We recently connected with Jessica Michel and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us 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.

The day I began working with artists. I have always attracted natural Sensitives into my nutritional work, but when performing artists and creatives, I quickly realized how much I valued restoring and nourishing those who were creating beauty and giving art to the world. My background is actually in performing arts, so it holds a special place in my heart. I have gone back to it a few times, and always loved it. It has taught me that the skills, passions, and life experiences we carry are never lost or pointless; every twist and turn in life has a purpose. I have lived a very non-linear life, and it has made me into a unique human. Everything you are, the gatherings of your life are what make you able to serve and support others in a way no one else ever could. All this to say, the convergence has been so powerful. My clients feel understood, and I am honored to keep them healthy, glowing, energized, and resilient throughout their projects!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am the healer for artists, Sensitives, and creatives. Those here to tell the story of humanity in all its forms and move through life in a body that experiences everything at full volume. Specializing in chronic and challenging symptoms, my progressive functional nutrition approach weaves advanced labs and custom holistic protocols to unveil and address the body’s often hidden needs. You are uniquely wired, and so we incorporate multiple individuating systems, like human design, astrology, and blood type, to identify what you need in this exact season of life. My approach is never the same. It’s based off you. Your capacity, your history, your levels, your purpose, your expression. I am not a fan of diagnoses/labels, as I do believe they create a dis-ease-centered identity, so we work off this baseline – your body is always moving towards balance and healing, but it has a checklist of to-dos that is quite long and needs support. We follow the body’s clues and focus on its top priorities (often not always what you want…) and create space for your body to do its job! Regardless of what you’ve been told, your body CAN heal. I’ve seen it over and over again. Partnering with me is a very personal experience. We go deep, and I am available on a daily basis to answer questions, navigate symptoms, and make decisions with you. This is what makes my work effective and the changes sustainable. No 1x a month surface-level sessions here.

I also provide seasonal reviving meals to a select handful of clients who desire custom everyday nourishment. It’s such a joy! I was professionally trained in Paris at Ecole Ducasse, and have years of grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. experience. Let’s just say I am quite good at making just about anything look, feel, and taste divine! It’s my natural gift. My cuisine is light and Mediterranean-focused. Local, organic, seasonal, and regenerative – think Erewhon meets Goop Kitchen with the blessing of Alice Waters ;).

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Grit. Honesty. Humility. Changeability. In the healing space, you are being called to a higher standard. You can’t ask your client to do something you wouldn’t do or haven’t already done. Embodiment is everything. Live it yourself. From a place of self-healing, you can then truthfully guide those who come to you in a real way. This industry is always growing, expanding, and challenging, so stay on top of the research, know the best tech and tools to support your clients at all levels, but do not get lost in the trends. Know the old school, annoyingly simple remedy as well and have the internal grounding to guide your TikTok-panicked client to it with gentleness and kindness. Be that guide that sees the bigger picture, that understands the patterns, and knows when something is real vs a desire for action for the sake of action. We live in a world that thrives on chaos, clickbait, and pulling at pain points. Don’t add to this noise. Rise above it.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I would say working with mentors when I first started out, both with my functional nutrition and then again with private cheffing. Even to this day, I always seek out humans who see the world in a way that resonates and send cold emails or calls. I’m a bit ballsy that way, but I do it because I truly admire what these beautiful humans are creating and doing, and I’d like to respectfully contribute to our shared vision by learning what they’re willing to pass on. Nothing is new under the sun, so I don’t pretend to be completely revolutionary. I always have something to learn, and I choose to observe, train, and shadow the very best in my industry whenever I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.merfleur.com
• Instagram: @merfleurwellness @merfleurkitchen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-michel