We recently had the chance to connect with Ana Merlino and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ana, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I keep my phone outside the bedroom, so the first thing I do is switch off my alarm (a classic Casio!). Then I freshen up and drink a glass of water with lemon and an omega-3 supplement. After that, I have another glass of water, this time with collagen.
While I get the coffee going, I prepare my post-workout smoothie: seasonal fruits, spinach, almond milk, peanut butter, and a mix of mushrooms. Once it’s ready, I leave it in the fridge.
Then I head to my meditation corner, light a candle and some palo santo, and meditate for around 15–21 minutes, depending on the day. Right after, I do a few minutes of journaling, before enjoying my coffee and heading out for a run or a workout.
And that’s the first 90 minutes of my day! 🙂
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ana Merlino, a psychologist and Master Certified Coach (ICF). For over 15 years I’ve been helping leaders, teams and individuals transform the way they connect with themselves and with others. I founded Coaching Fusión School, an ICF-accredited coaching school known for its experiential, creative approach—blending psychology, theater techniques, systemic work and coaching.
I believe growth can be powerful and joyful at the same time. Beyond teaching skills, I love creating safe and inspiring spaces where people rediscover their own inner guidance. Alongside the school, I design programs like Kindfulness Experience and The Phoenix Program, and I’ve published the book Kindfulness: A Journey to Transform the World Through Kindness.
And as a new step in 2026, we’ll be launching our coaching program online in English—opening the door to an even wider global community. Also the translation of the book is coming up soon!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What often breaks the bonds between people is judgment, fear, and the illusion of separation—when we forget that behind every action there’s a human being with a story, wounds, and hopes. We lose connection when kindness is replaced by hurry, ego, or the need to be right.
What restores those bonds is presence, compassion, and the simple yet powerful act of kindness. When we slow down enough to really see each other, to listen without agenda, to offer empathy instead of judgment, something shifts. Kindfulness is about exactly that: remembering our shared humanity and choosing to respond with awareness and care. That’s what allows relationships—and communities—to heal and thrive.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success never could. It humbled me and showed me the raw truth of being human—that we are both fragile and resilient at once. While success can make you feel celebrated, suffering strips away illusions of control and perfection, bringing you face to face with what truly matters.
It taught me empathy, because once you’ve walked through pain you recognize it in others, and you soften instead of judging. It taught me connection, because in those moments of vulnerability you realize how deeply we need one another. Success may polish your story, but suffering transforms your heart. It cracks you open, and if you let it, it makes you wiser, kinder, and infinitely more compassionate.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real—but it’s only the version I know right now. If you had asked my self from ten years ago whether she was “the real me,” she would have said yes, absolutely. And in that moment, it was true. But today, I see it differently.
We are always evolving, and each stage feels complete until the next one comes along. So the Ana you see today is authentic, but she’s not the final draft. She’s simply the truest version I can be today—and tomorrow, life will invite me into another version of myself.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
If immortality were real, I would want to build a place where everyone feels loved, seen, and that they belong.
I’d dedicate it to creating spaces where compassion is practiced like breathing—schools, communities, circles—places where people can arrive exactly as they are and still feel they matter. A place with nature, music, art, silence, beauty and love.
Immortality, for me, would only make sense if it helped us remember that the true legacy isn’t what we achieve, but how deeply we loved and how many bridges of connection we built.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anamerlino.com
- Instagram: @ana_merlino_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamerlino
- Youtube: @AnaMerlinoCoaching
Image Credits
@swingyourpics
