Meet Marie Garcia

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

Marie , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from having overcome challenges I have faced. Whenever I feel concern, worry, anxiousness, or fear, I stop to remember what I have been able to overcome before and how it has actually prepared me for the current challenge. My optimism comes from shifting my perspective. I cannot control everything that happens to me but I can control how I react to it and remember that life will go on so I too must “go on” focusing on what is still good and the good that will grow from my today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As an Empowerment Advocate, my mission is to inspire people to push past their perceived limits and “move their mountains”—whatever those may be. My work lives at the intersection of mindset, movement, and motivation. Through storytelling, wellness content, and community building on platforms like TikTok and Instagram (@moveurmountain), I encourage others to take bold steps toward self-growth and healing.

What’s most exciting to me about this journey is watching how small shifts in mindset can lead to massive personal transformation. I’m not here just to talk at people—I’m here to walk with them. Whether someone is overcoming mental health challenges, launching a business, or simply trying to believe in themselves again, I aim to be a catalyst for their next breakthrough.

My brand, Move Ur Mountain, is more than a name—it’s a movement. It’s about the courage to climb, the grit to keep going, and the community to carry you when you’re tired. I regularly post motivational content, reflective questions, and practical tips rooted in real experience, not just theory.

Most recently, I’ve launched the Move Ur Mountain podcast on Spotify—a space dedicated to real, raw and personal stories about resilience, healing, and personal growth. It’s where I amplify stories that remind us all that even the heaviest mountains can be moved one intentional step at a time.

In addition to creating content, I bring over 16 years of experience as a Master of Social Work, having served as both a Client Advocate and Program Supervisor supporting families experiencing homelessness. My professional journey has always been about empowerment—helping individuals navigate crisis, reclaim stability, and rebuild with dignity. The podcast is a natural extension of that mission, allowing me to merge my clinical background with creative storytelling and encouragement.

Whether you’re climbing your first metaphorical mountain or feel like you’re stuck at the bottom, I want people to know: you already have what it takes. I’m just here to remind you.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are empathy, resilience, and intentionality.

1. Empathy
Working with families experiencing homelessness for over 16 years taught me that listening is more powerful than fixing. Empathy helped me meet people where they were, without judgment, and build trust in even the most difficult circumstances. For anyone early in their journey—whether you’re in social work, storytelling, or advocacy—developing deep, non-performative empathy is key. It starts with slowing down, listening to understand (not to respond), and consistently checking your assumptions at the door.

2. Resilience
There were days when the weight of other people’s trauma felt like too much. But resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about staying rooted in your purpose, even when you’re exhausted or discouraged. I learned to create rituals of restoration: journaling, therapy, stillness, and now podcasting. My advice? Don’t wait for burnout to start prioritizing your mental health. Make self-preservation part of your mission.

3. Intentionality
Whether I was building programs for vulnerable families or crafting a message for an episode of my podcast, I learned that impact grows from clarity. Being intentional with my words, time, and energy helped me stay aligned with my values and avoid mission drift. For those starting out: get clear on your “why” early. Write it down. Refer to it often. Let it guide what you say yes—and no—to.

The path isn’t always linear, and it’s never easy—but if you lead with heart, stay grounded in your values, and give yourself permission to evolve, you’ll find your voice and your people. Keep climbing.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe there’s real value in leaning into our strengths, but I’ve learned that true growth happens when we also invest in the areas that challenge us—the places where we feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or even a little clumsy. That’s where the magic of transformation lives.

My IG and TikTok (@moveurmountain) are great reflections of this mindset. You’ll see me trying things I’m not naturally great at—like cooking, crafting, or DIY projects—not to prove I’m perfect, but to show that it’s okay to be a beginner. In a world where people are always showcasing their highlight reels, I want my platforms to feel like a real-time journey, not just a curated destination.

I’ve spent over 16 years in social work, a space where I’ve honed my strengths in advocacy, empathy, and leadership. But what I realized is that only showing up in spaces where I excel was keeping me from discovering new parts of myself. That’s part of why I launched the Move Ur Mountain podcast. It wasn’t just about sharing what I know—it was about reflecting on the messier, more vulnerable chapters of my life and extracting meaning from them.

One moment that really defined this for me was when I started recording solo podcast episodes. Speaking off-script about deeply personal experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone. But each time I showed up imperfectly, someone reached out to say, “That helped me.” And that’s when I realized: sometimes our biggest breakthroughs happen when we’re brave enough to work on what doesn’t come easily.

So no, I don’t believe in only staying where we’re strong. I believe in showing up where we’re soft, shaky, and unsure—because that’s where we learn who we really are.

My advice? Don’t be afraid to look foolish. Be curious. Be a student again. And remember that becoming well-rounded isn’t about being good at everything—it’s about being open to everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: MOVEURMOUNTAIN
• Other: TikTok: Moveurmountain
  Spotify: Moveurmountain