Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Schalin.
Hi Michele, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Over the past twenty years, I have been on a journey of self-discovery with my entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2004, I made Website Design in Austin, Texas, into an operational business – it opened up countless opportunities to explore and gain knowledge. Over the years, I successfully grew my company, but I started to feel the intense pressure to be the perfect mother, wife, and business owner. To cope with this overwhelming need for approval from others, I became a severe workaholic—endlessly busy, juggling between family life and my career while ensuring all obligations were fulfilled perfectly. I was addicted to constant activity. Unfortunately, I wasn’t conscious enough back then to understand why being constantly busy had become such a way of life for me. Once I reached my forties, I had chronic anxiety and depression. I was continuously plagued by the insecurities of not being good enough at anything.
The universe speaks to us in many ways, but sometimes it takes a sledgehammer for the message to break through. At fifty, I realized how too much stress could affect our emotional and physical well-being. I had a breakdown of connective tissue in my lower back, leading to a collapsed disc and, ultimately, a spinal fusion. I went from being a fitness queen my entire adult life to barely being able to make it down the street to my mailbox without taking rest stops.
After my back surgery, I discovered meditation and yoga. I began an inward healing journey, immersing myself in powerful spiritual books and tools that enlightened my mind and opened new realms within me. This new adventure was the beginning of profound introspection, exploring the depths of my inner being for the first time. Soon after, my ex-husband and I separated after 27 years, and I decided to move to Spain to improve my Spanish. Little did I know that my adventure would propel me to discover newfound strength.
I left everything behind: friends, family, belongings, and identities. I went to Spain alone. I knew no one and had a low-level knowledge of the Spanish language. I didn’t understand much and couldn’t express myself. My life was utterly transformed overnight like I was living in a movie. I hopped aboard a roller coaster of emotions. The ride was a wild one—exhilarating highs and desolate lows. But instead of giving up or turning back toward safety, I persisted forward, ready to discover what the universe had ahead for me. I did whatever it took to learn the language—from attending networking and language exchange events to getting a private tutor, and my Spanish began to flourish.
In February 2020, the devastating force of COVID-19 rocked Spain. The Spanish government imposed some of the toughest lockdowns worldwide, completely altering our lives. We were all quarantined for almost two months! I found myself confined to the four walls of my studio apartment, with no balcony or yard. We were only allowed on the streets to walk our dogs, buy groceries, or if we were essential workers. It truly shocked me to find my freedom abruptly taken away.
I used this time for more profound healing and self-improvement. I micromanaged all my input; I watched no movies or cable series, just an occasional documentary. I binged on scientific research about the mind-body connection, healing from trauma, brain training, changing your subconscious beliefs, breathwork techniques, sound/vibrational healing, and spirituality. I meditated for 2-3 hours daily, listening to uplifting spiritual and motivational talks. I listened to affirmations every night while I slept and recorded my custom affirmations and gratitude lists, which became part of my daily routine. I journaled everything: my thoughts, behaviors, and changes.
Spending time in nature was impossible, so I had to get creative. I used essential oils and soothing nature sounds from YouTube to trick my mind into believing I was still connected with natural elements. To make it even more powerful, I visualized myself immersed in an outdoor setting while meditating; this deepened the sense of peace and balance. Like a butterfly, I emerged from my cocoon when the lockdown lifted. It marked an incredible transformation in my life. Going inward was initially daunting but enriching, laying the groundwork for ongoing personal growth.
After my amazing transformation, I had a powerful calling to help others find their powerful shift. My company, Mindful Metamorphosis, and my book, with the same title, were born from this personal growth. I began facilitating virtual workshops to empower people with tools to navigate this global reality and possibly even thrive through it all, as I did. Connecting with people from across the globe and showing them how to use practical tools and techniques for coping with anxiety and depression was gratifying. When I returned to the US in February 2021, I began writing my book, which will be published in June 2023. Today Website Design in Austin, Texas, continues flourishing, and Mindful Metamorphosis is growing steadily.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
As an entrepreneur in the digital age, I have never avoided challenges. From building my web development business before WordPress, YouTube, and Facebook, as well as many other platforms, to pivoting with every new technology released and Google’s constantly shifting algorithms – there has been no shortage of obstacles. Yet each paved another path for growth, a destination lined by recruiting talented team members. Through Mindful Metamorphosis, I’m helping to create a movement in which we understand our mental fitness with the same level of importance as physical fitness. We can now use science and research-proven over two decades, allowing us to implement holistic practices to manage the hectic lifestyles we commonly face today.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a Mental Fitness Coach with Mindful Metamorphosis, I aim to help people become their greatest selves. My techniques promote mental fitness by enabling them to regulate emotions and manage stress effectively through breathwork, sound therapy, meditation, mindfulness, brain training techniques, and many more modalities. Through private coaching and group workshops, my clients learn how to control their thoughts while healing from past traumas. I have a Facebook group and YouTube channel with educational and inspirational content to reach even more individuals needing support. My first book “Mindful Metamorphosis, A Compassionate Guide to Inner Transformation”, is filled with insights into transformational change processes. Website Design Austin Texas continues offering everything necessary to market your website online, with 50% of our clients with us for over 10 years and 25% still with us after five.
Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
My passion is helping people learn to love themselves, be grateful, and find inner peace to live a more fulfilled life. Living in this chaotic world requires enormous self-care and conscious effort to stay positive and healthy. That’s why it’s important to ensure every day is filled with activities that nurture your spirit, such as time in nature, meditation, breathwork, exercise, journaling, gratitude lists, or listening to motivational and inspirational videos. Whatever resonates with you to help you live with less stress and have a positive, grateful, peaceful outlook. Every day is a unique opportunity to learn something meaningful, nurture relationships near and far, or reflect, and I’m bursting with enthusiasm to share my knowledge and insights with everyone. I’m filled with awe and appreciation for my extraordinary transformation. As I look ahead to this new season of my life, it feels like a blank canvas awaiting an inspired masterpiece.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mschalin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mschalin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2469394893327702
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mschalin
