Coaching Magazine
Trusting Your Unique Journey: Insights from Marie Forleo on Personal Development and Entrepreneurshi
Updated: Aug 9

Marie Forleo is a prominent figure in the world of personal development and entrepreneurship. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and online business coach who has helped millions of people around the world to build successful businesses and live fulfilling lives. Forleo’s unique approach to coaching and self-help is characterized by her infectious energy, authenticity, and no-nonsense attitude, which have earned her a dedicated following of fans and admirers.
Forleo’s rise to prominence began in the early 2000s, when she launched her first online business coaching program, B-School. Since then, she has gone on to become a sought-after speaker, author, and media personality, with appearances on popular TV shows such as Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul Sunday and the TODAY Show. Through her work, Forleo has inspired countless people to pursue their passions, overcome their fears, and create meaningful, successful businesses that make a positive impact on the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Marie Forleo, and explore the key principles and strategies that have helped her to become one of the most influential and respected voices in the world of personal development and entrepreneurship.
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Marie. You’ve had a remarkable career as a business coach and personal development expert. What motivated you to pursue this line of work?
Marie Forleo: Thank you for having me. My passion for personal development and entrepreneurship began at a young age. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey and I always had this burning desire to make a difference in the world. When I was in my early twenties, I started my own fitness business, which was a huge success. That’s when I realized that I had a knack for coaching and helping others to succeed.
Interviewer: You’re known for your unique approach to coaching, which emphasizes the importance of both personal growth and business strategy. Can you tell us a bit more about your philosophy?
Marie Forleo: Sure. My philosophy is that in order to succeed in business and in life, you need to have a strong foundation of self-awareness, personal growth, and mindset. This means working on your own fears, limiting beliefs, and emotional patterns that hold you back. But it’s not just about the inner work. You also need practical, actionable strategies for building a successful business. My coaching programs and books are designed to provide a holistic approach that combines both personal development and business strategy.
Interviewer: You’ve helped millions of people around the world to build successful businesses and live fulfilling lives. What do you consider to be the key elements of success?
Marie Forleo: I believe that success is a combination of mindset, strategy, and action. You need to have a positive mindset, a clear strategy for achieving your goals, and then take consistent, focused action to make it happen. But there’s also a deeper level of success that goes beyond just material achievement. It’s about living a life of purpose and meaning, and making a positive impact on the world. That’s what I aim to help people achieve through my coaching and teaching.
Interviewer: You’ve written a best-selling book, created an award-winning online training program, and built a massive following on social media. What’s next for Marie Forleo?
Marie Forleo: I’m always looking for new ways to serve and inspire people. Right now, I’m focused on creating more online courses and programs that help people to build successful businesses and live fulfilling lives. I’m also exploring other mediums, like podcasting and video, to reach even more people with my message. Ultimately, my goal is to continue to be a positive force in the world and help as many people as possible to create lives and businesses that they love.
Interviewer: That’s a great goal, Marie. You’ve also talked about the importance of setting boundaries and practicing self-care. Can you speak more to that?
Marie Forleo: Absolutely. As an entrepreneur and business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working all the time and neglecting your own well-being. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to show up fully for your work and your clients. That’s why setting boundaries and practicing self-care are so important. This means saying no to things that don’t align with your values or goals, taking breaks and vacations, and making time for things that bring you joy and fulfillment. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential for long-term success and happiness.
Interviewer: You’ve been in the personal development and entrepreneurship space for many years now. What do you see as some of the biggest trends or challenges facing people in this field today?
Marie Forleo: One of the biggest challenges I see is the overwhelming amount of information and noise out there. It can be hard for people to know what advice to follow or what path to take. That’s why it’s important to stay focused on your own unique vision and values, and to seek out guidance and support from trusted mentors and coaches. Another trend I see is the growing interest in social entrepreneurship and creating businesses that have a positive impact on the world. This is something that I’m very excited about and I think we’ll see more and more of in the years to come.
Interviewer: One question that comes to mind is how you manage to balance your personal life with your professional career, given your busy schedule?
Marie Forleo: It’s definitely a challenge, but I make it a priority to schedule time for self-care, family, and friends. I also have a great team of people who support me and help me to stay organized and focused. And I try to be mindful of my energy levels and not push myself too hard, so that I can be fully present and effective in both my personal and professional life.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned the importance of staying true to your own values and vision. Can you elaborate on how someone can identify their core values and use them to guide their business or personal life?
Marie Forleo: Sure. Identifying your core values starts with asking yourself what’s most important to you and what you stand for. For example, is it creativity, freedom, authenticity, kindness, or impact? Once you have a clear understanding of your values, you can use them as a filter for making decisions and setting goals. This means asking yourself if a particular opportunity or action aligns with your values and if it will move you closer to your vision. When you stay true to your values, you build a business or life that’s authentic and fulfilling.
Interviewer: You’ve talked about the importance of taking small steps and trusting the path will reveal itself. Can you share an example of a time when you took a small step that led to a big breakthrough in your career or life?
Marie Forleo: One example that comes to mind is when I decided to start my own coaching business back in 1999. At the time, I was working in the finance industry and didn’t have any formal training in coaching or personal development. But I had a passion for helping people and a belief that I could make a difference. So I started by offering free coaching sessions to friends and family, and then gradually built up my skills and experience through training programs and working with more clients. That small step of offering free coaching sessions eventually led to the creation of B-School and my career as a successful business coach and author.
Interviewer: That’s a great example, Marie. Finally, what’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were just starting out in your career?
Marie Forleo: One piece of advice I wish I had received is to not compare myself to others and trust in my own unique journey. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to look at other successful people and feel like you’re not measuring up or that you’re doing something wrong. But the truth is, everyone has their own path and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success. It’s important to trust in your own vision and to stay focused on your own growth and development, rather than constantly comparing yourself to others.
Interviewer: That’s fantastic advice, Marie. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today. Where can our readers learn more about you and your work?
Marie Forleo: You can find me on my website, marieforleo.com, where I offer free training and resources on personal growth and entrepreneurship. You can also follow me on social media, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. And if you’re interested in my coaching programs or my book, “Everything is Figureoutable,” you can find more information on my website or on Amazon.
Interviewer: Thank you, Marie. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
Marie Forleo: Thank you for having me.
Marie Forleo’s inspiring journey and insightful advice have helped countless people around the world to build successful businesses and live fulfilling lives. Her unique approach to coaching, which emphasizes the importance of both personal growth and business strategy, has earned her a dedicated following of fans and admirers. Through her books, online courses, and coaching programs, Forleo continues to be a positive force in the world, inspiring people to pursue their passions, overcome their fears, and create meaningful, successful businesses that make a difference.
If you’re looking to build a successful business, achieve your goals, or simply live a more fulfilling life, Marie Forleo is a coach and mentor who can help you get there. With her infectious energy, practical strategies, and deep commitment to personal growth and purpose, Forleo has become one of the most influential and respected voices in the world of personal development and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re just starting out on your journey or looking to take your business to the next level, Marie Forleo’s insights and advice can help you achieve your goals and create a life and business that you love.