We recently connected with Micki Schaffer and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Micki thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I have founded two health and wellness businesses, each at different stages of my life when I needed more autonomy and flexibility in my work. The first was a Pilates studio I started when my twin daughters were between the ages of one and three. I wanted to pursue my passion for helping others get healthy while still being present as a mom.

My current business, MŌR JOY, came later in life when I was ready to downshift from a fast-paced, high-pressure corporate career into a rhythm more conducive to a healthy lifestyle—and as a precursor to retirement.

With the 20-year gap between these two businesses, a lot has changed in how businesses are built. Today, there is significantly more information and support available digitally than there was two decades ago. Back then, I relied heavily on resources from the local Small Business Development Center—nonprofit organizations designed to help small businesses get started. They offered valuable guidance at little to no cost.

For my current business, I was able to find much of the same information online, though I spent more time doing independent research rather than relying on a single consultant as I had in the past.

My advice to a young professional is to reach out to people you admire who are doing what you aspire to do. Ask them questions about their journey and what contributed to their success. In my experience, most people are willing to help and share what worked for them. Taking this one brave step can save you a great deal of time and confusion and it can help you build a strong support network for your future business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been in the health and wellness industry for over 30 years, and my passion has always been helping people live healthier lives. I began my career in the fitness industry, expanded into wellness, and for the past 10+ years have worked in healthcare at a Fortune 5 company. In this role, I partnered with large employers to support employee health and benefits across clinical, behavioral, and preventive care.

During COVID-19, I realized something was missing. I had lost the spark that once gave me energy and excitement in my work each day. I began working with a professional coach, which—perhaps for the first time—gave me the space to truly reflect on who I am, what I want, and where I wanted to go. Through that process, I experienced the transformational power of coaching and felt called to pursue coach training myself.

Now, through my business, MŌR JOY, I help midlife women move from striving to thriving in a life filled with more joy. My coaching is grounded in positive psychology principles and centers on the belief that joy is innate within each of us—and can be accessed at any time.

At a time when more than 70% of the workforce is disengaged, finding joy in each day is more important than ever. COVID led to the “Great Resignation,” where many workers left jobs due to low satisfaction. Today, with economic uncertainty and growing concerns about AI, many are staying in roles they no longer enjoy. This makes it even more important to reconnect with your values, strengths, and passions—and to create a way of working and living that is both sustainable and fulfilling.

When I work with clients, they consistently leave sessions feeling better than when they arrived. Coaching is a powerful form of self-care. How often do you have dedicated time focused entirely on you, your goals, and your growth—with an unbiased thought partner by your side? Succeeding in work and life becomes so much more attainable when you have that kind of support.

If you are struggling to find joy in your work or life, don’t wait any longer to take action. Get the support you deserve and start creating meaningful change today.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The reason I built MŌR JOY Coaching was to help others become more resilient in life and work using positive psychology principles. I initially used myself as a test case while working in a stressful, high-pressure sales role within a highly complex, matrixed Fortune 5 company. Each day, I applied these principles—self-care rituals, regular joy breaks, journaling, affirmations, and more. Slowly but surely, I began to notice a difference. My mindset shifted. Instead of focusing on problems, I started living more in the moment and experiencing greater gratitude.

Then, one day, I was in a traumatic car accident that left me with multiple injuries to my dominant hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder. I had never experienced that level of pain for such an extended period of time—it felt inescapable. Once again, I chose to use myself as a test case to see if positive psychology principles could help me navigate through the pain and suffering. I found relief through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, reframing, and other forms of intentional self-care.

To this day, I continue to lean on these practices to help me through challenging times. I also guide my clients in building resilience by focusing on their strengths and goals.

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

When coaching others, it is important that your values and strengths align with your work. Good coaches are naturally curious, open, and possess a growth mindset that supports continuous learning. They create safe spaces where clients feel seen, supported, and free from judgment. Another important trait of a good coach is the ability to remain fully present with their client, focusing on helping them create “aha” moments that lead to meaningful action.

When searching for a personal or professional coach, it is important to look for someone with training in the field. In addition to a coaching certification, consider a coach with an accredited credential (such as from the ICF or NBC-HWC), which signifies that the coach has undergone rigorous training, adheres to ethical standards, and demonstrates validated competence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mor-joy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findmorejoy23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089320680249
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mor-joy/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MORJOY