Amanda Marino shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Amanda, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
I have often been described as a disruptor in my field. While Behavioral Health continues to evolve, slowly, I set out to create something different. Before opening my Mental Health Concierge Boutique, which offers specialized support for substance use disorders, eating disorders, failure to launch, co-parenting coaching, and a compassionate intervention approach, I had the privilege of learning from incredible clinical mentors around the world. I worked closely with them for years, gaining invaluable experience and insights that shaped my vision. At the same time, I witnessed practices that were deeply concerning, methods that felt harmful, rigid, and ultimately ineffective. Those experiences fueled my determination to build something better. With the right team of professionals, I knew we could provide care that is ethical, compassionate, and effective.
Our philosophy is clear: we do not believe in harsh or one-size-fits-all care. Every client is unique, complex, and deserving of personalized, thoughtful support. We meet people exactly where they are and create a plan that works for their individual goals and circumstances. This approach has proven especially impactful for individuals with generational wealth, high-level executives, and elite professionals in entertainment and sports, including members of the NFL, MLB, NBA, and women’s professional leagues. These individuals require a discreet, customized, and highly skilled team that recognizes the unique pressures they face and helps them not only to recover, but to truly thrive.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Amanda Marino is a Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) through the PACERT Board, a long-standing member of the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS), and a certified Life and Recovery Coach. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in alternative medicine. She is a passionate mental health professional and serial entrepreneur located in Palm Beach, Florida. Her passion ignites while assisting those struggling with substance use disorders, low self-esteem, and mental or emotional blocks to success.
Amanda’s mission in life is to guide individuals out of addiction and into empowered, meaningful, fulfilling lives. Her past struggles with substance use disorders, body dysmorphia, and childhood trauma made her even more passionate about fulfilling this mission. Having experienced the power of recovery for herself, her passion now is to equip hurting people for long-term healing. Amanda can often be heard saying, “We are looking to create lasting change, not fleeting success followed by more struggle.” She has spent 22 years in her early life navigating the entertainment industry. This direct exposure to the bright lights and pitfalls that the entertainment business can entail has helped Amanda develop a special ability to assist those who actively work in that field. Amanda’s relatability, compassion, and driven nature make her particularly effective in guiding high-achieving professionals toward making significant life changes and improvements.
Amanda Marino has spent over a decade dedicating herself to guiding others toward personal and professional growth in the mental health and substance use disorder field. Outside of her professional work, Amanda finds her true sense of joy and purpose in being a mother to her two children, jamming out to hip-hop music, and mindfully connecting body, mind, and spirit near the ocean.
“For years, I thought my life was doomed to a miserable existence. I was unhealthy, depressed, and severely addicted to substances and a fast-paced lifestyle. When I found recovery in 2007, a new world was unlocked for me…a world full of possibility, dreams, desires, the fruits of a strong work ethic, and adventure. I dreamed about living a life in which I was happy, however, my reality has far surpassed my dreams. That is what I want for the people I get to work with. I can’t wait to see the surprised look on their faces when they find out just how good life can be.”
Amanda Marino has been featured as a professional expert on A&E’s “Digital Addiction” in 2022 and will be debuting as an Intervention Profession on the 2024 season of “Intervention.” As of 2023 Amanda has become a professional speaker, internationally. Amanda’s first TedX will be in September of 2025.
You can learn more about her here: https://amandamarinospeaks.com/
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I am a survivor of childhood trauma. I experienced sexual abuse, witnessed domestic violence, and even saw my sister abducted in front of me. She was taken across the border to Canada and, thankfully, returned a month later. These events left deep scars, shaping me into a troubled child and adolescent. For years, I believed I was dirty, damaged, and broken, convinced that I was destined for a life of suffering and undeserving of love or happiness.
Through years of therapy, healing, and constant inner work, I have been able to release those false beliefs. Today, I offer love and compassion to that little girl version of myself who carried so much pain. My mission now is to help others who suffer in silence, to remind you that you are worthy, that you deserve to live the life of your dreams, and that you are not alone.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I founded my company in August 2019, despite being told by many that it wouldn’t work and that I’d need to find another job to support myself. Just months later, in March 2020, the pandemic hit. As I watched people around the world lose everything, I thought about giving up. Instead, I chose to pivot, and that decision allowed me to build an international company entirely online.
That leap forward put me ahead of the curve in my field. Today, I consult with behavioral health organizations, healthcare providers, and wellness companies to help them develop social media strategies that not only attract clients, but also create genuine impact. For me, it’s about more than marketing, it’s about building trust, because trust is the foundation of all meaningful connection.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I’ve often been told that I have a heart of gold, though at times it has left me hurt when I’ve given my heart to people who hadn’t earned it. I’ve also been called brave, a disruptor in the best way. What people find most powerful, though, is my unwavering support for women, even after enduring years of bullying and, more recently, online hate.
But I will not stop. My work and my mission are not about me, they are for others.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
My legacy is about leaving an imprint on the world by making it a better place. Like everyone else, I have my struggles, I am human. My passion is to normalize conversations around mental health, addiction, and life transitions. While my work may sometimes appear self-promotional to those who see things differently, the truth is, it has never been about me.
Everything I do is driven by a greater purpose: to equip my children with the tools to overcome any challenge, to inspire them, and to leave them with a legacy that makes them proud to call me their mom.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nextlevelrecoveryassociates.com. amandamarinospeaks.com
- Instagram: @amandamarinoofficial. @nextlevelrecoveryassoc
- Linkedin: Amanda Marino
- Facebook: Amanda Marino Amanda Marino Behavioral Health Specialist Next Level Recovery Assoc
- Youtube: amanda marino. next level recovery assoc
- Soundcloud: Overcoming Adversity Podcast
- Other: “Levels without limits” live show stramed on all platforms
