Meet Marli Overman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marli Overman.

Marli, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Bravery, Vulnerability, and Change, oh my! These are words that I love but tense up when I think of them with my name in a sentence. As I’ve learned, the first step into the unknown with the possibility of falling or not getting the result you hoped for is terrifying but it is the only path toward fulfillment!

My story begins with a fascination with psychology and human behavior. I’ve spent countless hours reading self-improvement books only to end up in the exact same place a week, month or year later. Sound familiar? It’s frustrating to learn valuable tools and ways of thinking only to revert to the old operating system we were brought up believing. These beliefs are imprinted on us from a very young age and they don’t die easy, no matter how many books we read!

My ailment has been one of wanting to stay safe and comfortable. I’ve done this in jobs, staying when it was stagnant. I’ve done this in relationships, repeating patterns that went against all I told myself I wanted. And I’ve done this by ignoring opportunities for something greater, all for the sake of playing it safe. It’s easy and doesn’t require much energy. It is also mundane, unsatisfying and boring!

After years of thinking I had it all figured out, taking the easy way, and doing the same thing thinking it would win me different results, I had a moment where things clicked. “I AM the common denominator in all the things that happen to me!” There is no one else to point the finger at. It was a painfully humbling, yet freeing thought. Where I was, was a culmination of all my big and small choices in life and if I wasn’t satisfied, I had to change it.

What did I do? I acknowledged that I was the one that had to do the work but I had NO CLUE how to do that on my own! Like anything we want to get better at, we seek out a coach, mentor or consultant. Hiring a coach made perfect sense and one of the best things I have done in my life. A couple of years after being coached, I realized that being a coach was my calling to make a difference. Since that moment, I’ve followed that passion and fully believe in the process and power of helping others move forward.

Helping people in a meaningful way is core to my DNA but I faltered on figuring out how that applied to my life. Too busy being comfy! 😉 I had not tapped into my courage and vulnerability and it cost me a lot of time and satisfaction of doing what I enjoy. Alternately, being a coach has provided me with the experience to be compassionate, a contrast to what does and does not matter, and motivation to bring me back to what I love doing. I lead others to find their bravery and take small steps for big changes that will shift attitudes and outlooks. This can be in business, relationships or wanting an overhaul in attitude. There is always a way to figure things out and get to where you want!

When I think about the times in my life that things have been the most satisfying, exciting and meaningful, they have been the times I have been open to something new and did it without overthinking the crap out of it. Whether it be interacting with African wildlife, meeting a new client, training for a long race, or putting my heart out there for love, those have been the most exhilarating, joyful and character-defining moments.

We deceive ourselves into thinking we have unlimited time. We stay in our safe bubble until we are forced to change and then react immediately, and not always wisely. How much smoother and gratifying would it be to plan your change on your terms? We may not have control over what happens but we do have control over choosing how we show up, the next steps we take and the values we live by.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a straight, easy road but I can’t say I would want it to be either. I believe life is a series of smooth and bumpy moments but without both, how does one appreciate the other? There have been family dynamics to accept and overcome, significant relationships changing and ending, unexpected deaths to process and many setbacks getting to where I want to be. Sometimes I chose to resist those experiences by analyzing and trying to understand why they were happening. I’ve also had times where I accepted things and didn’t try to get WHY but rather HOW I could use them in a meaningful way to move forward the next time. The latter has been significantly more helpful and less torturous.

One of my biggest challenges has been overcoming unrealistic expectations and to stop replaying things in my head over and over thinking that was somehow going to ease the pain. All that did was drag the pain out and stunt moving forward!! Accepting I have no control over how many things turn out or how others act and their feelings has been monumental to living a less complex and more joyful life. I can assume and deduce things all day long and at the end of each day, it doesn’t change anything! I have saved a lot of time and anguish by feeling the emotions that come along, not trying to alter them and taking one small step to move forward. It is not easy although much simpler and kinder to not beat myself up or try to understand things I may never know the answer to.

It’s important to accept the road gets windy and bumpy at times but it also straightens out. We get to choose to keep going back over the same bumps or to forge ahead to the smooth, open, and limitless road.

Please tell us about your work.
I am a certified professional coach running a business that specializes in guiding clients bravely through transitions. This could be a career transition, relationship change, wanting to reinvent yourself or shake things up a little. I help clients break old, inhibiting patterns and discover what is most important and motivating to them. I then assist them to build their bravery, little by little. Or help build it in a big way, if that’s their desire. I meet clients where they are, mentally and emotionally, and we come up with a plan that will be the most advantageous for them.

I am most proud of helping others to get out of autopilot and start living a more exciting life and true to their values. Having personally worked on this for years (still am!), it’s rewarding to shed experience, compassion and my certification to assist others into a state of joy and fulfillment!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My best memories are from playing outside in our yard or with friends. Even better was my Mom would sing a song putting me to sleep about all the cool stuff I did that day. I loved my own personal song!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marlioverman.com
• Email: coach@marlioverman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlicoach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marli.overman

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