Why on earth would you listen to what I have to say?

Like I said, I have a few legit feathers in my cap.

  • Juris Doctorate, University of Florida
  • Master’s in Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Florida
  • Anthropology Bachelor’s, University of Florida
  • Presenter and Workshop Facilitator

Did I mention I’ve presented to, literally, thousands of people on:

  • Profession-specific stress management
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Preventing Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace
  • Mindfulness
  • Personal Transformation
  • and some other stuff that met the needs of specific groups and organizations?

Well…I have.

But, the REAL reason you should, might, maybe, possibly listen to what I have to say is what I’ve done with this life of mine. Let’s start with my childhood (no…seriously, it won’t take that long). I was a pretty precocious kid, raised in Delray Beach, Florida. It was kind of picturesque. I mean, we skipped school based on the surf report. I was the kid who asked questions like, “Mom, if I’m a combination of you and dad, where do “I” come in? Who am “I”?” And, “Pastor, If God created us, who created God?” I’ve always gone deep in my questions of life, existence, joys, and horrors.

As I got older, I had to figure out some things while navigating being bullied as a child, surviving domestic violence and rape, managing a couple of mental health disorders, waiting for a pesky brain tumor to “go away,” working a break-neck 60+ hour a week schedule, my fair share of toxic relationships, and some other not-so-great events and poor choices.

My life wasn’t just one big train wreck, though. I also managed to accomplish some goals and met some solid, quality folks along the way. But, I had to come to terms with the fact that I was a high functioning broken person. And, as I looked around, I realized that I was surrounded by a bunch of high functioning broken people. Like…EVERYONE seemed to be existing with varying degrees of a dim light on the inside…not fully lit…not fully ALIVE.

So, I quit my last “proper” job to go about the business of healing my broken parts, getting “real” with myself and my God, diving deep into the questions: what’s this life all about, why does it have to be so hard sometimes (most of the time), how am I supposed to love myself when I feel like such a hot flippin’ mess, how do we hold onto the beautiful moments and create more of those, how do we get along with other people when you want to choke the living daylights out of them, how do we do it…how are we supposed to LIVE?

Well…I asked…and I got some answers, and whole lot of help from some absolutely outstanding, loving, smart, compassionate, strong, wise people. I discovered that the best Healers are those who have made it through to the other side of broken lives. Notice, I said, “made it through,” not over, not around, not buried their heads in the sand, but through. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m still working on my masterpiece, a work in progress. But, I HAVE figured out a thing or two about a thing or two.

I live a beautiful life. I am whole. I am healed. My life is full of amazing friends, and super meaningful work.

The broken became the healed.

The healed became the healer.

I have gone from surviving,

To living,

To THRIVING!

This life I live and how I got here…I now pay it forward TO YOU! Hit me up!

michellesmithsig