Meet Marie Roy Paulic

We were lucky to catch up with Marie Roy Paulic recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marie , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Honestly, I’ve never really had a moment where I “built” confidence from scratch. It’s something that’s been with me for as long as I can remember — maybe thanks to the way I was raised. When I was a child, I had this unconscious belief, deep inside, that I had the right to exist — to be seen just as I was.
Later in life, I became a teacher and worked for 15 years with middle and high school students. My mission was always to help them see their own worth — not just as students, but as human beings. I wanted them to know they had strength, value, and a unique place in the world.
To me, confidence isn’t about achievement or success — not really. It’s about knowing yourself, loving yourself, and being able to acknowledge both your strengths and your vulnerabilities. In fact, I think real confidence includes the ability to ask for help, to admit when you don’t know, and to keep going after failure. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about acceptance. Accepting who we truly are, deep inside.
Now, as a coach, I help people reconnect with that sense of self — to build self-esteem that isn’t based on proving themselves, but on knowing themselves. That’s what lasting confidence looks like to me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a well-being coach and certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner, and my mission is to help people reconnect with themselves through self-care practices they can use daily. I believe well-being isn’t something we outsource, it’s something we can own, with the right tools and support.
I co-founded Intermission Atlanta with Dorothee Rechenberg, a yoga instructor and movement specialist. Together, we bring powerful well-being practices into the workplace, especially for professionals like teachers, doctors, and employees who are under high levels of stress and often feel overwhelmed.
What makes our work special is that we teach tools that people can actually use on their own: breath work, gentle movement, EFT tapping, mindfulness, and more. These are practices that don’t require hours of time or perfect conditions — they’re accessible, practical, and empowering.
Because Intermission Atlanta is a new venture, we’re currently offering discovery pricing for individuals and organizations who are curious about integrating these tools into their daily routines or team environments. We’re excited to help more people learn how to care for themselves.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are empathy, the love of teaching, and curiosity.
Empathy : Being able to connect deeply with others, to truly listen without trying to fix or rush, has been essential in both my teaching and coaching work. It creates trust, safety, and real human connection — which is where transformation begins. The ability to really be with someone, to listen without rushing to fix, and to hold space for whatever is happening, has transformed not just my work, but my life. It’s something I continue to cultivate through mindfulness and self-awareness practices.
Teaching has been a lifelong passion. Whether in the classroom or in a coaching session, I’ve always been drawn to helping people grow. Teaching has taught me how to communicate clearly, adapt to different needs, and create space for others to discover their own strengths.
And finally, curiosity and learning have kept me evolving. I’m always exploring new tools, perspectives, and practices — not just for my clients, but for myself. I believe growth never stops, and that mindset has opened so many doors in my personal and professional life.
For those just starting out, my advice is: stay open. Stay curious about people and about yourself. Practice listening deeply — not just to respond, but to truly understand. And most importantly, allow your journey to change you.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I first try to recognize which layer of overwhelm I’m in. Sometimes it’s emotional, sometimes mental, sometimes physical. That awareness helps me respond more intentionally.
The very first thing I do is come back to my breath. When I breathe deeply and consciously, I remember that I’m alive — and with each breath, I start to feel a little stronger, a little more grounded.
Then, I often write things down. Getting my thoughts out of my head and onto paper helps me gain perspective. It makes space between me and the swirl of emotions or to-dos.

If I’m still feeling stuck, I step back and shift into something physical or sensory. I bake. I go for a walk in nature. I let my hands and body move without trying to “solve” anything.

One strategy I deeply value is to immerse myself in beauty — whether it’s walking through a museum, listening to music that moves me, or just watching the sky change. Beauty reminds me that there’s something bigger and softer than stress. It brings me back to the present moment.

Sometimes, I reach out to a friend — not because I need advice, but simply to feel connected. That human connection can be incredibly grounding.

I also often turn to EFT tapping, which I use in my work as well. It helps me release emotional buildup and calm my nervous system when things feel intense.

Often overwhelm is a signal that I need to pause, realign, or care for myself in a deeper way.

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