We were lucky to catch up with Carol Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carol, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

In 2008, I watched a YouTube video about Free Hugs, and something inside me told me I had to try it. I wasn’t a natural hugger, but I felt deeply compelled to step out of my comfort zone and experience the power of connection that the video showcased. Although terrified, I knew it was something I needed to do. At the time, I had just started creating events through Positive Focus, an initiative I founded to help people see the good in their lives. Offering Free Hugs felt like an extension of that work.

The first time I offered a hug was on a cold winter day, and not many people took me up on it. But that experience made me realize how powerful connection truly is. It showed me that people need to feel seen, heard, and valued, and that this small act could make a significant impact.

I committed to offering Free Hugs once a month in 2008, and as I saw the difference it made, I began doing it more frequently. By the summer, I thought, “How incredible would it be if others could experience this too?” That sparked the idea for creating the global Free Hugs event.

What started as me stepping out of my comfort zone has now reached all seven continents, 47 countries, and 36 U.S. states. Archbishop Desmond Tutu even participated twice, which was an unforgettable honor.

This experience reinforced the core of what I teach as a Positive Mindset Coach. It’s not just about focusing on the good in life, but also about reframing challenges. It’s about feeling seen and knowing you matter in this beautiful, messy world. The power of connection, of truly seeing others, can create profound transformation. When we reach out and connect, we create space for healing, growth, and positivity to flourish.

Carol, 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 a Positive Mindset Coach, speaker, and advocate for authentic connection. My work began with a desire to help people focus on what was good in their lives. I started creating events centered around mind-body-spirit well-being, service and charity, and fun social activities. These events were designed to help people connect with themselves and others meaningfully.

As I continued to grow, I expanded my work into coaching, writing, and speaking on the power of positivity. I began helping people reframe their challenges and focus on what they truly wanted to create in their lives. I believe in approaching life with love, kindness, and compassion, even amid difficult moments.

Through my coaching, I support people in choosing thoughts, words, and actions that align with their desired lives. I have also created mindset card decks to offer daily encouragement and inspiration. The decks are meant to help people begin their day with intention and stay grounded in love and possibility.

What sets me apart is my belief that positivity is not about ignoring hard things. It is about choosing to face them with grace and self-awareness. I meet people where they are, and help them take steps forward with clarity and purpose.

I am most proud of the lives my work has touched. Whether through a coaching session, a card deck message, a social media post, or an event, knowing someone feels seen and supported means everything to me.

For those just getting to know me, I want you to know that I care deeply about helping people live from a space of love. My work is rooted in kindness, presence, and the belief that every person deserves to feel like they matter in this beautiful and messy world.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that positivity meant avoiding the hard parts of life. In the early stages of Positive Focus and throughout much of my life, I showed up with rose-colored glasses. I was outwardly positive for others but often hard on myself. I didn’t give myself much space to feel difficult and tried to bypass challenges by pretending they weren’t there. I didn’t even like using the word hard. I would say challenging instead.

But life had other plans. My dad passed away in 2006. My mom became ill in 2010 and passed in 2018. Along with other personal and professional challenges, those experiences brought grief, uncertainty, and a deep invitation to feel emotions I had long tried to avoid. While sitting with those feelings wasn’t easy, it opened me up to an even deeper appreciation for life.

I now know positivity isn’t about rainbows, unicorns, and pretending everything is okay. It is about showing up fully for life. That means being present for the joyful moments, the messy ones, and everything in between with love, kindness, and compassion.

As a Positive Mindset Coach, I support people in creating a life they truly love. That might include moving through hard moments with more gentleness, or choosing to amplify the joy that is already present. I meet people where they are and help them focus on what they want more of in their lives, one thought, one word, and one action at a time.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, one of the most important keys to success in my field is being true to yourself and showing up authentically. Being the same person in my personal and professional life is essential. I don’t want to put on a different face for work. Who I am with friends and family is who I am with my clients and community.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in personal development and spirituality. While many of them were kind and aligned, ​I’ve also witnessed the disconnect that can happen when someone presents one version of themselves publicly and another behind the scenes. That kind of inconsistency doesn’t sit well with me.

I know I’m not perfect, but I strive to be consistent. What I share in my writing, speaking, coaching, and events comes from a place of real-life experience. I’ve done the inner work, and I’m still doing it. I believe honesty, openness, and integrity help create lasting connections and trust, which is the foundation of everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolccmiller.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolccmiller
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamcarolccmiller/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolccmiller/
• Other: Personal FB: https://www.facebook.com/positivecarolPositive Focus FB: https://www.facebook.com/iampositivefocus/

Image Credits

These are my photos