Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Denise Michelle

Denise Michelle shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Denise, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to my mind and body. I start by using NuCalm to relax my mind and body, followed by a refreshing glass of water to hydrate. Then, I focus on moving my lymphatic system to get my body energized. After that, I meditate for 20 minutes, centering my thoughts and intentions for the day. Next, I drink lemon water for its detoxifying properties.

To get my blood flowing, I either go for a morning walk or do a 15-minute at-home workout. During my exercise, I listen to an inspiring audio or audiobook that fuels my motivation. After my workout, I drink celery juice for its incredible health benefits.

By the time I finish this morning routine, I feel energized and ready for my client sessions!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Denise Michelle, The SelfLove Alchemist®, an Award-Winning Transformational Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Trainer with Tony Robbins. My mission is to empower soulful leaders—healers, spiritual entrepreneurs, and influencers—by guiding them through SelfLove Mastery, a unique approach that helps break limiting patterns, heal emotional wounds, and elevate their love and value in the world.

My personal journey of healing spans 25 years, during which I overcame mental illness, sexual abuse, addiction, anxiety, and suicidal depression. This experience fuels my passion for helping others rise above their challenges. I believe that living a vision-driven life is the ultimate expression of SelfLove, where dreams come alive and transformation occurs.

Through coaching, group programs, and transformative retreats, I guide individuals to step into their fullest expression of self-love and personal power, creating lasting positive change in their lives and communities. As a Trainer with Tony Robbins, I also facilitate personal growth and transformation at events, helping participants clarify their goals and create actionable plans for success.

What makes my approach unique is the combination of my personal experiences, the deep connection I have with spirit, and my commitment to helping others achieve their fullest potential.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Dialectical Behavior Therapist saw me clearly before I could see myself. During my struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder, I made the life-changing decision to leave my corporate job of nearly 10 years and checked myself into an outpatient treatment program at Cedars Sinai.

Throughout the 9 months of treatment, the program director recognized my deep desire to serve others. When I first expressed my interest in becoming a yoga teacher—wanting to give back what yoga had given me—she encouraged me to explore the truth of who I was. She believed I would make an excellent yoga teacher.

Shortly after completing the program, I enrolled in a yoga teacher training program. I not only became a yoga teacher but also a yoga studio owner, where I had the privilege of serving thousands of people over a period of six years.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there were many times I almost gave up. Borderline Personality Disorder is debilitating, and very few people can say they are fully recovered. It took me a total of 14 years to heal and rewire my mind and nervous system.

However, my devotion to a path of service kept me going. I adopted a mantra that motivated me through every obstacle: “If I can get through this and help just one person, then it will all be worth it.” I still live by this mantra today because, ultimately, my healing journey has never been just about me; it has always been about the people I am meant to serve.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. While I choose to keep some aspects of my life private, I have been very open about my history, my healing journey, and my devotion to service. I’ve outgrown the fear of what others think about me and now live authentically, without a mask. I truly believe that vulnerability is a superpower; when we learn to be open and vulnerable, it inspires others to do the same.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I have an incredibly deep understanding of self, love, and healing, having spent the last 26 years in introspection. My journey of healing from debilitating traumas and mental illness, along with a 12-year celibacy period, has been profound. While others were living their lives, getting married, and having children, I chose to go within, often alone. I wasn’t interested in numbing or distracting myself; I wanted to experience what lay on the other side.

During this time, I made incredible discoveries about self-love mastery, life, love, and truth. I don’t take any of it for granted, and because of it, I am devoted to helping others on their path to greatness. I see us as Leaders of Love, and I believe the only way out is through. It is through this journey that we discover our true purpose, passions, alignment, and dharma.

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