Soul Wide Open with Michelle Renee

Michelle Renee
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Inspiring women to heal forward and live a Soul Wide Open lifestyle through purpose-focused coaching, mindset, self-awareness, education, and community.

  1. 5 Ways to Regulate When Your Nervous System Gets Hijacked (+ The Bonus That Changes Everything)

    Mar 4

    5 Ways to Regulate When Your Nervous System Gets Hijacked (+ The Bonus That Changes Everything)

    If you've ever felt hijacked by your past… this one is for you. When confronted with a trauma response, one of the most effective strategies for regaining control and alleviating overwhelming emotions is to acknowledge and name your feelings. This process involves recognizing what is happening within you and articulating it, which can significantly diminish the emotional charge associated with those feelings. In this episode of Soul Wide Open, host Michelle Renee shares what really happens when something cracks open a wound from childhood and your nervous system gets hijacked. She speaks candidly about the inner tape that still plays sometimes… the voice that says, "You'll never be anything. You ruin everything. Maybe your father was right." This isn't theory. It's her lived experience. Drawing from a recent personal incident where a technical glitch affected her business, Michelle shares her emotional journey of confronting feelings of inadequacy and the instinctual responses that arise when things go wrong. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these triggers and offers insights on how to navigate them, encouraging listeners to break free from self-doubt and cultivate resilience.  She walks through the five most important things to do when a trigger activates old trauma wiring — when your body floods, your mind spirals, and the "tape" from childhood starts playing on repeat. This is about nervous system repair. This is about interrupting inherited shame. This is about becoming the safe adult you never had. And the bonus? It may be the hardest one of all. 00:00:55 - A Glitch in the Metrix 00:02:09 - Emotional Impact and Childhood Trauma 00:03:48 - Immediate Response to Emotional Triggers 00:05:04 - Choosing Positive Actions Over Negative Spirals 00:06:10 - Finding Joy in Small Moments 00:07:02 - Engaging in Self-Care Activities 00:08:06 - Resisting Negative Self-Talk 00:09:00 - Overthinking and Self-Doubt 00:10:02 - Top Five Strategies to Combat Negative Self-Talk 00:11:10 - Strategy 1: Naming the Trauma Response 00:12:13 - Strategy 2: Regulating Your Body 00:13:39 - Strategy 3: Separating the Voices 00:15:15 - Strategy 4: Engaging with the Inner Child 00:17:03 - Strategy 5: Anchoring in Present Evidence 00:20:07 - Metaphor of Life as an Olympic Performance 00:21:00 - Self-Compassion and Reassurance 00:24:06 - Bonus Strategy: Calling a Friend 00:27:02 - The Importance of Supportive Friends 00:30:04 - Allowing Yourself to Feel and Process 00:31:07 - Recap of Strategies and Final Thoughts Quotes: "Here comes my dad's voice: you're a POS, you're never gonna be anything, or you can't do anything right." "A lot of times when this hits, we go straight into fatalistic thinking, like everything is ruined."  "That is not the voice of the person that you have become up to today until this moment of dysregulation." "Dad's not here. And his voice doesn't get to define us anymore." "You are not a piece of crap. You are not a nobody. You are not the person that's just gonna end up being nothing." "Just know that it's okay to call a friend and say, I'm not okay." "That's just a gift all the way around for both of us." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellerenee_ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@themichellerenee VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwideopen Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R18rj_blqVVaBkwyyO901NuyQUKZ_/

    33 min
  2. The Art of Unhiding: 3 Ways To Step Out of the Shadows and Live Fully

