Achievements

– Over 500 conferences delivered

– More than 7,000 hours of executive coaching for national and international clients

– Trainer for various organizations such as iA Financial Group, eXp Québec, Le Groupe La Relève, RE/MAX Québec

– Named one of the 38 most inspiring men in Quebec in the book Inspiration au Masculin published by Performance Édition

– Ambassador of the 2023 Content Creation Summit organized by Infopresse and Urbania at Club Soda

– Commentator on the public affairs show Denis Lévesque Le Show on the platform 9millions.ca

Training

Investing in training means aligning your business goals with the well-being of your employees, both in the present and for the future. Marc works as a trainer for companies as well as groups of individuals.

Testimonials

“An excellent communicator, he delivered a clear message and provided tools that help our staff better manage priorities in their personal and professional lives, find time for themselves, appreciate themselves, and avoid burnout. Inspired by his experience, background, and remarkable academic achievements, Marc’s lessons truly resonated with our team. His presentation, both dynamic and relaxed, encouraged reflection and a reframing of how we manage our commitments to give ourselves the place we deserve in our own lives…” — Gilles Martel, Service Manager at SQ Montréal

“You came to give a conference at my office, and people left with concrete tools to help them progress and loved your performance, which was both touching and relevant. Then, we started a Masterclass with about 20 individuals wanting to perform, grow, and evolve — aiming for their personal best! Although we still have more than half the sessions to go, I can say mission accomplished! I witnessed firsthand the benefits in people’s lives, and we are very grateful! Beyond all this, I want to highlight that you are such a human person, easy to talk to.” — Jean-François Cloutier, Agency Director and Financial Security Advisor

“My first meeting with Marc was the start of a deep personal and professional reflection. His very insightful questions helped me think and understand who I really was. They enabled me to build a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem based on our family values and respect for our decisions. Over the past 20 years, I’ve invested in many sectors, but none gave me a return on investment like the time spent with Marc. Thank you, Marc, for your precious listening and coaching.” — Marc-André Plouffe, Vice President of Groupe MCS5 and Groupe Le Pacha

His Story

At about nine years old, when I was just a child dreaming big, I saw my mother take a steak knife and try to kill my father. Instinctively, I screamed “Dad!” so he could stop the knife in time. Emergency services arrived quickly, and I saw my mother being handcuffed and taken to a psychiatric hospital. She was diagnosed with severe schizophrenia. From that moment, my life was never the same.

My father, a businessman, was very busy and did his best. My greatest wound of abandonment began then. I became a seeker of love.

Needing love, I wanted to please at all costs. Because of this, I learned to see myself through others’ eyes.

I ended up in toxic relationships, both in friendship and love. Yet, I was perceived as a high achiever. At twenty, the Casino de Montréal recruited me to manage their VIP section. I cared for a prestigious clientele and felt important. Later, I understood the true meaning of the term VIP.

I had a title, a pension plan, RRSPs, and a comfortable, enviable lifestyle. During this time, I thought this wealth was happiness. I numbed myself, got lost, and spent recklessly. I started using illicit drugs, and my health deteriorated. Nothing was going right.

I decided to see a doctor and confessed that I no longer had the strength to live that way. I was afraid of ending up like my mother in a psychiatric hospital. He referred me to a psychologist.

I clearly remember arriving at that first meeting with a slightly arrogant attitude. I desperately wanted to know the recipe for happiness. I asked her, “Can you tell me how to be happy?” Seeing my suffering, she replied, “I can tell you one thing: if you start to meet yourself at 25 years old, you have nothing to lose. Go discover who you are, discover yourself, Marc Dumaine.” I had thought happiness answers were in books; I wasn’t expecting her to tell me to meet myself. So, I quit my job.

I certainly did not have my father’s approval. He thought I was exuberant and reckless to leave such a good job. That’s when I told him I wasn’t happy. He replied, “Work is health, and happiness will come.” For once, I didn’t listen.

I reconnected with the little Marc and headed to New York. I went with hope in my heart, but to be honest, I lived the darkest years of my life. I mixed with high society, wealthy, and famous people, but soon was introduced to a dark world of ego, drugs, and sex. I got lost there.

What looked like a fairy tale ended at 28 years old in an alley, unconscious. I had overdosed. I only remember someone waking me up, and somehow I grabbed my phone and called my father. He hurried to get me and take me back to Montreal. That’s when I believed there was no room for my exuberance and color; I had to fit into a mold.

“I had finally reached the epiphany of success.”

Back in Montreal, I enrolled at university and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Management, but it wasn’t enough. I aimed higher and wanted to get an MBA. However, at registration, the admissions committee saw I was missing criteria and didn’t fit the program. I had to demonstrate my interest, sell myself, and pass several intelligence tests. In the end, I was accepted.

I completed my MBA intensively, despite being judged for my differences. Surprisingly, I won the MBA award and was recruited by major companies, including Cirque du Soleil, who offered me a consulting mandate in Dubai. I had finally reached the epiphany of success.

What I didn’t tell much in my story is that my schizophrenic mother called me every day since I was nine, telling me all kinds of things she imagined in her head. But one day, after a call from her psychiatric hospital, I had to quit my dream job in Dubai because I was told my mother was dying soon. I left the most important mission of my life and returned to her.

At the hospital, I had a major awakening. I found myself among schizophrenics who, without masks and without fear of judgment, loved me unconditionally. This brought me closer to my truth. At my mother’s last breath, I felt the need to make her a promise. She could now leave in peace because I was finally ready to find my own happiness. That’s how she passed away in my arms.

My mother spent 20 years in a hospital and had made it her kingdom. She considered herself a queen and was nicknamed Lady Margot; everyone knew her. When I left the hospital, I met a patient who asked if I was Lady Margot’s son. He said, “It’s an honor to meet you. Did you know that for 20 years we’ve heard about Prince Marc?” I had just made a commitment to be happy at my mother’s bedside, and I learned I was Lady Margot’s prince. My true quest had begun; I had to honor myself as a prince.

I then began to study human nature and how it works. I started a PhD in mental health but before completing it, I turned to NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). After that, I studied humanistic hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnosis and understood how our brain works. I shifted towards positive intelligence and emotional intelligence.

“I love myself deeply.”

I found myself a castle worthy of a prince—the Château Saint-Ambroise in Montreal. I opened my own office and launched my company, Asana Coaching. I decided to teach what is not taught at school. I was confident. There are moments in life when you feel it is on your side. I was convinced that even if no one believed in me, the little prince was now awake.

I invested a lot, had good branding, a beautiful office—I really wanted to make a good impression. When you’re ready, life gives you what you need. My first client was a renowned international designer.

Today, after over 5,000 hours of coaching, I realize how much suffering has become the common denominator, how much humans have lost themselves in performance and self-judgment. We no longer know where to find love.

Over time, I met myself. I accepted that I am not just black or white, but multicolored. Even if I’m not everyone’s favorite, I have finally touched inner peace. I honor myself morning and night, and I know I am aligned with a mission that is coherent.

One thing is certain: I will never give up on myself again. I will never let myself down. Very humbly, heart to heart, soul to soul, that is what I wish for you: to build a life worthy of all the gifts life gives you. You are so much more extraordinary than you think. I wish you to love yourself madly; I guarantee that it is the foundation of life because everything begins with “I LOVE MYSELF DEEPLY.”