What began as a childhood dream of making the world a little more peaceful has found its way into the heart of Marie Gaboriau‘s work today. Drawing on her experience in Ortho-Bionomy®, massage, yoga, movement, breath and meditation, she helps people reconnect with themselves, release tension and experience greater peace, freedom and ease. Over the years, her business has evolved alongside her own life, taking her from hands-on practice and teaching to online courses and immersive nature and wellness retreats. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her work, building a business around family life, trusting her own way of working, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
As a little girl, I had this idea that we could create world peace by helping people reconnect with themselves and nature. I dreamt of creating a holiday place where people could do just that, and I believed the world would change. It was a big dream, and I was always told I was too naïve!
The years went by and I began to think that perhaps this dream was too big and unrealistic. I put it aside and went to university, where I studied English and history and wrote an Honours thesis in Australian First Nation literature.
Through my studies, I became fascinated by culture, communication and the many ways people experience and make sense of the world. But after several years at university, I realised I didn’t want to spend my days behind a computer doing research. I wanted to work with people, and I also wanted to understand more about the human body.
This curiosity led me to explore Ortho-Bionomy®, massage and yoga. I became fascinated by how the body works, how pain and tension develop and how we can support the body’s natural ability to heal.
Once I started gathering knowledge and experience, I couldn’t keep it all to myself! I then decided to create a space where I could share and pass on the knowledge and wisdom I had gathered over the years – through one-on-one sessions, training courses and group workshops, both in person and online.
This allows me to reach people in different ways and bring together everything I love: bodywork, movement, breath and meditation. Ultimately, it’s about helping people reconnect with themselves, release tension and experience more peace, freedom and ease in their bodies and minds.
For many years, I thought I had simply let that childhood dream go. But when I look at what I am creating now, I realise I haven’t abandoned it at all; I’ve just found a different way to bring it to life.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started by renting a room in a clinic in Thornbury, Melbourne, where I was living at the time. I began practising massage and slowly incorporated Ortho-Bionomy® into my services. In those early days, everything grew through word of mouth.
I quickly became a massage trainer, and my business evolved from simply practising to a combination of practising and teaching. Once I completed my Ortho-Bionomy® qualifications, by which time I was living in Newcastle, I gradually transitioned to doing much more Ortho-Bionomy® and less massage.
I then became a yoga teacher and later a yoga teacher trainer. Looking back, I think my business has evolved largely through my passion for learning about the human body and mind. As I learned more, new opportunities to practise and teach naturally arose.
The online side of my business began when my family and I started travelling. In 2021, we sold everything in Australia and embarked on an epic two-year motorhome adventure through Europe. This experience prompted me to start creating online courses and move some of my work with clients online.
We are now back in Australia, and I continue to run both aspects of the business – working with people in person while also teaching and connecting with clients online.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I think my biggest breakthrough has been realising that my business reflects where I am physically and emotionally. When I look after myself, my business thrives. If I push too much or run my business in a way that isn’t aligned with who I am, it might grow, but there’s usually a backlash afterwards.
As much as I am very practical and down to earth, I also have a very spiritual way of doing business. I first look at what I need, then listen to what my clients need, and create products and services that match both.
For me, innovation is about deep listening and creating from a place of joy and creativity. It’s about working within my capacity while gently pushing myself outside my comfort zone and doing what feels right rather than what everyone tells me I should do. Working this way allows me to grow organically without becoming overwhelmed.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Sometimes I put more time and energy into my family, and sometimes more into my business.
Over the years, I feel that without putting too much thought into it, my business and my family have grown together and supported each other.
When I first started my business, I was single and had plenty of time and energy. I devoted myself to my work and to learning. When my first baby arrived, I slowed right down. I stopped training massage therapists and focused on practising Ortho-Bionomy® and teaching Yoga Teacher Training.
During that time, everything revolved around my baby. I scheduled clients in between feeds, pumped at work or went home for lunch to feed her. I started again with just my regular clients, and as the feeds became less frequent, I gradually saw more clients.
When I taught Yoga Teacher Training, I was very fortunate to be able to take my girls with me. I can’t say it was always easy, but it was always easier for me to work with them beside me than to be away from them. I watched them grow, and as they became more independent, I gradually put more energy back into my work.
Flexibility and adaptability have been the keys for me through these transitions. Today, I’m back to working nearly full-time hours, but I still shape my schedule around my girls’ needs.
I’ve realised that balance isn’t something we achieve once and hold onto. Balance is a place we visit sometimes.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
One of my biggest challenges has been setting myself up online and learning how to advertise my business online. I’ve never particularly enjoyed being at the computer, and writing copy for marketing purposes is definitely not my cup of tea!
I decided to see it as an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn something new. Today, it’s still not something I’m passionate about, but I’m much more familiar and comfortable with it.
What makes it all worthwhile is seeing clients come through the door because they have found me online.
I suppose this experience has also reminded me of how I define success. For me, success isn’t necessarily about what we achieve; it’s about learning how to fall and get back up. Creating online materials and learning to market myself online hasn’t been easy, but I’m slowly getting there!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Pros: The flexibility, independence and freedom to be creative and innovative are probably the biggest advantages for me. I can shape my work around my life, follow my interests and ideas, and create new products and services when I feel inspired. I also love having the freedom to decide how I work and where I want to take the business.
Cons: The flip side of that freedom is that I carry all the responsibility. There isn’t always financial certainty, and there is no one else to share the decisions, workload or responsibilities with. Maybe what I miss most is having a team to work with. Sometimes it would be nice to have people to bounce ideas off and share the responsibilities with.
I suppose, for me, the pros and cons are really two sides of the same thing: the freedom of running my own business comes with responsibility, but that responsibility also gives me the freedom to create a business that truly works for me.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I’m currently working towards becoming an Ortho-Bionomy® instructor, which is something I’m really excited about. I love sharing what I’ve learned over the years, and becoming an instructor would allow me to pass on the knowledge and principles of Ortho-Bionomy® to an even wider community.
I also want to continue developing immersive nature and wellness retreats, both for individuals and for corporate groups. I love creating spaces where people can step away from their everyday lives, reconnect with themselves and with nature, and experience the benefits of movement, breath, bodywork and stillness.
And who knows? With a little more peace and freedom, perhaps it could be the start of something bigger!
To find out more about Marie and her work, visit her website or connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
