Martha Markaki was a successful divorce lawyer who realized something was wrong: her clients got legal agreements, even court decisions, but they weren't happy. After years of listening to clients for hours about non-legal struggles—the real pain behind divorce—she discovered she wasn't doing legal work at all. She was doing something else.

In this episode, Martha shares her transformation from frustrated lawyer to fulfilled divorce coach and family mediator. We explore why divorce is like "climbing Mount Everest in sandals," the real question facing people after separation (choosing who you WANT to be), and how coaching helps couples navigate conflict before crisis.

Whether you're a coach, a couple in transition, or someone navigating difficult conversations, this conversation offers powerful insights into transformation during life's hardest moments.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Introduction

3:04 From divorce lawyer to divorce coach

4:53 "I invented something... that ended in 30 seconds"

9:12 Mount Everest in sandals: Why divorce is traumatic

11:52 Choose who you WANT to be

12:19 Joerg's journey coaching divorced women in Indonesia

16:51 The hidden needs behind every conflict

20:36 Working with couples vs. individuals

27:55 Conflict in relationships vs. workplace—same dynamics

30:09 The 30-second touch story: What happens when emotions take over

37:56 From frustrated lawyer to fulfilled coach

39:47 "I have wings and I'm flying"

41:09 How to work with Martha

43:26 Closing reflections

KEY TOPICS:

- Divorce coaching and family mediation

- Career transitions in the coaching profession

- Working with couples vs. individuals

- Conflict resolution in relationships and workplace

- Choosing transformation over trauma

- Building a coaching practice in a specialized niche

ABOUT MARTHA MARKAKI:

Based in Athens, Greece, Martha is a certified family mediator, relationship coach, and divorce specialist. She's completing her second year of mental health counseling training and works with couples internationally.

Connect with Martha:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-markaki-b03b01175/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_markaki/

ABOUT JOERG SAUER (HOST):

Joerg Sauer is a transformational coach specializing in executive leadership and organizational transformation. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia for over 20 years, Joerg brings a unique perspective shaped by his transition from C-suite executive roles to professional coaching. He holds an MSc in Professional Coaching & Entrepreneurship (with Merit) and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC).

As Country Leader of Morphosis Coaching Indonesia, Joerg works with senior leaders and organizations navigating complex change. Inspired by his own life experience, he also coaches singles over 30 and divorced women finding their path forward after major life transitions.

Connect with Joerg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joergsauer-coach/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joergsauer_coach/

Website: https://joergsauer.coach

ABOUT THE PODCAST:

The COACHpreneur Journey features conversations with coaches, coach entrepreneurs, clients, and service providers in the coaching ecosystem. Hosted by Joerg Sauer from Jakarta, Indonesia.

New episodes every two weeks on Wednesday.