In 2010, Gisele Marasca was at major turning point in her life. “I had to close my graphic design and publishing company (mostly due to the 2008 economic crisis) and file for bankruptcy. I lost my home in the process and had to practically start from scratch.” She got a temporary job at the U.S. Census Bureau, and went through a phase where she was feeling lost and confused about her next steps. “At a certain point, I realized that I needed to reinvent myself.” During her years as a graphic designer and publisher, she worked on the side as an energy healer. “I felt that the challenges I had gone through were a sign from the Universe that it was time to change my course, and find my true path. I decided that my 'on the side' work was going to become my main career and life path.”
It was at this point that she began researching schools all over the country for a degree in energy healing and other holistic practices. “I was attracted by the AOS degree in Holistic Health Care that SWIHA offered. I was also intrigued by the fact that its very rich curriculum included hypnotherapy and life coaching.” The fact that SWIHA offered online programs and is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education sealed the deal for her!
At SWIHA, Gisele fell in love with hypnotherapy and life coaching, and had the opportunity to take her holistic healthcare knowledge to the next level. “A lot of it had to do with the amazing transformation I went through during the program, and the incredible results I eventually started witnessing in friends, family members and clients,” she shared. What keeps her motivated to do this work? “Achieving some great results, learning continuously, and remaining in awe of our amazing journeys as human beings are some of the things that keep me going.”
For Gisele, SWIHA provided her with so many priceless assets, that it proved impossible for her to choose just one!
From the necessary knowledge and tools to become a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Transformational Coach and starting a brand new career in helping others; to the expanded view and additional training on some of the modalities I was already familiar with; to the life-changing personal transformation I went through in the course of my program; to the fantastic instructors and awesome classmates I got to meet (some of whom I still keep in touch with)... hard to choose!
Every coach has favorite tools that they utilize, and for Gisele, her two favorites are the Color Wheel and the Values Survey. “They really help the clients realize what is important to them and what they want to change in their lives.”
It’s only fitting that Gisele loves to work with people at major crossroads in their lives, as it mirrors her own divine process that led her down the coaching path.
“I love working with people on the brink of meeting a major life challenge which forces them to examine their lives and accept change. It often happens that a client comes to me just before the major challenge happens… as if they felt it was coming.”
Gisele left us with some parting wisdom regarding what a potential life coaching student can expect from the program, along with her favorite quote she gleaned along her SWIHA path. “[Potential students] can expect the opportunity to help people, and to make a difference in their lives. The chance to make a career out of what you love to do.”
