Maria Schroeder was born and raised in Harlingen. She studied ballet and dance all of her childhood and adolescence. After a brief career as a chemist with Hoechst Celanese, Maria relocated to Harlingen to start a family. She was a housewife for 22 years and her two daughters are in college. In 2015 Maria was suffering from debilitating sciatic nerve pain and her neighbor introduced her to Aum Yoga studio. Within weeks, she was completely healed after a decade of physical therapy and rehabilitation. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, cooking, baking, and crafting.