Maia Holistic Coaching

My Story

My name is Maia, and my journey into coaching began long before I ever called myself a coach.

For years, I lived a life that looked full and successful from the outside — academic accomplishments, leadership positions, responsibility, constant productivity. I spent a decade in academia and then nearly two decades working in financial management and leadership roles in the NGO sector. I lived and worked across eight countries, navigating different cultures, expectations and identities. But somewhere along the way, I gradually became disconnected from myself. I was doing everything right, yet something essential felt missing.

My turning point didn’t come in a dramatic moment. It emerged quietly, over time — through physical exhaustion, emotional fatigue, and the subtle but persistent sense that I was living a life that wasn’t truly aligned with my inner compass. Instead of pushing harder, I did something opposite: I paused. That pause opened a door — one I had been too busy to notice. I began exploring holistic health, mindfulness and Eastern body-mind disciplines. I studied Medical Qi Gong in Thailand and later deepened my practice in Zhineng Qi Gong in China. These teachings reconnected me with something I had forgotten: the innate intelligence of the body and the deep peace that arises when we learn to listen to it. As I healed, shifted and transformed, I realized something profound: wellbeing is not a luxury or an escape — it is the foundation for everything we want to create in life.

From there I moved to become a certified Executive Coach, then a Transformational Life Coach, and later a Health & Wellness Coach. I joined the International Coaching Federation in 2022 and expanded my practice to integrate mind-body methods with modern coaching frameworks.

My journey has never been linear — and that has become one of my greatest strengths as a coach. I understand what it feels like to reinvent yourself, to relocate, to shift careers, to navigate identity changes, to rebuild health from the inside out. I’ve lived it. And I know the courage it takes.

If something in my story resonates with you — even a little — trust that feeling. It may be the beginning of your own transformation.

How It Works

How I Coach:

My approach blends three key elements:

1. Coaching for clarity and forward movement: we explore your goals, challenges, desires and align them with your real values. This is where your intentions gain structure.

2. Mind-body practices for grounding and resilience: mindfulness, Qi Gong and awareness practices support you in restoring balance and vitality. This is where your body becomes an ally.

3. Holistic lifestyle guidance for sustainable wellbeing: we look at stress, energy, habits, nutrition, sleep patterns, self-care and inner dialogue and create sustainable routines and habits that truly support your well-being.

Alongside these pillars, we develop key life skills that support both career and personal growth, such as:

Emotional intelligence, self-reflection and self-leadership – understanding emotions in yourself and others and and leading your life with awareness and intention
Communication and conflict navigation – expressing clearly, listening deeply and transforming tension into understanding and constructive dialogue
Confidence, self-worth and healthy boundaries – trusting your voice, honoring your needs, and communicating them with clarity and respect
Emotional and mental resilience – staying grounded and adaptive during stress, change or uncertainty

These skills become the foundation for healthier relationships, more fulfilling careers, and a more grounded, aligned and empowered you.

Who I Support

I work with professionals seeking life and work alignment, individuals navigating major life changes and those who feel they are standing at a threshold, anyone seeking clarity, emotional and mental resilience and sustainable lifestyle routines to support energy and deep well-being.

If you are ready to step into a new chapter — or even if you simply sense that something needs to shift — I meet you exactly where you are.

My Credentials and Background

Coaching Qualifications:

Member of International Coaching Federation (ICF), since 2022
Certified Executive Coaching Practitioner, 2020, Academy of Executive Coaches: ICF accredited 60-hour ACSTH course
Transformational Life Coach, 2022, IBEL Academy: ICF accredited 36-hour CCE course
Certified Health and Wellness Coach, 2024, A Wellness Revolution: a 145-hour level one ICF accredited and NBHWC approved course.

Qi Gong Qualifications:

Practitioner and assistant teacher of Medical Qi Gong, 2017, Thailand.
Practitioner and teacher of Zhineng Qi Gong, 2025, China.

Other Qualifications:

I hold degrees in Foreign Languages and in Business Management and Economics. My LinkedIn profile is here: