Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Manfredi.
Hi Lindsay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Indiana, but I always knew I wanted to live out west. Nine years ago, I made that dream a reality when I moved to Southern California. Today, I play bass in the alternative rock band Cold, and I’m the author of two books: my first, Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery (2020), and my newest, The Girl Who Cried Love: A Pivot to Self-Worth, which comes out September 9, 2025.
Ever since I was a little girl, music was my passion. I would dream of being onstage and playing my heart out. At the same time, I always knew I wanted to write books that inspired people. I feel incredibly grateful that the stars aligned, and I was able to follow both of those passions.
Most of the lessons I’ve learned in my life, I’ve had to learn the hard way. From failed band endeavors, devastating relationships and chasing validation, to the unbelievable moment I got “the call” that landed me my dream gig in music, my journey has been one of resilience, heartbreak, and transformation. Through it all, writing and music have been my anchors… places where I could turn pain into something meaningful.
I’ve always been passionate about sharing my stories so others can find inspiration in them. I never gave up hope, and I always took inspired action to keep moving forward in my craft. My goal, whether through music or writing, is to remind everyone that even in the hardest moments, transformation is possible, and more often than not, it’s in those very moments we discover who we really are.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The short answer is: definitely not. My journey has been full of bumps, heartbreaks, and lessons I had to learn the hard way…not just once, but time and time again. I’ve been through devastating and toxic relationships, moments of deep self-doubt, and times when my self-worth was almost nonexistent. There were years I chased validation and love in all the wrong places, thinking if I could just succeed more, love harder, or be “cool enough,” I would finally feel whole.
But those struggles shaped me. They gave me the material for my books, the grit I bring to performing, and the empathy I carry into every interaction. Without those hard seasons, I wouldn’t have found the clarity to pivot from self-sabotage to self-worth and self-love.
While it wasn’t a smooth road, it was a necessary one. That’s why I share my story so openly now, because I know there are people walking their own rough roads who need to hear that transformation is possible, even if it takes falling apart first.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller. Whether I’m onstage playing bass with the rock band Cold, writing books, or coaching others, everything I do comes back to connection and authenticity.
I specialize in turning raw, lived experiences into something that helps others feel seen. In 2020, I released Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery, a book about resilience, mindset, and finding your power. My newest book, The Girl Who Cried Love: A Pivot to Self-Worth (coming September 2025), dives even deeper into my own journey through heartbreak, toxic cycles, and self-discovery. My story is equal parts memoir and mirror, but also an invitation for readers to reflect on their own.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t shy away from the messy parts. I share the unfiltered truth: the struggles, the failures, the lessons learned, because I believe that’s where the real transformation begins. Whether through music, words, or one-on-one coaching, I want people to walk away knowing they’re not alone, that self-worth is possible, and that even the hardest experiences can be turned into something beautiful and meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is that I never gave up on those little-girl dreams — to be on stage making music, and to write books that inspire. It’s been a winding road, but I’ve been able to live both of those passions, and now I get to use them to connect with others in a real and lasting way.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a very religious home in the Midwest, but I was always a bit of a rebel. I ran away more times than I’d like to admit, because deep down I never believed life was meant to be lived in black and white, right or wrong. Who made up all those rules anyway? I always questioned things and wanted to carve my own path.
Music was my escape and my salvation. Growing up in the 80s and coming of age in the 90s was the most glorious time for music because it was raw, messy, emotional, and alive. Bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Pearl Jam, and Tool, just to name a few pivotal bands for me, gave me permission to feel everything, to express myself, and to know I wasn’t alone. That era shaped my identity and gave me the soundtrack to survive my teenage years.
Looking back, that combination of rebellion and refuge is still who I am. It’s what led me to the stage as a musician, and to the page as a writer. I’ve never been afraid to question, to challenge, or to dig into the uncomfortable truths, because that’s where the real story always is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindsaymanfredi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymanfredi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsaymanfredi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymanfredi/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lindsaymanfredi
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cold
Image Credits
Amanda Anderson
Tricia Meteer
