Meet Dr. Heather Hetheru Miller

We recently connected with Dr. Heather Hetheru Miller and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Heather Hetheru, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I didn’t find my purpose, my purpose found me! It found me in the midst of the lowest point of my life… the point of death and rebirth. It started in childhood, as it often does. I knew as a child that I was different. I had a lens of love by which I saw the world and my place in it that shaped my sense of reality. My truth is… I didn’t become a true seeker of my difference until later in life… that is later in my life… after life. Here is the short story; I died by suicide in my mid-twenties overcome by grief and distraught by the feelings of abandonment after the ending of my marriage (my first of 3) and the death of my best friend (due to complications of childbirth).

This profound realization of a purpose to my life came quickly after my suicide. The extraordinary circumstances around my redemption revealed that I was being preserved to do greater things. Each day following that event raised my awareness that there was a reason why I needed to be here in spite of my blindness onset by grief and hurt. I was to become a messenger, a master teacher, a movement.

Each day thereafter, became a day on purpose. Each day that I lived on purpose brought me closer to the understanding of my purpose. It was never only about me, it was always about the space that I held in the world. The knowledge that I am a co-creator to the extension of the world that even now, over 30 years later, I contribute to on a daily basis. Much of what I contribute comes in the form of wisdom, structure, process, encouragement, guidance, insights, kindness, intervention and intention. Since then, I have served more than 25,000 people helping them clarify their message, master their self-discovery and join the movement of purpose!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a Personal Change Coach. It took me years of reflection and redefining my unique difference to understand who I am, whose I am and what I bring to awareness. I help others with the tools and the knowledge to bring change to their unique place in the world. I do this for corporations, organizations, associations, families, communities and individuals. I do it at workshops, seminars, retreats, conferences, meeting rooms and living rooms. “It” is the inspired idea that is the central focus of a collective value, belief, challenge, and/or agenda. Whatever the “inspired” idea or the central focus can be strategically retooled and repurposed so that the audience can use components of the “YIJ Process of Change” framework to internalize and amplify it. I encourage meaningful change in an ever-changing world that often comes without instructions or the value of one’s own journey. I help to point out the proverbial dots so that people have the empowered mindset and tools to connect them in meaningful ways.

As a Personal Change Coach I serve as a speaker, facilitator, and master teacher. I share lessons for the journey through articles, blogs, podcasts, books, 1-on-1 sessions and storytelling. Whether teambuilding, intergenerational workplace, work-choice development, rebuilding our ecosystems, mothers and grandmothers raising sons, healing deep wounds of grief, broken trusts, self-discovery I am excited to be your coach!

The promise of 2025 offers a bold new direction expanding beyond Southeastern Michigan deeper into the Midwest Region of the US including the States of Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Let’s connect!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The 3 most impactful areas of knowledge that most impacted my journey are to 1) recognize that life is a journey not a destination; 2) continue your self-exploration but only look back for understanding not to judge yourself or others (labeling things and people in the past as good, bad, right and wrong) because you cannot change the past merely learn from it; 3) and know that you make a difference. These 3 lessons are so full of value and wisdom that they are interwoven in my work regardless of the overshadowing nature of the task, consultation, workshop, session, or book. The real significance and wisdom in these insights is to recognize that we are all just passing through this life. We were born into a story in progress and became the main character. We crawl through our early years until we are able to run.

By the time we learn to run, we have learned that there are supporting characters that influence and shape us. There are circumstances that teach us. There are lessons that inspire us. And there are moments that define us. As age takes its liberties and changes our minds, hearts, and bodies we are rarely prepared for how quickly each perceived destination moves us along the next chapter of the journey. In the moments that cause us to pause, to catch our breath, to celebrate or to morn, we glimpse behind us for answers; for our “why”. In seeking the answers, we gauge how far we have come and how far we have yet to grow as maturity welcomes us into new life experiences. As maturity multiplies the years and settles us into our mortality, we become aware of the number of days behind us and how they were spent. As the rhythms of life dial down to a reflective slow, you begin to see whose life touched you and whose life you’ve touched. You know that you have lived and are heading toward the next unknown destination but rest assured with the thought that “I passed through here.”

The advice that I have for others who are in the midst of their journey and desire to develop and improve is to follow the “breadcrumbs.” There are prompts, insights, lessons, unctions, leadings, synergies, connections, illuminations and tugs along the way to help guide you. It guides you to the people, places, and things that you may need in your “what’s next.” I have known this inner guidance simply as “Spirit.” The Spirit of God to be precise. I believe because of my journey and experience nothing is stronger than the ultimate God-connection. If you allow it, the God-connection serves as your true North.

The confirmation from a series of beliefs, practices values, and an intimate knowing that reflects the strength of the relationship. It is this relationship with Spirit that keeps me centered, restores me, enlightens me, protects me, and redirects me back to the path if and when I stray. This Spirit also equips me with the tools for navigation through inner guidance. So often we walk by faith and not by sight! This inner guidance points out the breadcrumbs, even when it looks like its covered in mud, but you must choose to follow. Trusting the inner Spirit-filled guidance is following the breadcrumbs!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am seeking collaboration with organizations, groups, colleges, associations, and people-centered companies to bring my person-centered workshops, seminars, and speaking opportunities to align with their goals. Whether the audience is employees, colleagues, members and/or students our shared messaging will inspire the inner being. I bring an important synergetic element to audiences where interactions are organic and bridge people and their ideas to a shared purpose. My “inspired” message adds to the “inspired” journey that most people are seeking. I am excited to offer this opportunity to bring us all together in purpose to make the spaces, places and ecosystems where we work, play, pray, learn, worship, gather and find our peace to grow.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photography credits: Kahn Santori Studio and Ashley Allen Women’s Summit Candids

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,