Marisa Liao is a leadership and mindset coach who blends corporate experience with a deep commitment to personal growth. Having worked with clients ranging from early-career professionals to C-suite executives, she empowers them to overcome self-doubt, embrace authenticity, and thrive both personally and professionally. Featured in Humans of Fuzia for her inspiring journey, Marisa’s story resonates with our 5 million-strong community of changemakers, leaders, and allies dedicated to the mission of He for She and She for She—proving that when women support each other, entire communities grow stronger.
Q: What inspired you to start your own coaching practice?
Marisa: I had a professional coach during my time at Meta, and I saw the incredible value he brought to my life. Being a leader also shaped my desire to help others—whether within my team, across the organization, or in a broader sense. My coaching approach blends mindfulness, NLP, and work with the unconscious mind to help people reprogram limiting beliefs and behaviors. This impacts not just how they perform at work but how they show up in life. It’s my purpose and what I feel I’m meant to do in the world.
Q: Who do you typically work with?
Marisa: Interestingly, most of my clients are women, although I do have male clients as well. They range from those early in their careers to senior executives, including C-suite leaders. It’s quite a diverse mix, but the common thread is their desire to grow and step into their authentic selves.
Q: What changes or benefits have you observed in your clients?
Marisa: A lot of the work centers around overcoming imposter syndrome, building confidence, and helping them own their voice. Many of my clients have always had that voice within—they just needed the tools and support to bring it to light. Watching them step into their authentic power is incredibly rewarding.
Q: How do you personally view imposter syndrome, and what advice do you give to those facing it?
Marisa: My coach once told me that imposter syndrome often shows up when we’re being stretched to our limits, which is actually an opportunity for growth. I’ve experienced it myself, and I’ve learned that staying in that uncomfortable space and pushing through it is where real transformation happens. On the other side, you find capabilities you never thought you had.
Q: Knowing what you know now, would you have done anything differently when starting out?
Marisa: I don’t believe in regrets, but I do wish I had found ways to dedicate more time to this work earlier. Life and financial obligations can get in the way, but when you focus on what you’re most passionate about, things have a way of falling into place.
Q: How do you define success, both personally and professionally?
Marisa: I’m about to be a mom in a week, so for me, success means being able to spend time with my family while having a career I love. I want to be a role model for my daughter. What it means to pursue your passions and live with purpose.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a coach and entrepreneur?
Marisa: Balancing my full-time job with my coaching business is the biggest challenge. The market is competitive, and clients have many options, so it’s essential to be clear on your brand, your value, and your ideal customer. I’m still refining these elements as my business grows.
“Stay in the discomfort and push through it—because that’s where growth lives.” — Marisa Liao
Connect with her
LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisaliao/
WEBSITE- https://www.elevancecoaching.com/
INSTAGRAM- https://www.instagram.com/coachmarisaliao/
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
