Daily Inspiration: Meet Marnie Dachis Marmet

Hi, Marnie; we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was raised in a health-conscious home––we were all about fitness. My mom was a TV aerobics instructor in the 80s, and I attended many of her classes. I’ve always been an athlete; I was a gymnast, runner, skier, and dancer throughout my school years. In my early years, I looked like the picture of health. Exercise and sports? Absolutely. But healthy food and mindset? Not so much. I knew certain foods didn’t agree with me, but I didn’t have a good handle on healthy eating. I graduated from UW Madison with a BA in Journalism and landed a tempting, high-paying corporate job right out of school. I quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. I needed a career that nurtured my independence, creative thinking, and bubbly optimism, and I sure didn’t find that in the corporate world. I was starting to listen to my gut feeling, although I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time, and it was telling me to carve out my 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. I have spent the last 20 years as an entrepreneur. It’s been a rewarding and satisfying business in many ways, but something felt wrong. I thought I was living my purpose, but was there a nagging voice whispering that I needed meaningful change? With some honest self-inquiry, I confronted some hard truths. I was in good physical shape, but I’d neglected a massive part of my well-being, the part that is harder to see and more difficult to heal. I figured out the “body” part, but what about my racing mind? What about my spirit?

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 a career. During this self-inquiry period, where I felt deeply dissatisfied, I began to focus on my health, and my path slowly opened up. Wisdom crept in, and I had my awakening. I realized it is not enough to have an active lifestyle. Although yoga had been a big part of my life for over two decades, I missed its central message – the physical, emotional, and spiritual interconnectedness. I began to address my health as a whole. My mindset shifted. I changed my diet, movement, self-care routines, and how I spoke to my teens. I established positive self-talk, a gratitude practice, and a morning routine, slowly weeding out negative, toxic energy and people from my life. I became an outlier by living my truth.

As I plunged deeper into my health and wellness, my inner voice told me there was no stopping me. I stepped into my many fears and continued to put myself into uncomfortable situations. I enrolled in three simultaneous educational programs in one year and rearranged my whole world around wellness. I now live, breathe, and teach integrative wellness. I get to inhabit my passion––if you’ve ever followed your heart, you’ll know how satisfying that feels. I also started a co-hosted podcast (The Art of Living Well Podcast). The weekly guests I meet are such a gift, and I walk away with profound nuggets to incorporate into my life.

My loving husband and three young adult children are also making small and steady changes. Our home is much happier because I live my purpose and feel satisfied. I wake up every day excited and invigorated. My journey has been over many years. I have learned so much about nurturing my inner self and not being so focused on my exterior. I have made small, consistent changes over time. Feeling in my body and being present and mindful have been wonderful gifts.

Zen means “calm and restful.” It’s the serenity and confidence you achieve when you let go of what’s holding you back so that you can create a brand-new reality. My health journey and diving into my intuition have guided me to where I am today, and I feel so grateful. So many of us are searching for answers; what I discovered is that all of my answers lie within me, and the secret is figuring out how to unlock yourself so you can inhabit your mind, body, and spirit to live a healthy, present, long, and engaging life.

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 quest to find my unique and authentic self has been a transformative experience that has shaped my perception of the world and my place within it. Through my journey, I’ve understood that authenticity is not just a state of being; it’s been a lifelong pursuit that has led me to deeper connections and greater self-acceptance. My journey to finding my authentic voice began with a subtle awakening—realizing that the voice I projected to the world wasn’t entirely aligned with my true self. This was a process that took place over many, many years. Many women and girls grow up feeling pressure to settle down and live within a confident expectation of what they think it means to be a woman. Yet, beneath the layers of conformity existed a yearning for genuine self-expression and a burning desire to unveil their authentic voice. I learned to listen to my inner voice and honor my intuition. This inner compass guided me toward decisions and choices that resonated with my core values.

As I embraced vulnerability, I learned to acknowledge and embrace imperfections, leading me to profound growth. In my memoir, My Song, Unleashed,” I hope that all of my readers, not only women, will step away feeling inspired to deviate from what they think may be expected of them and manifest their biggest dreams and most authentic selves into reality. Paying attention to and trusting your voice leads you to what you truly want and value and, ultimately, what makes your heart sing. Embracing vulnerability was the catalyst that propelled me forward on this journey. It took courage to acknowledge the areas of my life where I had been masking my true thoughts and emotions. By allowing myself to be vulnerable and step into my fears, I found the strength to peel back the layers that concealed my authentic self. This act of vulnerability wasn’t a sign of weakness; instead, it was an act of self-empowerment that allowed me to reclaim my narrative.

