About

On a sunny afternoon in August of 1968 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, Marian and his 2 year old sister were playing joyfully in a sandbox outside of the high rise they lived in. Called to come upstairs, their mother greeted them with two packed suitcases, only for all three to find themselves on their way to Vienna, Austria on a bus shortly thereafter. Three days later the borders were shut closed behind the ‘Iron Curtain’, and after living in a refugee camp for several weeks, they eventually made their way to West Germany.

Having been uprooted from friends, family and the known environment in an instant, left deep marks which took many years to unravel and integrate. Witnessing the Russian military invasion of his country of birth known as “Prague Spring”, coupled with the oppression and “normality” of lack and scarcity a communist regime instills, formed persistent psychological grooves and distinct belief systems at a very young age…

During the gradual integration into West German society, a deep sense of displacement grew stronger within him. In a culture that readily embraces alcohol, drinking became a convenient way to cope during his teenage years. This naturally led to exploring other substances that offered similar relief.

Several years after obtaining an Industrial Business Degree and working for a large German conglomerate, Marian’s sense for adventure prompted him to apply for a transfer to the company's United States subsidiary in Chicago, IL in 1985.

As alcohol became his primary coping mechanism, he recognized that he had brought ‘himself’ across the Atlantic and that transformation was essential. Guided by the principles ‘If nothing changes, nothing changes’ and ‘Straight and narrow is the path... waste no time,’ he embraced a 12-step recovery program in 1990, launching a journey of continuous sobriety and personal evolution that continues today.

Committed to understanding himself more deeply, he pursued a path of inner exploration. As a hobby photographer, an inner voice persistently urged him to "do something with your photography." In 1999, after 20 years in corporate life, he followed that calling to become a full-time commercial and fine art photographer.

With his heightened awareness of personal transformation and keen visual perception, Marian naturally expanded his creative expression. In 2011, he began channeling his aesthetic sensitivity and innate rhythmic abilities through the powerful medium of Gong sounds.

Inspired by his own transformation, he began helping others raise their awareness and embrace positive change. This led him to establish 'Gong Sound Healing' in 2012...and also paved his path to meeting Gabriela at a weeklong Gong Master Class with Don Conreaux in late 2014. For the next 11 years they became closest partners.

Author of 'Inspirationals' (2000) and in the early stages of developing his second book 'Max's Journey meeting the Cat and the Elephant in the House,' Marian has also excelled as a competitive squash player, winning Illinois State Championships in 2005—the year his daughter Stella was born—and again in 2023.

His daily self-care practice includes meditation, Spring Forest Qigong, walks in nature, and numerous other disciplines that support his continuous evolution.