Welcome to an exclusive peek behind the curtain at Fit Foodie Finds HQ! Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to give you an intimate look into a typical — or perhaps not-so-typical — day in the life of our incredible team member, Linley, famously known as @LinleysHands. Get ready to discover the energy, creativity, and dedication that fuels our culinary adventures and digital presence.
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly three transformative years since I first embarked on this exciting journey with Fit Foodie Finds, alongside my dear friend and founder, Lee. I vividly recall the moment Lee shared her vision for expanding the team, a pivotal decision that felt like a huge leap of faith for both of us. Taking that plunge into the fast-paced world of food blogging still feels like it was just yesterday, yet so much has evolved since then.
My initial six months at Fit Foodie Finds were a whirlwind, balancing part-time dedication to this burgeoning platform with two other demanding part-time jobs. My days were a unique tapestry of responsibilities: mornings spent immersing myself in Fit Foodie HQ, afternoons dedicated to diligent filing at a law firm, and evenings hustling as a server at a bustling cafe. Juggling three jobs simultaneously to make ends meet was undeniably challenging, pushing the boundaries of my endurance and time management. Looking back, however, every late night and early morning was an investment that has paid off immeasurably. I am incredibly grateful that those days of constant multi-tasking are behind me. After six months of relentless effort and Fit Foodie Finds’ consistent growth, the business flourished enough for me to fully commit, allowing me to leave my other two jobs and pour all my energy and passion into Team Fit Foodie.
My role at Fit Foodie Finds HQ has blossomed into something far beyond my initial imagination. When I first joined, my primary focus revolved around managing social media accounts and meticulously testing new recipes. Today, my responsibilities have expanded significantly, encompassing a diverse array of tasks that keep every day fresh and engaging. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, strategic social media management, meticulous event planning, compelling post writing, innovative recipe development, artistic food styling, cultivating essential relationship management, and, of course, the distinctive art of hand modeling – a unique aspect of my contribution that many of you recognize! The added bonus? I get to collaborate daily with some of my dearest friends, which genuinely makes coming to work an absolute joy and 1,000 times more rewarding.
Many of you have expressed curiosity about what a typical day looks like for me, prompting this “Day in the Life of @LinleysHands” post to demystify some of those questions. For anyone who works from home or is involved in an online business, you’ll undoubtedly relate to the fluid nature of our schedules; truly, no two days are ever exactly alike. I absolutely cherish this dynamic environment, but when we have a week free from travel commitments and special events, my routine generally unfolds something like this…
Morning: Fueling the Day with Fitness and Freshness
Mornings are unequivocally my favorite part of the day – my time to set a positive tone. Before I officially head to Fit Foodie HQ, I make a conscious effort to begin slowly. This can sometimes be a challenge, as my natural inclination is to move at a mile a minute, so being intentional about a calm start is key. My ritual begins with the comforting aroma of freshly brewing coffee. While it brews, I’ll quickly check our scheduled social media posts for the day, ensuring everything is on track, and then indulge in some much-needed snuggles with Frannie, my adorable new housemate pictured above. Following these peaceful moments, it’s time to pick up Lee (and now Marky Mark, too!) for our invigorating morning workout session. We firmly believe that starting the day with physical activity sets the right mindset and energy levels. Our preferred spot is often Switch MPLS, where the workouts are consistently intense and incredibly effective. I’ve learned that if I don’t prioritize my workout in the morning, it’s highly unlikely to happen later in the day.
Post-workout, we head straight to “the office,” where our established routine continues. This involves refreshing showers, a nourishing breakfast – typically sweet options for Lee and savory delights for me – another round of coffee, and then a focused discussion to outline our objectives and tasks for the day. On dedicated recipe development days, my next stop is the grocery store. It might sound unusual, but I genuinely believe I could live in a grocery store. Along with airports, grocery aisles are two of my absolute favorite places, making my frequent visits – at least three times a week – an absolute dream. While a single, all-encompassing grocery stop would be convenient, our recipe needs often lead me to make multiple stops, typically at both Trader Joe’s for unique finds and Lunds & Byerlys for premium ingredients. Our trips to Lunds are made even better by our favorite employee, Alison; her warmth and helpfulness truly enhance the shopping experience. Life is undeniably richer when genuine human connections are part of the daily grind.
