From Chatham to the World & Back Again: Meet Lindsay Bierwirth

What keeps people coming back to Chatham year after year — even after seeing the world? In this episode of Chatham Coffee Tour, Barb Garside sits down with longtime Chatham resident, educator, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate Lindsay Bierwirth to talk about growing up on Cape Cod, leaving to explore the world, and ultimately returning home to raise a family and build a business rooted in community. Lindsay shares stories from her unique upbringing in Chatham during the 1980s, from snowy Main Street winters to working at The Squire as a teenager before traveling internationally through Panama, Ecuador, Vietnam, Spain, and Argentina. She reflects on her journey from teaching Spanish and earning a master’s degree in education to launching Chatham Works with her husband Fred — a year-round fitness, wellness, and coworking space designed to support both locals and small businesses. The conversation also dives into Lindsay’s deeply personal health journey. She opens up about surviving stomach cancer and breast cancer, the role Cape Wellness Collaborative played in her healing, and how wellness extends far beyond fitness. Barb and Lindsay also discuss raising children in Chatham, the evolution of local schools, year-round life on the Cape, and the importance of supporting local businesses and community connections. 👉 If you love stories about Cape Cod life, entrepreneurship, resilience, and community wellness, this episode offers a heartfelt and inspiring look into modern year-round living in Chatham. 🎧 Hosted by: Barb Garside 🎤 Guest: Lindsay Bierwirth Lindsay Garre Bierwirth is a Chatham native and former educator with degrees from Hobart & William Smith College and Boston College. A three-time Boston Marathon finisher and two-time cancer survivor, she is an active volunteer with the Cape Wellness Collaborative and supports local initiatives for young families. 💡 What You’ll Learn: ✔️ What year-round life in Chatham was like in the 1980s ✔️ Lindsay’s international travels through Panama, Ecuador, Spain, and beyond ✔️ How Chatham Works became a community wellness hub ✔️ The challenges of running a year-round business on Cape Cod ✔️ Why supporting local businesses matters in seasonal towns ✔️ How Cape Wellness Collaborative supports cancer patients ✔️ Lindsay’s personal journey through stomach and breast cancer ✔️ The evolution of schools and diversity in Chatham ✔️ Why community and connection keep people returning to Cape Cod ⏳ Chapters: 📌 00:00 – Introduction to Lindsay Bierwirth & growing up in Chatham 📌 01:06 – Life on Cape Cod in the 1980s & winter memories 📌 03:17 – Boarding school, Panama, and tropical fish adventures 📌 05:09 – Traveling internationally through college with Baker & McKenzie 📌 06:07 – Becoming a teacher & earning a master’s in education 📌 08:07 – Meeting Fred & getting married in Chatham 📌 09:40 – The inspiration behind launching Chatham Works 📌 12:20 – Running a year-round wellness business on Cape Cod 📌 14:40 – Blood drives, local partnerships & supporting the community 📌 16:01 – The “Local Offers” program for year-round residents 📌 19:20 – Lindsay’s cancer journey & Cape Wellness Collaborative 📌 22:28 – Raising children in Chatham & local schools today 📌 25:43 – Favorite peaceful spots in Chatham 📌 27:23 – Mahjong nights & finding balance year-round 🎙 Connect with Lindsay: 🌐 Website → https://chathamworks.com/ 📷 Instagram →   / chathamworks   🎙 Connect with Barb: 🌐 Website → https://barbaragarside.exprealty.com/ 🔖 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 and leave a COMMENT 💬 below.