In my 5th century of life now… I have navigated many milestones, challenges and learnings.  I married right out of college, gave birth to a beautiful daughter, later divorced, single-parented for 9 years, then married my life partner, hustled my way through corporate careers, left corporate to start my own businesses centered on helping others elevate their work, conquered breast cancer, and am working through my ongoing healing and the impacts on my body post treatments and being in menopause. 

What defines me is my ongoing pursuit of all the things most meaningful to me; connection, growth, healing, and spirituality. 

I was born and raised in Minnesota, grew up as a competitive swimmer, love the outdoors, movies, games, music, and time with family & friends. I love to travel when I can to warm places as I love to sit in the sun by, on or in any body of water. 

In November 2020, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors could do their part in going after the cancer cells and my friends & family could love and support me to their best abilities… but if I didn’t love MYSELF… my body, my life… would any of that be enough?

That diagnosis was a wake-up call… to figure out how to focus on what I needed.  Prior to this… I had spent my entire life externally scanning to figure out how to take care of what others needed – at home, at work, in my community. And even after beating cancer, I find myself too frequently hustling to serve the needs of others and easily disregarding my inner voice and needs.  A shift from external to internal focus… requires an ongoing practice… to love myself enough to know that I matter too in my list of priorities for the week.

Before I had cancer, I worked out an hour or more frequently throughout the week. I pushed myself because I didn't think it was worthwhile otherwise.

After cancer, I couldn't do the same activities or for the same duration. My joints ache from the hormone blockers I am on. I had to get creative in doing more yoga and now I am learning how to do virtual reality workouts like boxing, dancing and even meditation. This makes my workout fun, challenging and competitive. I am practicing loving THIS version of me doing what I can and to stop the inner critic from telling me it is not enough.

Watch out Dad and Suzy... I am on again today! 

Add Marla's bio info

I often get it wrong. Parenting is hard. Especially when our own childhood experiences, environment and technology were all very different.

I am a mom of two amazing teenagers. One is an adult and one is in high school. And I am still learning how to love and parent them - and myself - every single day. One of the biggest shifts has been with communication - learning to hear other's perspectives and not jump straight to problem-solving ideas or advice. And with a lot of work, I am giving myself compassion and love for doing the best I can with what I know in the present. Life is a learning, explorative journey.

Nala is the sweetest dog. While we thought we were rescuing her in October of 2023, what we have since learned is that she came into our lives to rescue us.

Dogs are masters of unconditional love. They don't judge us based on our appearance, wealth, or social status. They love us simply for who we are, flaws and all. We are learning the power of loving each other (and ourselves) without conditions or expectations.

Nala wants what she wants. She doesn't apologize for it or try to hide it. When she wants to walk or eat - she lets us know in her own way. What if we all had the courage to be this authentic and ask for what we want?