Meet Marcus Yves—a storyteller, branding guru, and startup founder. While he isn't discussing strategy and building websites, you can find him on the closest beach watching the waves crash. We caught up with Marcus, and learned about his love for wellness, his struggles after countless surgeries following a tragic car accident, how he values kindness above all, and lives his life in confidence. Get to know Marcus...
I AM Marcus Yves AND I DEFINE CONFIDENCE AS a subconscious understanding that I am my most powerful, attractive, and impactful when I am 110% my authentic self.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I grew up in a small town on the water in Connecticut called Rowayton. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for eleven years now and Santa Monica specifically for six.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?
I’m a storyteller and designer building purpose-driven businesses in the technology and entertainment spaces.
WHY IS HAVING A HEALTHY GUT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed an awareness of my body and feel the way it functions after I have a meal. You gain an appreciation for feeling good after a meal and recognize which foods impact you the most negatively. Rather than give up everything I want to eat / I crave, I believe in moderation, so if Confidence Co will help me indulge ever so often, and still feel confident, I’m one happy kid.
WHY THE CONFIDENCE CO MISSION RESONATE WITH YOU?
Confidence is currency. I truly believe that it’s the most powerful thing on Earth. When someone is confident, they can do anything. Giving and sharing confidence is a beautiful mission I share with The Confidence Co.
NAME YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT.
Pace (pronounced Pah-cheh, meaning peace) : the romantic, organic Italian spot nestled in Laurel Canyon. It’s secretly my go-to date spot ;-)
NAME THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS.
- Ravioli
- Bananas
- Rigatoni with Bolognese
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?
Simple Caprese summer salad with fresh farmer’s market ingredients. ITS ALL ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS.
ANY MAJOR WELLNESS MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE?
The moment I broke free from a powerful physical opiate addiction following four years of surgeries, hospitalization and recovery from a major accident. 30 days of a grueling withdrawal.
And honestly every time I see the ocean.
WHAT'S YOUR CURRENT SELF-CARE ROUTINE?
Every morning, after lighting a stick of incense and taking in the natural, golden light that fills my apartment, I drink a glass of Pure Synergy, my little cheat code to a healthy morning. It’s a powder of 200 powerful herbs, mushrooms and other natural supplements that I mix with water and drink on an empty stomach to thank my body for everything it does. I then roll out my mat and have a thirty to sixty-minute stretch, yoga and meditation to prime my body and mind for the day.
WHERE DO YOU GET OR DRAW INSPIRATION FROM?
The soft shadows trees make as you walk down the street, the magical refractions and rainbows of light that catch your eye when day dreaming, the unadulterated feeling of joy dogs exude while simply strutting down the street (I bask in it honestly), the beauty in the complexity and absurdity of wildlife/animals (really, you evolved to look like that??), life in general (little ants, large palm trees, large birds, it all amazes me), seeing other people feeling happy and confident, and of course my parents. I love them so much.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 18-YEAR OLD SELF?
It’s all going to happen. It just takes a little longer than expected. Patience and perseverance are your life story.
HOW HAVE YOU KEPT UP YOUR CREATIVITY DURING THIS TIME?
Constantly designing, learning, holding meetings every day between companies and clients. Making mistake after mistake and learning from each. Teaching myself new software, reading books on self-development, watching thought-provoking films and series. Playing the role of a sponge to the culture and people I admire.
HAVE YOU FOUND CREATING ART TO BE HELPFUL WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON? IF SO, HOW?
Yes, I’m very lucky that my crafts of storytelling and design are what I call work and get to create art every day with my partners.
WHAT ARE IS ONE SELF-CARE RITUAL YOU'RE LEANING INTO FOR COMFORT?
A nice indica to wind down the evening.
DO YOU HAVE A QUOTE, POEM OR SONG THAT YOU WOULD DEFINE AS YOUR ANTHEM?
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Plato
Learn more about The Confidence Co. If you know someone who you feel should be featured as a Confident Human, please reach out to us: support@theconfidence.co. :)