We were lucky to catch up with Maria Cortes-Graham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

We each have our own unique story, and mine is about overcoming pain and transforming myself. I was in a challenging personal moment where I had to make a difficult decision. I spent years exploring and studying various theories and therapies, including Yoga and Meditation, to make the right choice and have peace of mind. Eventually, I was ready to leap. It was not a leap of faith. My mind, body, and spirit were all aligned, and I found myself in a new stage of life. That’s when the magic happened. People started coming to me for guidance, and I realized I had a talent for guiding others. I combined my talent and passion with knowledge and consciously developed skills to support my clients better. As a mindset coach, I don’t offer advice. Instead, I listen to my clients to understand their needs and help them find their best strategies and solutions. Everything starts with a thought, and changing that thought can have a magical impact. I have a secret formula involving some physical movement, but I can’t reveal much about it.

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 have always had a natural inclination towards teaching, starting at an early age. I do not do teaching because I have to; instead, it is something I love doing. I consider myself a coach, but my focus is on the mind-body connection, both my own and that of my clients. Family and friends started referring me to others due to the excellent results they were getting by using “the Maria way.” I possess a valuable skill set supported by various techniques, which has become increasingly in demand. I don’t have the solutions to my client’s problems or treat their traumas. Instead, I listen to their struggles, strengths, weaknesses, and dilemmas and work together to find strategies to help them move forward. This is a people business, and my knowledge and personality set me apart from others. Some people like me, while others don’t. I have been working with most of my clients for years, and there is always something new to create, develop, or discover. My proudest moment is when I can still surprise my clients, especially when they have an “aha” moment. The human mind is fascinating, and I find guiding people to discover something new about themselves rewarding.

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

Of course, I am an expat from Argentina. As an adult, I left my home country twenty years ago, meaning I did not attend school or college in the United States. At that time, my English skills were only at an elementary level. It was only when I realized I needed excellent English skills to achieve my ambitions that I embarked on the frustrating task of learning a new language. It’s worth noting that I already had a Master’s degree in Foreign Languages, and I could speak three languages and read six, but my conversational English was nonexistent. I enrolled in a total immersion English class where everything and everyone became a lesson. It took me many years, but I can now say that I have succeeded in speaking English fluently. I am writing my successful story in English on how I learned to speak and write in English. Ironic, right? By the way, while on that journey, I never defined myself as resilient. It just was there.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth is the most effective strategy. Marketing campaigns are excellent for expanding the clientele, but retention and referral are based on the product and delivery.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onemind_22
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariacortesgraham
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariacortesgraham
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@mariacortes-graham22