The Awakened Choice: Helping Women Make Empowered Decisions – An Interview with Maria Mahboubi

What happens when we stop making decisions from a place of fear and start choosing love instead?

Maria Mahboubi introduces us to a transformative five-step process to help us connect with our bodies in order to make empowered decisions, offering a powerful alternative to choices made purely from the intellect. She invites us to explore the simplicity and power of taking a breath, being still, feeling the source of hesitation, re-centering, and making choices from a grounded place. Her journey from a Catholic upbringing to discovering yoga and energy healing serves as a rich backdrop for understanding how spirituality and mindfulness can guide our choices.

In this conversation, Maria helps us understand the importance of processing emotions held within the body, and she shares her unique coaching approach to guide clients toward transformation. Don’t miss the part where we talk through the nuances of making choices from a place of fear versus love. Maria will definitely encourage you to tap into your inherent superpowers in this interview. Ready to hear Maria’s wisdom?

If someone is struggling with a decision about a relationship, job, or school choice for their child, what practical advice would you give for making a powerful, informed choice?

Maria Mahboubi: One of the things that I’ve created is a five-step system called the PAUSE. It’s very simple because I believe that when you’re in a process of self-transformation, wanting to improve in your life, especially when life is getting difficult, simplicity is key. That’s the only way it can be sustainable. This five-step process takes one or two minutes and starts with taking a breath, which is the first step to regulate and center.

Take a nice deep breath, then be still, allowing yourself to be still to feel. That’s the third step—just feel what’s there, what’s present. Ask yourself: Why is it so difficult to make this choice? Where am I feeling that pain, sometimes physical pain, or that discomfort or knot? When we’re constantly in the head, it’s hard to acknowledge that. So be still, feel, and then recenter.

Once you’ve identified that feeling, give yourself a moment. Put your feet on the ground, take another breath, and physically rearrange yourself. Stand up straight and see if that helps, and then, from that place, make the choice.

I find it really helpful because it’s a moment in time where you have to remind yourself—it takes practice—but it’s a moment to give yourself that grace. You can take a beat; you don’t have to be reactive.

You mentioned the pause technique. From what I understand, Step 1 is taking a breath, Step 2 is being still, and Step 3 is feeling it. What do you mean by “feel it”?

Maria Mahboubi: Feel where the hesitation is, where the emotion is lodged, where you’re not allowing that feeling to fully express itself, perhaps.

And Step 4?

Maria Mahboubi: Step 4 is re-centering. Take another breath, stand up straight, and put your feet on the ground.

Can you share your own journey into consciousness or spirituality? Did you grow up with any faith, and how did your path toward mindfulness or spirituality unfold?

Maria Mahboubi: It’s a process, like everything in life. In my teens, I started feeling a bit disillusioned with my faith. I was raised Catholic but not very observant, and I thought, “There has to be more.” Personally, I always had a deep connection directly to Source, so it didn’t make sense to go through someone else to reach it. This led me to explore different faiths and spiritual paths, always with a thirst for learning

Another thing that helped tremendously was my deep yoga practice, which really carried me through my 20s. Eventually, I found myself in the realm of energy healing, where I began to heal my childhood, my traumas, everything blocking me from feeling full and authentic. That journey showed me what truly worked for me.. 

When did you feel called to help others with these healing practices?

Maria Mahboubi: It started as an act of love for myself. I was at a point where I needed more support, so I sought out a highly recommended somatic healer, Catalina Ureta, in LA. We connected deeply, sharing a Hispanic background, which helped me trust the process. Over time, I learned that Catalina had an institute for training practitioners, and I became curious about exploring it for myself. I enrolled in the program, a big commitment, and spent a couple of years deeply studying the body, the nervous system, the vagus nerve, and various somatic healing methods. Practicing and gaining experience, I found that people gravitated toward my style. What started as self-love evolved naturally into a business.

For those unfamiliar, what is somatic healing and coaching? Is there a difference

Maria Mahboubi: Somatic healing helps people understand where they hold emotions or feelings in their bodies and process them, either through energetic presence or bodywork. This approach involves understanding the nervous system, recognizing trauma responses, and knowing how to regulate them. The coaching aspect adds a structured plan of action. We start by tuning into the body—exploring sensations and emotions—then uncover the story or belief behind them. From there, we take logical steps to support transformation

How can somatic healing help someone find a breakthrough?

