Today I talk to Michelle Hillier, a speaker, educator and author who helps people find their authentic self by slowing down, finding their breath and re-igniting their fire.

She’s also a recovering alcoholic.  I never thought a conversation about addiction, recovery and what’s on the other side could be so much fun.  She shares hilarious and sometimes heart-breaking stories of how drinking helped her cope, and it worked pretty good for most of her life, until it didn’t.  She talks about how the sudden death of her father made her realize she was living in the matrix - a life based on what society told her it should look like.  And how things came to a head during the pandemic when she saw the real dark side of alcohol for the first time.  

This was a really powerful and personal conversation for me.  I don’t talk about my sobriety often and this felt like talking to a smarter, more enlightened girl version of myself.  We’re all in recovery from something.  Whatever yours looks like, this conversation is for you.

Please enjoy, Michelle Hillier.

Key Takeaways

• Uncovering Patterns and True Core Values: Michelle discovered that the times she felt out of alignment with her core values, authenticity and health, were often when her drinking increased.
• Transforming Tragedy into Purpose: The passing of her father and the COVID-19 pandemic both became wake-up calls that helped her start her own business and ultimately embrace sobriety.
• Slowing Down and Finding Balance: Michelle found that slowing down and being in tune with her body allowed her to truly experience joy and authenticity, bringing balance to her naturally high-energy lifestyle.
• Breath and Fire – A New Way of Living and Working: Michelle’s platform, Breath and Fire, embodies the balance between calm and passion, helping others find their fire while staying grounded.
• Rebuilding Relationships with Deeper Connections: Sobriety allowed Michelle to reframe her relationships, leading to a more authentic bond with friends and family.
• Creativity Reignited in Recovery: With sobriety, Michelle has found herself more connected to her creativity, whether through movement, problem-solving, or planning her next steps in life.

Resources

• Breath and Fire: Michelle Hillier’s platform for coaching, speaking, and workshops on authenticity and balance.
• Breath and Fire: FREE 5 Day Awaken Your Flame Practice
• Core Values Test: A tool for discovering personal core values, which helped Michelle see the impact of authenticity and health on her life.
• Greenstone Treatment Center: The recovery center where Michelle now works as a mind-body professional, giving back to those beginning their own journeys.

Connect with Michelle

• Breath and Fire Website
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn

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