From Passion to Purpose: Marija Kalenic’s Journey in Wellness Leadership

by Brooke Young

Marija Kalenic

Marija Kalenic is not just a coach; she is a beacon of transformation, guiding individuals to break free from the stories they tell themselves, stories that block them from becoming who they truly aspire to be. Through her deep understanding of the intricate differences between convictions and values, Marija helps her clients unravel their thinking and behavior patterns, empowering them to navigate a path towards a more fulfilling existence.

Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here

Table of Contents

You emphasize the importance ofbreaking free from self-limiting stories. What are some common stories peopletell themselves that block their growth?

Marija Kalenic: In our journey of self-discovery, the stories we tell ourselves can act as invisible chains, holding us back from reaching our true potential. These stories, often deeply rooted in our early childhood experiences, shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. During these formative years, we learn what is deemed acceptable, how to interpret our surroundings, and ultimately, how to define ourselves. These experiences build our values and convictions, which then form the bedrock of our mental and behavioral habits. Over time, these habits construct our character and identity.

However, the identity we’ve crafted is not the sum total of who we are; it’s merely a snapshot of our past experiences. Many of us unknowingly accept this self-definition as an unchangeable truth, which stifles our ability to adapt and grow when faced with new challenges. This is where the importance of breaking free from self-limiting stories becomes clear.

Common self-limiting beliefs include narratives like “I’m not enough,” “I’m alone,” “I’m invisible,” “I’m not lovable,” “I’m not safe,” and “I’m a failure.” These beliefs can dictate our behavior and, ironically, lead to outcomes that reinforce them. For instance, if you believe you’re alone, you might inadvertently isolate yourself, fail to seek support, and ultimately, end up being even more isolated.

Recognizing and challenging these self-limiting beliefs is crucial for personal growth. By seeing through these limiting convictions, we open the door to acknowledging and transforming them. This transformation allows us to create new, empowering truths. For example, shifting the belief of being alone to actively seeking relationships and building connections can dramatically alter your reality, leading to a more fulfilling and interconnected life.

Ultimately, breaking free from these self-imposed limitations empowers us to redefine our narratives, align our actions with our true values, and pave the way for a life filled with growth, fulfillment, and resilience. By embracing this process, we not only change our story but also transform our reality.

You have a unique ability to distinguish between convictions and values. How do you define these terms, and why is it so important for individuals to understand the difference in their personal development journeys?

Marija Kalenic: In the realm of personal development, understanding the distinction between values and convictions is essential for genuine growth and fulfillment. Values are the foundational principles that guide our lives. They represent what we hold dear, shaping our moral compass and influencing our choices. Common values might include honesty, family, freedom, or success. They are like the North Star, guiding us toward our goals and aspirations.

Convictions, however, are the deeply ingrained beliefs that have been cemented over years of experience, often influenced by significant relationships and life events. These beliefs run deep and can be challenging to alter. For instance, the value of success can be viewed through various lenses depending on one’s convictions. To one person, success might signify accumulating wealth, while to another, it might mean nurturing a loving and supportive family.

Recognizing the difference between values and convictions is pivotal. Values set the course for our goals, but convictions define the path we take. They shape our identity and influence how we perceive our potential and limitations. If our values and convictions are misaligned, we might pursue goals that ultimately leave us unfulfilled.

By aligning our values with empowering convictions, we pave the way for a life that is not only goal-oriented but also deeply satisfying. This alignment transforms our journey, allowing us to pursue our ambitions in a way that is true to ourselves. Understanding this distinction encourages us to examine and, if necessary, reframe our convictions, enabling us to live authentically and achieve personal fulfillment.

Your work often focuses on the subconscious mind and its impact on behaviour. Can you explain how our subconscious patterns shape our reality?

Marija Kalenic: In the intricate dance of self-awareness and personal growth, the subconscious mind plays a pivotal role often overlooked. While we might assume that our conscious mind—the part responsible for reasoning, planning, and decision-making—is the ultimate navigator of our lives, the reality is far more nuanced. Operating beneath the surface of our awareness, the subconscious mind exerts a profound influence on our thoughts, behaviors, and, consequently, the reality we experience.

Imagine the subconscious as the hard drive of a computer, tirelessly storing every event, belief, and emotion we have ever encountered. It runs continuously, processing this vast repository of information and subtly steering our conscious actions and reactions. This is why we sometimes react to situations in unexpected ways or find ourselves trapped in repetitive patterns despite our conscious desire to change.

