Meet Michelle Swist

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Swist. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michelle, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I wasn’t always the optimistic person I am today. There was a time when waking up each morning filled me with dread. As a stay-at-home mom with a husband who traveled extensively for work, the weight of taking care of everyone felt overwhelming. Meanwhile, my husband Bob would wake up with a cheerful “GOOD MORNING! Let’s get this day started!” His positivity was infectious, and I couldn’t understand how he could be so happy first thing in the morning. I yearned to feel that way too.
The turning point in my life came with a diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition that brought episodes of excruciating pain shooting through the left side of my face. Even the mildest stimuli, like brushing my teeth or a slight breeze, felt like lightning strikes. This was a terrifying and challenging time for me. In my search for relief, I explored various medical treatments but also delved into alternative healing modalities and spiritual practices. During this journey, I discovered the transformative power of energy and the importance of mind, body, and spirit alignment.
As I began my healing and spiritual growth journey, I experienced profound shifts within myself. I realized that healing wasn’t just about addressing physical symptoms but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our being. I began to appreciate the moments of peace and ease, no matter how fleeting. This gratitude practice became a cornerstone of my transformation.
I learned that gratitude is the fastest way to raise my vibration and emotional frequency. I started being thankful for even the smallest things—being able to swallow, sit up, get out of bed, brush my teeth, and eat without pain. Taking it moment by moment, I found myself grateful for every heartbeat and every breath.
Through this journey, I also learned the power of intention. “Energy flows where your intention guides it to go.” With this understanding, I began setting intentions every morning and throughout the day, guiding the energy where I needed it most. Living intentionally and with gratitude has fundamentally changed my outlook on life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At the age of 40, my life took an unexpected and significant turn when I was diagnosed with a serious illness. Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition so excruciatingly painful that it’s often referred to as the “suicide disease.” The usual medical options, including surgery, weren’t available to me. The idea of living in a medicated haze was unbearable, especially with young children depending on me. I knew I had to find another way to manage the pain and regain control of my life.
This diagnosis became the catalyst for a profound personal journey. Determined to find relief, I dove into the world of holistic wellness. I began practicing yoga and meditation, and I explored the healing properties of crystals and energy work. It was during this exploration that I discovered my gift of clairaudience—the ability to hear messages from the spiritual realm. This newfound ability ignited a deep passion for spirituality and opened up a whole new world for me.
My curiosity led me to immerse myself in various studies. I learned about Reiki, a form of energy healing, and became a certified Usui and Karuna Ki Reiki Master. I studied intuitive development, crystal healing, and the art of connecting with angels. I also delved into plant-based healing, incorporating essential oils and tinctures into my daily routine. Embracing my ability to receive and interpret spiritual messages, I found my true calling: to use my gifts to help others on their spiritual and wellness journeys.
Today, I wear many hats. I am an Energy Practitioner, Teacher, Spiritual Mentor, Mindfulness Podcaster, and Meditation Facilitator. My mission is to support spiritually open-minded individuals in achieving balance and harmony across their mind, body, and spirit. As an empath, I have a natural ability to connect with the emotions and energy of others. My certifications as a Crystal Reader and Reiki Master enable me to employ various techniques to foster healing and mind, body spirit balance.
My intuitive gifts, aligned with my Clair Senses, allow me to provide profound insights and guidance. In my practice, I seamlessly integrate Reiki, crystals, sound healing, essential oils, and the support of angels and guides. By combining these powerful tools, I help individuals restore balance and nurture holistic healing in their mind, body, and heart.
One of my greatest joys is sharing my knowledge and insights with a broader audience through my podcast, “Mindful Minutes with Michelle.” Each episode is an opportunity to promote mindfulness, self-awareness, and personal growth, empowering listeners to lead more fulfilling and balanced lives. You can enjoy my podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I am thrilled to announce that, along with my individual practice, I have co-founded Escape Within Retreats LLC and The Escape Within Academy with an amazing team of healers, teachers, coaches, and philosophers. Our retreats offer transformative wellness experiences that reconnect individuals with their true essence. Our mission is to guide people on a journey of self-discovery and healing, fostering profound connections within themselves, with the natural world, and with their passions. For ongoing learning and support before or after our retreats, we have created The Escape Within Academy. It serves as your digital sanctuary for impactful learning. Immerse yourself in a thriving online community where our esteemed hosts lead live sessions, workshops, and self-paced courses. We will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and growth from the comfort of your own space.

