We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Michele a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The mission has always been the same: “Keep finding ways to Elevate Your Everyday.”

However that may look like to you, and wherever you are in the present moment. Elevating by both finding, and by creating, moments of joy regardless of circumstance. By coming together in the form of community – even simply with oneself – has always been the mission.

A mission of Grace, Love, and Gratitude in movement, breathwork and creativity of life. Uniting, and at times re-uniting with various forms of ourselves and each other throughout our journeys, wherever they may take us.

It’s meaningful to find community around us, but also inside us as we navigate in all of our environments. Finding a way to ‘Elevate’ ourselves each and everyday.

Amber, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York and one of my very first words was, “Go.” Always on the move, even until recent years described as a hurricane coming through, like many around the world, my life shifted with major macro events of the last few years. Always aware of the importance of movement and energy, space and relationships, it was when I became a mom in the height of the pandemic that I realized the importance of coming home to myself.

I was exposed to yoga as a child, and I had taken many classes of various styles over the years. I never fully explored my interests of teaching yoga, in any aspect or variety of methods and meanings, until I was in hospitality. That was when I was re-introduced to the importance of stretching, centering and meditation from my theatre major days.
While in restaurants, I was looking for ergonomic ways to work smarter and safer. In the corporate environment, this time in tech; I utilized yoga and meditation as a way to breathe, and take a moment when needed, no matter whether at home or the office. Leadership took note, as my classes deepened and fostered relationships with my colleagues. Along with my own understanding of the office environment at large when I realized that yoga could look different in many arenas ‘off the mat.’

I provide a space to take a moment. A place to remember yourself. In the middle of your lunch break. One-to-one or One-to-many, personal or professional settings that allow for the breath to flow, for you to Elevate Your Every Day.

Wellness and well-being are at the forefront these days. Providing a space to collectively come together as a group, or providing a resource to remind and encourage space for oneself. A place for respite and relaxation, teamwork and improved dynamic and morale, regardless of locale and undefined by walls.

My fluidity and adaptability is what sets me apart. To approach situations and environments as solution oriented and foster a space of trust, inclusion and empowerment from the start.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think so often we’ve all heard the phrase, “Fake it ’til you make it,” but I’ve come to embrace, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It took a long, long time to unlearn, and still moments of unlearning the aspect of ‘faking it.’ Especially when it comes to fears of “Imposter syndrome,” creeping in from time to time.

But the reality is; authenticity shines brighter in any room you walk into, and deeper into every breath you take. The transparency of connections, set upon a foundation of trust from the very beginning, overcome the need to pretend. Not only to others – but even more so to yourself.

I spent years and years in the world of the hospitality industry, yet made a career pivot into the world of tech. I had no idea what I was doing. I knew that I wasn’t even speaking the language of this industry yet, and making a career – and life – change at a different stage of than the majority of my peers.

Yet, what I learned is that, regardless of language, regardless of stage, everyone was learning – from wherever they were at. We all had to start somewhere, the emphasis being on starting at all. In order for growth to happen we have to be true to ourselves, to know where improvements need to be made. We may even surprise ourselves in the areas and opportunities for leadership, where we didn’t even know we could shine.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

We have all had our own stories over the last few years, and what’s made me most resilient is becoming a mother at the height of the pandemic. I’ve fundraised, trained for and completed an Olympic distance tri-athalon. I’ve studied in the world of theater arts to become a SAG-AFTRA member. I’ve traveled abroad solo in my 20s and experienced many adventures close to home. Yet nothing prepared me for the experience of matrescence (the process of becoming a mother) at the time when I became one.

I was in a world of isolation, from family and friends, while in a living in a space that no longer existed. Simultaneously, experiencing a personal life event that no one can truly plan for. I often look back at the growth that occurred, and the courage that I gave myself during some of my most trying times. It allowed me to walk through my own fire and rely on myself in ways I never thought of.

In this I found how important the bond is, the human connection. Not just to myself and my new daughter, but highlighting the importance of community and the relationships we have with ourselves and each other. I was thankful to have yoga as guide, on the mat and off. Returning home to myself, connecting with others, and finding ways to Elevate The Everyday on this continued journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.divamber.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DivAmber
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambermichele/

Image Credits
Mariah Gale