Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Wiaterek.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Poland, and I have always loved movement. In elementary school I played on a handball travel team, and while I loved the training, I soon realized team sports weren’t my thing. What I was really drawn to was figure skating and dance. I’d watch figure skaters on TV and dancers in MTV music videos, then try to recreate their moves in our tiny apartment, knocking things off the shelves along the way. Unfortunately, there were no opportunities for either in my hometown. I skied and hiked, but those were seasonal, and I was missing the daily exercise my body was craving.
I remember my first visit to a gym, where I was the only woman besides the lady at the front desk. Fitness for women just wasn’t part of the culture back then in Poland. Running wasn’t popular either. You ran because you were late or because someone was chasing you! Walking, though, was part of everyday life. I walked to school, to the grocery store, and to meetings, and in college I probably did 12,000 steps a day, sometimes in heels, carrying groceries up to my apartment. Without realizing it, I was living what we now call an active lifestyle. Movement wasn’t something we scheduled; it was simply how we lived.
In 2007, I moved to the US with my then-fiancé, now husband. Starting over in a new country, far from family and friends, was a big adjustment. We lived in Richmond, VA, for six years, then moved across the country to Portland, Oregon, where our son was born. Eventually we came back to the East Coast and settled in Charlottesville, where our daughter was born nine years ago. After so many moves, Charlottesville finally feels like home. I love the community here, and I never get tired of the Blue Ridge views.
When I arrived in the US, I was amazed by all the gym options and by the people running in the streets, at every age and in every season. It was so different from what I knew back home. I joined them, and for years I was a runner. There’s nothing like the moment you finally see the finish line. Your legs hurt, but somehow you find a burst of energy, speed up, and cross it with a big smile on your face and endorphins flooding your brain. My husband and I ran races together in Virginia, DC, and Oregon. In my opinion, Richmond’s Monument Avenue 10K is the most fun and unique race around, with music, costumes, and people cheering you on. Nowadays I run only short distances, with my kids, and that has become its own kind of joy.
For many years I was a stay-at-home mom, and I feel blessed that I could devote that time to my children. Those years taught me patience, organization, and how much our daily habits shape the whole family. As my kids grew more independent, I knew I was ready for my next chapter, and I decided to go back to school for a nutrition degree. Food was a big part of my upbringing. My grandmothers and my mom cooked everything from scratch, and I grew up understanding that good food brings people together and keeps them well. But while I was researching nutrition programs, I stumbled upon health coaching, and a light bulb went off. That’s it! Nutrition is just one piece of the wellness puzzle, and I wanted to work with the whole person. Real food, good sleep, daily movement, connection, and a calm mind are what help us thrive. You can eat perfectly, but if you’re not sleeping or you’re constantly stressed, you won’t feel your best. I earned my health coach certification through the Wellcoaches School of Coaching, the first coaching school for health and wellness professionals, founded in 2000 by Margaret Moore.
Around the same time, my body started to change. At first I didn’t understand what was happening. I was doing the same things I had always done, but I didn’t feel like myself. Eventually I realized I was in perimenopause. This transition affects every woman, yet so few of us are prepared for it, and it can turn your life upside down. I started strength training, and it was a game changer. My symptoms eased, I felt stronger and more confident, and I had more energy for my family. I discovered Dr. Stacy Sims’s work and completed her Perimenopause for Athletes course. Learning that women’s bodies need a different approach to training, especially as our hormones change, completely changed the way I exercise. Today strength training is a core part of my routine, and it’s the foundation of what I teach my clients.
My husband, who rarely has time to get to the gym, showed me how much a home exercise corner can help. You don’t need a fancy gym membership or an hour of free time to get stronger. With a few weights and a small space, I get my workouts done without leaving the house, and between sets I can check my emails, fold laundry, and plan my day.
A year ago, I launched my business, Well with Marysia. Marysia is my Polish name, and using it for my business feels like bringing a piece of where I come from into what I do today. I help women in their 40s navigate perimenopause through strength training, nutrition, and stress management, in person in Charlottesville and virtually. My goal is to help women feel strong, informed, and in control of this stage of life.
And my childhood love of dance finally came to life two years ago, when I signed up for a jazz dance class. After all those years of dreaming, I was a little nervous walking into my first class, but I loved it. Now I’m challenging myself with contemporary dance at Charlottesville Ballet. The classes are in the evening, and I’m often tired walking in, but I always leave feeling energized and relaxed. In our 40s, it’s so important to keep learning new skills and challenging our brains. It’s never too late to become the person you dreamed of being as a little girl.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a mom is a full-time job, and running a business on top of it is a real challenge. After many years as a stay-at-home mom, launching Well with Marysia meant learning how to fit a whole new role into days that were already full. Between school drop-offs, after-school activities, dinners, and client sessions, there are days when I barely have a minute to myself.
Still, I want to practice what I teach. Good sleep, daily movement, and real food are my priorities, even on the busiest days. The key for me is planning ahead. On weekends I plan our meals and batch cook, so healthy dinners are ready even when the week gets hectic. My home exercise corner means I don’t have to find time to drive to the gym, and daily walks give me movement, fresh air, and a moment to clear my head. I’ve also learned how much a clear, organized mind matters, and cutting back on social media made a big difference. I was surprised by how much time and energy I got back.
My other challenge is putting myself first. Many of us are natural caregivers, and we often forget to take care of ourselves. For many years, my kids’ needs always came before mine, and I didn’t mind. But I learned that when I keep pushing my own health to the bottom of the list, everyone feels it, including my family.
Perimenopause made this impossible to ignore, and that’s why I believe this is the time to start making our health a priority. I know it’s hard when we’re juggling young kids or teenagers, careers, and aging parents. Putting yourself first doesn’t mean being selfish. It means protecting your sleep, moving your body every day, eating real food, and asking for help when you need it. For me, it’s my strength workouts and my evening dance classes. Those small, non-negotiable moments are what keep me going, and they’re what I help my clients find for themselves.
As you know, we’re big fans of Well with Marysia. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Well with Marysia helps women in their 40s move through the perimenopause transition with confidence. There’s so much information out there, and I help my clients cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. Every woman is unique, so I offer a tailored approach built on five pillars: strength training, real food, stress management, quality sleep, and connection. Through weekly coaching sessions and ongoing support, we work together to build simple daily habits that last a lifetime. I practice what I teach, and I’m going through this transition myself. I work with clients in person in Charlottesville and virtually.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books that have had a great impact on my work: The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi; The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz; Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results by Nir Eyal.
Authors who keep me away from evening doomscrolling: Liz Moore (The God of the Woods) and, currently, Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy.
When I need a boost of motivation and feel-good vibes: Feel Better, Live More with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee; The Mel Robbins Podcast.
Just to laugh: Good Hang with Amy Poehler.
Apps: I track my fitness goals with my Fitbit and the Google Health app, and I also use The Doctor’s Kitchen app for daily meal inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wellwithmarysia.com
