About Us

About Us

Welcome to Co-Active Life Design: Your Path to Well-being and Empowerment

Greetings, I am Marie Bernardo, a certified well-being coach and trauma-sensitive meditation and mindfulness teacher. I founded Co-Active Life Design with a deep commitment to supporting and helping individuals who find themselves feeling overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted and stressed.

Life’s modern demands often lead us to a frenzied existence, relentlessly juggling an array of commitments and putting the needs of others before our own. It’s as if we’re running on a hamster wheel, our best efforts seemingly unable to make a dent in the ceaseless cycle. The weight of responsibilities can become suffocating, leaving us gasping for a breath of air, struggling to keep our heads above water. The world might perceive us as paragons of competence and achievement, but beneath the surface rages a storm of self-doubt, a fear of not measuring up, of falling short of expectations. This inner turmoil, this silent suffering, is a burden carried by many, a silent chorus of souls seeking solace.

I want you to know that it’s perfectly alright to feel this way, to acknowledge the storm that rages within. You are not alone in your journey. Through my experience as a well-being coach and a trauma-sensitive meditation and mindfulness teacher, I’ve come to understand that these feelings are shared by countless others. They are a reflection of the challenges and complexities of modern life.

At Co-Active Life Design, I’ve created a haven where you can find refuge from the storm, a place where your well-being takes centre stage. My approach is deeply rooted in empathy, understanding and a profound commitment to supporting your transformation. Through personalised sessions in a trauma-informed environment, I offer you the tools and strategies that have helped me cope with my own chronic health condition. Together, we will navigate life’s challenges, effectively manage stress, anxiety, panic and overwhelm, all while fostering profound self-awareness and self-acceptance for a more balanced and fulfilling life.

I am fuelled by an unwavering passion to empower individuals with what I call “transformational life skills.” These skills, carefully curated and cultivated, serve as a catalyst for self-acceptance and the alleviation of suffering. My ultimate goal is to guide you towards a life lived intentionally and purposefully, where you are the architect of your own existence. Together, we will discard the default mode of living and embrace a design that aligns with your aspirations, where mental fitness is paramount and thriving is the standard.

In this journey, I implore you to shed the weight of guilt and hesitation. Prioritising your well-being is not an act of selfishness; rather, it is a commitment to your holistic health – physical, mental and emotional. By investing in yourself, you become better equipped to nurture your relationships, contribute positively to your communities and embark on a path of profound self-discovery.

The first step towards your transformation awaits. Reach out to embark on a collaborative journey that will propel you towards a life where thriving is not a distant dream but an everyday reality. Welcome to Co-Active Life Design, where your well-being is not just a goal; it’s a way of life.

A little about me

Grow and Thrive Together

Following a successful 20-year career in the corporate world, managing global and local teams within Finance departments, I realised that I wasn’t fuelling my burning desire to help and support people in the way I had envisioned. As a result, I made a full-time commitment to acquire the accredited qualifications below to combine with my corporate skills and life experience to support clients in designing the next chapter of their life.

Accredited Qualifications & Certifications:

  • Graduate Certificate in Careers Education and DevelopmentRMIT
  • Diploma of Leadership Coaching and MentoringFire Up Coaching – Accredited Coach Training Program – International Coaching Federation
  • Certificate IV in Business and Personal CoachingFire Up Coaching – Accredited Coach Training Program – International Coaching Federation
  • Certificate IV in Training and AssessmentMonash University – Issued by Monash Student Association
  • Advanced Certificate in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness – Specialising in Mental Health & Well-Being and Community & Support Groups – Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness – Accredited via industry’s professional body – Meditation Australia
  • Strengths CoachingGallup Global Strengths Coaching Course
  • Emotional Intelligence – Fire Up Coaching – Roche Martin ECR, ECR360 & ECR Workshop Certification Course
  • HBDI CertificationHerrmann Asia
  • Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: The Introductory Guide to Recognizing Trauma, Responding Skillfully, and Preventing Retraumatization (online)David Treleavan US
  • Advanced Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Widening the Window of Tolerance and Supporting Trauma Recovery (online) – David Treleavan US
  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders – Dr. Russ Harris
  • Trauma-Focused – Acceptance Commitment Therapy – Dr. Russ Harris
  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Perfectionism and People PleasingDr. Russ Harris
  • Compassion Focused Therapy: Advanced Clinical SkillsThe Compassionate Mind Foundation UK
  • Introduction to Theory & Practice of Compassion-Focused TherapyThe Compassionate Mind Foundation UK
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (Compassion Mind Training)Mindful Path
  • Mindful Self-Compassion Training (Developed by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer) –  MindfulPresence 
  • Archetypal Coaching Mastery 1A – Passion and Purpose CoachingEvolve Now
  • Archetypal Coaching Mastery 1B – Masculine and Feminine Archetypes CoachingEvolve Now
  • Archetypal Coaching Mastery 1C – Matrix Therapies CoachingEvolve Now

DEI Statement

Because everybody matters.

Here at Co-Active Life Design diversity, equity and inclusion are values that we uphold, embrace and support. We are committed to supporting and working with all members of the community, people of every ethnicity, age, race, gender, identity, ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical ability, religion or political belief. Because there is no place for injustice. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive company drives innovation and results in more positive outcomes for all.

Our commitment to uphold these values is the key driver to ensuring that Co-Active Life Design will remain an inclusive and equitable business.

Contact us

Have Questions?

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.