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My name is Miriam Macip, and I am 34 years old. I was born in San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico, and grew up moving around Mexico every two years before eventually settling in Orange County, Los Angeles, and now San Diego, California.
I am a conflict strategist for couples, helping them express their feelings, needs, and boundaries clearly and respectfully. Most people believe they’re “communicating,” but what they’re really doing is trying to win and that leaves one partner silenced and the other unsatisfied. I call myself a strategist because I help couples break free of that exhausting cycle and discover practical and more effective strategies to get their needs met without power struggles.
I also train in MMA, Muay Thai, and/or Jiu-Jitsu every day. Fighting is my medicine… it keeps me alive, resilient, and grounded. And I love merging lessons from combat with lessons about how to not fight in relationships, and instead have “healthy conflict”.
My Childhood
I grew up in a home that was often marked by great instability, conflict, and neglect. As a little girl, I didn’t have the safety I longed for. We moved often, I witnessed violence, and experienced plenty of risky situations and fear.
What saved me were my grandparents, who gave me moments of stability and reminded me that love could feel calm and secure. Books and education became my escape hatch and a way to dream of a different life.
My father’s death by suicide two days before my 11th birthday was the greatest turning point for our family. My mother struggled deeply during that period, and it shaped a lot of my early experiences. Yet, as I look back, I also see how she has worked in recent years to redeem herself. She tries to show up as a grandmother now bringing mindful gifts, listening, and trying to be present with my daughters. I see those efforts, and it gives me hope how much people can change and grow even through very traumatic experiences. Healing takes time, and I’m grateful for the ways she’s rebuilding parts of our relationship.
Patterns in Adulthood
Like many women who grow up in chaotic homes, I unknowingly chose a partner who repeated some of the same painful dynamics. I believed I was “assertive,” but in reality I was caught in what I call the “who is right?” game: endless arguments where love and the vision for our life together got lost. In that cycle, someone always had to submit, and little by little, life began to look very different from what I had hoped for.
It wasn’t until I dove deeply into psychology and assertiveness that I realized true power isn’t about proving yourself or giving in. It’s about knowing what you need in order to thrive so that no one can convince you to settle for less. It’s about understanding exactly how much you are willing to give without losing yourself, practicing genuine self-disclosure, and honoring your limits unapologetically. That’s what makes it possible to create a home where both people feel safe.
Once I understood that, I finally had the strength to accept being judged for living in alignment with my values and the courage to leave that marriage. That clarity became the starting point for building the life I truly wanted.
That moment became the foundation for everything I teach today.
How did you discover Muay Thai and MMA?
My father introduced me to training when I was young. When I found myself in a draining marriage, I decided to rediscover what made me feel alive, and martial arts was one of those things. I joined a Krav Maga school and instantly fell in love. It gave me a renewed sense of confidence that helped me stand my ground through the divorce. Soon after, I moved to Los Angeles, drawn by the idea of fighting professionally, and began taking on stunt and fitness modeling gigs. It was there that I met my now-husband, the love of my life. Stunt training felt incredibly real and empowering.
When COVID-19 hit, we moved to Spain for a brief period, but returned to San Diego as life there didn’t align with our goals. We focused on building our life, and I continued strength training at home while dedicating myself to my coaching business, teaching assertiveness and non-violent communication. However, when my youngest daughter was one month old, she contracted RSV, and we spent a week in the hospital. The shock of seeing my baby intubated and unable to feed led to a severe depression that was incredibly hard to overcome, especially with my other daughters needing care. My husband suggested I join a local MMA, Muay Thai, and Jiujitsu gym. He drove me at first, but it’s a sport where you must move or you’ll get hit, which definitely got me back on my feet when I needed it most. Since then, I’ve realized that fighting is what keeps me alive—not just surviving, but thriving. I don’t miss a day; it’s my medicine.
What (or who) inspired you to be involved in the Underwater Transformation Project?
Liz Carmouche has been a significant inspiration for me, and she shared the Underwater Transformation Project and its concept with me. I am truly honored to be a part of it. My career in mental health is deeply driven by projects that acknowledge the pain we endure and highlight human resilience.
What were your goals for the photo shoot?
I love the inherent beauty of underwater photography and wanted to use it to showcase how this journey has transformed both my mind and body. My goals for the shoot were to portray the beauty of my sport, the vulnerability of my love, and the healing I’ve found in a loving relationship that embraces me as I am, without attempting to change or control me—my safe place. I believe I was able to portray exactly that.
How was the experience with an underwater portrait session?
It was more challenging than I anticipated, but I absolutely loved it. To ensure my muscles appeared to be in motion, I had to actively perform movements while simultaneously resisting the water’s tendency to lift me and alter my posture.
How was your mood after you finished?
I felt energized and fulfilled. I believe I successfully conveyed what I intended to express.
What does WATER mean to you?
Water signifies life to me. Alongside sleep, it is what I prioritize most. As an athlete, I deeply value it. I swim in the ocean weekly, and it serves as my moment to recharge.
Do you think this experience could help overcome your trauma?
Yes! I believe everything we do contributes to our self-concept, and every action communicates something. To see myself in beautiful underwater images, looking strong instead of the vulnerable child or lost wife I once was, feels profoundly renewing. It brings a sense of completeness to my journey, and I am truly happy to witness my evolution. I would absolutely do another underwater photoshoot.
How did you sleep the night of the photo shoot?
Oh, I was definitely tired, haha! It was a unique kind of workout. I typically either swim or fight, so combining both felt incredible, and my body felt much better for it.
How was Erena working with you?
Erena was an excellent guide. Knowing what I wanted to express is one thing, but translating that into motion and an image is another. She helped me immensely by providing direction, suggesting whether things looked better sideways or head-on, and even encouraging me to feel more free in my expression. The results were exactly what I wanted to convey, even though I didn’t initially know precisely how I wanted it to look, if that makes sense. She definitely knows her craft.
What’s your dream?
My dream is to help women and children in any way I can. I understand the profound impact that certain relationships have had on me. I also know how assertiveness and non-violent communication have transformed me and the quality of my relationships. However, I also recognize that some people disregard boundaries or needs, and the ability to protect oneself and one’s children has given me an essential layer of empowerment, bolstering my confidence in my words. Therefore, my mission is to help people create better homes and build healthier relationships where partners are each other’s safe haven, supporting one another to achieve their dream lives and together providing their children with a secure home. I plan to develop tools to make this a reality, so people can practice their communication skills with the same dedication I apply to my daily combos. I aspire to equip most of humanity with these skills, making assertiveness and non-violent communication the norm rather than combativeness.
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