After successfully navigating the grocery aisles and gathering all necessary ingredients, it’s time to tackle essential administrative work. And then, finally, the moment I anticipate most: diving into the exciting world of RECIPES!
Afternoon: Culinary Creativity and Collaborative Craft
Our goal during the afternoon is usually to create and photograph two or three distinct recipes. We’ve honed a highly efficient system for this collaborative process. I typically initiate the recipe development in the kitchen, meticulously preparing and assembling ingredients, while Lee diligently works on the computer, jotting down precise measurements, insightful notes, and capturing the crucial details of the process. Once the initial preparation is complete, I begin the intricate art of styling the food for the camera. This is where Lee steps in, adding her unique “magic” to the composition, ensuring every angle and detail is perfect before she captures both the behind-the-scenes action and the stunning final product. This phase is precisely when my role as @LinleysHands truly shines – from hands-on recipe execution to precise hand modeling for the shots, it’s all action, BOOM! I confess, I’m a rather enthusiastic and energetic presence in the kitchen, and I’ll be the first to admit that my cooking style can be a bit… messy. When I’m in the zone, it sometimes looks like the Cookie Monster himself has rampaged through the kitchen in search of treats! #oopsiepoopsie. Thankfully, Lee is usually close behind, a patient and tidying presence, wiping counters and sweeping floors as I go, ensuring our workspace remains functional.
Lunchtime almost always involves savoring something delicious we’ve just tested. On exceptionally lucky days, we might even find ourselves indulging in a fresh, vibrant arugula salad. I particularly enjoy afternoons that offer a blend of intense recipe work and the refreshing change of scenery that a coffee shop provides. If we’ve successfully completed our recipes for the day, we often venture out to a local coffee shop. I absolutely adore exploring new coffee establishments – the unique ambiance, the different blends, the creative energy. [If you have a favorite Minnesota coffee shop, please share it in the comments below; we’d love to check it out!] There’s something about the buzz of a coffee shop that significantly boosts my computer-based productivity; these hands tend to accomplish a heck of a lot more work on my laptop in that environment than they do at home.
Evening: Unwinding, Home Tasks, and Culinary Exploration
While I strive for efficiency during “normal” business hours, the reality of working in an online business often means that not all tasks are completed between nine and five. Most evenings, I dedicate some additional time to computer work at home. This typically involves scheduling social media content, strategically pinning new ideas to Pinterest boards, or dedicating time to writing engaging blog posts. Another significant aspect of my job that frequently comes home with me is recipe testing. Fortunately, my partner, Cole, thoroughly enjoys this particular perk of my profession! After all, people need to eat, so I figure these hands might as well be making delicious, experimental food when I have eager taste testers readily available.
On evenings when I don’t have new recipes to test, Cole and I tend to eat out – quite frequently, actually. I simply can’t help it; my passion for food runs deep! I love discovering new restaurants, not only for the sheer enjoyment of a fantastic meal but also for finding fresh inspiration and simply relishing a good, refreshing palate change. We often find ourselves on a culinary quest for the best chicken wings in town, and I certainly eat my fair share during these delicious adventures! It’s also interesting how our work relationships seamlessly transition into “play mode” after hours. Lee, Emily, and I are not just colleagues but genuinely good friends outside of work. It’s a regular occurrence for us to meet up for dinner, embark on a scenic hike, or head down to the river to unwind and enjoy each other’s company.
As I mentioned earlier, the beauty of my role is that every day presents new opportunities and challenges, ensuring a dynamic and never-boring experience. I genuinely love my job and the vibrant environment at Fit Foodie Finds. However, I’ll admit there are times when working from home can make it difficult to maintain focus and meet deadlines. My brain tends to go a little bit wild if I don’t take the time at the beginning of each week to meticulously schedule out my week’s plan and create a clear list of daily to-dos. That’s perfectly human, right? Despite the occasional juggle, life at Fit Foodie HQ is a truly rewarding one, filled with purpose and passion. I wouldn’t trade these wonderfully crazy days for anything in the world.
More from @LinleysHands: Delicious Recipes to Try
Explore more culinary creations and inspiration brought to you by Linley:
- Toast Tuesday: Eggs and Arugula Toast
- Toast Tuesday: Peanut Butter Banana
- Toast Tuesday: Strawberry, Avocado, and White Cheddar Toast