Marka was raised and trained in Baltimore, MD, USA, at the Harriet Sauber Eisner Studio and The Baltimore Ballet. She also regularly performed with The Baltimore Actors Theater, Spotlighters Theater, The Vagabond Players and other local professional theater companies.
After high school she was offered a full scholarship at The Boston Conservatory and then The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she was invited into Ailey’s prestigious Ailey II Performance Company. In 1981, she was offered a job to teach Modern and Ballet in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She worked there for nearly 8 years, training dancers and actors. She also performed in and choreographed for Concert Dance, Broadway and other International Musical Theater Productions, Television and Movies.
In 1989, Marka returned to the United States. Needing health care for her son who had a “preexisting condition”, she became a Firefighter and EMT. She worked for The James Island Fire Department and Charleston County EMS. In her mind, this was just another kind of performance art. She fell in love with the work! Helping others, like teaching, always felt right.
While being a part of the Fire Department, she renewed her studies in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pedagogy. As she trained to become an Emergency Medical Technician, she recognized that she could use this knowledge to train dancers and non-dancers alike to be HEALTHIER of body and mind. She became a Personal Trainer and a Corrective Exercise Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
A cervical spinal cord injury in 1994 could have left Marka paralyzed from the shoulders down. However, she used her dance based fitness program, “Universal Physicality”, which she created in Argentina, as her own physical therapy. As she gained strength through her own rehabilitation, one of her doctors suggested that she work out at MUSC’s Wellness Center. In 2001, She was invited to teach “Universal Physicality” at the Medical University of SC and at other dance and fitness studios.
Marka sustained a second cervical SCI in 2012. This left her with incomplete quadriplegia, with very limited movement. She became a full-time wheelchair user. Because her injury caused weaknesses in her muscles used for breathing, the breath work of Yoga became more important than ever. She became a certified Yoga Instructor and then an Accessible Yoga Instructor, adapting Yoga for all different abilities as she does for herself.
Marka became very passionate about SCI Peer Mentorship and volunteers time at local hospitals and with the SC Spinal Cord Injury Association. In 2013, she studied wheelchair dance in New York City with Kitty Lunn and Alice Sheppard at Infinity Dance Theater, where she was invited to perform. She also studied with Full Radius Dance Company in Atlanta. She continues to help highlight Wheelchair and Integrative Dance performances in Charleston.
Marka’s passion for dance takes her to a new level of awareness. She's more determined than ever to help dancers of all ages and levels to stay fit and healthy. She teaches the techniques that she uses for herself to coach young dancers as they develop their skills. She also specializes in injury recovery.
Marka is happy to share with anyone who wants to watch and/or learn, her expression of the Art that she loves. SCI and other physical challenges, don’t mean life as you knew it has ended. It only means the journey has changed directions.
Purple Legs Up www.Vimeo.com/158402952
contact Marka:
Email: magicmarka@gmail.com
Facebook: Marka Danielle Instagram @therealmarkadanielle
Face Yoga website https://faceyogawithmarka.com/
by Jayne Mattingly
This is Body Grief https://www.jaynemattingly.com/the-book
A short episode with a short story about big changes in my life and anupdate on the podcast.
Jacqueline Burbage is a certified yoga therapist and embodiment guide using somatic practices with over 20 years of experience helping people come home to their bodies, especially in times of transition, stress, or healing. Her work blends ancient yogic principles with modern nervous system science to support greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and embodied resilience.
Jacqueline leads retreats, group programs, and community events that invite people into sacred, comfortable spaces where they can feel deeply, move freely, and heal in connection with others. With a deep respect for the body’s wisdom and a commitment to making the system of yoga and somatic practices accessible and real, she supports others in reclaiming their strength, confidence, and joy—especially women navigating the complexities of midlife, hormonal shifts, and the deep desire to live authentically.
Whether she’s guiding group yoga classes or private sessions, facilitating dance journeys, or sharing nervous system education with humor and humility, Jacqueline brings a grounded, heart-forward presence to everything she does. Her work reminds us that healing isn’t linear—and that we don’t have to do it alone.
You can learn more about her and connect here:
www.instagram.com/jacquelineburbage_yogatherapy
The Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference..
This podcast shares inspiring stories of resilience, featuring women who have overcome incredible adversity.
The first episode of podcast will be a solo show of me sharing the story of a life lived on borrowed time.
The story I will share explains why I chose to live this one beautiful life I was given. I’ve done things and been places I never thought I’d do or see.
How we as women recover from life’s greatest challenges is so important. And I want to amplify these crucial conversations are share women’s stories of resiliency so others can find comfort and inspiration for roads that lead to unexpected and new destinations.
I encourage you to join the mission to uplift women everywhere!
