Michelle is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She is so kind, and after only one session with her I felt like I had huge breakthroughs in my life.
I have had life and business coaching before, but still didn’t really understand the full benefits of it. That was until I had my coaching session with Michelle. We chatted through my imposter syndrome and people pleasing, and then chatted through some major events in my life. We discovered where a lot of my self-doubt and lack of self-belief has come from, and despite all the tears that I shed, I left feeling so much lighter and happier. I couldn’t believe how she managed to help relieve so much stress in only an hour, and the fact that we were able to connect through a Whatsapp video call made it so easy to chat.
I didn’t feel any judgement or pain from Michelle, and immediately felt like I was talking to a friend. We laughed, cried, and released negative emotions in a relatively short amount of time. I was given some homework (eeek!) and this was really put out there to encourage a mind shift towards learning to love myself, and actually appreciate the person that I am.
My sister also had a session with Michelle, and felt the same feelings as me. Michelle is like no other, and I am so honoured to be able to include her in my blog feature as I really think she can help so many people through their emotions, self-empowerment and trauma recovery.
Your name: Michelle Suzanne Funke
Your business name: Michelle Funke Coaching
Social media handles: Website, LinkedIn & Facebook
Tell me a bit more about what you do: I am a trauma recovery and authentic self empowerment coach. I work with people who feel that they are falling short of how they want to show up in their life. They are unsure of how or where to make the changes needed so that they can live a life they love. They want to figure out what is holding them back and what action steps to take to get them to where they want to be. I help them to gain clarity and forge a way forward that feels authentic and right for them.
I have a special interest in trauma recovery and help people to work through traumatic experiences. A traumatic event is often life-changing and leaves people feeling vulnerable and out of control. They are looking to recover some sense of normality within themselves and their lives. I help them to tap into their courage to reclaim their power, discover their new normal and move forward with a sense of peace and hope for the future.
How did you get into this industry: It really comes down to one moment for me. My fiancé died in a car accident when I was 21, and the chaplain at the police station gave me this amazing hug. I can’t remember what he said to me, but I can still to this day remember that hug. I wanted to pay that forward and so I started to study a degree in psychology and also became involved in the Douglasdale Trauma Support Unit to help others who had been through a trauma.
When I was in my late 30’s, I had a crisis moment. I was burnt out, stressed and felt like what I was doing wasn’t worth it. As I was no longer involved with trauma counselling, I felt unfulfilled because I wasn’t helping people, and that is what I am so passionate about. So after lots of thought and careful consideration I decided to change careers. I enrolled in a coaching certification course and here I am, doing what I love and what I know I am meant to do.
Why do you have this passion for helping people: There are so many people who feel stuck in a rut, like they have no options or who don’t know how to get what they want for themselves in life. People don’t have to be stuck or frustrated, unsatisfied or unfulfilled. I love helping people gain perspective and clarity on what it is they really want for themselves, and helping them to create an action plan so that they can go out and get it! This can be anything from self confidence to a new business venture.
But mostly, it breaks my heart to see how many people have been affected by a traumatic event, especially crime related incidents in this country and how it impacts on their daily lives. My own journey through traumatic grief with the loss of my fiancé and in more recent years the loss of my infant son, has made trauma recovery coaching my biggest passion. People are amazingly resilient and they can come through the darkest of times when they have a safe space to share their story, are equipped with healthy coping mechanisms and reconnection with their inner courage and strength.
Why do you think coaching is so important: Coaching is important because everyone deserves to feel good about themselves. Everyone has at least one aspect of their life that they are not happy with; be it financial, career, relationship, self image….a habit they want to break, certain behaviour they don’t like and want to change … a traumatic event they would like to move past……the list goes on. That thing they are not happy with can be changed. Life will never be perfect, but it can be perfect for you, and that is what coaching aims to achieve – helping you to work on the aspects of your life you would like to improve so that you can be happier, more fulfilled and have a deeper understanding of yourself. We are complex beings with endless opportunity for personal learning, growth and development, and it seems a shame not to tap into that potential.
How do people book an appointment with you: They can send me a mail at mich@michellefunkecoaching.com or WhatsApp on 082 922 6396
Do clients need to travel to you for their session: I have a home-based coaching room in Fourways for those who would like face-to-face sessions, but I also offer sessions over WhatsApp video call, Skype or Zoom.
Quote you live by: “Do what’s good for you, or you’re not good for anybody” – Billy Joel. This has always resonated with me even though it sounds selfish, because honestly, if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t be caring, kind, compassionate or helpful to anyone else. Self-care is not a nice to have, its essential in my opinion.
Anything else you want to add: We get one life. Its easy to get caught up in day to day life, and before we realise it we are not even really living, just existing. Chasing the next deadline, pay cheque or goal. I would love more people to realise that they can thrive instead 🙂 !
Isn’t she just wonderful?
With all the fear and concern surrounding the coronavirus and threat of a lockdown, Michelle is someone that I would really recommend to talk through these emotions. And the fact that you can do this from the safety of your own house makes it even more appealing.
Here is a short clip she recently posted on her social media, and it provided me with such clarity and love. I hope it can help you too…