Maria Mahboubi: First, understand that your body holds every experience—happy, sad, traumatic—at a cellular level. Often, the healing you need isn’t in retelling the story but in allowing your body to express and reveal itself. For someone in talk therapy who still feels stuck, it’s often because they’re revisiting the story instead of the original experience. Somatic healing works with the memory of that moment in time, helping to release the contraction stored in the body and allowing healing to begin.

What challenges do people usually bring to you? Are they often facing major life transitions?

Maria Mahboubi: Yes, many people are in life transitions. They might feel burned out in their job or uncertain about what’s next. They might feel stuck, questioning their next steps, or even struggling to redefine themselves after their children leave home. I work with a lot of women, especially those experiencing perimenopause, and we often overlook what these changes mean. It’s about understanding these transitions and listening to the body.

What are some signs I might be going through a big transition, even if my mind hasn’t realized it yet?

Maria Mahboubi: A major clue is ongoing stress—when your nervous system is dysregulated, leading to anxiety or depression. Feeling stuck is another sign. You may know what steps to take but can’t seem to follow through because your mind and body aren’t in sync. Another sign is not being in flow, where your body signals something, your mind says something else, and you’re unsure which to follow. These are clear indicators that something’s off.

I love how you mentioned knowing what to do but somehow not doing it.

Maria Mahboubi: Yes, that brings frustration and self-loathing. So much unravels when you feel that way.

Why did you name your business “The Awakened Choice”? What does an awakened choice mean to you?

Maria Mahboubi: I wanted a name that was simple yet profound and all-encompassing. To me, we’re a sum of our life choices. Every choice can either elevate us or hold us back. I see “The Awakened Choice” as a destination—where we consistently make choices from a place of love, not fear. To reach that, we need to be awakened to what these choices mean for us and our journey.

Why do people make choices out of fear? For example, in life transitions like kids going to college or feeling distant from a spouse or being unhappy at work, what are some fear-based choices versus those made out of love?

Maria Mahboubi: It’s different for everyone. A choice that comes out of fear is one made from the head. You’re not allowing yourself to feel the consequences. Why? Because we are affected by our environment and the judgment around us. When you make a choice out of fear, you are coming from a place of not wanting to be judged, so you think this is the best thing for you in that moment.

A choice that comes from love is made in spite of the consequences. You make it despite disappointing a loved one or it not being the norm. You choose what makes you happy and brings you joy. Most people operate from a sense of duty. We are not connected, so we don’t feel what’s good for us or even think to ask ourselves that question.

Can you share a personal example of choosing love over fear?

Maria Mahboubi: One of the biggest choices I ever made was to marry my husband. It was a choice completely out of love, even with all the odds and red flags around us. We both, especially I, came from the place of knowing this was the best thing for me. I didn’t know what the future would look like, but in that moment, I knew I was coming from love, and that’s why I chose to marry him. It was one of the most important decisions of my life.

What can someone expect from your one-on-one coaching sessions in person and via Zoom? How are they similar or different?

Maria Mahboubi: It’s always good to see people in person. Zoom sessions can also be powerful. The difference is that in person, I can pay more attention to what’s not being said and to the body’s movements, which are hard to see through a screen.

Aside from that, the sessions are pretty much the same. A typical session starts with us discussing what’s on the person’s mind and how they’re feeling. I need to meet them where they’re at and set expectations for the session.

We determine what a successful session looks like. If the person is emotionally dysregulated, I address that first. We work on regulating the nervous system through breath, centering, and holding space, using any necessary tools.

In person, we often start with a conversation. If we need to regulate the nervous system, we might do standing exercises. Once we’ve opened a door, we can explore deeper issues.

On the table, I use a process called point holding techniques. This helps the body activate and shows where more support is needed. I move according to the person’s permission and what they’ve asked me to support.

In a typical session, if deeper work isn’t necessary, we still set expectations and then hold space for breath work to feel what’s in the body. We pull the thread and discuss what that means, setting an intention for the session.

In coaching, we establish a declaration, which can be for the session or the long term. We base the session on that and I provide tools accordingly. That’s a typical session.

