To stay connected, sign up for my newsletter [HERE], and find me on social media via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Let’s connect soon,
Kelly

2 Comments

  1. June 10, 2011 / 8:36 am

    I have a place on my site where you can share a story about yourself, Kelly, and get a one-way inbound link to your blog.

    Here is the link:

    Share Your Story

    Steve

  2. June 10, 2011 / 2:29 pm

    Steve your site looks amazing, totally resonate with its ethos. I will pop by as soon as I can. I will put your site in my links section also.

    Big Hugs x