My Work
Hi, I’m Marie McDonald, and I help people make their ideas real.
After 20 years of coaching leaders and scaling an innovation company, I decided to break down the ways that great change-makers think and bring them to as many people as I can, so that you can do what those change makers do – take your ideas out of your head and into the world, where they belong.
I hold two certifications in coaching. One focuses on cognitive-behavioral paradigms related to entrepreneurship, health, relationships, confidence and leadership; and the second specializes in subconscious change work and hypnosis/neuro-cycling. I also have a BFA from USCD and an MFA from CCAC.
I’m CEO of Bloom Coaching, Co-founder of Bloom Leadership, host of the Bloom Your Mind podcast, and creator of the Bloom Room and the Moxie Mastermind.
I coach people who are used to doing it all and doing it well, but NOT doing the thing that’s been calling to them from deep inside. The thing they really want to do. The thing that would change their life (and probably the world too).
When you start putting your energy into an idea that’s positive and productive, you take that energy back from the things snatching it up. Things like anxiety, self doubt, unbalanced relationships, doom scrolling, overcommitting or overworking.
Working together, we’ll take those wild, brilliant, slightly terrifying ideas in your head—and those quiet, sacred whispers of desire in your heart—and make them real. Whether it’s a world-changing project or a life-enhancing habit, I teach you the tools to bring your ideas to life, over and over again.
I spent 15 years scaling an innovation education company, co-creating a process with the Stanford d.school that taught kids and educators how to bring ideas to life. Our team helped show kids, educators and administrators how to take ownership, fail forward, and take action in the world instead of waiting for life to happen to them. That’s what I do with my clients now. We are making the world a better place, by blooming one idea at a time.
I’ve led hundreds of retreats and workshops. I’ve coached individuals and groups to transform their lives.
But more than that? I’ve lived this. I’ve walked this road.
My Story
I was raised to be impressive. And I was. Grades. Awards. Gold stars. Leadership roles. Making choices to fulfill expectations and make people proud. And I did.
But underneath that glittering resume was a young woman who had never been taught how to feel safe in her own body. Who never had space to share her truth. Who had lived through trauma and socialization that told her she had to be everything to everyone—but never herself.
At 22, I hit rock bottom. From a hospital bed, with my grandmother by my side, I made a decision to start over. To rewire my brain. To relearn how to be human, in a precious human body, with the brilliant resource of a human brain.
Over the next decade, I built a life I could never have imagined in my 20s. I learned to manage my mind and emotions. I treated my body like a beloved friend. I called out harm and set boundaries to protect myself and others that needed protection. I followed my desire. I stepped into work that mattered.
I scaled and led a company that was changing the world. I lead hundreds of staff members, over a hundred retreats and workshops. I published my writing and spoke in front of audiences. I found balance. I healed. I met the love of my life and started a family. And then, I burned out.
My 30s brought a new challenge: I was drained from giving to everyone but myself. I loved my work, my family, my community so hard—that I ran myself empty. So I did my second round of rewiring. I stopped trying to be everything to everyone. I came home to myself.
Now I live in a way I never thought was possible. I live a beautiful, regenerative, connected life filled with creativity, synchronicity, and so much laughter. I feel held by the world and surrounded by beloved people who bring out my best. My life is full of joy and magic. Amazing things happen that just fall into place, as I make all of my ideas real, one at a time.
And I want that for you, too.
Why this work matters
Because the world doesn’t need more people blaming each other, shaming themselves, or trying to be happy as they spend their days meeting expectations that other people set for their lives. It needs you. Fully expressed. Fierce. Tender. Lit up from within. Surrounded by people who are lit up too.
We don’t need to keep acting small or playing it safe to make everyone else comfortable. We don’t need to keep living by other people’s timelines, ideas, or definitions of success.
You don’t have to earn rest. Or joy. Or impact. You just need to learn how to listen to yourself. And then learn how to make moves.