Marco Bartolomeo
My story
From a young age, I was deeply drawn to movement, connection, and the stillness in between — though it took me many years to fully understand that what I was truly seeking was a deeper connection to myself. I spent much of my life searching, not knowing that the answers were always within, waiting to be discovered. Born and raised in Germany to Italian parents, I grew up straddling the worlds of two rich cultures. This duality shaped me, giving me a unique perspective and a deep appreciation for diversity. From an early age, sport became my way of connecting to my body and mind. Playing soccer professionally until I was 18 was more than just a passion; it was my first experience of being fully present. In those moments on the field, I learned what it meant to forget time, to forget the outside world, and to simply be. Sport was my first form of meditation.
As I moved into my twenties, I followed a conventional path. I studied economics and stepped into the corporate world, where I worked in sales for multinational companies, including British Telecom. Over the course of more than seven years, I built a successful career and enjoyed financial stability. Yet, despite my professional achievements, I felt increasingly disconnected from myself and the deeper sense of meaning I longed for. The fast-paced corporate lifestyle demanded I focus solely on “doing” rather than “being,” and I could feel myself slowly losing touch with the parts of me that craved simplicity, authenticity, and human connection.
By my mid twenties, I reached a crossroads. The call for change was so strong that it became impossible to ignore. I decided to leave my job, sell my car, give up my apartment, and spend a year traveling. That year — spanning 10 countries — became a pivotal moment in my life. I immersed myself in new cultures, learned Spanish, and reconnected with the most important person I had neglected for so long: myself. It was through this journey that I realized the joy of connecting with others, the beauty of being social, and the power of language to transcend barriers.
After my travels, I returned to Germany and tried to reintegrate into the corporate world. I became a recruiter in the pharmaceutical industry, helping to connect companies with medical professionals. Despite financial success, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dissatisfaction. I was still more of a “human doing” than a “human being,” and the disconnect between my inner world and my outer life grew ever more apparent.
In 2010, I made a bold decision to leave the corporate world behind for good. I created a travel and language agency that connected people to meaningful experiences in South America, specifically Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. It was during this time that yoga and meditation entered my life more seriously. These practices offered a sense of grounding and presence that had been missing for years.
But the true turning point came when I discovered Thai Yoga Massage. My very first course in Munich opened a doorway to a new world of healing. I felt an undeniable pull to go deeper. I booked a two-week course in Thailand, but after just a few days, I knew I wasn’t ready to leave. I deliberately missed my return flight, choosing instead to stay and immerse myself in this beautiful, transformative energy. I spent four months studying Thai Yoga Massage in Chiang Mai, Pai, and Bangkok, where I was introduced to Qi Gong, a practice that instantly resonated with me and has remained a core part of my journey ever since.
As I continued my studies, I realized that combining traditional wisdom with a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and professional bodywork was essential to my path. This led me to San Diego, California, in 2012, where I studied at the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) and became a certified Holistic Health Professional and Massage Therapist. I also completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Encinitas, California, further deepening my practice.
My path continued to unfold, taking me to Thailand, India, Laos, and Bali, where I immersed myself in more studies of Yoga, Qi Gong, and holistic bodywork. In 2019, I formalized my long-standing Qi Gong practice by completing a certified teacher training in Bali with Forest Rock Qi Gong. Qi Gong, which had first entered my life during my Thai Massage training, has since become one of the foundational practices in my work and in my method, SOUL IN TOUCH.
SOUL IN TOUCH is the culmination of all my learning and experiences — a method that integrates bodywork, movement, and personal transformation. To support this work, I developed YogaQiFlow, a unique yoga practice that blends Qi Gong principles with embodied yoga to prepare both myself and others for bodywork, cultivating a deeper connection with the body and inner peace.
Today, I live in Tenerife with my partner, Alice, and our three sons, Noah, Jonah, and Elia, at Casa el Riego — a space for community, healing, and sustainable living. Together, we share a life built on connection, presence, and creating a space where others can experience the same. Inspired by the SOUL IN TOUCH method, I offer a variety of services, including massage, Qi Gong, Yoga, bodywork training, and community retreats. I work with people who, like I once did, feel torn between two worlds — seeking balance between a successful external life and a more authentic, meaningful internal one.
My mission is simple: to help people reconnect with themselves, slow down, and experience joy through presence. I believe that when we allow ourselves to truly feel, we rediscover the simplicity and beauty of being.
“The slower you move, the more you feel.”
– Marco Bartolomeo