Hello, Beautiful Dreamers! I guess I should introduce myself!

Dream Big, Live Boldly

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, ‘This isn’t how it was supposed to be’? I have. For years, I felt stuck, burdened by expectations, and disconnected from the bold, adventurous woman I once aspired to be. But I discovered something powerful: when you dream big and live boldly, everything can change. That’s why I’m beyond excited to welcome you here—a space where beautiful dreamers can come together to embrace courage, chase their dreams, and step into the bold, adventurous life they’ve always imagined. Whether you’ve stumbled across this blog by chance or are ready to dream big and live boldly, you’re in the right place.

Today, I want to share my story—not because it’s extraordinary, but because it’s real. My hope is that by hearing my journey, you’ll see pieces of yourself, your challenges, and your dreams, and feel empowered to take the leap toward the life you’ve always imagined.

From Lost to Found: Dreaming Big

Let’s rewind a bit. Life wasn’t always about dreaming big or taking bold leaps for me. For years, I felt like I was on a treadmill—running hard but getting nowhere. Responsibilities piled up, financial stress loomed, and I often wondered, Is this it? Is this what my life is supposed to look like?

There were days I barely recognized myself. Somewhere between juggling work, family, and everyone else’s expectations, I lost sight of the woman I wanted to be. It was as if the dreams I had when I was younger were buried under a mountain of “shoulds” and “have-tos.”

Living Boldly: A Leap Toward Georgia Tech

At 42, my life took an unexpected turn when I went through a divorce. It was one of the most challenging seasons of my life—a time filled with uncertainty, heartache, and self-reflection. I had been married for 22 years. I suddenly found myself at a crossroads, wondering who I was without the life I had built and what my future could look like. It wasn’t easy, but that chapter became a turning point, forcing me to reevaluate my priorities and dig deep to rediscover my strength.

In the years that followed, I realized I wanted more. Not just for myself, but to prove to others – specifically my children- that it’s never too late to start over. That’s when I made the bold decision to go back to school. At 44, I embarked on one of my greatest adventures. I enrolled at Georgia Tech, one of the most rigorous universities in the country, to pursue a degree in electrical engineering – a field that had always fascinated me but felt out of reach for so long.

Those years at Georgia Tech were some of the hardest and most rewarding of my life. Balancing academics, personal responsibilities, and the self-doubt that comes with being quite older than most of my classmates pushed me to my limits. But I kept going. I embraced the challenge, worked tirelessly, and, two months before my 50th birthday, I proudly walked across that stage to receive my electrical engineering degree. It wasn’t just a piece of paper; it was a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and the belief that dreams don’t have an expiration date.

That journey taught me that we are capable of so much more than we think, especially when we’re willing to dream big and take bold steps toward the life we envision. If I could rebuild after 42, go back to school in my mid-40s, and achieve something I once thought was impossible, I know you can overcome whatever challenges you’re facing too.

The Moment I Chose Courage Over Fear

Within a couple of years, another defining moment occurred. I found myself staring at $180,000 in debt. And to be completely transparent and honest, some of that debt came from school, but some came from over-spending, and even more came from getting some much-needed dental work. It was suffocating. The weight of it wasn’t just financial; it was emotional. It made me question my worth, my decisions, and my ability to change. But it also sparked something in me—a tiny voice that said, This isn’t how your story ends.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and honestly, it doesn’t happen because I suddenly have everything figured out. It happens because I am tired of staying stuck. I am starting with small, deliberate steps: creating a budget, saying no to things that didn’t align with my goals, and finding ways to believe in myself again. Each step feels like a leap at times, but looking at what I have achieved so far, it was those small, consistent choices are building my foundation.

It isn’t just about finances, though. That debt was a symptom of a deeper struggle. I needed to redefine how I approached life—not as a series of obligations but as a grand adventure. I began asking myself:

• What do I truly want?
• What kind of example do I want to set for others?
• What’s holding me back from living boldly?

Bit by bit, I am starting to rebuild. I am currently an Automation & Controls Engineer making a decent salary. I’ve started paying off my debt, begun reconnecting with what brought me joy, and am learning to embrace fear as part of the process. It hasn’t been and won’t be easy, and there will be setbacks along the way, but I have learned something profound: courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

Why I’m Here: Sharing My Journey

While I’m still at the beginning of this next chapter, I know this: I don’t want to walk this road alone. I’ve felt the isolation of being stuck, the doubts that creep in late at night, and the longing for something more. That’s why I’m here—not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who’s walking this path alongside you.

This space is for you. This space is for the woman who wants more but doesn’t know where to start. It is for the woman who feels like it’s too late to chase her dreams. And it’s for the woman who knows she’s capable of so much more but needs a little nudge to take that first step.

Lessons From My Journey (So Far)

If there’s one thing my past has taught me, it’s that growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from stepping out, even when you’re scared. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way:

1. You Are Stronger Than You Think: Whether it’s paying off debt, mending relationships, or pursuing a dream, you’re capable of more than you realize.
2. Small Steps Lead to Big Change: You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Just take the next step in front of you.
3. It’s Never Too Late: No matter where you are in life, you can begin again.
4. Adventure Is Worth the Risk: Life is short—too short to let fear keep you from pursuing what matters most.

What’s Next?

This blog is the start of something new for me, and I hope it becomes a meaningful part of your journey too. Together, we’ll talk about:

• Reclaiming your time and energy.
• Building confidence and courage to chase your dreams.
• Practical tips for handling finances, relationships, and self-improvement.
• Embracing life as the grand adventure it’s meant to be.

I don’t have all the answers, but I promise to show up authentically, share what I’ve learned, and cheer you on as you leap toward your dreams.

Let’s Live Boldly Together

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like life is passing you by, know this: you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I’m still figuring it out. But what I’ve discovered is this: when you dream big and live boldly, the magic happens. It’s about closing your eyes, feeling the fear, and taking that leap anyway.

So, let’s dream big and live boldly—together. The net will appear, I promise. Let’s create a life we’re proud of, filled with purpose, adventure, and joy. I’m so glad you’re here. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

What’s a dream you’ve been holding back on? I’d love to hear about it—share it in the comments or reach out. Let’s take the leap together and make it happen! Start here!

With love and courage,

Michelle

P.S. That picture above? That’s me at almost 50, walking across the stage at graduation in May, 2021. My children came to see their mother achieve one of her greatest adventures. It was the first of many to come.