Get ready to be captivated by the remarkable tale of Marnie Dachis Marmet, a beacon of inspiration in the realm of wellness. We asked Marnie, who is not just a wellness advocate; she’s a catalyst for positive change. So, let’s embrace her journey, wisdom, and transformative teachings.
Marnie, your journey in the wellness realm is truly inspiring. Could you share with us how you discovered your passion for health coaching and what motivated you to create “My Song, Unleashed”?
MDM: I have always listened to my gut feeling, and it was telling me to carve out my own path. Eventually, after a few different jobs and a couple of self-started businesses, I set-up (and still run) my own company, ChillyBean Promotions, and I have spent the last 20 years as an entrepreneur. It’s been a rewarding and satisfying business in many ways, but still, something still didn’t feel right. I thought I was living my purpose. But there was a nagging voice whispering in my ear that I needed meaningful change in my life.
For me, everything comes down to health, so that’s where I started. With some honest self-inquiry, I confronted some hard truths. I was in good physical shape, but I’d neglected a huge part of my well-being: the part that is harder to see and more difficult to heal. I had the “body” part figured out, but what about my mind? What about my spirit?
Integrative Health Was The Missing Piece of the Puzzle.
For years now I’ve had a passion for wellness and holistic health – I immersed myself in books, articles, and self-education, but it hadn’t occurred to me yet that I could turn this passion into my career. During this period of self-inquiry (while I was focused on my health more than ever), the path ahead of me slowly opened itself up.
I realized it’s not enough to have an active lifestyle. Although yoga has been a big part of my health routine for more than two decades, I’d somehow missed its central message – the interconnectedness of the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual.
I began to address my health as a whole. My mindset shifted. I changed my nutrition, workouts, self-care routines, and the way I talked to my children. I established more positive self-talk and slowly weeded out negative, toxic energy in my life.
From there, it was a no-brainer: integrative health was my calling. Once I understood what my inner voice had been trying to tell me, there was no stopping me.
My book came many years later. I have always felt a strong pull to write a book from the time I was a little girl. I didn’t set out to write a memoir as I had always planned to write a wellness-focused book. A few years ago, I decided to enroll in writing courses and my memoir came pouring out of me. I hold my memoir very close to my heart as it is my journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and stepping into my own authenticity. I wrote this book initially for myself, as it was a cathartic experience, but as I dove deeper into the process, I hope that my memoir will become relatable to many women and young adults in the world on their own journeys. I hope to inspire others to step into their strength and unleash their potential to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. I hope that readers will feel less alone when they can relate to some of my vulnerable stories and the raw emotions that I share.
Your role as a health coach involves guiding clients toward holistic well-being. Can you tell us more about the principles that underpin your coaching philosophy and how you tailor your guidance to suit each individual’s unique needs?
MDM: I guide my clients to connect the dots between who they are and who they want to be, creating their personal blueprint, deciphering their body’s unique needs, and helping them set their personal, sustainable goals. As their guide and mentor, I empower them, providing ongoing support and guidance, as they make changes that improve their health and happiness. I want them to feel amazing as they embrace a radiant transformation and together we will nurture every facet of their existence – nourishment, movement, stress management, sleep, mindset, and overall self-care.
My services are very individual-based and tailored to the client’s needs in order to get to the root of their health concerns and challenges. I offer a holistic approach to health and often we uncover challenges that help to identify additional goals and often these new goals become their biggest priorities to address. I offer personalized plans, support, guidance, accountability, and sustainability.
Yoga appears to be an integral part of your life. How did you first connect with yoga, and what role has it played in your personal growth and well-being journey?
MDM: I started practicing yoga about 22 years ago when I had my first child. I had been experiencing significant back pain, and someone suggested I try Bikram yoga to sweat off the baby weight. My doctor said it might help. I understood the physical health benefits, but I had no idea the impact yoga would have in helping me develop my voice and find my way to my true self. I loved the way my body felt after each practice—the “yoga high”—as I floated out of the studio. Eventually, I had a strong pull to go through 230-hour yoga teacher training and I did this alongside my YogaCalm training and my Institute of Integrative Nutrition training.
I loved how the programs were interconnected. They were all helping me figure out what I believed, what I wanted, and who I was. They were helping me answer deep questions in different ways. It was as if a magnetic force was guiding me. My gut was talking to me again, and I was listening.
As my journey of learning continued, my home life improved tremendously. I found myself more patient with my kids and husband, and more interested in being present with them.
Your creation, “My Song, Unleashed” seems to resonate deeply with many. Could you elaborate on the concept behind it and how it intertwines with your mission to empower women and teens?
MDM: Through sharing my story, I hope readers will find echoes within their own life experiences, maybe some relatable hurdles, and perhaps, discover some untold truths about themselves. A lot of women and girls grow up feeling pressure to settle down and live within a certain expectation of what they think it means to be a woman. I hope that all of my readers, not only women, will step away from my memoir feeling inspired to deviate from what they think may be expected of them and manifest their biggest dreams and most authentic selves into reality. I hope that my readers will feel connected with my story, inspired by its message, and empowered to use their voices in their own lives.