My journey led me through a labyrinth of self-discovery—a process that unearthed my passions, values, and unique perspectives. As I delved deeper into understanding who I truly was, I discovered that authenticity wasn’t about fitting into a mold but about embracing the quirks and idiosyncrasies that set me apart. Through introspection, yoga, and self-reflection, I gradually uncovered the facets of my personality that had long been suppressed. As my journey progressed, I realized the power of sharing my story with others.

My book came many years later. I didn’t set out to write a memoir. I always thought I’d write a novel. I had felt a strong pull to write a book since I was a little girl. My mom had cancer multiple years ago, and during her treatments, she was bombarded with so many messages and negative stories that she felt overwhelmed. She didn’t hear many inspirational or uplifting messages. Plus, her doctors told her to eat all the bagels and donuts she wanted, and I was simultaneously learning that what you put in your body matters. So, I was inspired to create something uplifting for my mom. I love hearing about people and their stories and journeys, and I set out to interview 30 women cancer survivors and thrivers about their experiences during their cancer journeys. I planned to compile these stories into a beautiful book with a health and wellness slant. When my mom went into remission, however, my passion for the project dwindled, and I set it aside. A few years later, I decided to enroll in writing courses, and my memoir came pouring out of me. I wrote this book initially for myself, as it was a cathartic experience.

Still, as I dove deeper into the process, I hope my readers will feel connected with my story, inspired by its message, and empowered to use their voices in their lives. The act of vulnerability and storytelling can forge connections that transcend societal facades. By opening up about my struggles, triumphs, and moments of self-discovery, I invite others to reflect on their journeys. This shared vulnerability creates an authentic bond—a reminder that we’re all navigating life’s complexities together.

In finding my authentic voice, I recognized that my journey is an opportunity to uplift and empower others, especially other women. By embracing my true self, I hope to set a precedent for authenticity that could inspire those around me. It’s also important to acknowledge that my journey to finding my authentic voice is not a destination but a continuous evolution. Just as I grow and change, so does my expression of realness. Incorporating my truth into my daily life has become a deliberate practice for me. From setting boundaries that honor my needs to expressing my thoughts openly and honestly, each action becomes a step toward living in alignment with my authentic voice. This practice extends beyond personal interactions—it influences my choices, pursuits, and aspirations, reminding me that authenticity is a way of being and living. Through my journey to finding my authentic voice, I’ve learned that true empowerment comes from embracing my uniqueness and celebrating authenticity at my core. Through sharing my story, I hope readers will find echoes within their own life experiences, maybe some relatable hurdles, and perhaps discover untold truths about themselves.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an entrepreneur, certified holistic health coach and integrative health practitioner, yoga and meditation teacher, podcaster, and author. Every one of us possesses the ability to unleash our unique song into the world, and I seek to motivate others to discover their passions and live a life of authenticity. Beginning in 2015, I pursued my passions in health and wellness, culminating in my completing multiple certifications, including an Integrative Health Practitioner certification (Levels 1 and 2), a Holistic Health Coach certification, a 230-hour yoga and Yoga Calm® teacher certifications, and training on gut health and mindfulness/meditation. Along with managing ChillyBean Promotions—a promotional products company I have owned and operated for over 20 years—I currently run a health coaching practice, Zenful Life Coaching. I enjoy coaching busy women and teens on implementing personalized plans that embed gradual, sustainable, healthy nutrition and lifestyle changes to create a happier and healthier life. I also coach women in their midlife seeking longevity for optimal aging. I meet my clients wherever they are and truly care about their success––whatever that means to them.

Additionally, I co-created and co-host a weekly podcast, “The Art of Living Well Podcast,” established to empower people to challenge the status quo and live their healthiest and most authentic lives. I am incredibly proud of my podcast and feel inspired daily to work on my show. In my free time, I enjoy an active lifestyle: yoga, running, biking, hiking, skiing, water sports, travel, reading, photography, and spending time with family, friends, and my labradoodle Lila.

The COVID-19 crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any essential lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Gratitude for Simple Pleasures: Staying home during COVID-19 allowed me to rediscover the value of simple pleasures and everyday moments. There was a heightened appreciation for my family, friends, nature, and the small joys of life, including extra family time that I would not have otherwise.