Meet Mariel

Honoring my needs led me to help others

I spent years being everything to everyone. As a young mother, I faced a life-altering choice: stay in a marriage that drained my mental health or leave because my spouse wasn’t seeking the help he needed. On the outside, I looked capable and put together. But inside, I was exhausted, anxious, and walking on eggshells. With the support of a trusted colleague, I finally set a boundary. I told him we needed time to separate and work on ourselves. He sought therapy, took accountability, and we reconciled. We have been together ever since. That moment taught me that speaking up and prioritizing your needs can be transformative.

Years later, my body sent a similar message. Chronic illness in my mid-30s forced me to slow down. I pushed relentlessly at work until my health demanded I step back. Leaving a secure job felt scary, and imposter syndrome whispered, “Who would pay to work with you?” Yet creating my private practice allowed me to work at my own pace, honor my limits, and reclaim control over my life.

These experiences shaped my approach to coaching. Today, I help high-achieving women of color and first-generation leaders release people-pleasing patterns, reconnect with themselves, and build lives that are truly their own. Listening to your body, trusting your “gut” instincts, and setting boundaries isn’t just self-care, it’s life-changing.