Marissa Yubas is a licensed therapist and mindset coach. With over a decade of experience, Marissa has helped empower women reach and exceed their goals, create meaningful transformations, and gain clarity in their lives. She works with women who are professionals in their jobs looking to overcome self-limiting beliefs, break down mindset barriers, and create a fulfilling life in and out of the workspace.
Marissa Yubas, Therapist and Mindset Coach
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hello! My name is Marissa Yubas, LMFT, and I am a Mindset Coach at Thriving Mind Coaching. I live in Danbury, CT, USA, with my husband and our two rescue cats, Sikes and Stanley. I am also a proud stepmother to two wonderful young boys, one of whom has special needs.
In 2013, I embarked on a career as a professional equestrian and dedicated a decade to working full-time as a professional athlete. During this time, I also maintained a small role as a therapist. I worked hard to find balance between two jobs and a family!
I come from a blended family, a result of my father’s passing during my childhood. My older sister now resides in Portugal and my other lives in New York. I am also a certified scuba diver and had the privilege of traveling extensively during my youth, exploring destinations such as Italy, France, French Polynesia, Australia, and various islands.
I am in recovery from addiction, a journey that has profoundly transformed my life for the better. Through resilience and self-discovery, I have embraced a life filled with growth, purpose, and fulfillment.
What inspired you to start Thriving Mind Coaching, and how has your journey been so far?
I believe my purpose in life is to help others enhance their lives and achieve their fullest potential. My journey has been shaped by significant experiences with trauma, loss, chronic illness, addiction, and much more. Through therapy, coaching, mentorship, and recovery, I have undergone a profound transformation, turning my life around completely.
Motivated by my own healing and growth, I founded Thriving Mind Coaching to extend my support to individuals on a global scale. This initiative allows me to focus on areas where my personal experiences and professional expertise intersect. Over the past 12 years, I have leveraged my personal, educational, and clinical experiences to identify and implement strategies that consistently deliver meaningful results for my clients.
Can you share some of the proven methods you use to help clients create sustainable habits and routines?
Focusing on identifying core values, setting small and attainable action steps, and leveraging cognitive skills plays a pivotal role in personal transformation. When we cultivate self-awareness and pair it with actionable goals, alongside the ability to manage our core beliefs, mindset, and conditioning, we can fundamentally shift how we approach and experience life on a daily and moment-to-moment basis. This approach fosters a life that feels aligned and fulfilling, serving as a powerful motivator for sustainable, lasting change.
How do you assist clients in overcoming limiting beliefs that may be holding them back?
The first step in transformation is bringing the subconscious into conscious awareness. Our subconscious beliefs often dictate our actions and decisions until we develop the self-awareness necessary to recognize and understand them. Once these beliefs are identified, they can be challenged and reframed.
I work with clients to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, empowering them to view challenges and obstacles as opportunities for development.
Adopting a growth mindset also transforms how individuals perceive themselves, reframing perceived shortcomings as areas for improvement, provided they have the right mindset and skills. This shift frees individuals from the limitations of a fixed mindset, enabling them to embrace their authentic selves and step confidently into their unique power.
With the upcoming 'Fearless & Flourishing: Women’s Empowerment Event' in March 2025, what key takeaways do you hope participants will gain?
The Fearless & Flourishing event is thoughtfully designed to inspire women to embrace their authentic selves. This event focuses on resilience, healing, and personal growth and development. The primary goal is for participants to leave empowered, knowing they are fully capable of healing and creating their ideal lives from within.
By sharing powerful stories of resilience and triumph over trauma and adversity, the event fosters a sense of connection and understanding. Participants are reminded that they are not alone in their journeys. Connection is at the heart of this gathering, providing a safe and supportive space for women to come together, share experiences, and grow collectively.
Can you tell us more about your upcoming publication, 'Limitless Leadership: Empowering Women to Unleash Their Potential & Rewrite.' and what readers can expect from it?
Limitless Leadership is a collaborative anthology authored by myself and nine other inspiring women. This collection features diverse voices and perspectives, offering readers profound insights and compelling narratives. The book’s mission is to inspire readers to overcome barriers, harness their strengths, and redefine success on their own terms. By challenging conventional notions of leadership, it empowers women to embrace their full potential with confidence and purpose.
How do you tailor your coaching approach to meet the unique needs of each client, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety?
