Sparking Joy: A Conversation with Ruth Martin of Finisterre

We’re starting something new (we know we’ve been trying a lot of firsts recently haha). A series of conversations about joy, the kind that lives in the everyday, in the small things that make us feel most alive. We want to ask our community what fills their days with joy, what brings them together, and how they keep hold of playfulness when the world feels a little serious. Because joy, we think, is meant to be shared and sometimes hearing someone else’s version of it can help us rediscover our own. 

First up is Ruth Martin, who works with the team at Finisterre, the cold-water surf and outdoor brand born on the cliffs of Cornwall. Finisterre is built around community, creativity, and a deep respect for the wild places that shape us; values Ruth carries through everything she does. She’s equal parts creative thinker and connector of people; someone who finds joy not in grand gestures, but in motion, laughter, and authenticity. 

When we spoke, Ruth told us about the miles she runs (and the thoughts she untangles along the way), the importance of silliness at work, and why being yourself - properly, unapologetically - might just be the greatest act of joy there is. 

So, lace up your trainers and come along for the run. 

What’s bringing you the most joy at the moment - big or small? 

Running, without question. I started running about fifteen years ago. It was back when I was a waitress and needed a fast way to get home. I was wearing unsuitable shoes but found a joy when I reached my front door which cannot be easily explained. Somewhere along the line, it became so much more than getting somewhere quickly. It’s become the one thing that switches my brain off and makes me feel entirely myself. When I’m anxious, I run. When I need to think something through, I run. It’s peace, really. During lockdown, I swapped the roads for trails, and something clicked. That sense of freedom of “go as far as you like” is what keeps me coming back. It’s joy, bottled. 

Who do you love sharing those joyful moments with? 

Sometimes it’s just me and the pavement, but I also run with my sister and we’ve built our best memories side by side, usually mid-laugh or mid-sprint. There’s this openness when you run with people; conversation just flows. I’ve also built amazing little communities with our local run clubs - one of them meets at The Feel Good Space every Saturday at 7am (come rain or shine!) and the other meets at the Folks Coffee Co once a month and then enjoy the amazing coffee (two of my favourite things - coffee and running - bliss!). It’s the friendliest spaces - everyone shows up for the same reason: to feel good. 

You mentioned creativity - do you see running as creative? 

Definitely. I studied Fine Art and Printmaking at Norwich Art School, and those years taught me to see the world differently. Creativity, for me, has always been about noticing; the way people

move, the stories they tell, the tiny details that make up a moment. Running does that too. You see everything: the same route, different light, new thoughts. It’s a creative process in motion. 

What’s sparked your creativity lately? 

Honestly, moving house. I used to be very transient, never wanted to be tied down but I’ve found real joy in creating a home. It’s not about painting or printmaking this time, it’s about feeling. Making a space that feels calm and alive at the same time. Even arranging books has become its own quiet art form. 

You seem to bring that same creativity into your work at Finisterre. How do you keep things playful? 

Playfulness is essential! Work doesn’t need to be deadly serious to be meaningful. We’re one team where a bit of larking about is part of the process. We can be professional and playful. There’s laughter, accents, silly moments… it makes us human. I think that’s what Finisterre does so well. It’s rooted in purpose, but it never loses its warmth. We work hard, but we don’t sweat the small stuff. Mistakes happen; they just mean you’re learning. 

If life was a recipe, what’s one ingredient you’d never leave out? 

Authenticity. If you’re not aligned with who you are or what you believe in, it all unravels. You can’t fake joy. It’s tiring to be someone else, it takes up so much mental energy. Being authentic, being a bit silly, surrounding yourself with people who really get you - that’s the good stuff. 

Do you think joy comes from routine or spontaneity? 

I’m a mix of both. I love the idea of being a free spirit, but the truth is I thrive on structure. Routine is what gives me space for joy. I can only go with the flow if I know when the flow starts and finishes! My sister, on the other hand, is the spontaneous one. Together, we balance each other out. 

And finally, when did you last laugh until your cheeks hurt? 

Last night, actually. My sister was trying this new mushroom cocoa drink to help her sleep, and the whole thing descended into chaos - the dog stole her chair, I ended up on the floor, and we were both howling. It was ridiculous and perfect. Those are the moments I live for. 

Ruth’s joy lives in movement and not just the literal kind, but the emotional and creative kind too. She reminds us that joy doesn’t always arrive in grand gestures or perfectly planned moments; sometimes it’s found mid-run, mid-laugh, or in a perfectly arranged bookshelf. Authentic. Playful. Human. Exactly how life…and joy…should be.