A Master Transformation Life Coach with a background in psychology and human resources management talks about bedtime stories, a pretend business, and “so much love still in this country”.

1 Which childhood memory do you treasure?

When I was still very young, Huisgenoot magazine used to have short stories for children in the centre: “Bollie” and “Liewe Heksie”. I remember so well, every Monday evening after my mom got the latest Huisgenoot, she would sit on the bed with myself and my two sisters before bedtime and read those stories to us. I looked forward to Monday evenings every week!

2 When you look back at your teenage and early adult years, do you see any interests or events pointing to your calling as a life coach?

Without a doubt I knew I was an entrepreneur very early in my life.  Whenever my friends played house, I would pretend to have my own office and my own business.  I was forever thinking up new ideas on things to sell, or to make and sell. I still remember my pretend business name “Things for Africa”.  Although I am a life coach, I have a very entrepreneurial spirit.  I am always initiating new ideas, exploring new avenues and opportunities.  I absolutely LOVE creating my days and weeks, one step at a time.

When it comes to life coaching, my very first life changer book was Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I was in my final year at university, and while I was reading this book, I just knew. I ran to my mom and said with so much conviction: “I know what I want to become one day!!” She paused, looked at me, and I said: “A motivational speaker!”  She just gave a kind smile, and probably thought it was wishful thinking.  From that moment on, I knew I wanted to bring guidance and consciousness to people, whether one-on-one, or on a stage.

3 You work as a life transformation coach. What does it mean?

As a Transformation Coach, I believe in transformation.  That is why I chose the logo I did: the phoenix rising from the ashes. According to classical mythology, the phoenix was a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert - after this time, burning itself on an altar and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.

This is life.

After every challenge we face, we are forever changed. Life is a continuous process of becoming, changing, leaving the old behind, renewal and growth.

This is what makes me so passionate about what I do. If it weren’t for the coaching guidance, support, tools and knowledge I gained over the years, I would not be where and who I am today. I could easily have become the victim of my circumstances, but I chose to face my fears, rise from the ashes, and create my own reality.

I am still becoming. Every day. Choosing who I want to become.

Here Maryke explains how – and why – to get the life coach you need.

4 What has life taught you about the mind?

That the mind is extremely powerful.  I see it especially in my business: my mindset determines my success.  As a life coach I need to work continuously on myself and my mindset, as it is extremely important to be congruent as a coach.  I also see the power of the mind daily with my clients.  I get inspired by my clients who are able to embrace the power of their mind and inner wisdom to overcome anything they put their mind to.

5 What have you learnt regarding values?

Throughout my coaching career I have realised the importance of living your values.  This is also one of the main reasons why people feel unfulfilled, stuck, or that something is “missing” from their lives.  Often people focus on one or two areas of their lives - for example, career or fitness.  However, there are so many things that are important to you and that you value, which you give no attention to at all.  Value elicitation is one of the very first exercises I do  with my clients, to understand what their values are, and whether their daily lives are reflecting those values.

If you want to create balance in your life, first know what is really important to you.

6 What makes your heart sing?

What makes my heart absolutely sing, is to see the joy in my clients’ eyes when they overcome a huge obstacle or achieve something great in their life through mastering themselves. It gives me pure joy to have been part of that process. 

7 When you look at the Covid pandemic, how has it influenced your life? 

The Covid pandemic made me realise just how important relationships are in our lives.  Without support, without family, without friends, colleagues and loved ones, I would not have become the person I am today.  The pandemic also made me realise how much love people can have for each other.  I’ve seen selfless service of humans towards each other, which was absolutely beautiful to witness.  I believe that there is so much love still in this country. 

8 What are your dreams for the future, and your ideals for your children?

Firstly, for my children.  I wish for them to be the absolute best version of themselves one day.  To be independent, strong, hard-working, kind and happy.   I wish for them to follow their own hearts and passion, to become who they are supposed to in this life.  

For myself, I wish to continuously challenge myself.  Challenge myself to grow as a human being.  To become a better parent. To become a better coach. To create opportunities in my business, not only for myself, but for others. I wish to serve the world even more than I am doing now.  But I also wish to have fun.  To live life to the fullest and give my absolute best in every day.

Contact details

Maryke Swarts (Groenewald) is a Master Transformation Life Coach, NLP practitioner and Negative Emotion practitioner from Pretoria-East. She is a co-founder of Coaches Network SA has an Honours degree in Human Resources Management and an Honours degree in Psychology. Maryke compiles and hosts a weekly radio programme called The coaching hour on Ekurhuleni FM.

Tel. 083 447 4074

Email:   info@lifepurposecoaching.co.za

Website: www.lifepurposecoaching.co.za

LinkedIn: za.linkedin.com/in/maryke-groenewald

Facebook: web.facebook.com/lifepurposecoaching.co.za

Coaches Network SA website: https://www.coachesnetworksa.co.za/

Thumbnail image: Unsplash

Photographs of Maryke Groenewald: supplied