Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Baez L.Ac..
Hi Marie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m the second oldest of five kids, born and raised right here in Vista, CA. Growing up, I was always active in sports, and when I injured my elbow at age 11 and needed physical therapy, something clicked—I knew I wanted to help people heal. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in physical therapy, and I went on to earn a B.S. in Kinesiology from Westmont College with that goal in mind.
After college, I wanted some real-world experience before going to grad school, so I became a personal trainer. I loved working with clients and learning how to support their bodies, but everything shifted when I was training for the Great Wall of China Marathon and got injured. I tried a lot of things, but what truly helped was acupuncture. That experience opened my eyes to a completely new way of healing—and I knew I’d found my true calling. I pivoted from PT and enrolled at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (now Pacific College of Health and Science), where I earned my Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine.
In the early years of my acupuncture career, I worked in workers’ comp and personal injury cases, which gave me a solid foundation in pain management and trauma recovery. But over time, I discovered my deep passion for women’s health—especially after becoming a mom myself. When I had my son, Raphi, I experienced firsthand how challenging the postpartum period can be. That experience shifted my focus, and when I returned from maternity leave, I felt a strong calling to support other mothers during this critical time.
Now, after more than a decade in practice, I specialize in women’s health, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, stress, and pain management. I use a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, supplements, and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) to treat the whole person—body, mind, and heart. One of my favorite offerings is Labor Prep Acupuncture, a deeply supportive blend of acupuncture, NET, and Chinese medicine designed to help moms feel more balanced and empowered as they approach birth.
I’m currently expanding my practice and moving to a beautiful new space at 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 350. This new location will allow me to create space for postpartum mom groups and build the kind of community and support I wish I’d had during that season. Supporting women—through every stage—is truly my life’s work.
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?
“Definitely not! The road has had its bumps, especially in the beginning. When I opened my own practice, I had a three-month-old baby, wasn’t sleeping, and my husband had just started his own business too. We were exhausted, broke, and completely unsure of how things were going to work out. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But we had each other—and we had the support of friends and family. I’m especially grateful to my very first patients: my parents, Bill and Barbara Steinwedell, and my grandmother, Jo Ann Holderman. They showed up for me every week when I was just starting out, and I’ll never forget that.
Then, two years later, COVID hit. The California Acupuncture Board allowed acupuncturists to continue working if they chose to, and I made the decision to stay open. I knew people needed support more than ever—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Stress, pain, and fear were running high, and I felt honored to be able to provide a calm, healing space in such a difficult time.
It hasn’t always been glorious, but those early struggles taught me resilience, and they deepened my commitment to this work. Every patient I see today is a reminder of why I kept going.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Glorious Balance Wellness, we specialize in holistic care for women navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our signature offering is Labor Prep Acupuncture—a powerful blend of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET).
NET is a mind-body technique that helps identify and release unresolved stress patterns—the emotional “stuck points” that can live in the body and show up as tension, fear, or resistance during pregnancy and labor. These patterns can interfere with the body’s natural process of preparing for and progressing through labor. By clearing these subconscious emotional blocks, women often feel more empowered, at ease, and connected to their bodies as they approach birth.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine complement NET beautifully by helping regulate the nervous system, balance hormones, encourage optimal baby positioning, and reduce pain and anxiety. Together, these tools support not just a smoother labor, but a more grounded and supported postpartum experience.
We’re proud to be a space where women feel truly seen and supported during this deeply personal time in life. And with the expansion of our practice to 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 350, we’re excited to offer more space for postpartum mom groups and a stronger sense of community.
Brand Highlights:
We are most proud of our commitment to empowering women through education and support. Our services are designed not only to prepare the body for labor but also to equip mothers with the tools and confidence needed for a positive birth experience.
What We Want You to Know:
At Glorious Balance Wellness, we believe that every woman deserves a glorious pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Our integrated approach offers a safe, nurturing space for women to receive the care and support they need during this transformative time.
Any big plans?
We’re really excited about the future at Glorious Balance Wellness. Our upcoming expansion to 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 350, is a big step that will allow us to support even more mothers in a deeper, more community-focused way. With this larger space, we’re creating room not only for one-on-one care, but also for connection—with plans to host postpartum support groups, educational events, and wellness gatherings.
We’re currently in talks with therapists, yoga instructors, sound healers, and other holistic practitioners to collaborate on offerings that support moms not just during pregnancy and postpartum, but at any stage of their journey. Whether they’re preparing for birth, navigating early motherhood, or simply needing to reset and reconnect, we want to be a hub for that healing and community.
Another exciting development is the herbal tea line we’re putting together. These teas will be rooted in Chinese medicine principles and designed to support everyday wellness—from stress relief and immune support to postpartum recovery. We want people to have simple, beautiful tools they can use daily to feel more balanced and nourished.
Our mission has always been to support the whole person—and now, with these new offerings, we’ll be able to do that on an even greater scale.
Pricing:
- $275 Initial Exam and Treatment (90min, full intake, exam, NET, acupuncture)
- $275 Follow up 90 min Acu and NET
- $180 Follow up 60min Acu and NET
- $150 Follow up 60min Acu only
- $100 Follow up 30min pediatric treatment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gloriousbalancewellness.com
- Instagram: @gloriousbalancewellness
- Facebook: @gloriousbalancewellness
- Youtube: @gloriousbalancewellness
Image Credits
Monique Feil Photography
