The Now

Hi, I’m Marianne MacKenzie Peterson—founder of The Self Coach HABIT™, mediator, and coach.

I created The Self Coach HABIT™ because I saw what conflict was doing to people—at work, in relationships, and inside themselves. Conflict hijacks emotions, breaks down trust, and creates drifting in life. And the old ways of “managing” it just weren’t enough.

So I built something new. A way to turn conflict into a practice field for growth. A way to coach yourself through the hardest moments and come out stronger, clearer, and more connected.

The Why

Conflict shaped me too.

I know what it’s like to be a perfectionist, a people-pleaser, a leader carrying more than my share. I know the weight of hard conversations, and I know the cost of avoiding them.

But I also know this: conflict is not the enemy. It’s the mirror. It shows us where we’ve been hiding, where we’ve given away our power, and where we’re being invited to grow.

That’s why I do this work. To help people stop fearing conflict—and start using it as their greatest teacher.

The Journey 

For more than two decades, I’ve worked with leaders, teams, and individuals to help them align their outer world with their inner values. My path here hasn’t been linear—it’s been a mix of HR leadership, running my own coaching business, mediation training, and a lifelong obsession with personal development.

I’ve studied with incredible teachers. I’ve devoured books, retreats, podcasts, and more. I’ve fallen flat, failed forward, and picked myself up. Every twist and turn gave me something I now use to guide others.

Along the way, I’ve written for Aspire Magazine, contributed to three bestselling books (Choosing Happiness, Cultivating Joy, and Courageous Hearts), led retreats, and spoken to audiences around the country.

The Real Me 

And because bios should be human:

• I’m a pickleball addict (if you can’t find me, check the courts).
  
• A kale-eating carnivore (yes, both can be true).
  
• A recovering people pleaser and perfectionist.
  
• Fueled by curiosity, coffee, and a good road-trip with my husband Rick.
  
  

Today’s Mission

Today, my work is about more than coaching. It’s about building a movement.

Through private coaching, a community - I call The Collective, and coming soon, my podcast Living the HABIT,  I help people step into inner and outer conflict differently—so they can lead, love, and live without losing themselves.

Because your HABIT starts today. And once you have it, it never expires.

If you are interested in discovering how you can start the HABIT, let's talk!