The Fearless Journey of Mary—Circus Artist, Brand Strategist & Somatic Coach
She turned her struggles with addiction and self-doubt into a journey of healing through circus arts, leading to profound transformation. Now, as a brand strategist and somatic coach, she empowers entrepreneurs to break free from limitations, embrace their true essence, and build authentic brands that reflect their inner strength.
Mary, could you share a bit about your journey—from being a professional circus artist to becoming a brand strategist and somatic coach?
My journey has been anything but conventional. As a teenager, I struggled with substance abuse, self-harm, and eating disorders, spending years in rehabilitation. This forced me to confront the disconnect between my mind and body. Through healing, I realized that reconnecting with my body was the key to reclaiming my creativity, joy, and sense of self.
At 19, circus became my lifeline—the one thing that made me feel truly alive. I moved to Belgium to train at one of the world’s top circus schools, specializing in handstands and hula hoop juggling. But deep down, I always craved more beyond performing.
Then, I discovered a passion for marketing—blending creativity with strategy to help others express their unique stories. Eventually, somatic coaching became the missing piece. Now, I help entrepreneurs build aligned brands while healing and unlocking their full potential.
What inspired you to co-found Pink Lemon Agency with your sisters, and what vision drives your work?
Family means everything to me. My sisters are my best friends. Pink Lemon Agency started organically—constantly collaborating and bouncing ideas until we realized we could create something truly special together.
Working with my sisters is a safe space—whether I’m in my pajamas or balancing business and being a mom.
Likewise, we want our clients to feel like part of our sisterhood, bringing their whole selves to the table and having their vision reflected authentically. Our mission is to help bold, purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale their impact while staying true to who they are.
You emphasize “body set” over traditional mindset approaches in your coaching. Can you explain what the body set is and how it transforms business success?
Body set refers to your physiological state and how it impacts thoughts, actions, and decision-making. While mindset focuses on cognitive shifts, body set is about how your nervous system is wired to experience opportunity.
For example, if you’re on a sales call and want to raise your prices but feel tension in your chest or a racing heart, those sensations can hold you back.
Somatic coaching helps rewire your nervous system to respond with calm and confidence, making it easier to take bold, aligned action in your business.
How do you help clients rewire their nervous systems and anchor confidence in their bodies?
I have a huge toolkit of somatic coaching practices I learned from pursuing certification with the Somatic Coaching Academy. This stuff changed my life!
These techniques allow clients to expand their window of tolerance—their ability to stay grounded and present when facing challenges—so they can take bold steps like raising prices, pursuing bigger opportunities, and showing up more visibly with confidence and ease.
When clients feel confident in their bodies—not just intellectually—they naturally step up to greater opportunities.
What challenges do entrepreneurs commonly face when aligning with their authentic selves, and how does somatic coaching address these?
One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is the fear of being visible. Social media and the internet create immense pressure to fit into a certain mold, making it easy to fall into the trap of comparison and self-doubt. But the truth is—no one belongs in a box.
When we try to be something we’re not or hide the most genuine parts of ourselves, it often leads to procrastination, self-doubt, and resistance to growth.
Somatic coaching helps entrepreneurs overcome these challenges by tapping into their body’s wisdom and addressing the subconscious fears that hold them back.
It builds resilience by expanding the nervous system’s capacity to handle discomfort, so they can embrace visibility, navigate challenges, and show up fully—without feeling overwhelmed.
How does your background as a circus artist influence your creative approach to branding and storytelling?
Circus is all about storytelling. In my training, I studied dramaturgy, the art of structuring a performance using rhythm, timing, and visual composition to communicate a message.
This directly influences my branding work, where every element—design, messaging, and colors—must work together to inspire action towards a business goal.
In circus, you can’t hide on stage. If you try, people will see right through it. You have to be comfortable in front of an audience—and with failing.
I’ve had moments where I bombed, but growth comes from showing vulnerable material and iterating. The same goes for branding and business. You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to take action, or there’s no growth.
What role does self-expression play in crafting a brand narrative that resonates with audiences?
Self-expression is everything when it comes to branding. If people can’t feel you, they won’t connect with you. People don’t care about the superficial stuff—they want to connect with you, and your message.
So if you’re secretly judging yourself or holding back your real self, there’s a disconnect, and people feel it.
On the other hand, the more honest you are, the more relatable you are, and the more people will connect with you. Your brand should be a reflection of you, not just a version of what you think people want to see.
Can you share a success story where your unique strategies helped a client achieve remarkable results?
My client was stuck in a misaligned business relationship. She knew it was time to move on, but fear and stress kept her from taking action, impacting both her fulfillment and revenue growth.
So we worked with her sensations. She felt tension in her chest and jaw whenever she thought about having the conversation despite rationally knowing it would make her life better. We used somatic coaching techniques to rewire her nervous system and calm her stress response.
Everything changed. She felt so brave and empowered—it opened up a floodgate of momentum. When she shifted the sensations in her body, she was able to shift everything in her life and business.
What sets Pink Lemon Agency apart in the branding industry, and how do you approach working with mission-driven leaders?
We’re three sisters and we treat our clients like family! Our combined passion for marketing stems from our desire to change the world of feminine leadership.
We work with mission-driven leaders who are not just looking to scale their businesses, but to do so in a way that aligns with their values and purpose.
Our approach blends strategic branding, compelling messaging, and a deep understanding of self-expression to create brands that look stunning and resonate on a deeper level.
What key elements make a brand feel authentic and impactful in today’s competitive market?
An authentic, impactful brand is rooted in clarity, consistency, and connection. Clarity comes from deeply understanding who you are, what you stand for, and who you’re meant to serve—without diluting your message to appeal to everyone.
Consistency is about showing up with alignment across every touchpoint, from your website and social media to the way you engage with your audience.
But connection is where the magic happens. People are drawn to brands that feel human and relatable. When you infuse your brand with your unique voice, story, and self-expression, it builds trust and creates a sense of belonging that can’t be manufactured.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to align their personal stories with their professional goals?
Your personal story is your most powerful asset. The challenges you’ve overcome are often the exact struggles your audience can relate to, so embrace it fully, even the messy parts.
How do you guide clients in overcoming internal barriers like procrastination or self-doubt to take fearless, aligned action?
Overcoming internal barriers isn’t just about mindset—it’s about working with the body too. Many entrepreneurs experience procrastination and self-doubt because their nervous system perceives growth and visibility as a threat.
This can manifest as tension, avoidance, or feeling “stuck,” making it difficult to take action, even when they know what to do.
Through somatic coaching, I help clients recognize the physical sensations tied to these fears and address them with tools like breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation. By creating a sense of safety in their body, they can move forward with confidence and ease—without resistance or overwhelm.
What trends do you foresee shaping the future of purpose-driven branding and entrepreneurship?
The future of purpose-driven branding is shifting toward transparent, authentic leadership and a deeper pursuit of fulfillment over burnout.
Entrepreneurs are realizing that success isn’t just about scaling revenue—it’s about creating businesses that align with their values, bring genuine joy, and allow for meaningful impact.
What personal values or practices keep you grounded and inspired as a creative entrepreneur?
Moving my body is my greatest source of joy and inspiration. I’m obsessed with juggling hula hoops upside down in a handstand.
Circus taught me the importance of play and curiosity, and I try to bring that same energy into my work every day. I’m an entrepreneur because I love freedom, so I’m committed to build a business I love because it allows me to live a life I love.