I'm Oprah Winfrey. Welcome to Super Soul Conversations, the podcast. I believe that one of the most

valuable gifts you can give yourself is time. Taking time to be more fully present. Your journey

to become more inspired and connected to the deeper world around us starts right now.

She was born in 1961, the youngest daughter of Baira Louise Whittlesey and Jack Hemingway,

the eldest son of literary lion, Ernest Hemingway.

Maria was the baby of the family with two older sisters,

Muffet and Margo. Despite her famous name, growing up was anything but glamorous. Life at home was

volatile. She recalls many nights watching her parents drinking and arguing. At home, the

Hemingway family dysfunction escalated. Mariel's sisters both

struggle with alcohol, drugs, and mental illness. In 1996, Margot's life was cut short after she

intentionally overdosed at 41, just one day before the anniversary of her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway's, suicide.

Seven family members would take their own lives. It became known as the Hemingway curse.

It is what led Mariel, a mother of two daughters, to set off on her own spiritual journey,

hoping to find answers, so she and her girls would not suffer

the same fate. Mariel says it was yoga and meditation that saved her life and led her to find

love with Bobby Williams. Bobby was a former Hollywood stuntman, extreme athlete, and all around

health nut. They met through mutual friends

five years ago and had an instant connection which evolved into a shared spiritual practice

centered on their love of nature. I couldn't imagine a more perfect setting for a conversation

with Mary Ellen Bobby than here amidst the natural beauty of a Maui

mountainside. I'm so excited to have you all here. No, thank you. Thank you so much for having us here.

This is a great place. Great space. You know, often, we all know this, that spiritual challenges

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