My daughter and I recorded an impromptu podcast episode while the podcast was experiencing technical difficulties with a couple of problematic recordings. The result is a fun game of 20 questions where without the others knowledge, each of us wrote 10 questions and both had a chance to answer them all.
We hope you enjoy listening and that you might be inspired to play your own game of questions with your loved ones.
xoxo,
Tanya
Whether you are a woman wanting the confidence to be seen in your work, or to get the promotion, or you’re a woman who aspires to be valued in your relationships or to grow your own business… Ann M. Evanston, MA has the system that delivers results. Her focus is on YOUR success through building influence, personal power and self-worth. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Spark and Hustle with Tory Johnson, and Showcasing Women, and has spoken on stages globally. About.com named her one of the “Top 6” leadership consultants. She is a published author of: “The Self- Love Evolution for Women Guide and Journal” and “Unscripted: How Women Thrive” on Amazon. She is also author of several eBooks on her website.
For more information or to Contact Ann:
FASTEST is Facebook Messenger: Ann Evanston or m.me/annevanston
WEBSITE: annevanston.com
EMAIL: ann@zenaenterprises.com
In this inspiring podcast episode, my guest Cassandra Sparks, a boldness coach and motivational speaker, shares her compelling story of leaving behind a seemingly perfect life in upstate New York to pursue her dream in Charleston, South Carolina. Cassandra discusses the challenging yet empowering journey of navigating big changes, the importance of authentic living, and the power of small bold choices. Listeners will be touched by Cassandra's resilience and encouraged to embrace their own bold, authentic journeys. The discussion also dives into the significance of community, overcoming fears, and the unique joy found in dancing.
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Folks can spark their lives by connecting with Cassandra in any/all of the ways below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandrasparksyou
Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/609201014299938/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandrasparksyou
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassandrasparksyou
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-y-sparks
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassandrasparksyou
SHOW NOTES
Bold and Authentic Living: Cassandra Sparks' Journey
In this podcast, Tanya hosts Cassandra Sparks, a motivational speaker and boldness coach, who shares her inspiring journey of leaving a seemingly ideal and stable life in upstate New York. She was married, had a thriving business, and decided to leave it all behind to pursue her dream in Charleston, South Carolina.
Cassandra discusses overcoming fear, embracing change, and the importance of living authentically. She offers insights into making bold choices, managing emotions, and the significant role of community and self-care. Cassandra's story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of following one's true path.
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:28 Introducing Cassandra Sparks: The Boldness Igniter
02:00 Cassandra's Journey: From Real Estate to Motivational Speaking
05:06 The Big Move: Challenges and Triumphs in Charleston
13:53 Navigating Emotions and Finding Support
20:14 Serendipitous Connections and New Beginnings
25:05 Embracing Change and Overcoming Challenges
29:30 Gratitude Journaling and Positive Reflections
31:05 Personal Power and Responding to Life's Challenges
32:04 Life Transitions and New Beginnings
34:04 Embracing Dance and Community
35:51 The Joy and Benefits of Dancing
42:05 Living Boldly and Authentically
44:44 Navigating Change and Overcoming Fear
49:20 Building Boldness and Self-Care
51:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Breaking Free: Carrie's Journey From Abuse to Freedom
SUMMARY
The podcast dives into the inspirational journey of resilience and overcoming adversity featuring Carrie Rosen. Carrie shares her personal story, detailing her abusive relationships, the struggles of being a primary breadwinner, and her path to recognizing and breaking free from toxic patterns. From enduring emotional manipulation to navigating the family court system and eventually finding a supportive partner, Carrie's journey is marked by moments of self-realization and empowerment. The episode also highlights the importance of mindfulness, spiritual practice, and community support in her healing process. Carrie ultimately finds success as a top-producing realtor and a dedicated advocate for women's empowerment and environmental activism.
MENTIONS:
Contact Carrie at: crosenrealtor@gmail.com
Www.sweetgrassrealestate.com
Waves for Women: https://waves4women.org
Surfers Healing: https://surfershealingfolly.org
Thich Nhat Hanh author of The Miracle of Mindfulness
Echkart Tolle author of The Power of Now
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Mission
00:28 Meet Carrie Rosen: A Dynamic Force
01:14 Carrie's Early Life and Challenges
02:12 Overcoming Adversity: Carrie's Story
05:47 Recognizing and Breaking Patterns
15:48 Finding Love and Stability
19:52 Navigating Family Court
22:53 Healing and Moving Forward
24:11 Mindfulness and Meditation Practices
25:45 The Challenge of Focus in the Digital Age
26:30 The Art of Being Present
28:37 The Power of Podcasts
30:24 Embracing Personal Power and Letting Go
33:39 Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt
36:40 Navigating Life's Challenges and Resilience
38:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Introduction
You may know this story too well - the checklist we start chasing before we even know who we really are. Jamessina lived that story - and after her fourth stress induced emergency room visit, in 2024 she realized that if she did not make a change, she would end up a wealthy old woman, alone, while those she loved enjoyed life without her.