Mindfulness and meditation are key components of your approach. How do these practices complement your health coaching strategies, and how can they help individuals achieve lasting wellness?
MDM: My meditation and mindfulness practices have been an incredible source of peace and transformation in my life, and I believe they hold the same potential for others seeking balance, harmony, and inner peace. Often, when I start working with a client, they don’t have a meditation and mindfulness practice and we work on ways together to incorporate that into their lives. These practices are life-changing and as clients are already making small steps toward their goals, stepping into the present and tuning into themselves complements the health coaching journey.
The link between gut health and overall well-being is increasingly recognized. Could you share your insights into the importance of gut health and how it influences our physical and mental vitality?
MDM:
Your gut health is so important for both physical and mental vitality. Your gut health is the foundation of your overall health. A healthy gut sets the stage for overall well-being.
A well-functioning gut is crucial for digestion and nutrient absorption. It ensures that the proper vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients are absorbed and utilized effectively, which directly affects your physical vitality and energy levels.
Approximately 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut. A balanced gut helps regulate immune responses keeping your immune system ready to defend against infections.
The gut-brain axis is a communication system between your gut and your brain. This relationship is connected to your mental vitality and can influence your mood, emotions and mental clarity, focus, and well-being. It is also connected to your skin and conditions like acne and eczema can be related to the health of your gut.
An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation and a host of other health conditions, including weight gain.
Each person’s gut is unique and factors like genetics, lifestyle, and your environment can affect your gut health. Small sustainable changes over time can have a significant impact on your gut health.
Your expertise extends to longevity and holistic mind-body-spirit health. What advice would you give to those looking to embark on a wellness journey, considering these interconnected aspects?
MDM: Your health is your greatest wealth. Starting with a small, sustainable change, your progress will add up over time. Sometimes that first step is hard, but it is so worth it. And when you start to feel amazing, it becomes easier to take that next step. Overall health is a journey and not a destination.
Amidst your numerous roles and projects, yoga remains a cornerstone. How do you manage to integrate yoga into your busy lifestyle, and what tips would you offer to individuals seeking to incorporate yoga into their routines?
MDM: My yoga practice ebbs and flows with what is happening with my life. I find that when I am at my busiest, and my mind is racing it can be hard to practice yoga. This is actually when I need it most. I remind myself of this often, and then I make the time in my day. Whether it is at home, on an app, or with my favorite instructor in-person, I always feel better after my practice. It’s like anything else, you have to make it a priority. Write it down in your calendar or make a plan with a friend to meet at a class. I love having a social component along with a beautiful practice.
Your work also emphasizes empowering women and teens. What are some success stories or transformations you’ve witnessed that truly exemplify the impact of your coaching and teachings?
MDM: I worked with a woman who had an incredibly busy life, three teenagers, and a husband who traveled weekly. Her kids were involved in many activities, and she was struggling to put healthy meals on the table, and also to take care of herself with proper nutrition and exercise. She was on many volunteer committees, and she struggled to say no to things she did not want to do when asked of her.
We worked together for six months, and by the end of our time together, she had made incredible shifts. I think that I am an excellent listener and she needed a space to share everything that was going on in her mind and in her day, and then I was able to break down her issues with her step-by-step, starting with the most important issues first and addressing them with a very personalized plan. We communicated regularly, and I held her accountable, and she was able to empower herself to make some life-altering changes.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future? How do you envision continuing to inspire positive change within the wellness community?
MDM: I want to continue to empower women to prioritize self-care, to feel amazing in their own skin, and to unlock their full wellness potential.
I am also very interested in longevity, and I look forward to diving deeper into this topic as more and more research comes out on what we can do to live a long life full of vitality. I believe that our health is in our hands, and the idea of doing the activities I love and living to be over a hundred is very motivating to me. I hope to inspire others to do the same.
I have a personal goal of participating in the 29029 Everesting Challenge in 2024. I love to continue to be challenged and inspired throughout life.
Marnie Dachis Marmet is an author, serial entrepreneur, board-certified health coach, and the founder of Zenful Life Coaching, a practice dedicated to helping women and teens create healthier and happier life. She supports clients in implementing personalized nutrition and wellness plans and making gradual, sustainable lifestyle changes. Her areas of expertise include longevity, mind-body-spirit holistic health, gut health, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. As co-creator and co-host of “The Art of Living Well Podcast,” Marnie empowers listeners to challenge the status quo, and she provides information and inspiration for living their healthiest and most authentic life. She has also owned and operated ChillyBean Promotions, a promotional products company, for more than 20 years.
Marnie lives in Minnesota, where she enjoys an active lifestyle, traveling, photography, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and her labradoodle, Lila.
