Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Myriam Martinez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Myriam, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My family and I immigrated into the United States from Panama in 1979. My parents worked hard to teach us the value of hard work, of being kind to others and to be of service. They had to work hard jobs, my mom a seamstress and my dad a janitor. Despite that, they were always grateful for having jobs and being able to keep a roof over our heads. They taught us to feel proud of the work we do and to always do our best with what we have. That being said, they also emphasized the importance of education because like most immigrant parents, they wanted us to have more and go further than they did.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I had always been interested in psychology and wanted to either be a therapist or a psychologist. I loved understanding human beings, their behavior and why they do the things they do. I started off as a preschool teacher and did that for about 10 years while I worked my way through school. I then discovered a local art therapy graduate program and it seemed like the perfect fit for wanting to help and serve others. I went to school for a Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy and Art Therapy. I did not consider myself an artist when I applied. I felt intimidated because I was surrounded by artists who were MFA’s and had great skill. But, I wanted to help kids and thought that the art would be a great tool for working with them so I persevered! And I’m so glad I did because I learned how to use art and the art process for healing vs. typical art classes that focus on skills and technique. It has been life changing for me and for the clients I serve. I have served hundreds of children, families and individuals and helped them find healing, improve their lives, and feel more purposeful and intentional. Because of my understanding of over all human development, I can incorporate that in my work and help people not only understand their whole selves but also to feel compassion for all the versions they have been throughout their lives. In my current work as a coach for women, my work is unique because I help learn to use the creative process to help them get out of their head and into the wisdom of their bodies, decrease stress, and live more intentionally. My work is holistic and goes far beyond just “mindset” work. It is truly a transformation experience for the women I work with.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As an immigrant, I had to face many obstacles including racism and feeling like I was caught between two worlds. My Latin culture in my home life and the mainstream culture outside of it. My parents often did not understand my experience and because they didn’t speak the language, I had to translate for them and as a child help them understand their adult world. This lead to a lot of anxiety and depression that interfered in my wellbeing and in my ability to feel confident in my own world. Because we were also low income, I had to work my way through school and pay my own way which was very challenging as I didn’t have any adults that could help me navigate the system. But my determination to get an education and find success drove me and I was able to overcome my mental health challenges, get an education and end up in a career that I love.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I find that putting myself out there and doing in person networking has been the most effective. I do also find social media helpful as it’s a way to share my message and to offer support to people. But, meeting people in person so they can get to know me, understand how I work, what my message and intention are is the most impactful way to grow clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myriammartinezcoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myriammartinezcoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myriammartinezcreativewellbeingcoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myriam-martinez-ma-%F0%9F%8E%A8-1abb775/

Image Credits

Yvette Brackett Photography
Cami Flake Phogography