For example, you might consciously aim to be more confident in social settings, yet find your actions constrained by an inexplicable sense of unease. This disconnect arises because your subconscious mind, perhaps shaped by past experiences or ingrained beliefs, holds onto narratives that limit your outward behavior. By acknowledging and understanding these subconscious patterns, we can begin to reshape them, aligning our internal beliefs with our conscious aspirations.

Ultimately, unlocking the power of the subconscious mind is about cultivating awareness. By bringing subconscious patterns into the light of conscious understanding, we gain the ability to transform them, paving the way for a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Creating a safe space for clientsto grow outside of their comfort zones is a key part of your practice. How do you balance challenging your clients while also providing them with the support they need to thrive?

Marija Kalenic: Creating a safe space for clients to explore beyond their comfort zones is an essential component of effective coaching. This delicate balance begins with establishing a foundation of trust. It’s crucial not only for clients to trust their coach but also for the coach to have confidence in the clients’ abilities and commitment to embracing change. Once this mutual trust is in place, the journey can unfold with genuine curiosity and care.

Being genuinely curious about a client’s potential means asking thoughtful, probing questions that challenge them to rethink their limits. These questions should come from a place free of bias or judgment, ensuring that the client feels supported rather than scrutinized. When clients sense that their coach truly believes in their ability to transcend their current boundaries, it fosters a sense of safety and encouragement.

This supportive environment empowers clients to take risks, confront challenges, and grow. By balancing challenge with empathy and encouragement, coaches can help clients thrive, discovering new strengths and possibilities that lead to meaningful personal development. This holistic approach ensures that clients feel both guided and autonomous, enabling them to confidently step into new realms of growth.

You incorporate energy healing practices such as Reiki and light energy work into your coaching. How do these holistic techniques complement traditional coaching methods?

Marija Kalenic: Incorporating energy healing practices such as Reiki and light energy work into coaching can create a powerful synergy with traditional methods, enhancing the overall effectiveness of personal development. At the core of this approach is the understanding that everything in the universe, including our bodies, is composed of energy vibrating at different frequencies. While our physical bodies may appear solid, at the quantum level, they are primarily energy, with particles held together by these vibrations.

Emotions, too, are forms of energy, each carrying its own frequency. Research suggests that emotions like guilt, shame, and fear resonate at lower frequencies, whereas love, compassion, and acceptance vibrate at higher frequencies. Traditional coaching methods often leverage this concept through techniques such as appreciative inquiry, which focuses on strengths and positive thinking to elevate mental and emotional states.

Energy healing practices complement these methods by addressing the physical energy body. By working to raise the vibrational frequency of the body, practices like Reiki help align physical energy with emotional and mental frequencies. This alignment can accelerate healing and foster a more harmonious state of being.

The combination of energy healing with traditional coaching creates a holistic framework that addresses both the tangible and intangible aspects of personal growth. Clients benefit from a more comprehensive approach that encourages balance and integration, promoting profound personal transformation and well-being.

As someone with a diverse background, including personal training and language translation, how have your varied experiences shaped your approach to coaching and personal development?

Marija Kalenic: Embracing the idea that every life experience serves a purpose has profoundly shaped my approach to coaching and personal development. My diverse background, spanning personal training, language translation, and kinesiology, has equipped me with unique insights and tools to guide others on their journeys.

My training as a kinesiologist instilled in me a deep appreciation for the human body’s complexity and the intricate systems that sustain it. This knowledge lays the foundation for understanding how physical well-being can impact mental health and personal growth. Meanwhile, my exploration of meditative and energy practices has revealed the profound ways in which our energy bodies influence our physical and emotional states, offering pathways to deeper healing and balance.

Language translation has added another layer to my perspective, highlighting the rich tapestry of cultural beliefs and values that shape how individuals perceive the world. Understanding these cultural nuances helps me connect with clients on a more personal level, appreciating the diversity of experiences that influence their outlooks and challenges.

I view the mind as a crucial bridge between our physical and energetic selves, acting as the conscious element of our being that can transform both. When working with clients, I consider these interconnected aspects to address their unique blocks and challenges holistically. Even if I don’t employ energy healing techniques with every client, this comprehensive understanding allows me to pinpoint underlying issues and support their overall development. Through this integrative approach, I strive to help clients unlock their potential and achieve meaningful transformation.

Marija Kalenic

You often assign homework to your clients, such as writing their own stories. How does this process of introspection help deepen their self-awareness and contribute to their growth?