Do you offer set packages for working together, like six, eight, or 12 weeks, or is it individual?

Maria Mahboubi: I initially say let’s have our first session to get to know each other. Prior to that, there’s always a free discovery call to see if we are a match. They need to like me, and I need to like them. Then I propose a commitment of eight sessions because trust takes time. To see results, it takes a bit of effort, and based on their needs, eight sessions is usually enough. I like to start with a minimum of eight sessions, spacing them two weeks apart. Processing and integrating what you’ve learned often takes time, and I offer my support throughout the break. This approach works well.

Each client has a different intention and declaration based on their top issue, but what ultimate goal do you have for them in how they live or make choices?

Maria Mahboubi: I want them to identify what they require for themselves and come from a position of strength to make choices from love. It’s about getting to know their body, soul, and alignment so they can make organic decisions from love.

How would they know they are making a decision from love? What clues indicate a shift?

Maria Mahboubi: It’s a feeling, not a logical thing. It’s a knowing from the body. When they make the choice, it’s just done. They can let go and be at ease.

It’s also important not to be attached to the outcome, which is challenging for people. If they say, “I’m making this choice because it’s best for me and others,” they can’t be attached to the result. Being attached means putting conditions on the choice, which comes from fear. Letting go brings freedom. They should tap into that freedom by saying, “I trust this will be for my highest good.”

If I came to you feeling frustrated about decisions, how would you persuade me to make a choice out of love instead of fear? Why would that be beneficial?

Maria Mahboubi: When you’re not in danger, we’re typically taught to come from self-preservation. It’s an automatic response, our fight or flight. However, if you’re working on yourself, it’s a privilege to reach a point where you want to better yourself. When a person is in that place, I can present the option of rethinking past choices.

Coming from a place of fear is learned behavior, and it’s about unlearning that. Love doesn’t mean pleasing everyone; it’s not always easy. You need to feel into it. I often use role-playing in my sessions. Through role play, clients can explore how decisions align with their feelings. We go back to how it feels, without judgment, slowly learning to unlearn past habits.

When we talk about making a decision out of love, it sometimes seems like it should feel good. But love isn’t just mushy feelings; it can involve tough decisions.

Maria Mahboubi: Exactly, that misconception prevents many from exploring this route. People think they need to be zen, but it’s about being honest with yourself. Love can also mean truth. Many don’t ask themselves, “What is my truth? What do I stand for?” Is my choice coming from that truth?

How do you address morality, ethics, and past commitments when clients feel a shift?

Maria Mahboubi: We always start by establishing values. I focus on about five principal, non-negotiable values for the person. When you put a decision in front of them, if it doesn’t match those values, they’re more likely to make a better choice. This approach isn’t the same for everyone; my top five might not be yours. However, the goal is to come from a place of truth, with a sense of social responsibility. When you align choices with your values, making decisions becomes easier.

Tell us about your workshop called “Embody Your Empowerment.” Who is it for? How can it help people? Are there any upcoming opportunities?

Maria Mahboubi: It has primarily been for women, but men are always invited. I tend to attract more women into my work. It is a four-week live Zoom meeting lasting about an hour and a half. I’ve made it content-heavy as an introduction to somatics.

As we move through the program, it’s interactive. We jump into experiences and tools right away. I do life coaching, and it introduces the concept of rethinking where your power really comes from.

Is it coming from what you’ve been told you’re good at all your life, but it doesn’t resonate? Where is it coming from? It’s about tapping into other ways to feel empowered. The workshop is fun, with interaction and homework to get people curious about what’s possible when they connect more with their bodies. We also define what their superpowers are. Have they truly explored that, or is it something they just believe because they were told so? It’s an introduction, and it’s a lot of fun. 

What’s the best way for people to connect with you for support, like free consultation or discovery calls, or to follow you on social media?

Maria Mahboubi: My Instagram handle is @theawakenedchoice, and my website is www.theawakenedchoice.com. You can email me at maria@theawakenedchoice.com. I also have a calendar where you can sign up for a free 20-minute discovery call. I love doing these calls because they help determine if we’re meant to work together.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your journey, wisdom, and work. I appreciate what you’re doing in the world.

Maria Mahboubi: Thank you so much, David. I really appreciate it. This was amazing.