Marisa Sim
Marisa Sim is a mother of two, a certified holistic health coach and NLP coach. She supports overwhelmed mothers to reset their health and wellbeing so they can thrive.
She is passionate about food, nutrition, health, mental wellbeing, nature and spirituality.
She is a lifelong learner and an avid cook. In her free time, you can find her hosting friends, organizing parties or spending time in nature with her family.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
My childhood was chaotic, I grew up with a mentally unstable mother, so I was always in fight or flight mode, which gave me a lot of anxiety. So I didn’t have a strong female role model in my family. Luckily for me, I had my father, who was a successful businessman and taught me a lot about business, and entrepreneurship and guided me the best he could.
I would say that my role model is Oprah Winfrey. She’s a strong, wise, successful businesswoman and spirituality is a big part of her life. I grew up watching her shows and it impacted and influenced me to be positive and believe in myself.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
I work as a holistic health coach and help support mothers who are burnout and overwhelmed because they are doing too much for everyone, always giving to others. They neglect their needs and self-care, which sometimes causes them to break down and may lead to health issues.
So as a holistic health coach, I look at four areas of their lives- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual and I help them identify where they can improve. Then we set goals and break them down into small steps, so they can achieve them and get the balance they so desperately need. You can’t pour from an empty cup; mothers must learn and practise self-care and self-love.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
I did a cleanse at 30 and learned about how diet can improve and impact a person’s health, which sparked my interest in nutrition. So after the detox, I enrolled on the largest nutrition school, the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, to become a holistic health coach.
Then when I became a mother at 33, I struggled in my first year as a mother. My self-care was non-existent, and then it hit me that other mothers might be feeling the same way, which was when I changed my direction to supporting mothers.
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
The pandemic served me well. I was already doing online coaching then, and with the pandemic, my business boomed. Many opportunities came up for me. I grew my business and was invited to do webinars and talks. I was asked to write the Empowered Mama column in The Female CEO magazine.
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
My clients value my work and how it has helped them change their lives and their kids’ lives. My impact goes beyond my clients; their families also experience positive change which is a win-win situation.
A happier, more balanced and fulfilled mother means a happier family. She’s not resentful and angry because she has addressed her needs and can give from a full cup.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
My life has changed because my work allows me the flexibility to be with my family and do the work that I love. It feels great when your work is aligned with your values. I have a good work-life balance, and I’m not just working to live but happy to be working.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Give yourself time to find your passion, travel the world, explore different things and spend time with like-minded people who are also finding their path.
I want more young women to support each other and work together. Less competition, more collaboration. The question you should ask yourself is, how can I uplift this person?
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
Life is not a linear journey, it comes with turns and roundabouts, and sometimes you must keep going in circles until you connect the dots of who you are. Learn to trust your instincts and gut feeling, and keep going. Also, keep a small group of friends who believe in you and your vision. They will be your cheerleaders when you go through dark days.