    Jan 22

    The Art of Unhiding: 3 Ways To Step Out of the Shadows and Live Fully

    Unhiding is a deeply personal journey that involves revealing your true self, both to yourself and to others. It is not about making bold statements or being loud; rather, it is a subtle and often quiet process of self-discovery and acceptance. In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, host Michelle Renee emphasizes that many people may not even realize they are hiding parts of themselves. This concealment can stem from various factors, including shame, fear of judgment, and past trauma. The act of unhiding involves confronting these hidden aspects and embracing them, which can be a daunting task. Michelle describes unhiding as a "quiet revealing" that is both personal and intimate. It requires a level of honesty with oneself that many may find challenging. This honesty is crucial because until we are truthful with ourselves, it becomes difficult to be authentic with others. The journey of unhiding is not about seeking external validation or approval; instead, it is about understanding and accepting who we are at our core. Join her for a heartfelt discussion filled with practical tools and encouragement to live openly and authentically. Talking Points: 00:02:00 - The Art of Unhiding 00:03:03 - Three Top Ways People Hide 00:05:02 - The Cost of Hiding 00:07:01 - Being Agreeable and People-Pleasing 00:10:00 - Putting Yourself First 00:13:05 - Saying No and Protecting Your Energy 00:15:05 - Emotional Loneliness and Resentment 00:16:10 - Hiding Behind Strength and Self-Sufficiency 00:18:10 - Asking for Help 00:20:07 - Vulnerability and Relationships 00:22:05 - Allowing Others to Help 00:23:10 - Replacing "I Don't Need Anyone" with "I Am Allowed to Need" 00:24:20 - Intellectualizing and Over-Spiritualizing Feelings 00:26:16 - Feeling Pain to Heal 00:28:05 - Emotional Numbness and Healing 00:30:03 - Physical Transformation and Feeling Emotions 00:32:02 - Raw Emotion Before Lessons 00:33:06 - The Messiness of Unhiding 00:34:09 - Using AI to Create Music 00:36:08 - The Joy of Unhiding 00:37:11 - Truth Sharing vs. Oversharing 00:38:14 - Encouragement to Unhide Quotes: "Sometimes the right thing for you is not the right thing for somebody else and that's okay." "Stop just being easy and agreeable. It doesn't matter if somebody doesn't like your choice that you're making for yourself, that's on them." "Instead of saying, I don't need anyone, replace that with, I am allowed to need." "I want to bleed. I want to, I want to tend to that wound. I want to feel that pain." "Unhiding is messy. That's how you know it's real." "The moment you stop hiding, you give everyone else permission to come out too." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellerenee_ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@themichellerenee VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwideopen Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R18rj_blqVVaBkwyyO901NuyQUKZ_/

    39 min
  3. Collateral Damage: The Impact of the Kidnapping on Our Families (Part 2)

    11/22/2025

    Collateral Damage: The Impact of the Kidnapping on Our Families (Part 2)

    In this Soul Wide Open podcast episode, host Michelle Renee explores the profound impact of open communication and vulnerability on healing relationships, particularly in the context of trauma and family dynamics. She is joined by one of her daughter's kidnappers, Robert Ortiz,  for this surprising, unfiltered look into accountability, amends, and a deep dive into uncommon compassion. Their discussions highlight several key aspects that underscore the necessity of these elements in fostering understanding and reconciliation. One of the most poignant moments in the episode occurs when Michelle reflects on their shared backgrounds and experiences of trauma. She emphasizes that, despite their different paths, they have more in common than initially perceived. This acknowledgment of shared experiences creates a foundation for empathy and understanding, which is crucial for healing relationships. By openly communicating their stories, they bridge the gap between their individual experiences and foster a sense of deep human connection. The part two of two series episode includes Robert's sister, Lorena, and underscores the theme of empathy and the profound impact on families on both sides of criminal violent behavior and incarceration.  They excavate similarities that exist among individuals, urging listeners to recognize the common threads that unite us all, which leads to greater healing and transformation. Tune in for a moving exploration of resilience, understanding, forgiveness, and the power of uncommon compassion. Conversation Highlights: 01:08 - Hostage Experience and Misunderstandings 03:07 - Family Dynamics and Emotional Struggles 04:46 - FBI Involvement and Family Reactions 06:32 - Struggles with Believing the Crime 07:08 - Courtroom Anger and Misjudgments 09:55 - Impact on Family and Personal Life 11:00 - Ripple Effects of Violent Crime on Families 12:03 - Victim Offender Dialogue Program 15:02 - Writing and Receiving the Letter 17:01 - Profound Impact of Mother's Words 18:59 - Humanity and Forgiveness 20:06 - Divine Inner Voice and Redemption 23:30 - Epic Amends and Vulnerability 26:56 - Family Healing and Reconciliation 32:01 - Life Lessons and Warnings 35:51 - Radical Forgiveness and Honesty 37:05 - Posture of Embrace and Openness 38:58 - Spiritual Groups and San Quentin 41:35 - Gratitude and Final Thoughts Quotes: "Did you ever feel, he abandoned you for the streets, for this other, now what had become his new family?" "When you do wrong, tough lady, you take accountability because all you have is your word." "We're rich in the way that matters is what I say. We're rich in every way that matters the most." "To see the guy who victimized someone's daughter and having my mom meet that mother, there's no word for that." "You could not make that moment up in a million years." "It was just sprinkled with divine dust from start to finish all the way up until right now." "Because we've chosen to focus on the light and not the dark, on love and not hate." "If you're going to keep picking that shovel up, you're going to be far underground, man." "If I don't help these kids in my lived experience, so they don't go through what I went through, then our future's gonna be doomed." "Don't give up on yourself. Don't give up on the dream. Don't give up on what you believe you are being called to do." "Don't give time to the people, places, and things that don't deserve it." "We hope this touches you in a way that makes you understand what it truly, truly means to live your life with your soul wide open, no matter what you have survived." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram:   / _michellerenee_   TikTok   / themichellerenee   VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Connect with Robert: Freedom 4 Youth Robert@freedom4youth.org Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group   / soulwideopen

