Faith for the next step—from someone who has needed it, too.

Hey, y’all! I’m Tony Martin—a Christian life coach, writer, husband, grandfather, and longtime encourager.

I’ve spent more than 40 years in ministry, much of it working with students and the adults who care about them. Along the way, I’ve written biblical curriculum, served in Christian journalism, and become a John Maxwell Team Certified Coach.

Those experiences have taught me a great deal. So has being the person who needed help.

When my own footing became uncertain

In June 2018, I suffered a severe concussion. What followed reached well beyond the injury itself.

Post-concussion syndrome brought cognitive fog, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, and depression. There were times when a deep sense of dread settled over me without an obvious reason.

I was accustomed to helping other people work through hard things. Now I was struggling to understand what was happening inside me.

My faith was still real. So was my distress.

Knowing Scripture and having years of ministry experience didn’t make me immune to needing support.

Medical care and counseling became important parts of that journey. I had to learn to receive help, acknowledge my limitations, and give myself room to move forward without demanding that everything return to normal on my timetable.

I would have preferred the express lane. Apparently, I wasn’t in charge of road construction.

How that experience shaped my calling

Encouragement had always been part of my ministry. My injury gave it a deeper, more personal urgency.

I understood more about what it means to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or unfamiliar with yourself.

I had greater empathy for people who were quietly struggling while trying to keep showing up for everyone else.

That experience helped lead me to revive You Can Have Hope and pursue coaching training. I wanted to offer practical support alongside biblical encouragement—to help people find a way forward when they couldn’t yet see one clearly.

That calling continues today through Transformational Encouragement.

What you can expect from me

I work with quietly weary Christians who are used to being the strong one. They love God and care deeply about others, but somewhere along the way, they’ve become tired, stuck, or unsure what comes next.

If that sounds familiar, you don’t need to arrive with a polished explanation.

I’ll listen. I’ll ask thoughtful questions. We’ll consider what Scripture has to say, identify what needs attention, and work toward manageable next steps that fit your life.

My coaching draws on ministry experience, training, and lessons learned through my own struggles. It also respects the important place of medical care and professional counseling.

I take your story seriously. I try to take myself a little less seriously. There’s room here for honest conversation, prayer, and an occasional laugh.

I live in Laurel, Mississippi with my wife, Teresa. I’m grateful to be a husband, dad, and grandfather—and still very much a person God is shaping.

You don’t have to know the whole way forward before taking a step. Sometimes it helps to have someone walk beside you while you find your footing.

I’d be glad to explore whether I could be that person for you.