Irish Boss, MARLEY WALLACE gears up to work with Aussie Burlesque legend, Suzie Malone, on the way to bringing her unique brand of healing to the world…
Hey, Marley, welcome to MAXIM! Tell us the concept behind your shoot.
We shot at the beach, embracing my own freedom, beauty and happiness in nature, and in ways that honour the fun mermaid in me!
Have you ever been to New Zealand?
I would love to travel there and I think the nature is absolutely breathtaking, but no I have never had the honour of traveling there.
Where would you like to visit?
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. It looks like the love scene in Furngully! That was my favourite movie as a little girl. Waitomo Thermal Wonderland too. This gorgeous place looks incredibly healing. I’d also love to see Huka Waterfalls… gorgeous! I LOVE waterfalls!!!
When do you feel sexy?
I feel sexy when I have taken care of myself on all levels. Mentally, I need a lot of creativity and learning. I also need meditation and yoga to feel uplifted and happy – it is so essential to my happiness. Physically, I don’t feel as sexy if I haven’t done something to balance all the other chaos of the world. Yoga and working out is how I decompress after a long day. If I don’t have my time to decompress, the last thing I feel is sexy. So, I love a hard work out. I really enjoy running, weight lifting, hot yoga and especially being in nature, hiking. If I am going out and getting ready, I definitely have fun getting dolled up. I have loved this kind of adult dress up, as much as I loved it as a little girl. I make homemade sugar scrubs and really meditate on loving each body part. I meditate on being thankful – it helps shift my mindset into a place of gratitude. It realigns me with my heart when I remind myself my life and body is a gift. Afterwards, mentally, I am more loving toward myself, too, which is very important for me to feel sexy. I have to mentally hype myself up! Self-love mantras also put myself in a loving place. In my eyes, as a yoga teacher, the sexiest is when I am loving and humble. I feel like I am honouring my spirit and my sensual side by giving myself genuine love. I really love taking my time and not rushing myself when I get ready, and playing music. It really sets the whole mood for the day when you have fun while honouring your own pace and honouring your mind, body and soul in the process. That is when I feel the most sexy.
Wow, cool. What is your best asset?
I love the blue in my eyes. It’s from my Mother, and the green in my eyes is from my Aunt. I really love blue and green, they are my favourite colours and I love the ocean. So, all shades of green and blue enamour me. I feel honoured to have ocean eyes with the depth of the universe inside. Aside from the physical, I think my spirit and loving to uplift others and help them live their dreams is my best asset.
Tell us more about yourself and life story.
I moved all over Michigan USA growing up. I went to a church and wore a uniform when I first was in kindergarten, then over the years went from public schools back to uniforms and academies. I attended nine different schools and moved 12 times by the time I was 17. Now I love that I can talk to anyone, any walk of life and find common ground and friendship from learning how to meet so many people. I really had a hard time and a lot of social anxiety, but it helped me grow into the loving open-hearted woman I am today. I have been dancing since I was a little girl – ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. I still dance to this day and it will be 20 years this year! I always dreamed of getting into the hardest college in the state, University of Michigan, and I got a 4.0 at a private college before applying. I was accepted into U of M and danced in the company ballet. I was a Theatre Major Dance Minor. I had so many dreams of doing all the arts since I was a little girl – dance, modelling, acting and seeing my name in big lights all over Hollywood. I always have been an artist and love creating beauty through movement with music. All keep my heart so overflowing with love! I also have a big soft spot for animals and got into modelling (after doing it with my mother as a little girl in Chicago) again at 19. I won a pin-up contest for the Humane Society. My dream was to be in MAXIM, and now all my dreams are coming true! Next I am going back to college for Natural Medicine.
Epic journey so far. What would people be most surprised to know about you?
I am an empath, I am really a deep person and I also teach yoga, meditation and do body healing work, like massage. I also have a spinning yoga trapeze I have played in for so many years. I am so excited to perform it in Vegas this upcoming year. I was also recently asked to be an assistant to a magician, so look out for me doing burlesque and aerial yoga… even fire work I would like to learn. So many exciting, mind-blowing performances coming up where I can dazzle the crowd and show unexpected skills. I am hyper flexible and always have been gifted with being able to do the splits all three ways!
Three eh? How would you describe yourself in five words?
Eccentric, bewildering, radiant, esoteric and prodigious – and healer if I could have a sixth word!
What would you be doing if you weren’t concentrating on your modelling?
I would be working on opening a healing centre and getting my phD in Natural Medicine. I still plan on doing both and I am so happy to bring a place the whole family will be welcome to heal and rejuvenate.
