Past to Possibility: Marisa Guthrie
Marisa shares 3 defining moment from her life which shaped the person she is today
A warm hello from me! 👋🏻 If you're new here, I’m Natasha — psychotherapist, mum, wife, and cocktail enthusiast! 🍹
Welcome to Therapreneur Diaries, a candid diary exploring the emotional side of success — the doubts, mindset shifts, and self-trust we need to earn and grow.
Here you’ll find posts about:
The unfiltered ups and downs of running an online therapy practice
Figuring out what it takes to be a successful, in work and life
Exploring how the past impacts us in the present and the future
Engaging interviews about resilience with fellow female Substackers
How to embrace self-trust and take action, letting go of overthinking and self-doubt
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I’m excited to continue my spin-off series: Past to Possibility.
This series is all about exploring the powerful connection between past experiences, how they shape the present, and how they influence the possibilities for the future.
Through a series of reflective questions, each interviewee will share a significant moment in their life that sparked personal growth, how it influenced their mindset and actions, and how those insights continue to impact them today. I’m grateful to Marisa for sharing her moving story and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Past to Possibility Interview #3: Marisa
Marisa Guthrie is a business coach who helps solopreneurs move out of shame, claim their value, and grow profitably without compromising their ethics. She supports solopreneurs in creating business models that have social justice baked into them, ensuring their work aligns with both their values and their financial goals. With nearly 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Marisa brings deep expertise in building ethical, sustainable businesses that thrive.
What is one defining moment or experience from your past that has shaped the person you are today?
Being made redundant and falling pregnant two weeks later
How did that moment or experience impact you as a person at the time?
It certainly sharpened the mind! It was unbelievably scary as we had no financial safety net. I felt isolated and like I had dropped out of the societal net. I felt like a failure at a time when I was also ecstatic about going on a journey as a mother. I started my current business at that time and it shaped what my business later came to look like.
In what ways do you notice the influence of that experience showing up in your daily life or mindset today?
In this quote: “There but for the grace of god go I". We have no idea of what reality people are living so we should never judge but ask questions first. It made me realise, even more than I had done previously, that most people are all on a knife edge of survival, and that few people have a financial safety net, so when something like that happens you stop feeling like you belong. That experience informs so much of how I now run my business and the generational wealth I am building for my daughters.
Tell us about a decision or action you’ve taken recently where your current mindset, shaped by your past, played a significant role?
This is going to sound weird, but investing in bitcoin. I truly believe that banking and investment will look very different in 10 years so I am future proofing by investing in crypto. As a woman in a man's world, this is a huge challenge as I am not techy in any way!
What connections do you see between your past and your present? Does this surprise you?
Since I was 8 years old I have had a strong sense of social injustice and that experience only reinforced my beliefs.
Following your journey to this point, how do you imagine your current mindset, actions and habits will influence your future?
I think I will only get more radical!
What possibilities in the future are you most hopeful or excited about?
Growing my identity as The Reluctant Capitalist. (There's a book coming...!)
✨ Reflection: How did you find this exploration of the links between your past, present, and future?
It was great to reflect on all of this and find it has consolidated my beliefs to the present day. Thank you.
Connect with Marisa:
Substack: The Reluctant Capitalist
Website: Maria Guthrie Coaching
Natasha’s reflection
Marisa’s comment about ‘dropping out of society’s net’ really struck me. Pregnancy can bring up so many emotions, even when life feels secure - so facing that alongside sudden redundancy must have been overwhelming. It’s as though, in society’s eyes, this scenario could only be seen as negative because it deviated from the ‘norm.’ But Marisa chose to view it differently. She saw an opportunity to start something new, and she built a thriving business that’s still flourishing 30 years later. Her story is a testament to her drive and determination - she discovered what she was truly capable of in the face of uncertainty and has been making the most of it ever since!
✨ What stands out to you from Marisa’s experiences?
Work with me
Curious about how your past has shaped your beliefs and behaviours? I offer 1:1 online therapy to help you lead a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.
Therapy with me focuses on three key areas:
Relief – Helping you feel less overwhelmed, dissatisfied, and stuck.
Resolution – Understanding and resolving past experiences so they no longer shape your beliefs and behaviours.
Empowerment – Gaining control of your choices and future, with a clear plan to sustain your progress after therapy.
You might also like these posts:
Past to Possibility Interviews – More inspiring stories from reflective women sharing their experiences.
Therapist Check-ins – Monthly reflections on my life as a therapreneur: the challenges, the stats, and the wins.
Deep-dives - In-depth explorations of psychology and business related topics.
Already looking forward to the next interview?
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