Unique People. Unique Paths. 

And this one is mine. 

I’m here to write my own story – full of twists, edges, and a whole lot of heart. Everything I've built, I’ve built from within – with courage, clarity, and a deep belief: Life gets to be bold, meaningful, and truly yours.

– Marleen, an Unleashed Unicorn herself

Unicorns?! Yes – and unapologetically so.

This isn’t about glitter or fairy dust. Unleashed Unicorns is for those who want more than just ticking boxes. It’s for people who feel the quiet pull toward something deeper, freer, more them.

From the outside, everything looks great – career, stability, success. But inside? There’s a voice whispering: This isn’t it.

We’ve learned to follow the script. To be smart. Rational. In control. But somewhere along the way, we’ve silenced our intuition. Dismissed our dreams as unrealistic.

Being unleashed means:
You start listening again. You get honest with yourself. And you begin to make bold choices – not because they’re easy, but because they feel right. This is about living a life that feels like yours; a life with no regrets. 

Hi, I'm Marleen. Coach, mentor and … an Unleashed Unicorn.

For years, everything looked perfect. I had the job, the title, the money, the recognition. I was leading teams, shaping strategies, making bold moves. From the outside, I was the definition of success.

And still… something was missing. In my career – and in my life.

I longed for more freedom. More intensity. More purpose. And the more successful I became, the louder that quiet voice inside me got.

I had built a life that looked amazing on paper – but deep down, I felt disconnected from it. Successful? Yes. But proud? Fulfilled? Truly happy? Not really. I realized: If I kept going like this, there would be too many things I’d regret someday. Not because I did them. But because I never dared to try.

For years, I had suppressed my dreams, my needs, my true self – all for the sake of doing the “right” thing. Until one day, I stopped asking: What should I do? And finally asked: What do I really want to do?

That was the turning point. I quit – without a plan B. And started building a life that felt truly mine. Today, I live with clarity, courage, and the freedom to do things differently. To follow what feels right. To create my world, my way.

And now? I support others on their journey – to find our what they truly want and who they truly are as well as to chase their dreams. Because yes – this journey is challenging. And yes – it can feel lonely.

But I promise you: It’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.

I went for a life I truly want.
 What about you?

From working-class roots to McKinsey & Company. 
From Marketing VP to Coach, Gelatiere, and Mom.
From Northern Germany to the United States. 

Ever since I was a child, I’ve had big dreams. I once told my parents I wanted to be a “human rights lawyer on the world stage.” Their gentle reply: Wouldn’t you rather do something a little more practical? But I wanted more. So I left home for university, started law school — and quickly realized: it wasn’t for me. I dropped out, studied languages, and pivoted to business. Graduated top of my class. Then moved to England for a Master in Marketing, and later back to Germany for a PhD in Hamburg.

McKinsey was my golden ticket — at least on paper. Six-figure salary. Global projects. Prestige. But after two years I knew: this wasn’t it. I wanted to build. Create. Lead. So I joined Tchibo — with a 30% pay cut, but more freedom. There I became a leader. Learned to navigate corporate politics. I took a sabbatical. Traveled across Africa. Climbed Kilimanjaro. Eventually, I reached the top of the marketing world: Marketing VP. Great title. Great money. Great success.

And yet… something was missing. I had optimized everything around my career. But me? My dreams? My joy? They were nowhere to be found. I was succeeding — but not living.
So I quit. No plan B. For the first time, I didn’t ask: What should I do? I asked: What do I really want to do?

Since then, life has unfolded beautifully. I became a mom. Married the love of my life. Launched my coaching business. Started a podcast. Showed up on LinkedIn. Then we made a bold move: We left Germany and moved to the U.S. — a childhood dream come true. First stop: Miami, Florida. Then, a conscious shift: 365 days of sunshine and city lights traded for trees, peace, and homeownership in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

In between, I spent a month in Italy learning how to make gelato (yes, one of my lifelong dreams) — and worked in a local gelateria. I dream of building my own gelato brand someday. I’m also expecting my second child. Building my own family is another dream come true. And on top of that? I’m a Marketing Director at the University of Cincinnati - because I still love marketing strategy work and working as part of a team.

My life today feels deeply aligned. I feel fulfilled. Free. Alive. There’s more clarity, more depth, and a whole lot more joy.

Now, I guide others to walk their own path. People who crave freedom, intensity, and meaning — and are ready to go after it. Because yes — it is possible. You’re allowed to dream big. To do things differently. To build a life that feels like you.

Let’s go Unicorn.