Meet Your Coach
I'm Marq Mervin, the Renaissance Man, Founder of 23Thirty, and high-achieving Creative Polymath.
As a Coach, I guide high-achieving Creative Polymaths beyond their career plateaus to become their Next Level Self. You can learn more about my coaching journey below.
From industry to academia.
In March 2016, I was let go from my job just before I flew to Atlanta for a gaming tournament. The weekend finished, I returned home unemployed, laid on my bed, and told myself, “I need to figure this out”.
Shortly after, I met with a new client who needed design work for her book launch. After our consult, she asked me a question that became the catalyst for a high-powered conversation:
“So, Marq, what else do you want to do in life?”
I said I wanted to become a professor and give a TED talk. She replied, “Why don’t you apply for it? Here, I'll send you the link.”
October 2016, I gave my TEDx talk on a Saturday morning. A man named Jeff pulled me to the side, commended my performance, and asked if I was interested in teaching. I almost talked myself out of the opportunity, but he gave me his card and said “Whenever you’re ready, give me a call.”
It turned out he was the Dean of Communications.
The following Tuesday, he invited me to interview for an adjunct teaching position—and I accepted the offer. January 2017, I started my journey as a professor.
That was the high-powered conversation that changed my life. Little did I know, history would repeat itself.
I became what I didn’t have.
The professor who talked the talk and walked the walk. What I preached came from what I actively practiced. I brought "the real world" to the classroom because I created in that world. I was built different.
For almost a decade, I gave my all to education. I was often the first, and sometimes only, professor who looked like the students I taught. I worked exceptionally hard, earned recognition, and lived my dream.
Yet, something felt "off”. I loved the classroom, but deep within my soul, I knew there was something more to achieve. More to imagine. More to create.
Then, the truth started to reveal itself:
I felt unsatisfied, unfulfilled, and stuck.
I didn't share my obstacles because everyone thought I was "living the life".
I felt misunderstood because no one "got it".
I wrestled with the loneliness of being "exceptional".
I lacked clarity and, for the first time, felt completely lost.
I thought I plateaued and couldn't figure out a way forward.
When I wandered the uncertainty, a question reemerged that sparked a high-powered conversation with myself and God:
“So, Marq, what else do you want to do in life?”
I replied, “…I don’t know”.
The Next Level Coach.
I was at the summit of my teaching career, unfulfilled, directionless, and had no idea what to do. For the first time, I was a blank slate. A canvas untouched.
I knew I wanted to help creatives beyond the classroom. I also wanted to serve in a way that led to larger impact for my students. But I didn't know what that looked like or if it was even possible.
I asked countless questions, gathered new skills, and even taught at a different university. I hoped to find a way, but nothing worked…or so I thought.
Then, things finally clicked:
I was reminded that this is my adventure to enjoy.
Education was just the first part of my Highest Purpose.
The more curious I became, the more I created.
Bigger, bolder ideas required more courage.
It was time to dream remarkably.
I needed to make magic again.
I committed myself to intensive professional coaching and personal development. I learned from the best coaches who were uniquely aligned with my Big Vision. I climbed mountains that were once insurmountable. And through high-powered conversations, I became my Next Level.
Now, what I want to do in life is to help you transform into your Next Level Self.
It's time to start betting on yourself again.
If you’d like to learn more about me:
Watch some of my talks, notably with TEDx.
Read my newsletter, The Mountain Top.
Listen to my podcast, Keep Sailing.
Dive into my blog, The Wandering Sensei.
And, if you’d like to see if we’re a fit to support your Next Level Self transformation, apply below.