My personal business, Mindfulness with Michelle, has been rebranded to better reflect my holistic approach. I offer remote Reiki sessions, intuitive guidance, and Reiki classes, reaching individuals near and far. My goal is to empower others on their healing journeys, helping them embrace their inherent potential and align with their true selves.
This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the depths of despair brought on by my diagnosis, I have emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and passion. I am dedicated to serving as a channel for healing love and light, creating a ripple effect that inspires others to spread their own love and light to the world. Through compassionate guidance and holistic practices, I am committed to helping individuals navigate their unique paths to wholeness and well-being.

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?

Looking back, three key qualities and areas of knowledge have been most impactful in my journey: understanding that everything is energy, recognizing that intention is everything, and living mindfully in the present moment with gratitude. These principles have profoundly shaped my path and continue to guide my work.
Firstly, learning that everything is energy was a revelation. It opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of all things and the subtle ways energy influences our lives. This understanding is foundational for anyone on a spiritual or healing journey. I encourage those starting to explore energy work, whether through Reiki, crystal healing, or simply becoming more attuned to their own energetic fields.
Secondly, the realization that intention is everything transformed my approach to life and healing. Setting clear, positive intentions can profoundly influence outcomes and experiences. My advice is to cultivate a practice of mindful intention-setting. Whether through meditation, journaling, or visualization, regularly aligning your intentions with your goals and values can create powerful shifts in your life.
Lastly, living mindfully in the present moment and with gratitude can create an amazing life. Mindfulness allows us to fully experience and appreciate each moment, while gratitude shifts our focus to the abundance already present in our lives. Developing a daily mindfulness practice, such as meditation or mindful breathing, and maintaining a gratitude journal can help anchor you in the present and foster a positive mindset.
For those early in their journey, I recommend going within and listening to your intuition. Your inner guidance is a powerful tool that can lead you to the right practices, people, and opportunities. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals to discuss, learn, teach, and grow together. Building a supportive community can provide invaluable encouragement and insight.
Most importantly, live in love and know that you are divine. Embrace your unique path with an open heart, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be. By cultivating these qualities and practices, you can create a life filled with purpose, balance, and joy.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I have a few go-to strategies that help me regain balance and calm. Setting my daily intentions is a foundational practice for me. Each morning, I focus on feeling peace, ease, love, health, happiness, and fun, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. This sets a positive vibration for the day. If I start to feel overwhelmed, here’s what I do:
Firstly, I take three cleansing breaths, inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. This simple act connects me with the grounding energy of Mother Earth and helps center my mind and body.

Next, I call upon my spirit team and the archangels, asking them to surround me with pure peace and ease. This spiritual support provides a comforting sense of protection and reassurance.
I also perform a release exercise to clear any stressful, worrisome, anxious, fearful, negative, toxic, or unhealthy thoughts and energy that do not serve my highest good. Once I’ve done this, I ask my spirit team to surround and protect me with divine love and light, creating a shield of positivity around me.

Another effective technique I use is breathwork, specifically Pranayama or alternate nostril breathing. This practice helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a state of calm and relaxation.

Crystals are another essential tool in my toolkit. When I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I use grounding stones like Shungite, Black Tourmaline, Hematite, and Red Jasper. Holding crystals like Amethyst and Lepidolite helps calm my mind and soothe my emotions.

These practices help me cope when I am overwhelmed and maintain a sense of peace and balance. I encourage others to explore and incorporate similar strategies into their daily routine, finding what resonates most with them to create their personal oasis of calm amidst the chaos.
I’m sending you all love and light.

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Image Credits

Anne Kamansky

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