Hidden Gems: Meet Marie Roy of Intermission Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Roy.

Hi Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Intermission Atlanta was born from a simple belief: when people feel regulated, supported, and connected, they perform better, lead better, and live better.
My co-founder, Dorothée Rechenberg, and I are both French professionals who followed different paths before meeting in Atlanta. I spent 15 years as a teacher before specializing in family coaching, trauma-informed practices, and nervous system regulation, working with hundreds of parents, children, and adolescents. Dorothée built her career through movement and dance education, helping people reconnect with themselves through the body.
As we worked with families, schools, and organizations, we noticed the same challenge everywhere: stress, burnout, and emotional overload were affecting people’s health, relationships, and performance. We also realized that many individuals wanted support but didn’t know where to begin or believed wellbeing required hours of practice or expensive programs.

In 2025, we founded Intermission Atlanta with the mission of making evidence-based wellbeing accessible, practical, and engaging. Rather than simply talking about stress, we teach people how to regulate it through science-backed tools, techniques that can be used in everyday life and at work.
At its heart, Intermission Atlanta is about creating moments to pause. In a culture that constantly encourages us to do more, we believe taking an intentional intermission isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. Whether we’re working with executives, students, educators, or parents, our goal is always the same: to help people build resilience, improve wellbeing, and create healthier workplaces and communities.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has reinforced why we do this work.
One of our biggest challenges has been helping organizations see that mental health and performance are deeply connected. While awareness has grown significantly, many leaders are still figuring out how to translate good intentions into meaningful action. We spend a lot of time educating organizations that wellbeing isn’t about adding another perk, it’s about creating conditions where people can think clearly, collaborate effectively, and thrive.
As female entrepreneurs, we’ve also learned to embrace uncertainty. Building a company requires wearing many hats, taking risks, and remaining resilient when things don’t go exactly as planned. Fortunately, each opportunity has opened the door to another. Every workshop, every conversation, and every partnership has strengthened our conviction that there is a real need for practical, evidence-based approaches to mental health.
Looking back, the challenges have become part of the story. They’ve pushed us to refine our mission, stay authentic, and focus on creating meaningful impact rather than simply growing a business.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Intermission Atlanta?
Intermission Atlanta is a workplace and community wellbeing company that helps people manage stress, strengthen resilience, and perform at their best through science-based, experiential workshops.
What makes us different is that we don’t just talk about wellbeing, we create experiences that people can immediately feel and apply in their daily lives. Our sessions combine evidence-based education with practical tools, making mental health accessible, engaging, and actionable for everyone, regardless of prior experience.

Since launching, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with organizations including Airbus, Prologis, MHP Porsche, UCB, Kennesaw State University, Alliance Française Atlanta, schools, and community organizations. Our work ranges from corporate wellness workshops and leadership programs to community events that make mental health resources accessible to a broader audience.
Our goal is always the same: to help people pause, regulate, reconnect, and return to what matters most.

What we’re most proud of is the culture we’re helping create. Mental health is no longer just a personal issue, it’s a leadership and organizational priority. We believe organizations thrive when people thrive, and we’re passionate about helping leaders move from simply talking about wellbeing to embedding it into everyday workplace culture.
At Intermission Atlanta, we also believe wellbeing should be accessible beyond the workplace. That’s why we actively partner with schools, universities, and community organizations to bring evidence-based mental health tools to a wider audience and help make Atlanta a healthier, more connected community.

Ultimately, our mission is simple: Our mission is to make intentional pauses an essential part of how we work, lead, and live. Because when people know how to regulate stress, they don’t just feel better; they think more clearly, connect more deeply, and perform at their best.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love collaborating with organizations and individuals who believe that people are every organization’s greatest asset.
Whether you’re a company looking to support your employees, a university investing in student wellbeing, a nonprofit serving your community, or an event organizer wanting to create a meaningful attendee experience, we’d love to explore how we can work together. Our workshops and experiences are always tailored to the unique needs of each audience.
Partnership is at the heart of everything we do. We believe the greatest impact happens when organizations come together around a shared purpose. That’s why we’ve been proud to collaborate with initiatives such as Atlanta AI Week, where we explored the human side of performance in an AI-driven world, and why we’re hosting “From Conversation to Action: Leadership & Mental Health at Work” for World Mental Health Day this October. We’re also honored to partner with TEDx Atlanta to create the Refresh Room, offering attendees a dedicated space to pause, recharge, and reconnect throughout the event.
If you’re passionate about building healthier workplaces, supporting your community, or creating conversations that lead to action, we’d love to connect. Whether through workshops, keynote speaking, community events, strategic partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, we’re always excited to collaborate with people and organizations who share our vision of making wellbeing more accessible, practical, and impactful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intermissionatlanta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intermissionatlanta/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-roy-paulic/