Marija Kalenic: The process of introspection through activities such as journaling and story writing serves as a profound tool for enhancing self-awareness and fostering personal growth. Our conscious mind is merely the tip of the iceberg, with countless subconscious influences shaping our behavioral patterns and identity. By engaging in the practice of keeping a journal or free-flow writing, individuals can bring to light hidden traumas and deeply held beliefs that often remain concealed.

This introspective practice encourages individuals to connect with their thoughts, ideas, and emotions, effectively unlocking the subconscious and intuitive mind. It’s a journey into self-awareness, offering clarity about the underlying factors that influence one’s actions and perceptions. The first step towards meaningful change is awareness; you cannot transform what you are unaware of.

Through writing, clients can identify patterns, recognize triggers, and gain insights into their motivations. This heightened self-awareness empowers them to make informed choices and initiate changes that align with their true selves, leading to personal development and fulfillment. Ultimately, introspective exercises provide a safe space to explore the self, promoting growth and enabling individuals to craft a more intentional and authentic life.

Many people find themselves falling short of their expectations despite their efforts. How do you help clients shift their mindset and behaviour when they feel stuck or unfulfilled by their progress?

Marija Kalenic: Helping clients shift their mindset and behavior when they feel stuck or unfulfilled involves guiding them through the process of identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs. These beliefs often shape how individuals perceive their progress and can hold them back from reaching their true potential. Transforming these beliefs into empowering ones is crucial for adopting a new identity that aligns with their goals.

Breaking through these mental barriers is not a straightforward task. It requires dedication, patience, and resilience to change established habits, whether they are mental or behavioral. The journey includes both moments of triumph and setbacks, each playing a vital role in growth. It’s essential for clients to understand that this is part of the process, as unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment.

As a coach, it’s vital to help clients recognize and celebrate their progress, even if it seems small or slow. By consistently tracking and acknowledging their growth, you provide them with tangible evidence of their journey forward. This support helps clients maintain motivation and builds their resilience, allowing them to embrace challenges and move confidently toward their goals. Through this transformative journey, clients can ultimately develop a mindset that empowers them to achieve fulfillment and success.

Grounding practices like QI-GONG and meridian therapy are central to your work. Share how these physical and energetic practices help your clients find balance and reconnect with their inner selves.

Marija Kalenic: Grounding practices such as Qi-Gong and meridian therapy play a pivotal role in helping clients achieve balance and reconnect with their inner selves. These practices offer a unique blend of physical and energetic engagement that harmonize the body’s vibrations, positively impacting mental and emotional states. Unlike traditional meditation which often requires a quiet setting and extended time, Qi-Gong and meridian therapy can be seamlessly integrated into a busy lifestyle.

These exercises provide a calming effect on the mind while simultaneously energizing the body. The beauty of these practices lies in their accessibility—you can take just a few minutes, even at your desk or in the midst of a hectic day, to release stress and find tranquility. With just a short session, you can experience a sense of renewal and clarity, making them an ideal choice for those with limited time.

By incorporating these techniques, clients can cultivate a sense of grounding and inner peace, empowering them to navigate daily challenges with a centered and balanced mindset. This approach not only supports emotional resilience but also fosters a deeper connection to their authentic selves.

What has been one of the most profound transformations you’ve witnessed in a client?

Marija Kalenic: In today’s world, profound transformations are often equated with material success—earning millions, achieving fame, or drastically altering one’s lifestyle. However, I believe the true essence of transformation lies beyond visible or material accomplishments. The most profound changes I witness in my clients occur on an emotional and mental level. These transformations manifest in how they approach relationships, tackle everyday challenges with newfound serenity, and shift from a victim mindset to one of empowerment and control over their lives.

Such a transformation is a remarkable achievement. When clients realize they are responsible for and in charge of their own lives, they not only empower themselves but also influence those around them. It’s not about how much wealth you accumulate or the luxurious places you visit; it’s about waking up each day with joy, gratitude for being alive, and a determination to make the most of every moment, regardless of the circumstances. This mindset shift fosters a ripple effect, encouraging others to embrace their potential and live authentically. These are the transformations that truly matter, leading to genuine fulfillment and a profound sense of purpose.

Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Marija Kalenic for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.

If you would like to get in touch with Marija Kalenic or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page

Did you enjoy this article? Check out similar stories:

Disclaimer: The WellnessVoice Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.

Related Articles