Meet Owen Marcus | Entrepreneur, men’s emotional wellness trainer, author, speaker, creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Owen Marcus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Owen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I viewed creativity through a narrow lens, seeing it solely as the domain of artists and musicians. As someone with dyslexia, I felt distanced from traditional notions of talent. However, my unique perspective often led me to approach challenges and opportunities differently, sometimes yielding better results than conventional methods. This journey taught me that creativity flourishes when I embrace the risk of failure.

In my college years, a mishap involving spilled white paint and a new carpet resulted in my dismissal from a job, propelling me to establish Dripless Painting, a house painting business. Despite the name, we were far from dripless, but our commitment kept us constantly engaged with work. This experience marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, mirroring the paths of many clients I would later serve.

My career took an unexpected turn when I discovered Rolfing, a specialized technique of soft-tissue manipulation, leading to the development of an integrated medical clinic. My clients often likened my work to sculpting, as I alleviated their tension and realigned their bodies, each unique and malleable like clay. This fulfilling work underscored the profound impact of personalized care.

Creating the clinic was akin to crafting a masterpiece, presenting challenges that gradually eased as I found my own rhythm, leading to greater success. Another surprising venture was the establishment of men’s groups across the West, spurred by a book and documentary about the initiative. This led to the founding of EVRYMAN in 2016, and eventually, feeling constrained, I ventured out with my core team to start MELD.community.

Now, with the freedom to collaborate with an exceptional team and engage in work that aligns with my passions, I’ve found a greater sense of creative fulfillment. This journey has affirmed my belief in my own creativity, a realization that has been both liberating and empowering.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I embody the narrative of my brand at MELD, where we aid men in forging deeper connections with their emotions and with others.

Reflecting on my own beginnings, I could have been considered one of the most emotionally disconnected men embarking on this path. The conventional methods for accessing and expressing genuine feelings were futile to me. Driven by what I learned, I crafted a new path toward connection and invited other men to journey alongside me. To our collective surprise, we experienced profound transformations, revealing possibilities that I had never been told existed.

My previous state of tension and constraint had significantly hindered my relationships and success. However, as I began to leverage the body’s physiology as a catalyst for change, remarkable shifts occurred that felt like miracles. In reality, these were not miracles but the result of my body releasing its hold and allowing me to connect with what was buried in me.

The privilege of aiding thousands of men in experiencing similar transformations is a daily source of gratitude for me. This honor fuels my commitment as I embark on new ventures to better serve men, with the knowledge and confidence gained from witnessing the transformative impact of our work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The artistry of our creations, though significant, pales in comparison to the majestic beauty of nature. I would highlight the splendor of Southern California, with its captivating coastline, diverse towns, and myriad adventures. In a few days, I embark on a journey to witness nature’s own masterpieces: the desert blooms of Joshua Tree, the expansive wildflowers of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the vibrant poppies of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. These natural wonders exemplify the unparalleled beauty that the natural world offers. I would have him join me in this journey.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I attribute much of my success to the influential figures in my life who recognized and nurtured my potential, often more clearly than I could see it myself. My teachers, despite my unique challenges, identified and fostered something special in me.

Ron Kurtz, the creator of Hakomi Therapy, imparted to me the significance of harnessing bodily awareness to enhance emotional connection and genuine expression. Peter Levine, the developer of Somatic Experience, who was my mentor in the early 1980s, illuminated the ways in which our physiology can either hinder or facilitate the life we want. Together, these two pioneers laid the groundwork for the methodology I’ve developed and refined over the past three decades, a body of work I’ve had the privilege of sharing with thousands of men and teaching to hundreds.

The wisdom and tools provided by these mentors, along with many others, have enabled me to support men in unique and impactful ways. The feedback from numerous individuals, who’ve shared that this work has been a pivotal factor in preventing their suicides, is a testament to the enduring value of the lessons I learned from Kurtz and Levine.

Website: MELD.community

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meld.men

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/99208315/admin/feed/posts/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meldmen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meldmen

Image Credits
Tom Kubick – https://tomkubikphoto.com/