    44 min
  4. Uncommon Compassion: A Conversation with One of Our Kidnappers - Part 1

    11/21/2025

    Uncommon Compassion: A Conversation with One of Our Kidnappers - Part 1

    In this deeply moving episode of "Soul Wide Open," host Michelle Renee sits down with Robert Ortiz, the man who once broke into her home and held her and her daughter hostage. Together, they explore the profound journey of healing, focusing on the power of compassion and understanding in transforming their lives. The importance of compassion and understanding in the healing process, even after experiencing trauma and violence, is a central theme in the podcast episode featuring Michelle Renee and one of her and her daughters kidnappers, Robert Ortiz. Their conversation highlights how both individuals, despite their vastly different experiences, found a path toward healing through love, empathy, and forgiveness. After receiving a letter from Michelle and her daughter expressing their desire to let go of anger and resentment, he was profoundly impacted. The letter served as a catalyst for his transformation, prompting him to reevaluate his life choices and the man he wanted to become. This moment of compassion from his victims allowed him to step back from his past actions and commit to a path of healing and personal growth. Joining them in this part one of a two-part series is Michelle's brother, Dave, who played a crucial role in supporting her and her daughter throughout their healing process and during the trial. This episode delves into their collective stories, the complexities of forgiveness, and how they are sharing their message of hope and resilience with the world. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation that challenges the boundaries of healing and connection. Conversation Highlights: 00:10 - Introduction and significance of the interview. 02:37 - Robert Ortiz's childhood story. 05:44 - Childhood responsibilities and rebellion. 11:10 - Sense of belonging in crime. 17:23 - Navigating life after parole. 18:36 - Losing control and masculinity. 27:12 - Piece of humanity never left. 28:27 - Dave's Story: Shattered glass 33:51 - Trial and trauma experience. 36:34 - Witness protection and trauma. 42:34 - Healing through love and forgiveness. 51:02 - Redemption through personal struggles. 56:46 - Parenting and addiction recovery. 01:08 -  Restorative justice and personal growth. 1:11:52 - Self-improvement in prison. 1:15:29 - Ancestors and generational healing. 1:24:10 - Spiritual healing. 1:28:55 - Face-to-face meeting with family. Quotes: "This is what it looks like when we choose to heal our entire life and when we put love, compassion, and understanding at the absolute center of our lives" "One of my biggest triggers is losing control." "I can't reach out to call anybody and ask for help because I'm gonna feel like less of a man or I'm gonna feel like a loser." "That night broke me open in ways that I could never, ever, ever have imagined." "She was totally gone. There was no Michelle." "I was in a totally different kind of prison than what you were in." "It was a calling that I, I mean, I'm gonna say divine, creator, God, whatever you wanna call it, was absolutely calling me to do this." "If I don't, as a mother, right now, teach her that there's another way, I'm gonna cause her more harm than you could have ever caused her." "I made the decision to stay up for two days. I made the decision to drink and drive, and I got in that car." "I realized, sitting in that room of a bunch of men telling the truth, that I had been denying the truth my whole life, that I was damaging the people that I care about." "I had my own prison sentence going on that nobody knew about, that I was running from, that wasn't even real." "I no longer see myself as a monster. And actually, your words, you helped humanize me again." "Nothing has grounded me like this, where I just call on my ancestors for help." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram:   / _michellerenee_   TikTok   / themichellerenee   VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Connect with Robert: Freedom 4 Youth Robert@freedom4youth.org Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group   / soulwideopen   Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R1...

