Andréa Michel is a woman on a mission — to help others live as big and as boldly as possible. For more than fifteen years, the Waukesha-based life coach has led women in reaching their potential and what she calls “something more.”
She’s also a marathon-running mom of two — she and husband Tony have nine-year-old daughter Lauren and seven-year-old son Tony Gavin — who parlayed a knack for numbers into an MBA and a job as a corporate controller for an advertising agency in Milwaukee. We bet you can’t read about her without picking up some major inspiration.
On your website, you state you’re “a career-loving wife and mother.” We love the way you put that. What does that phrase mean to you?
So many women call themselves “working moms,” as to say there is something wrong with them working outside of the home. I, obviously, don’t look at it that way. I’m not made to be a stay-at-home mom. I tried it and it doesn’t work for me AND I’m okay with that. A career-loving wife and mother means I’m a woman who happens to be a wife and mother who loves her husband, children and career, all at the same time.
How did you become a mentor and coach?
Both just happened organically for me. As a child, I had the ability to communicate with everyone. That made me a leader so people would always come to me for advice and assistance. That is still true today. As an adult, however, I’ve learned to cultivate my listening skills and ability to ask questions. I have to take a step back and tell you that I didn’t know what a life coach was until 2013. I was actually evaluating my life and meditating on what my next steps should be. I heard a still voice say “life coach.” I didn’t know what it was so I Googled it. I spent about two to three hours that day researching what it was. I finally came to the conclusion that I was a life coach before I even knew it was a thing.
Tell us about “something more.” What does it mean?
“Something more” means something different to everyone. “Something more” is subjective and can and will change. It’s that one thing that you feel is missing from your life. For instance, I felt like something was missing from my life so that caused me to meditate. That meditation led to life coaching. Coaching is my “something more.” To someone else, “something more” could be a promotion to the C-Suite. To another, it could be running a marathon. Yet, to another, it could be time management.
What happens when people start thinking about what their own “something more” is? What about when they start acting on it?
Oh my gosh, it’s an amazing process when people start thinking about their “something more.” Some people don’t realize they are searching for something. They oftentimes just wander around, existing. Once they realize there is “something more” or that they are searching for it, that’s when they start LIVING! The process of acting on “something more” is invigorating, inspiring and motivating. It can get frustrating at times, but knowing there is a bigger picture outweighs the frustration.
What inspires you or propels you to grow?
Knowing that I am created for GREAT things is what inspires me to grow. While I believe our experiences are for us to grow, I also believe they are to help others to grow as well. When I share my stories of happiness, sadness, pain, sorrow, and someone tells me I’ve helped them, then it was all worth it.
How has being a parent changed you or your work?
Well, I went back to school for my MBA when my daughter was five weeks old because I wanted to be her role model. Two years later when my son was born, I missed one week of school and was right back at it so I could graduate on time. I wanted him to know his mom was and is a fighter and hard worker. Being a parent has changed me in a sense that I don’t sweat the small stuff. I realize there is a much bigger picture and involving myself in petty situations is a complete waste of time. I don’t know that it has changed my work because my mother instilled a pretty good work ethic in me.
Why have you chosen to raise a family in Wisconsin?
This is a really good question and one that I ask myself every time I see a statistic on Wisconsin being the worst place to live while being Black. I think the number one reason I stay here is because my family is here. My husband and I have thought about leaving the state but when we think about being so far away from my mom, family and friends, we dismiss the thought.
As the new year starts, is there anything you’re keeping in mind?
For the first time ever, I’ve decided on a word of the year. My word for 2018 is: abundance. Abundance is my word because I believe that there is more than enough of everything for everyone. I’m declaring that I will give in abundance and receive in abundance.
What’s something you wish everyone knew or would do differently to lead their best life?
I wish people knew how powerful they are! And one thing people can do to lead their best life is validate themselves. We know ourselves better than anyone else so we should give ourselves permission to BE.