Today we’d like to introduce you to Marius Haynes.
Hi Marius, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Mississippi — a place that births greatness but often lacks opportunity to express it. My journey into counseling began long before I had the title; it started through genuine conversations and the simple act of listening. I’ve always been the one people came to when they needed clarity, comfort, or perspective. Over time, I realized that being a steady, understanding presence wasn’t just something I did — it was a calling.
That natural gift for guidance deepened when I discovered I was an empath. For years, I struggled to understand why I felt everything so deeply — both my emotions and the emotions of others. That self-discovery led me to create The Empath Store in 2021, a space designed to support and empower others like me who needed tools, resources, and community to thrive in their sensitivity.
In 2025, I expanded that mission by co-founding Our Healing Space with LaNae Wilkins — a practice dedicated to providing authentic, heart-centered mental health care. Every step of my journey has been about transforming sensitivity into strength and creating spaces where others can do the same.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. For a long time, I struggled with denying my own potential and playing small — often selling myself short out of fear or uncertainty. I had to face my own trials and tribulations before I could authentically help others navigate theirs. Many of those experiences forced me to confront my own existential questions — who I am, why I’m here, and what I’m meant to contribute.
Those challenges weren’t easy, but they were necessary. Each one taught me something about resilience, compassion, and purpose. I’ve come to see every obstacle as a piece of a much larger puzzle — one that continues to shape me into the guide, healer, and creator I was meant to be.
We’ve been impressed with Our Healing Space/ The Empath Store , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Our Healing Space, we believe that healing begins with authenticity. Co-founded by myself and LaNae Wilkins, it’s a mental health practice that blends traditional counseling methods with holistic approaches such as mindfulness, emotional awareness, and energy balance. We create a space where clients can feel seen beyond their symptoms — as whole, evolving beings. What sets us apart is our emphasis on human connection and our commitment to meeting people exactly where they are, whether they’re seeking mental clarity, emotional grounding, or spiritual growth. We’re proud to offer a practice that honors both the science of psychology and the art of healing.
The Empath Store was born from that same philosophy. It began as a response to the lack of safe spaces for empaths and highly sensitive people — individuals who often feel deeply but don’t always have the tools to manage that sensitivity. Today, The Empath Store offers both self-care products and empathic support services designed to nurture emotional balance and self-understanding. From apparel and affirmation-based items to one-on-one empathic listening sessions through Echoes, the brand is about transforming sensitivity into strength and empowerment.
What ties both brands together is purpose — creating spaces and experiences that honor emotional intelligence, empathy, and authentic healing. Whether through counseling, conversation, or community, my goal has always been to remind people that their sensitivity is not a weakness, but a guide toward their own wholeness.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people is that I see myself as both the healer and the healed. Every person I work with reflects a part of my own journey — their breakthroughs, questions, and growth often mirror things I’ve experienced or am still learning. I don’t see myself as separate from the people I help; rather, our stories often intertwine in meaningful ways. That connection keeps my work authentic and reminds me that healing is never one-sided — it’s a shared process of understanding, evolving, and coming home to ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ourhealingspace.org and www.theempathstore.com
- Instagram: @our.healing.space and @theempathstore
- Youtube: @ourhealingspacellc
Image Credits
(pictured with) LaNae Wilkins, Co-Founder, Our Healing Space
Self Care& Chill Tee, The Empath Store
