Meet Michelle Freney

 

We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Freney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

This is still a work in progress. There are so many tools in your toolkit as a Kinesiologist and Mind Body Medicine Practitioner that it can easily feel overwhelming. Do I deepen my Counselling skills? Or should I explore using Crystals more in clinic? Is it time to study Aromatherapy or add massage to my offerings? So many of my colleagues are using sound healing – should I be incorporating more of that too?

Starting your own business often comes with a lot of negative self-talk, with questions running through your mind like:
– Am I good enough?
– Is what I’m offering valuable?
– Will others see my offerings as worthwhile?
– How can I help others when my own life isn’t perfect?

I remember a moment from a professional development camp during my studies. Our teacher had us walk slowly through some bushland, counting our steps. When we had reached a clearing we were told to imagine that each step represented 10, 100, or even 1000 years of the healing arts, with Western medicine being only a tiny sliver of the last 100-200 years. There is ancient wisdom – thousands and tens of thousands of years old. And we will never know it all, nor should we try.

Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or imposter syndrome creeps in, I think back to that walk. I realise that I am not supposed to know everything or be an expert in every technique. My understanding of the mind-body connection is enough to help my clients uncover the answers that already reside within them.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I try to look at the vastness of knowledge as something exciting. There will always be more to learn, to explore, and to add to my toolkit – when I’m ready, and when it feels aligned to my path.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Nueva Ola Health and Wellness is a business that I run with my husband, Victor.

Vic is a Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer and I am a Kinesiologist and Mind Body Medicine Practitioner. I also teach Yoga, Pilates and Yogalates. Together, we’re passionate about helping our clients achieve their health and wellness goals.

Most of my clients are women who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed and are looking for ways to find balance and to calm their overactive Nervous Systems. I also support clients who have physical pain and, alongside Vic, we design rehab programs for injuries to help them heal.

In our Kinesiology/Mind Body Medicine sessions we work with energy which means that an online session can be equally effective. I love working with clients in different parts of the world and I have had great results working online.

I also teach weekly online Yogalates classes once every Wednesday 7.30-8.30am (AEDT).

Once a month, we run Latin Movement Classes at a Yoga studio in our hometown of Cronulla (we actually met dancing salsa).

And we host Yoga and Wellness retreats – our next one is Aug 1-3, 2025, 1.5hrs north-west of Sydney.

You can find more about our offerings here: https://www.nuevaolahealthandwellness.com.au/

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities or skills in my journey have been:

Adaptability: The ability to pivot and adjust when things don’t go as planned or when new opportunities arise has been crucial. Whether it was shifting from in-person sessions to online offerings or learning new techniques, being flexible has allowed me to keep growing and reaching people in different ways.

Deep Listening and Empathy: As a Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner and Kinesiologist, the ability to listen—not just to what a person says, but also to what their body and energy are telling me—has been vital. Truly understanding a client’s needs and being present with them fosters a stronger connection and helps facilitate healing.

Continuous Learning: The wellness field is constantly evolving, and staying curious and committed to learning has kept me aligned with my passion. Whether through formal training, workshops, or simply connecting with others in the field, expanding my knowledge allows me to offer the best support to my clients.

Advice for those starting their journey:
Embrace flexibility: Things may not always go as planned, and that’s okay! Learn to go with the flow, whether you’re working with clients or figuring out how to navigate your business. Being open to change will lead to growth.

Cultivate deep listening: Take the time to truly listen to those you work with—clients, mentors, and even your own body. Trust your intuition and develop a deep sense of empathy. This will help you offer better support and build lasting relationships.

Commit to lifelong learning: The wellness world is vast, and there will always be something new to learn. Don’t rush the process—focus on what resonates with you and dive deeper into those areas. The more you learn, the more equipped you’ll be to serve others with authenticity and expertise.

Stay patient and compassionate with yourself; the journey is just as important as the destination.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I think the most impactful thing my parents did for me was to instill a strong work ethic, which became the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. They taught me that when we commit to something, we stick with it, no matter how challenging it may become. From a young age, I saw them model perseverance, dedication, and discipline. It wasn’t about doing things perfectly, but about showing up consistently, staying focused, and giving our best effort.

This lesson went beyond just academics or chores—it applied to every aspect of life. Whether it was pursuing a passion, maintaining relationships, or building a career, the idea of commitment and seeing things through has been invaluable. There were times when I wanted to quit or felt discouraged, but remembering that we don’t walk away from what we start kept me going.

The concept of finishing what you start also means learning from failure and adapting along the way. It’s not about getting everything right on the first try, but understanding that persistence, hard work, and continuous effort will lead to growth and eventual success.

For me, it became more than just a work ethic—it shaped my mindset. It taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of consistency. This mindset has been key in both my personal and professional life, especially when things get tough. It gave me the strength to push through challenges and trust that progress would come with time and dedication.

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