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

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 was cold and clear. I drove through Stockbridge, GA rushing to get to my meeting. My days tended to collapse into meetings, problem solving, and discussions about the meetings and problems that needed solving. I loved the work and ministry activities that consumed my days. However, I also knew that there was more for me to become and do. I kept delaying the retrospective time necessary to plan how to get to the more. On this cool day, my phone rings as I am driving. The doctor is on the other end of the line. “Mrs. Fuqua, we need you to come in for a more extensive test because we saw something on your mammogram.” That call shoved me into a cycle of panic, prayer, prioritizing, and planning. Honestly, I owned the terms “awfulizing and catastrophizing.” I waited two weeks to my follow up appointment and during that time, I reflected on dreams deferred, what I wished I had done, and what I could get done with the time I have left. Fortunately, I received a clean bill of health and the opportunity to reevaluate my life. I decided to prioritize my dreams, writing, building, and realizing them. I spent time understanding what caused me to procrastinate on the important things. Finally, I dealt with all of the mental and emotional “stuff” that held me back. Now, I am on a path of power and purpose and I am passionate about helping others professionals who also serve in ministry prioritize their own needs, health, and dreams.

Michelle, 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 see myself as a simple, country girl from Monroe, NC on a journey to live my life fully while helping others do the same. I am an overcomer refusing to be defeated by the challenges that life throws my way. My power is in my voice and my vision, and I strive to use both to help others to walk in their divine purpose. I have always been a protector and nurturer of people’s heart purpose, and formally accepted a call to higher ministry in my 30s. I am a multi-dimensional, complex woman of God, wife, mother, high achieving professional organizational leader, minister, speaker, author, and life coach. I have multiple books, workbooks, and journals designed to help others to align with purpose and live intentionally aligned with the abundant life God planned for them. My coaching program and membership, “The Ignited Life™” is designed for women of faith, who are also professional high achievers, seeking to synthesize their life work in the presence of God. Through this program, they gain clarity on the why and what while developing a plan to build their dream life. I also have a writing program, “The Write Spirit™” for professionals and ministers who want to finally write and publish their story.
The problems that I help people to solve involves the beliefs and blocks that keep them from boldly pursuing their dreams. This can include how a person views and values themself, procrastination, fear, and past failures. I strive to convince my mentees that they can accomplish whatever God is calling them to.

Working with me is a healing process that lovingly allows you to be who God created you to be. Part of this requires that you see the more. I am proud of helping others see their potential and convert it to power in the presence of God. If you want to live in alignment with God, I am the coach for you.

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

When I decided to pursue ministry based entrepreneurship, I did not have a clue what to do. I was so use to doing everything for free. Fortunately, I encountered a few coaching programs that helped me to get started. Dr. Tracy Timberlake has a program entitled, “Platform” that helped me to understand the online business model. She is an effective business and mindset coach. I am still receiving so much benefit from my time in that program. I also participated in a ministry based program with Angelica Duncan focused on building your online ministry. Her program is focused on following the path of your anointing and building a ministry that reflects your calling. Currently, I am working with Evelyn Weiss, business coach whose superpower is marketing and business building; Dr. Kristen Guillory, who helps people amplify their voice and build their speaking business; Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson is my mindset and business coach. Surrounding myself with these powerful women helps me to stay focused on where I am, and where I am going. I also have business accountability partners, Dr. Lee Nesbitt who helps smart conscious women live a life of abundance and prosperity through monetizing their education, experience, and powers;and Diane Givens a creative artist and author.

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 had to unlearn the belief that I need to be silent. When I was young my father taught me that children should be seen and not heard. This world view had a negative effect on how I viewed myself. I did not feel valued, I thought I did not matter. I convinced myself that I was shy. This is funny because I am the extroverts extrovert. I remember gritting my teeth and feeling like I perpetually had the brakes on. When those brakes slipped, I would open my mouth and speak, respond to a situation according to my true personality only to regret it afterwards. I learned over time how to share and amplify my voice constructively and effectively. Now, I am not silent and I use my voice to build lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michellewfuqua.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellewfuqua/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellewfuqua/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellewfuqua/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/michellewfuqua
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyO8SBfx_bOsEW9iM-mbRpA

Image Credits
Leslie Almeder – @la.shotss Michael Mueller Studios