What have you learned about men over the years?
They really are from another planet – lol. I have lots of guy friends and I love them. I also have girls that are my bros. I have learned I am better being single right now while I focus on my goals. I learned to never let another person talk me out of living my dreams, and you have to learn to cut-off anyone who doesn’t encourage you to live for yourself. At the end of the day we only can understand our own inner compass. No one can tell you what is right for you, and I was listening to my partners I was dating and letting them convince me to not live my dreams. Once I stayed true to myself and kept a thankful mindset while diligently working hard, all my dreams came true. Honour your own heart and you will be successful.
What is one thing men should always remember about women?
Women are fragile flowers. We need sunshine, love, light, food and lots of room for our emotions. One second I want to be cuddled, the next I want to be left alone. Remember, a lot of time we are just navigating a lot of heavy emotions at once. And the little things matter – like a note on the mirror that says you are beautiful. We need those little reminders, we are beautiful even when we are processing a lot and might not be our best version of ourselves. Also, I really love a man who makes sure I am comfortable in every and any way… and fed! That is the best way to comfort a woman. Show her she can be herself in every mood, in every form, and even on her worst days hold space for her. And help her come back to the love inside herself by reminding her that she is worthy of all of the most amazing genuine love the world has to offer, but especially that you are patient to when she is ready for your love, too. Let her let you in on her terms and do not pressure her into anything she isn’t comfortable with. Honour where she is at, then she may feel safe to venture and grow together.
What do you look for in a man?
I just care about their heart and their spirit. If they have a genuine love radiating from them and are kind to others. They are also good with children, they are intelligent, funny and don’t take themselves too seriously. I like when people are positive overall and can laugh at their mistakes. I would really connect with someone who loves nature, yoga and eating food as much as I do. I also want to feel safe with them and like they would protect me. I am the kind of lover who would fly to the end of the Earth and back for love… and that kind of deep love is rare but so worth it.
Describe your ideal date.
As long as it involves nature and food I am happy! Maybe a picnic, sunset walk on the beach and then gazing at the shooting stars. I love dancing in the moonlight and feeling so free. Also, I love going fishing. A date with fishing and then watching the sunset on the water sounds lovely, too!
What can we get you at the bar?
Jameson chilled. Like the Irish Boss I am!
Got a hangover cure?
Sleep, food, lots of water… maybe another nap again – lol.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I am an Aerial Yoga Trapeze Artist. My yoga trapeze is unique because it spins! This is a new niche I have yet to release. I am the only one who has a spinning trapeze and I am so excited to share it soon and perform live!
Who is your girl crush?
Adrianna Lima.
What’s you life motto?
Be thankful, humble and kick-ass!
So, what is next for you? Do you have any exciting upcoming projects you can share?
I was just asked to be an assistant in a magic show with the gorgeous Australian magician Suzie Malone – follow her on Instagram at @SuzieMaloneMagic. She is such a beautiful, smart, talented woman and I am honoured to learn from her and grow! Really, every dream I have thought up has been coming true. Next, I could also see myself doing more acting and having meaningful concepts for dance reels and performances. My modelling I am taking a lot more seriously and have really stepped up my game on all levels from working on my own healing and believing in myself. You help others believe in themselves when you believe in yourself. That leadership takes courage and once you start being honest with yourself about your dreams, then you can have fun actually living them!
There’s a lot on your plate. Are you sure there’s nothing else?
I do see myself helping the whole world heal in so many ways. Just being transparent and my genuine self is step #1. It took me so long to have the self-love and confidence to show the world I am a unique person. I am proud I always worked hard for my success and to this day have 11 different jobs. I have so many people tell me I couldn’t do that but I have and I have also been successful at every one! Love yourself enough to honour your heart and intuition. Living your dreams is not selfish. Resting enough and honouring your own peace is healthy. I see myself changing the world, one person at a time, helping lead the way to personal happiness. If we heal ourselves with love and live in a more loving mindset, the peace we find in ourselves is the key to changing the world.
Last question – where would you like to be in five years.
I will have my healing centre opened, “Healing Gardens” with massage, yoga, salon, mediation gardens, art therapy for children, health classes and community gardening. I also still plan on acting, cotinue doing modelling and dancing ballet. I see myself either leading my own artistic creations in art as an artistic director, or making my own shows and documentaries – even movies. There is no limit.
Follow Marley on Instagram at @marleywallace
Photographed by Ryan Dwyer
For the full article grab the May 2023 issue of MAXIM New Zealand from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
