Life & Work with Maddie Lyle of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Lyle.

Hi Maddie , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
During the isolation of the pandemic, I had a lot of time to reflect on what I truly wanted to do with my life. That’s when I really started taking fitness seriously and found myself connecting with online communities centered around health and wellness. Once the world opened back up, I was inspired to expand those connections in real life, teaching classes and sharing how balancing life with wellness can actually be fun — and can genuinely lead to the best version of yourself.

As someone who’s passionate about social gatherings and has interests spanning fashion, art, and beauty, moving to LA felt like the perfect opportunity to create a space where people could come together and share in those experiences. That’s how Barely Balanced was born at the start of this year. With the incredible support of my closest friends, family, and my co-founder Lauren Espinosa, we started hosting events centered around movement, connection, and fun — creating a safe, welcoming space for like-minded LA locals.

As we continue to grow, we’re excited to partner with more small business owners to support the local community and bring people together through shared passions and memorable experiences.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — reality always plays a factor. Both Lauren and I are balancing full-time jobs while building and growing Barely Balanced, which means late nights, early mornings, and a lot of juggling. It’s been challenging to find the time and resources to fully pour into the business while also maintaining our other responsibilities. But despite the hurdles, we’re inspired and excited to keep pushing forward. We’re fueled by the community we’re creating and the potential we see for BB to grow and make a real impact. We know there will be more challenges ahead, but we’re ready to face them head-on.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Alongside running BB, I work as a Social Media Marketing Specialist at Open Influence, an agency specializing in influencer marketing. I’m fortunate to have incredible support from my team, who not only cheer me on but also help me brainstorm creative ways to elevate our social presence and think outside the box in building a community that stands apart from the many health and wellness communities around us. My professional role merges seamlessly with my passion for creating impactful connections, especially when it comes to expanding BB’s reach beyond LA. I truly believe social media can be a game changer for small businesses, and I’m proud to use my expertise to amplify our mission of creating balanced, feel-good spaces for connection and wellness.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Once I decided what I wanted to build for myself, I started using social media as a tool to connect with people who inspire me and seek out local events and spaces where I could meet them in person. That’s how I found incredible role models like Alan Mesica (@pilanes) and Sammy Clark (@form), who have both offered invaluable advice and motivation to keep me moving toward my goals. Networking isn’t as intimidating as it seems — people are often more willing to connect and share their experiences than you’d expect. My biggest tip? Use social media to your advantage and don’t be afraid to reach out. You never know who might be open to helping you or who could become a key part of your community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddielyle/ , https://www.instagram.com/barelybalanced.co/

Image Credits
Georgie Lyle @Studio.Georige – https://www.instagram.com/studio.georgie/
Kaya Blaze @kayablaze – https://www.instagram.com/kayablaze/