Discovering Your True Path with the Life Balance Advantage
Welcome back to the Life Balance Advantage Podcast—where waking up from your sleepwalk is the first step toward self-healing and achieving true happiness. Today’s episode is titled Mark My Words because, as you’ll soon see, words carry the power to shape our lives. But before we dive into that, let me introduce myself for those who may be tuning in for the first time.
Who is Mark Armento?
I’m Mark Armento, and my life’s quest is to guide people like you toward self-healing through the Life Balance Advantage. My goal is simple: to help you recognize the happiness you deserve and equip you with the tools to achieve it. By listening to this podcast, you’ve already taken the most important step—opening yourself up to new possibilities.
The Moment That Sparked My Journey
My path to conscious awakening began when I was just seven years old. I vividly remember accompanying my older brother to the store every Sunday to pick up rolls and bagels. During these outings, I would find myself mesmerized by the people around me, observing their movements, conversations, and energy. One day, my brother confronted me in classic older-sibling fashion: “Stop staring at people!”
To me, I wasn’t staring—I was simply absorbing. I was in the flow, fully immersed in the moment. It wasn’t until years later that I realized this deep fascination with human behavior would become the foundation of my career and life purpose.
How Do You Find Your Life’s True Calling?
As an educator, I often get asked by students, “How do I know if I’m on the right career path?” My answer is simple:
- Identify an activity you love—something that makes time disappear when you do it.
- Find a way to get paid for it.
That’s what I did, even before I knew it. I was a family therapist at 12—I just eventually made it official. In sports psychology, this phenomenon is known as being in the flow. The world’s greatest athletes describe their peak performances as moments where time slows down, and they are fully present. If you’ve ever felt completely engaged in an activity, you’ve experienced this flow firsthand.
So when I was seven, deeply engrossed in people-watching, I was unknowingly stepping into my life’s purpose. This passion eventually led me to write my book, Sleepwalking on a Tightrope, which you can find on Amazon. If you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A Life Dedicated to Transformation
For over 35 years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping individuals, students, and professionals achieve balance and fulfillment. My experience spans multiple fields, including:
- Personal development
- Alcohol and substance abuse counseling
- Sports performance
- Organizational management
- General health and wellness
I hold multiple New York State licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. I’m also a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a credentialed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a certified practitioner in NLP, Hypnosis, Auricular Acupuncture, Trauma Reduction, Transcendental Meditation, and Reiki.
My Impact on the World Stage
Beyond my clinical work, I have served as the Vice President of a major nonprofit organization focused on empowering individuals to make responsible life choices free from substance abuse. I’ve developed and directed award-winning addiction education programs, provided consulting for major cities, and even worked as a sports psychology consultant for the Liberian International Athletics Foundation during the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Today, I continue my work as a consultant for multiple New York universities.
Transforming Adversities into Advantages
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned one fundamental truth: happiness isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about transforming it into an advantage. That’s exactly what the Life Balance Advantage is all about. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s a method, a mindset, and a way to reclaim your life.
If you’re ready to step into your own power, break free from self-limiting beliefs, and embrace your path with confidence, you’re in the right place.
Join the Life Balance Advantage Movement
I appreciate you taking the time to listen today. Until next time, know that you are blessed, and be well.