Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria A Cephas.
Hi Maria A , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I often say my journey began at the foot of my mother. Watching her lead organizations and travel the U.S., paired with the creative talent I inherited from my father, gave me the foundation for a path rooted in leadership, service, and connection.
In 1993, I came to Fort Lauderdale for what was supposed to be a simple vacation, but it turned into a life-changing move. I fell in love with South Florida instantly and promised myself that if I found a job, I’d stay. The next day, I landed a position with Rick Case Acura & Hyundai and a brand-new chapter of my life began.
Over the past three decades, I’ve been blessed with a diverse and fulfilling career. I started in automobile sales, moved into producing large-scale international conferences that took me around the world, and later transitioned into the field of substance abuse treatment, one of the most rewarding roles I’ve ever held. I even spent time as a professional matchmaker, which not only gave me invaluable insight into human connection but also deepened my passion for transformation. At the core, I’ve always been in the business of people.
Today, I walk fully in my purpose as a life coach specializing in personal development and as the author of MACnificently Made, an anthology about the power of paternal reunion and generational healing.
My leadership extends beyond coaching and writing. As head of MAC Steppers, a dance division within my company (The Heart of MAC, LLC) I use the art of Chicago-Style Steppin’, a soulful form of ballroom dance, to connect communities and transform lives. During my time as Vice President of my former dance company, I developed a dance training module for Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation’s Out of School Programs. Remarkably, it was approved within 24 hours of submission, a first for a new vendor in the county, earning nine contracts and the highest scores possible. That achievement remains one of my proudest moments.
After a five-year hiatus to focus on writing my book, we’re relaunching the MAC Steppers Weekend Experience in January 2026. This four-day national dance event returns for its seventh installment, back by popular demand.
I also produce The Ladies’ Day Out Transformational Retreat, a soul-nourishing experience where women come together in sisterhood to recharge, reconnect, and step into transformative growth and holistic self-care.
Looking ahead, I’ve expanded my coaching practice with new resources like transformational workbooks and journals. In January 2026, I’ll also launch the Making Amazing Changes® with Maria A. Cephas podcast. Its first season will focus on fatherlessness, inspired by my book, with the mission to spark global conversations that break silence, initiate healing, and transform lives.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. Smooth roads don’t build strength, character, or resilience. One of my biggest challenges at times has been finances. But I’ve learned that while a lack of resources can slow you down, it never has to stop you from walking in your purpose. Every twist and turn has carried valuable lessons. I’ve learned how to recover from setbacks, even on a national stage, and how to make choices that align with my vision when the path wasn’t clear. Some of my greatest growth has come from those uncomfortable seasons.
I truly believe the road has to wander in order for us to grow. Each day brings us lessons, and it’s up to us to live through the choices we make and take the wisdom with us. Those very lessons have shaped me into the woman, coach, and leader I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business, the Heart of MAC (Making Amazing Changes®), is rooted in authenticity, personal development and transformation. I specialize in helping women, particularly those over 40, overcome people-pleasing, set boundaries, and reclaim their power and voice so they can live unapologetically. I also assist men in personal development, supporting them in growing, gaining clarity, and stepping into their full potential.
What sets me apart is my combination of real-world experience, empathic understanding, heart-led insight, and actionable strategies. Being an empath allows me to truly sense and connect with my clients’ emotions, challenges, and needs, which helps me guide them more effectively toward transformation. I meet people where they are, providing clarity, tools, and guidance while letting them own their transformation. Creating safe, empowering spaces where authentic growth can happen, whether through coaching, workshops, dance, or retreats.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the breadth of ways we reach people: MACnificently Made™ book, to my coaching program, workbooks and journals, transformational women’s retreats like The Ladies’ Day Out, MAC Steppers dance division, and my upcoming Making Amazing Changes® podcast. All of these offerings are designed to inspire, connect, and transform lives, whether it’s through movement, conversation, or guided personal development.
Looking ahead, MACnificently Made™ will expand to offer a full suite of services and products within the company, including coaching program, workbook, journals, events, and other transformational tools designed to help individuals create meaningful and lasting change.
For your readers, I want them to know that the Heart of MAC is more than coaching, it’s a movement for transformation. We help people break generational cycles, embrace their worth, and step fully into the lives they were meant to live. My work is about creating experiences, tools, and spaces that empower people to make amazing changes, sometimes in small daily steps, sometimes in bold leaps, and feel supported along the way.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to trust a journey I didn’t fully understand. Writing MACnificently Made revealed that transformation unfolds through practical steps: believing in yourself, prioritizing self-care, and trusting the process. These principles reach far beyond the pages of the book, they are the foundation of the work I do with my clients in private sessions. When people embrace the full process and recognize that they are already enough, they unlock the power to heal, grow, and create change that touches every area of their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themaclifecoach.com
- Instagram: @heartofmac
- Facebook: mac.steppers.9
- Other: https://www.macnificentlymade.com
