ABOUT ME

Who I Am

I’m Jami Marlies, Coach Jami, a speaker, coach, and former CIO who knows what it means to live by expectations…and what it takes to break free from them.

For over 25 years, I checked every box I thought I was supposed to: marriage, kids, houses, a successful career as a technology executive. On the outside, it looked like success. But inside, I was consumed by anxiety—overthinking every email, replaying conversations in my head, even worrying if buying the “wrong” sippy cup could ruin my kids’ future. I didn’t know I had a choice.

At 50, everything changed. After being fired from my last CIO job, I drove cross-country chasing new opportunities, only to end up back in Arizona—where, on my 50th birthday, I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder. And instead of fear, I felt relief.

Finally, I had something real to work with. My competitive spirit—the same determination that earned me a Division I volleyball scholarship—kicked in. I was determined to rebuild my life, this time authentically.

Today, I combine my athlete’s discipline, my executive leadership, and my coaching empathy to help leaders and individuals reprogram their minds, strengthen their bodies, and live with truth and confidence. Because I know what it’s like to live without authenticity—and I know the freedom on the other side.

My Full Story

As a kid, I dreamed of studying dolphins on a boat—out in the sun, on the water, and outside just learning. I wanted freedom, curiosity, and adventure.

But somewhere along the way, I stopped following my own dreams and started following everyone else’s expectations. I was told to get married and have kids—and I did. I was told to buy a house and set down roots—and I did. I was told to go into IT, to be successful, to “go to the top.” And so I did. And I didn’t know I was miserable. I just thought this was how it was supposed to be.

And so I did those things—raising children, building a 25+ year career as an executive in IT, marriage (and divorce), buying and selling homes. From the outside, it looked like I had checked every box of a “successful” life. But on the inside, I was ruminating over every email, pre-planning conversations just in case they happened, rehearsing what I’d say if something went wrong and how to say it so no one would be upset with me.

And it wasn’t just work. I obsessed over everything—buying the “right” pizza, wondering if people secretly hated me because I bit my nails, worrying whether my fish tail was cooked enough, or convincing myself that if I bought the wrong sippy cup, my kids might fall, hurt themselves, and end up with lifelong dental problems. My brain never stopped. I wasn’t living—I was constantly managing, bracing, and performing. And I didn’t know any different. This was what I was taught and told to do. I didn’t even know I had a choice. It was a far cry from my outdoors, sun-and-water-seeking dolphin dream.

At 50, everything fell apart. My last CIO job was a bust. I was fired for reasons I wouldn’t fully understand until years later. At the time, I thought I was doing everything right—fixing errors, getting projects back on track, empowering my team—and still, I was shown the door. I was a mess.

So I drove across the country for another CIO job. But when I got there, I realized I couldn’t do it. The weather was cold, dreary, and rainy, and the culture wasn’t for me. I packed up, drove back to Arizona, then back to where I’d been living in the South. Not long after, I got the call from the job I’d really been waiting for—they went in a different direction.

Exhausted and devastated, I drove again to my mom’s in Arizona. And on my 50th birthday, I finally got an answer I didn’t expect: I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder.

And instead of being terrifying, the diagnosis was exhilarating. Finally, I wasn’t “crazy.” I had something concrete to work with—and that meant I could do something about it. My brain immediately shifted into action: What tools do I need? What techniques can I use? How do I learn to live differently?

That’s when my competitive nature kicked back in—the same drive I discovered as a teenager. I had picked up volleyball in ninth grade and was told I had talent. Four years later, through discipline, leadership, and relentless motivation, I earned a Division I scholarship. I had only a short window to make it happen, and I refused to quit. That same determination came flooding back after my diagnosis. I was determined to “fix myself,” not by chasing perfection, but by finally learning how to live authentically and freely.

That moment became the beginning of my transformation. I started peeling back layers of old programming, facing my fears, and finding the courage to live differently. I leaned on my athlete’s discipline, my leader’s resilience, and my coach’s empathy to rebuild my confidence from the inside out.

Today, I’m not just the sum of my job titles. I’m a speaker, coach, and guide for others who feel trapped by expectations, burnout, or fear. I help leaders and individuals reprogram their minds, strengthen their bodies, and lead their lives with truth and authenticity—because I know what it’s like to live without it, and I know the freedom on the other side.