It wasn’t her professional success that was the problem- it was the outdated script she had been following since she was 19 based on her sphere of influence, a self-fulfilling prophecy and the success list she had penned. She did something radical- she burned the success list and wrote a new one - one built on passion, fulfillment and embracing her feminine power of creation.
Author of “Burn the Success List”, National Football League alumni, College of Charleston Executive MBA Program Mentor and senior marketing leader at a global technology consulting firm, Jamessina is on a mission to reignite passion and desire in the lives of overachieving women so they can fall back in love with the life they are creating.
Jamessina Hille
BurnTheSuccessList.com
jamessinavh@gmail.com
Takeaways
self-discovery, women's empowerment, stress management, community support, personal growth, mentorship, hobbies, positive mindset, success, identitysummaryThis conversation explores the journey of self-discovery and empowerment for women, focusing on the impact of stress and burnout, the importance of community support, and the need to embrace change and new identities. The speakers discuss the significance of hobbies, positive mindset shifts, and mentorship in navigating life's challenges. They emphasize the idea of 'burning the success list' to redefine personal goals and aspirations, ultimately encouraging women to prioritize their well-being and authenticity.
Sound Bites
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jamessinna Hill
01:34 New Chapter
01:36 New Chapter
202:44Journey from New York to South Carolina
04:05 The Wake-Up Call: Stress-Induced Events
06:34 Understanding the Pressure on Women in Corporate America
11:53 The Shift in Women's Conversations
17:05 Empowering Women Through Mentorship
18:52 Creating a New Identity and Embracing Power27:45Burning the Success List: A New Perspective
32:36 Practices for Self-Care and Joy
39:53T he Role of an Executive Coach
46:35 Excerpt from 'Burn the Success List'49:16New Chapter 3
After years of dancing on the edges of her passions through a roller coaster life and career, Diana experienced a series of 4 coincidence “lightning strike” experiences - a cancer diagnosis, loss of a business, my 60th birthday, and a soon-to-be empty nest, that compelled me to dig deep to focus on what I truly wanted to do with my "one wild & precious life."
Links to Diana Dunbar Place...both business and social sites:
- Third Act Quest website - https://www.thirdactquest.com/
- 333 Collective - info. and Two month trial - https://www.thirdactquest.com/333-collective
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianadunbarplace/
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thirdactquest7321
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thirdactquest/
- Facebook - Diana Dunbar Place - https://www.facebook.com/Diana.Dunbar.Place/
- Facebook - Third Act Quest - https://www.facebook.com/thirdactquest/
Summary
In this conversation, Tanya Boggs and Diana Dunbar Place explore the themes of resilience, empowerment, and the importance of community support in overcoming life's challenges. Diana shares her personal journey through adversity, including a cancer diagnosis, and how it led her to embrace a new perspective on life. The discussion emphasizes the significance of self-care, mindset, and the power of women supporting each other as they navigate their own paths. Diana encourages listeners to reconnect with their true selves and unleash their dreams, reminding them that it's never too late to pursue what truly matters to them.
Takeaways
• Life's disruptions can lead to profound personal growth.
• Embracing possibility means putting fear in the backseat.
• It's important to reconnect with your true self, especially after 50.
• Dreams should be unleashed, no matter how wild they seem.
• Self-care and mindset play crucial roles in recovery.
• Grace is essential; give yourself permission to heal.
• Women supporting women is vital for empowerment.
• Perspective can transform struggles into beautiful experiences.
• Life is not a dress rehearsal; make the most of it.
• Recovery from disruptions takes time and patience.
Summary
In the first episode of this podcast, Tanya Boggs shares her personal journey of resilience, focusing on a major health diagnosis and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of empowerment, community, and self-care, while also advocating for women's financial independence and visibility in the world. Tanya's story is one of hope, strength, and the belief that it's never too late to start anew.
Takeaways
Tanya shares her story of resilience and hope.
She emphasizes the importance of living life fully.
Facing her diagnosis was a pivotal moment.
Community support is crucial for women with HIV.
Financial independence is vital for women's empowerment.
Self-care is essential for mental health and well-being.
Women often undermine their worth.
It's never too late to pursue new dreams.
We are responsible for our own healing.
Tanya believes in the power of visibility for women.
Titles
Living on Borrowed Time: A Journey of Resilience
Empowerment Through Adversity: Tanya's Story
Sound Bites
"Where are the women?"
"It's never too late to start over."
"You can't pour from an empty cup.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey
04:17 Facing the Diagnosis
09:13 Living with a Major Health Crisis: The Emotional Roller Coaster
14:58 Finding Community and Support
20:33 Empowering Women and Financial Independence
23:41 Self-Care and Personal Responsibility