Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Ebbinghaus II.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my business, Austin Soul Coach, back in November after completing a master’s in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. I took an unconventional route, trusting an intuition to end my training early and move back to Austin. A combination of factors, including but not limited to the political and social climate in California, encouraged my return. As a native I watched my hometown blossom into a massive center of cultural hope and intrigue. I was longing to make an impact in its progression by helping others to deeply encounter their soul and lead from a place of wholeness. Though I believe all of our spiritual journeys transcend lifetimes, mine began [this time around] roughly a decade ago when I could be described as suffering from “major depressive disorder.” A near-suicide attempt completely changed my view of reality, and from that point, I’ve continued to deepen the connection to whatever it was that saved my life.
I want to help others connect to that part of themselves for many reasons, namely that it resolves unnecessary suffering and brings humankind into a greater coherence, both within themselves and their environments. People become the best version of themselves while simultaneously learning to cherish everything about them, flaws included. When we are at home in ourselves, our soul work becomes apparent as does the fire to pursue it. The dualities collapse, and suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of profound abundance where we are exercising our soul’s delight while simultaneously creating a better world.
When we start trusting our journey and being led by something greater within, many wonderful things start to happen, some might even call it magical. I never thought it would be possible to become a wizard in this lifetime, but the Universe had other plans for me.
I’m also establishing the seed of a regenerative agriculture business that will restore Texas and other southwest lands to an indigenous landscape with modern integration, where the region’s natural fauna can cohere, people may live in community with one another and all the life forms that surround them, all while cultivating products such as yaupon tea to support it. The mission of the company is more to export a philosophy than a product but done in a profitable way. Through the health and happiness of our workers, the quality of our products, and the magic that people witness when they come to do their healing work to our lands, I hope to make the obvious evident.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There are always unexpected consequences and hardships. Leaving graduate school in the middle of my program to become a coach took a great deal of faith. There was soul search and heartache and reconciliation. It brought the image I had of myself to its knees, cracked me open in deep pain, and allowed a more authentic expression to unfold. I expect this to happen again and again along this path. Austin Soul Coach and my regenerative agriculture business are born out of struggle, but the foundation they sit on is solid. They will only continue to grow and adapt, and my purpose has proven the most significant driver throughout all the highs and lows.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Soul work is unlike most modalities I’ve found. What I offer is a way to get in touch with a part of oneself that is ever-present but that we are often unaware of, while learning to lead from that place. My approach differs from client-to-client to create a program that’s right for them. I am one of the few people doing depth dreamwork and relational work, as well as working with the body and how our emotions and thoughts manifest there. I’m not just a coach that is going to remove barriers to living your fullest and wildest dreams, I’m going to relate deeply with you to ensure that those dreams you’re pursuing are your own and not someone else’s. At the end of the day, anything external that we’re striving for will not bring us happiness or fulfillment. If we cannot find peace in the present moment, there is little that a successful business venture, new partner, or more money is going to do for us. What really drives my fire is expanding consciousness which I believe creates more wealth, health, and prosperity not just for my clients but for all beings everywhere. In addition to doing this as a coach, I will have a license to practice psychotherapy by the end of this summer. Aside from 1-on-1 work, I also host wilderness retreats (Descent to Soul Retreat in early October) and offer a nature mysticism course to help others intimately connect with and form a relationship to Nature. I’ve also hosted a depth psychology and philosophy book group since the beginning of this year.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely. I have first and foremost to thank my many teachers both living and deceased. Carl Jung, Bill Plotkin, and Ken Wilber have greatly impacted how I see the world, along with Abraham Maslow, Marie-Louis von Franz, Stanislov Grof, Aubrey Marcus (whom I PA’d for), Erick Godsey, and many others. I would be far off in another direction were it not for the astounding expertise of my many teachers and, specifically, my two supervisors Drs. Ashley Mullins and Bree McDaniel. My own therapist, Theo Carlos, has been an amazing guide and mentor along the way.
I have had enormous support from my friends, family, and colleagues, who stay with me and encourage me throughout all of life’s hills and valleys. My former partner had a tremendous impact on me as well. She helped fuel the fire behind both of my business ventures and expanded my realm of possibility in many ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinsoulcoach.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_ebb_and_flow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvslSi8qQnhULLTH3K0j1FA
Image Credits
Photographer: Kevin DeLaRocco
