Meet Marina Simovic – a Manhattan-based certified Stretch Therapist and a professional Reiki Practitioner from Bosnia and Herzegovina
I had the pleasure of interviewing Marina Simovic, Marina was born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She moved to New York almost 20 years ago (as of 2019) with a suitcase and a passion to help people in their health and wellness. Originally she was in the USA just for a short stay not more over a year to improve her English language. At the time she was a student at Mostar University close to my hometown Ljubuski close to Medjugorje.
After one year Marina simply fell in love with New York. Passion for health and wellbeing inspired her to be certified in a Stretch theraphy. Marina operates as a fully certified Stretch Therapist and a professional Reiki Practitioner. She concentrates her efforts on stress reduction and relaxation which promotes health and wellness. Over the years, Marina has perfected the art of helping other people’s bodies, emotions and the spirit which have lots of benefits
Can you tell us more about what brought you to this specific career path? It is not exactly the most common or known path to choose.
What brought me to this specific path was my passion and dedication towards healthy lifestyle and making difference in people’s life.
I was a long distance runner in between two major stages in life, high school and transition to college. Since I come from a very small place in Europe ( Bosnia and Herzegovina) people thought sometimes that my running was weird and I was not fitting in with other girls my age- but nevertheless I continued to do so.
As an adult my passion continued, and I worked in a big Export- Import company- where employees would have extremely destructive eating habits and no specific diet or physical activity. So, I would cut and place articles and healthy recipes, on our company kitchen display and talk with people about working out.
I could say it’s not one thing that led me to this career path – it was a gradual development along the way.
May I ask you to share the most interesting experience you have had since you started your career?
The most interesting experience I have had since I started a company, was probably encountering so many interesting and different people. I had so many different corporate events, fairs, fashion- official events such as US Supreme court technology and arts. I have enriched my life with so many different people and grow so much as an individual. I can actually sit with a person from any walks in life and we would have a great conversation about anything that is beneficial and interesting commonality to both. I am so grateful for every day which is an adventure in my profession.
What advice would I give to other women who may want to take that next step and following their dreams or either running or starting their own company?
Dear ladies, be kind to yourself- take care of yourself-emotionally, physically, mentally and financially.
Along the way to your dream, make meaningful connections with people- long lasting and genuinely care about people.
On your way to the top- you might or will change professions, what ever impression you leave on people will be everlasting. They will support you no matter what you choose to be. It is YOU- NOT YOUR BUSINESS.
Is there a funny (scary?) story that you could share that happened to you since starting your company?
Funny/Scary story – I could write a book 🙂
Couple of them – I did a corporate event with a group of people we work with and they mixed the emails so we were not welcomed because they had another vendor there – in the meantime I brought 4 people to help me with this event- to my surprise they were not angry or mad at me – but they set up the table regardless and let me handle everything with HR department even though I was not directly involved – They said we knew you will handle this- talking about confidence of my team- but also they know how passionate and committed I am. On the side note I talk a lot so they had no doubt in their mind that all will end well.
The second scary/funny part happened in US Supreme court when they took possession of my laptop prior to the event- and I was on the list to participate as a vendor and had a presentation on that laptop.
I actually had to write an email, for someone from HR to come downstairs and convince guards that there is no treat because of electronic device- only presentation about – you will never guess – Forgiveness meditation – that was recorded with no issues later on.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you tell her and why? What message(s) would you like for her to know?
If I could go back to the time- I would not change or say anything because I would not be the same person as I am today. I worked diligently to become who I am today – and I kind of like myself and what I do.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice (quotes) you’ve gotten along your journey? We would love to hear a story or example for each. We all could use some inspiration.
ADVICE #1 Be the best version of yourself- when you are a best version of yourself in life nothing will stop you.
You will encounter people who are not your match sometimes, but you have to strive to be the best then you will attract the best for yourself and you will strive to recognize the best in people.
Do not lower your standards, your prices your character to please people.
Be the best you can and you will have the best in life.
ADVICE #2 Be the type of the person that makes everyone you come across feel perfectly ok with being exactly who they are.
When you allow people to be who they truly are you shine a light upon their path that maybe no one was recognizing that in them before.
Only for that they will respect you and share and openly communicate with you and genuinely connect.
When you come to a place of such there is no greater award then creating from a place of authenticity and integrity.
ADVICE #3 Wake up with a purpose.
Whatever you do professionally pursue, let it be purposeful. When you wake up and start your day – your excitement and zest for life is connected to that purpose.
Your only question should be: How can I bring value and change someone’s life Today?
We all need a little help along the journey — who have been some of your mentors? Can you share how they made an impact?
My mentors – great question by the way… Anthony Robbins is one of them. And not just because of his business mindset but also for a vast love towards humanity – and I felt that upon meeting him- big giant with even bigger heart.
Overall, human capacity to love and connect is or are my mentors- names are irrelevant.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Movement that will change people’s lives.
I think I am already slowly building that momentum- I teach people how to be purposely connected, Reiki emotional healing, Essential oils, Detox free home, Meditation and also building community around that.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Favorite Life Lesson Quote- Learn and apply.
In life I learned so many things – but then I learned without application of learned lessons, lectures or words it’s just accumulated knowledge. To really create a difference words have to be put in action- therefore you are creating movement and change.
I also learned to have boundaries with people and situation – not everything in life requires your immediate attention- be still, release and let go.
Your story is very inspiring, Marina. Not to mention even most Europeans have not met many people (if any) from your country – just like most people do not know anyone from Finland. Not a huge country. Thank you so much for joining us!
And for those of you who wish to to connect with Marina – and maybe try some stretch therapy or reiki:
Instagram- https://www.
www.flexhealing.com
You can find her number and address in Manhattan (30s) at the Flexhealing website