Education

Currently Enrolled – Data Analytics & Data Engineering Program
- Programming & Automation: Python, Python Automation, SQL
- Data Engineering & Cloud Platforms: Snowflake, AWS, Azure, Apache Airflow, Databricks, PySpark
- Data Modeling & Pipelines: Fivetran, Data Modeling, System Design
- Data Visualization & BI Tools: Power BI, Data Visualization
MS, Information Systems – George Mason University
BS, Decision Sciences & Management Information Systems – George Mason University
Business Studies – The American University (Division 1 Women's Volleyball Scholarship)

Certifications

ISSA Elite Trainer
ISSA Master Trainer
ISSA Health Coach
ISSA Sports Nutrition Specialist
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
ISSA Transformation Specialist
ISSA DNA-Based Fitness Coach
ISSA Strength & Conditioning Specialist
ISSA Group Fitness Instructor
ISSA Yoga Instructor
ISSA Corrective Exercise Specialist
ISSA Exercise Recovery Specialist
NASM Group Personal Trainer

Career Accomplishments

Executive Leadership: Served as CIO/CTO for 25+ years across higher education, government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, leading IT modernization, compliance, and digital transformation initiatives.
Technology Transformation: Directed enterprise migrations including Jenzabar SIS, Office 365, AWS cloud, and SyteLine ERP across multi-campus/global environments, aligning technology with organizational goals.
Operational Excellence: Cut technology costs by six figures annually through vendor negotiations, compliance frameworks, and IT process reengineering.
STEM Education Expansion: Delivered a state-recognized Engineering & Robotics Lab with a $500K ARC grant at Garrett College; expanded digital equity by reallocating tech resources across campus.
Cultural Impact: At Desert Botanical Garden, increased IT support coverage by 320% and improved resolution times by 800% through automation, while enhancing visitor engagement with digitized exhibits and Wi-Fi access.
Wellness Innovation: Founded Fit Geneius, integrating DNA analysis, data-driven coaching, and educational frameworks into personalized wellness programs for clients from children to athletes.
Data-Driven Coaching: At VShred, built and automated client data systems supporting 1,000+ users, improving retention by 10% through workflow optimization and onboarding improvements
Recognition for Grit & Discipline: Awarded a Division I volleyball scholarship within four years of starting the sport, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and competitive drive

Community & Volunteer Leadership

Advocating for the Underserved: While coaching wellness clients, I noticed that many of my older female clients struggled with the standard workout videos—they assumed full mobility and left out those with balance or flexibility challenges. I raised the issue with corporate leadership and said plainly: “We’re missing an entire demographic.” Instead of brushing it off, they invited me to step in. I traveled to corporate headquarters and filmed six workout videos focused on balance, stretching, and mobility. I had no prior acting or on-camera experience—but I leaned into it, and I was awesome. Those videos are still in use today, helping clients who once felt unseen feel strong, capable, and included.
Youth & Collegiate Coaching: I’ve had the privilege of coaching boys’ and girls’ volleyball at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels, as well as at summer camps. For me, it was never just about winning games—it was about building confidence, resilience, and teamwork in young athletes. I wanted every player to leave with skills they could carry into life: discipline, communication, and the belief that they were capable of more than they thought.
Wellness Coaching & Advocacy: Outside of my professional practice, I’ve supported women navigating peri/menopause, seniors regaining mobility, and individuals rebuilding their confidence after setbacks. These experiences taught me that transformation isn’t only physical—it’s mental and emotional too. Seeing someone light up when they realize they’re stronger and more capable than they believed is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Event Leadership – 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships: As part of this Olympic-level event, I managed credentials, volunteer scheduling, and closing ceremonies logistics for athletes from around the world. It was fast-paced, unpredictable, and high-pressure—and I thrived. The experience reminded me how much I enjoy bringing people together, solving problems on the fly, and making sure others can shine on the stage they’ve worked so hard to reach.
Community Fundraising – Dancing with the Local Stars: When I signed up to dance in this fundraiser, it was well outside my comfort zone. But I leaned into the challenge, trained hard, and ultimately won the competition—raising record-breaking donations for arts education in the process. What started as a personal stretch became a way to give back to something bigger than myself.
Outdoor Safety Leadership – Wisp Resort: As a Mountain Host Hill Leader, I supported guests on the slopes, coordinated emergency responses, and kept teams calm in unpredictable conditions. It was a role that demanded both authority and empathy—helping people feel safe while navigating challenges head-on. It taught me that leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about staying steady so others can find their footing.
Corporate & Community Wellness Workshops: I’ve led workshops that blend mindset, resilience, fitness, and nutrition for both businesses and local groups. Whether working with a corporate team or a small community, my goal has always been the same: to give people simple, practical tools that help them perform better, feel better, and live more authentically.