This isn’t just about me. It’s about you.
Because if you’ve ever looked at your life and thought, “There’s got to be more than this,” you’re in the right place.
You’re done checking boxes. Done following a script that never quite fit. You want meaningful work that lights you up, not just work that pays the bills and drains your soul. You want freedom, flexibility, and a future that’s actually yours to define.

I get it. I’ve lived it.

I’m Maria Dastur, founder of Second Half Community, and I’m here to help you design work that works for you.

From Reinvention to Revolution
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, I inherited my mom’s social grit and my dad’s drive for education. My path has been anything but straight. Sports medicine. An almost-free MBA. Public Health. A career I loved. And then everything changed.

A major health crisis. Three young kids. A 12-year career break. The kind of life interruption that makes you question everything. But I didn’t stay stuck. I rebuilt. I redefined success. And I came back, not as who I was before, but as who I was meant to be. Director roles. Nonprofit leadership. A bold move across the country. And finally, launching Second Half Community, a space where reinvention isn’t just allowed, it’s expected.

Your Pivot Starts Here

I help you:

• Shed self-doubt and burnout
• ​Own your brilliance (yes, you have it!)
• Reclaim your power and purpose
• Create a career that aligns with your life, not the other way around

I combine 20+ years of leadership, coaching, and business strategy with a whole lot of real talk, lived experience, and a deep belief that it’s never too late to rewrite the rules. As a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach®, I also help you build the mindset to match your ambition, so you don’t just dream boldly, you act boldly, again and again.
Whether you want to pivot into something new, launch a business, grow a passion project, or finally get paid what you’re worth...I’m here to help you get there.

Unapologetically. Strategically. Authentically.

Just the Details
B.S. Athletic Training and Community Fitness - Univ. of Illinois at Chicago
MBA - The George Washington University
Certified Positive Intelligence Coach®

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