I offer clients a complimentary discovery call to explore their unique experiences and goals. During this session, I craft a preliminary outline for a personalized plan tailored to their specific challenges. While certain proven strategies for managing stress and anxiety apply universally, the path to mastering these skills is highly individualized.
By remaining fully present and approaching each conversation without a preset agenda, I can adapt ideas and techniques to resonate with the client’s distinct needs. This flexibility allows me to help clients integrate these skills into their daily lives effectively.
In addition to one-on-one coaching, I also provide small group coaching sessions. After conducting individual discovery calls, I identify common themes in participants’ struggles and goals, which become the foundation for our first group session. In these sessions, we work collaboratively as a team, offering mutual support and accountability. Although group coaching involves discussing individual experiences, it is less tailored to specific needs compared to private sessions.
The primary goal of group coaching is to foster a safe and supportive environment where participants can connect, hold each other accountable, and grow in broader areas of personal development. Clients participating in group coaching are welcome to enroll in individual coaching as well, either concurrently or after completing their group program.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
It is challenging to pinpoint one defining moment, but for me, creating Thriving Mind Coaching has been a true realization of a dream. Serving as a trusted guide for individuals navigating struggles and seeking help is an honor and privilege I hold with great responsibility. Expanding this connection on an international scale is something I never could have imagined.
Moreover, my career accomplishments are deeply rooted in my personal journey of growth and development. In many ways, my greatest professional achievement to date has been my own transformation in mindset and perspective. These shifts have not only shaped who I am but have also made my work possible, reinforcing the profound connection between personal growth and professional success.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
I envision a coaching community rooted in mutual support and collaboration, rather than competition. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see coaches undermining others or critiquing programs to make themselves appear more appealing. Additionally, some coaches resort to high-pressure sales tactics, convincing clients to invest in costly programs they may not feel confident about or cannot realistically afford.
My approach prioritizes transparency and respect. I do not use sales scripts, and I trust my clients when they express financial concerns. To make my services accessible, I offer payment plans that are fair and do not penalize clients financially. Unlike many traditional payment plans that result in higher total costs compared to upfront payments, mine are structured to ensure fairness. I strongly believe in not penalizing individuals who are unable to pay the full amount upfront.
While it is essential for coaches to earn a sustainable income, there must be a balance between meeting our needs and acting in the best interest of our clients. As professionals dedicated to helping others, we should also focus on fostering support and collaboration within the coaching community. Practicing what we preach by uplifting one another and prioritizing integrity is essential to truly embodying the values we advocate for in our work.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
Entering long-term recovery from addiction has been the single most transformative moment in my life. It stands as the cornerstone of the best change I have ever made. Through recovery, I learned not only to apply the knowledge and skills I already possessed to myself but also to grow in ways I never thought possible. By challenging my core beliefs, mindset, and perspective, redefining my values, identifying my strengths, and addressing the character traits that once held me back, I have evolved into someone who genuinely embodies the principles I advocate for someone who walks the walk, not just talks the talk.
This profound journey has also deepened my ability to connect authentically with my clients. By sharing my lived experiences and demonstrating personal growth, I can foster a sense of trust and relatability that enhances the coaching relationship. I am, at my core, a human being committed to my own continuous development and driven by a passion to help others achieve lives beyond their wildest dreams. Through my personal journey and professional practice, I aim to guide and inspire those seeking transformation and growth.
For readers inspired by this conversation and eager to start their journey, what first steps would you recommend?
I encourage readers to explore their options by reaching out to several coaches and participating in introductory calls. During these calls, it’s important to remember that you are in control of your decisions. Some coaches may encourage you to commit immediately, but take the time to evaluate your options. By learning about different coaches and programs, you can make an informed decision about who aligns best with your goals and who you feel most connected to.
When you find the right fit, don’t hesitate to take action. The sooner you join a program, the sooner you can start experiencing meaningful changes and results. Time will pass regardless, so why delay the opportunity to invest in yourself?
Making the choice to prioritize your personal growth is both courageous and empowering.
For those considering this journey, I invite you to schedule a discovery call to learn more about my approach and how I can support your transformation. You can also follow me here and on social media for valuable insights and practical tools you can start applying to your life today. Remember, you are fully capable of making this decision and taking the first step toward the life you deserve.
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