Michele grew up in a small town in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Growing up she learned early to focus on taking care of others in need, while surviving within a family surrounded by alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, and domestic violence. After graduating high school, she continued with her studies at McHenry County College and DePaul University.

Michele married and started a family in 1995. In 2005, she lost her husband unexpectedly and was left as a single mother. These next years became extremely challenging for Michele as a result of her loss and struggle raising her son as a single mother. Being no stranger to alcohol, Michele resorted to the coping mechanisms learned from her childhood. 

For the next 12 years she grew in her career under stressful work conditions, as a sales rep, then as a sales manager and finally as a sales trainer/coach and out of complacency, she never aspired to further her career, she was comfortable and satisfied merely going through the motions, while functioning with a Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health issues.

However, the alcohol caught up quickly with her and on January 1st, 2017, she glanced in the mirror at someone she no longer recognized. It was then that she realized it was time for a change. When she woke on January 2, 2017, she reached inside for her strength and courage to begin her recovery journey toward freeing herself from the disease.

Spending the next years with multiple therapists and going through her own recovery, Michele was grateful to find multiple mentors to support her along her personal and professional recovery journey. This support has been instrumental to her success. 

Michele is a passionate and committed Certified Trauma Informed Professional Recovery Coach for Women.  Mentoring, Educating, Training and Coaching with purpose and mindfulness, committed to ending the stigma associated with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders; with compassionate support and guidance along your recovery journey.  She’ll meet you right where you are, with the understanding of importance of thriving in life with confidence, clarity with the ability to be your authentic self and not just survive. 

weStand weLift weRise & Together weShine!