Thoughts are things—not

who you are.

Marija Tafra, M.A.Ed.

Helping teens and young adults understand themselves, navigate life’s transitions, and move forward with intention.

University of Michigan

Bachelor of English & Psychology

years working with youth

+ 0

MASTER OF EDUCATION

University of Michigan

Hi! I’m Marija.

Thank you for being here.

Challenges are part of life. Staying stuck doesn’t have to be.

I help teens, emerging adults, expat youth, and women pregnant after loss build resilience, navigate uncertainty, and move forward with confidence.

My coaching isn’t about quick fixes or feel-good advice—it’s about asking the right questions, shifting unhelpful patterns, and taking practical steps toward the life you want.

I’m a former teacher, U.S. expat, mom of three girls, resilience coach and founder of Salixa Resilience Coaching & Education Services. If we’re the right fit, I’d be honoured to support your growth, one small step at a time.

I am here to help…

You choose how the light falls on your page.

Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside, awakes.

– Carl Jung

featured on HRT

My journey from the US to Croatia—and how it inspired Salixa.

I recently shared my story in “Hrvatska, moj izbor: Marija i Zdenko”, a documentary by Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) exploring life in Croatia and the experiences of people who have the country their home. The full documentary (in Croatian) can be watched on the official Glas Hrvatske YouTube channel.

My clients

Late teens

For ages 15-18

Navigate growing up with more confidence, resilience, and self-belief.

Emerging Adults

For ages 19-29

Find direction, build confidence, and create a life that feels true to you.

Expat Youth

For ages 15-29

Adjust to life abroad while building confidence and a sense of belonging.

Pregnancy after Loss

Move through pregnancy with support, compassion, and hope.

More ways I can support you

Business English & Communication Coaching

Personalized coaching to strengthen your professional English, communication skills, and confidence—helping you communicate clearly and effectively in work, study, and international environments.

Coaching topics

These are some of the things we can work on together.

ACADEMIC

EMOTIONS & WELL-BEING

IDENTITY & RELATIONSHIPS

CAREER

I’ll walk alongside you as you build resilience—not by simply “toughing it out,” but by learning how to adapt, navigate challenges, and turn difficult experiences into opportunities for growth.

How it works

1.

Free consultation (discovery call)

2.

Intake session

3.

Coaching core

4.

Closing session

Before we meet, you’ll complete a short intake questionnaire. In our first session, we’ll talk through your responses, explore where you are right now, and identify what you’d like to achieve through coaching. Together, we’ll create a clear goal to guide our work.

60 minutes

Every session has a clear focus.

At the beginning of each session, you’ll decide what you’d like to work on that day. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in your way, uncover your strengths, look at things from new perspectives, and find practical strategies that work for you.

You’ll leave each session with:

A better understanding of yourself
Clear, realistic action steps
Accountability to help you keep moving forward

We’ll take what feels overwhelming and break it down into manageable steps so that progress feels possible—and sustainable.

45 minutes per session

At the end of our coaching journey, we’ll look back at how far you’ve come and celebrate your growth. Together, we’ll reflect on the tools, skills, and strengths you’ve developed so you feel confident continuing your resilience journey long after our sessions end

60 minutes

This is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where we’ll get to know each other.

During our call, you’ll:

Learn what resilience coaching is (and isn’t)
Tell me a little about what’s been going on for you
See if we’re a good fit to work together
Ask any questions you have

Everything we discuss is completely confidential, and there’s absolutely no obligation to book a coaching package afterwards.

30 minutes

Clients about me

I got to know myself more deeply through self-awareness. This lead to giving myself more space, being gentler with myself, and prioritizing better while organizing my daily activities in small steps. As a result, I’m now much more motivated to do something good for myself.

Resilience coaching helped me learn how to let go of others’ expectations and follow my own path.

—Ema P. (23)

Through coaching with Marija, I became more aware of my thoughts, goals and values which helped me make a big decision: choosing which college I wish to attend. Plus, I had the opportunity to practice my English with a native speaker!

—Klara J. (17)