Interview with
Stephanie Michele
My Story
How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you become a Transformational Speaker & Life Coach?
To answer this question, it’s probably best if I share with you a defining moment, and a resulting “compelling story”, that brought me to where I am today…coaching people like you on exactly what to do to go from “daydreaming” about a life they would love… to “DREAM BUILDING”…. actually building that dream! That defining moment in my life happened several years ago..as I was going through an abrupt divorce after a 20 year marriage and embarking on a new chapter in my life.
One night, shortly after my sudden separation, I was lying in bed, exhausted, yet wide awake...feeling as though I could barely inhale...feeling riddled with fear, doubt and worry about being able to successfully provide for my two children and myself, while not only enduring the emotional upheaval of divorce, but also while continuing to spearhead major, time-intensive health issues in our family that I had been researching and managing for many years. As a newly found single mom, I feared that, given the fact that I now had less time, money and flexibility, I might fail to manage it all. These thoughts brought me to tears that night….and, frankly, many nights.
I felt SO stuck, so afraid, so sad and, at times, even mad (mostly at myself, for feeling so stuck!) I had been working on my own personal growth for years and I KNEW deep down that I was far greater than any situation, circumstance or condition that I could ever have! Deep down, I knew this to be true! Yet, I was in this “stuck mode”! (Have you ever experienced that? Have you ever felt stuck?)
Now, that was a low point for me…but, thankfully, I didn’t stay there for long. I quickly realized that I had to MAKE A DECISION (that only I could make) to either sink or swim! I had two amazing & beautiful children to raise, to love, to protect and to provide for…AND…
I KNEW that I needed to work on being my best version of ME first…before I could help anyone else! So, I dove in!
I prayed. I meditated. I researched. I studied.
I WORKED ON ME!
I found resources locally and online. I began attending seminars, both locally and elsewhere, all while still working at the school and being a single mom…. It was not easy or convenient, but…it was worth it! I learned beneficial skills from various mentors along the way…. all valuable, BUT, most importantly, I learned how to be my own rescue. I worked on ME….and, as I worked on me, things…began…to shift!
Throughout this process of working on me, I discovered that what I
deeply
longed for was to
teach, train & support others to be their own rescue. My longing for a better life for my kids and for myself turned into an equally powerful longing to help others learn how to discover THEIR own vision of a life they would absolutely LOVE living and to help them get crystal clear on that vision. Then, coach them on taking that “vision” and turning it into the landscape of their life! Hence the name of my business: ”Vision to Vida…Life by Design!” (Taking your “Vision” and turning it into your “Vida”= that’s Spanish for your “Life”! )
So, I made the decision to get certified as a Life Mastery Consultant (= Transformational Speaker & Life Coach) through the Brave Thinking Institute, where I went through rigorous training to help others master the principles and tools to make any dream a reality. And, let me tell you, as soon as I made the decision to invest in ME and become a Life Mastery Consultant…FEAR rose up in me, gripped my stomach! I had no idea how it was all going to workout. I felt uncertain. I felt afraid. What if I failed?
Who here knows what I’m talking about? Have you ever experienced that fear of failure...that fear of the unknown?
There was a huge part of me that argued for why it wasn’t a good time, why it wasn’t convenient, why it was not going to be easy, in terms of time OR money… BUT, there was another part of me that KNEW that great opportunities never show up when it’s easy, convenient or comfortable. And so I decided to let the part of me that so deeply wanted my dream… WIN over the part of me that was afraid!
Today, I am thrilled to wake up every day in gratitude, such gratitude for the life that I am living. I am so grateful for the increased flexibility of being able to work from home, be a more present mother and continue to spearhead the significant health challenges in our family, which have significantly improved!
I am so thrilled to see growth and abundance unfolding in my life! I am also especially grateful for the tremendously positive impact that I have been able to have on those around me, as a result of this work in the world...this calling.
With my support in my coaching programs, based on proven, reliable, predictable transformational success principles (resulting from over 40 years of research), it is my mission to help you reduce stress & chaos, Be your own rescue and break through to a more calm, courageous and confident YOU.
I get to do what I believe I’ve been called to do in the world. As one of my mentors, Mary Morrissey, says: “God does not call the qualified…He qualifies the called.” And I know that I’ve been called to do this work in the world….this work that feeds my soul, helps me live a life that I absolutely love living, while also helping me successfully help others do the very same!