Wellness Wings: Building Mental Fitness

Written By Rocelyn Fandino

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Conversations and Connections, Kerryn is joined by Marie Bernando, the visionary behind Wellness Wings—a program designed to support the mental fitness of healthcare professionals, women in business, and those in leadership roles.

Marie opens up about how her one-on-one coaching work evolved into a national, RACGP-accredited initiative. She shares her own learning curve, her passion for ripple-effect impact, and her bold vision to see mental fitness treated as a life skill—taught in schools, workplaces, and beyond.

Together, Kerryn and Marie explore:

  • The invisible pressures faced by caregivers, leaders, and business owners

  • How nervous system literacy and emotional regulation can transform relationships

  • The courage it takes to pause, reflect, and truly listen to what we need

  • Why creating safe spaces for self-exploration is more powerful than we think

  • The practical tools and mindset shifts that empower sustainable wellbeing

Whether you’re feeling stretched thin, caught in the “sandwich generation,” or leading from the front lines—this episode is a reminder that wellbeing isn’t a luxury. It’s a foundation.

Key Learnings from this Episode

  • You can’t pour from an empty cup. Caring for yourself is not selfish—it’s strategic and sustainable.

  • Mental fitness is proactive. Preparing for stress is far more effective than reacting to it.

  • Self-awareness is power. When we understand our triggers, we gain choice in how we respond.

  • Our inner state shapes our outer world. Shifts in mindset and self-talk can transform how we relate to others.

  • Women in business face unique pressures. Programs like Wellness Wings provide community, tools, and validation for the mental load they carry.

  • The ripple effect is real. One person’s growth can positively impact families, workplaces, and entire communities.


Connect with Marie:

📩 hello@coactivelifedesign.com.au
🌐 www.coactivelifedesign.com.au

Want to connect or start having better conversations?

💬 Stay in touch or Contact our host Kerryn Powell to learn how Kerryn works with individuals, teams and groups who want to connect and create impact through better conversations

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you’d love to reconnect with. Every story makes a difference.

Rocelyn Fandino
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Reflection: Contribution, Connection & Making It Real