Marie Choi, Executive MBA, CFE, CPT

I’d say my spiritual faith is the foundation of everything. My belief in God gives me strength, courage, and the confidence to keep going, especially through challenges. I often tell people that it’s not about a specific religion - it’s about believing in something greater than yourself. My parents have also had a profound influence on who I am - and am becoming. They instilled a strong work ethic in me from a young age. In fact, in high school, while others were recognized as “most popular” or “most athletic,” I was voted “hardest working” - something I’m still incredibly proud of. Another major influence in my life has been my passion for mixed martial arts. I earned a black belt in Hapkido, then spent over a decade training in Muay Thai kickboxing, competing in 20 amateur fights. About five years ago, I fully committed to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and recently earned my brown belt. Martial arts has shaped my discipline, resilience, and confidence. It’s also been a powerful outlet where I’ve learned lessons on the mats that translate directly into my professional life - especially around perseverance, resilience, growth mindset, and mental toughness.

Early in my career at Fox, I had a mentor who gave me advice that’s stayed with me ever since. He told me, “Learn and absorb like a sponge. Your desire to learn is something people will notice -and when they see that, they’ll want to invest in you and help you grow.” That really stuck with me. At the time, I took it to heart. I would even go into the office on weekends just to sit, observe, and absorb everything I could. I genuinely loved the process of learning. For me, it was never about the money - it was about growth. Looking back, I realize that mindset shaped everything. Whether I was building a business or starting over in a minimum-wage role as a personal trainer, I was able to create success because I stayed focused on my “why” - not the paycheck. The money became a byproduct of being clear on my purpose, why I was there, and who I was there to serve.

I think it’s incredibly important to build a strong support system especially by surrounding yourself with women who are where you aspire to be. Making those connections, continuing to network, and finding your tribe - both professionally and personally - can make all the difference. That’s something my parents instilled in me early on: you become the average of the people you spend the most time with. I feel very fortunate to have a close circle of women in my life - my soul sisters, my tribe - who not only support me, but share a strong work ethic that constantly pushes me to be better. In my professional world, I’m equally inspired. Being at WellBiz is incredibly energizing, especially with a senior leadership team that is predominantly female. It’s powerful to be surrounded by so many women in executive roles who are leading, supporting, and paving the way. At the end of the day, you have to seek out those relationships. And what I’ve found is that most women genuinely want to support each other and help one another grow; you just have to be intentional about finding your tribe.

I think one of the biggest challenges is that many industries are still largely male-dominated, which means women often feel the need to work harder to earn the same level of credibility. The playing field isn’t always equal, and that shows up in subtle but real ways. There are still moments where you walk into a room and you’re the only woman and minority there - and you can feel the assumptions being made before you even speak. Then, once you do, there’s a shift: “Oh, she knows what she’s talking about.” That constant need to prove yourself can become exhausting over time which why it's so important to surround yourself with other strong female leaders. For me personally, I’ve also experienced being underestimated because I look younger than I am. People don’t always see the years of experience or the path it took to get here. So the challenge becomes not just showing up, but consistently demonstrating that you belong. Ultimately, that’s the hurdle - having to prove your credibility before you’re fully recognized for it. But it’s also what builds resilience and confidence over time.

I would say the values that matter most to me are loyalty, integrity, compassion, authenticity, and kindness. Growing up with a sister who has special needs deeply shaped my perspective; it taught me the importance of leading with kindness. You never truly know what someone else is going through, and while kindness costs nothing, it can mean everything. I also place a high value on authenticity. Life is hard, and it’s not always what you see on social media. There are challenges, setbacks, and moments that don’t make the highlight reel. In fact, I once created a reel that went viral because it focused entirely on my losses, something most people wouldn’t typically share on social media. But it resonated because it was real. It showed the side of the journey that people often avoid. Those losses, the comebacks, and the lessons along the way ultimately led me to win double gold in my division at the No-Gi World Championship considered one of the most competitive stages in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I believe there’s strength in that kind of vulnerability. Being honest about the struggles, failures, and setbacks is what builds true resilience. At the end of the day, growth requires failure. You have to go through those moments to succeed and reach your full potential.