Marisa Hochberg Opens Up About Bullying, Loss, and the Power of Resilience

Marisa Hochberg’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From battling personal struggles to curating luxury wellness experiences, she built a life of strength. She opens up about challenges and triumphs to inspire others facing adversity.

As a teen, Marisa endured bullying and panic attacks that left her isolated. While at Ramaz School in NYC, she was name-called and miserable. Her weight struggles intensified at University of Michigan, with severe panic disorder. Things began to shift at NYU, where she embraced a healthy lifestyle and lost 75 pounds through healthy diet and exercise.

Once unable to travel due to anxiety, she later built a career creating spaces for wellness and transformation—helping others grow through similar challenges.

Raised on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Marisa was immersed in the luxury world early on. Summers in Montauk offered an escape for personal transformation. She found balance, ate fresh, exercised outdoors, and began her wellness journey.

Crafting a Wellness Empire

At 27, Marisa had her breakthrough when Hamptons Magazine featured her. “It was surreal. I grew up reading that magazine, dreaming I’d be in it one day.”

With deep roots on the East End, Marisa quickly became a sought-after wellness consultant. Her confidence grew and she began attending global networking events, managing partnerships for leading brands.

When she noticed Montauk being left out of the wellness boom, Marisa created a program at The Surf Lodge, inviting icons like Esther Perel and Gwyneth Paltrow. Her knack for brand partnerships led to collaborations with Polestar, Bumble and Free People. She designed an exclusive line with Monrow Clothing for The Surf Lodge, landing retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Revolve, Shopbop and Nordstroms.

As VP of Brand Partnerships, she helped launch The Snow Lodge Aspen. She was recruited by Cristina Cuomo of The Purist magazine to lead ad sales in NYC, The Hamptons, and Aspen, spearheading their annual Hamptons International Film Festival event.

Strength Through Profound Loss

Marisa’s biggest tests came through personal loss. In 2017, her mother—a renowned cancer researcher—was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Her passing was devastating. Her father, Marisa’s anchor, passed in 2023, leaving her truly alone.

Instead of breaking, she rose.

Marisa faced betrayals from people she trusted. After her father’s death, two lawyers from the synagogue where he was President altered his will for personal gain, emotionally tormenting her. She was betrayed by members of her religious community, including rabbis her family had supported. At her father’s Shiva, a man who knew him approached Marisa—only to begin an emotionally manipulative relationship during her most vulnerable moment. The experience is reminiscent of Andrew Cuomo’s recently scrutinized “emotional romantic relationship.”

“I remember days I didn’t want to get out of bed. I couldn’t believe the cruelty,” Marisa says. But instead of giving in, she chose to keep going.

Redefining Resilience

This past summer, a friend gave Marisa a bracelet that read: “You Matter.” It reminded her, even in the darkest times, that she still does. Marisa continues to grow from every challenge. Her story is one of grit, transformation, and using pain to uplift others.

Looking Ahead

Today, Marisa is a leader in luxury wellness, curating bespoke experiences through her branding firm. Her mission: inspire others to transform pain into power and live with purpose. Marisa looks forward to giving back, carrying on her father’s legacy at “A Chance in Life” and will join NAMI along with other philanthropic efforts.

Marisa shares her story to inspire others—proving that resilience, reinvention, and inner strength can turn life’s greatest challenges into a powerful legacy of transformation.

Follow her journey on Instagram: @marisahochberg

Disclaimer: Written in partnership with APG.

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