    1h 30m
  5. Ditch Your Expectations: The Silent Power of Being Present

    10/08/2025

    Ditch Your Expectations: The Silent Power of Being Present

    Join Michelle Renee in this inspiring episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast as she shares a transformative experience from a recent night out. Discover the power of listening to your inner voice and showing up for yourself and others, even when it feels like a whim. Michelle recounts a spontaneous decision to bring her camera to a local music event, which led to unexpected opportunities and meaningful connections. She emphasizes the importance of living life intentionally, embracing joy, and being open to the lessons that come from every interaction, no matter how fleeting. In this episode, you'll learn about: The significance of gratitude and self-love How to overcome the fear of showing up alone The value of serving others and connecting deeply Recognizing the teachers in our lives, even if they are not permanent fixtures Whether you're feeling stuck or simply seeking inspiration, this episode encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the beauty of life. Don't wait for permission—get out there and celebrate your journey! If you enjoy the episode, please like, share, and leave a comment! Connect with Michelle on Instagram at @_MichelleRenee_ Talking Points: 01:40 - Listening to Intuition 04:31 - Inspiring Young Minds 05:03 - Turning Passion into Business 05:57 - Showing Up to Serve 06:39 - Being Present and Observant 10:03 - Living Life on Your Terms 12:04 - Avoiding Expectations 16:03 - Healing and Moving Forward 19:02 - Embracing Brokenness 23:13 - Staying Young in Spirit 24:33 - Connect on Instagram  Quotes: "I'm gonna keep showing up. I'm gonna keep listening to the call in my soul.  "I show up to give. I show up to bless them. I don't show up for myself in a way that is selfish." "I'm no longer going to live my life according to anybody else. I'm going to live my life according to who I am, according to what I'm being called to do, according to what is going to promote joy in my life." "None of that would even be possible if I didn't keep showing up." "Grab a hold of the vision of you that you really, really, really desire to be and go for that." "Life is the best, best celebration." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellerenee_ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@themichellerenee VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwideopen Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R18rj_blqVVaBkwyyO901NuyQUKZ_/

    26 min
  6. Rebuilding Self-Worth Through Love Languages

    08/27/2025

    Rebuilding Self-Worth Through Love Languages

    Understanding and communicating your love language is essential for building meaningful relationships and ensuring that your emotional needs are met. In a recent podcast episode, Michelle Renee shares her personal journey of discovering the significance of love languages, particularly her own preference for words of affirmation. This exploration highlights several key points about the importance of love languages in fostering healthy connections with others. In this episode of the Soul Wide Open podcast, Michelle shares a heartfelt reflection on the importance of love languages, particularly focusing on her number one love language: words of affirmation. Recorded outdoors by the pool on a beautiful Texas day, Michelle discusses a recent text conversation that sparked her thoughts. She recounts how a friend expressed a need for all love languages, prompting Michelle to reveal her own struggles with self-acceptance and the impact of negative messaging during her childhood. Growing up with critical feedback, she emphasizes how receiving compliments and recognition has been a journey for her, only truly embraced in her 40s.  Join Michelle as she dives into the profound impact of love languages on our relationships and self-worth. Talking Points: 00:22 - The Five Love Languages 00:52 - Text Conversation on Love Languages 02:06 - Childhood Experiences and Family Dynamics 03:33 - Navigating Self-Worth and Fragmentation 06:01 - Impact of Books: The Five Love Languages and The Four Agreements 07:25 - Physical Touch and Childhood 09:20 - Work Ethic and Recognition 11:02 - Handling Compliments and Emotional Reactions 13:13 - Embracing Femininity and Traditional Roles 17:02 - Emotional Armor and Femininity 20:07 - Communicating Love Languages 24:01 - Showing Up with Confidence 26:50 - Living Unapologetically 27:12 - Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode Quotes: "I grew up being called a piece of shit and told that I would never be anything." "I'm really proud of taking the fragmented pieces of not only my self-worth, but my past and my childhood and my life and turning it into something really meaningful and something that I'm really proud of." "It just reminded me of how important it is to be kind with our words." "I didn't even know how to receive a compliment until I was in my 40s." "I love a man that enjoys spoiling a woman and treating her like a lady and making her feel special." "This is what I need in my life to absolutely shine and glow, and I'm going to give that to myself first." "Start treating yourself that way first, and then make sure." "Swing that cage door open and get out there and go live your absolute best life." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website https://michelle-renee.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellerenee_ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@themichellerenee VERB Media Group https://verbmediagroup.com/ Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon https://amzn.to/4acIkt1 Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify https://spoti.fi/49lrveA Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwideopen Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3I6R18rj_blqVVaBkwyyO901NuyQUKZ_/

    28 min
  7. Compliment or Manipulation: Love Bombing Unpacked

    08/07/2025

    Compliment or Manipulation: Love Bombing Unpacked

    Love bombing is a manipulative tactic often employed in romantic relationships, where one partner inundates the other with excessive affection and grand gestures early on. This behavior can be particularly confusing, as it may initially feel flattering and exciting. However, as discussed in the podcast episode, love bombing typically lacks a solid foundation or genuine connection, leading to a lack of emotional connectedness and confusion. In this episode of Soul Wide Open, host Michelle Renee dives into the intriguing concept of "love bombing." Familiar with the term yet not knowing what it entailed, Michelle shares a recent personal experience and insight on this phenomenon, revealing that it often goes beyond the obvious signs, such as excessive flattery right after the first date. She recounts this recent encounter with a charming man that sparked her curiosity about love bombing, explaining how the signs began to emerge.  Join Michelle as she unpacks the complexities of love bombing and encourages listeners to be aware of the subtle red flags that may arise in romantic relationships. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that blends personal anecdotes with valuable insights on love and connection. Talking Points: 00:44 - Recognizing Obvious Signs of Love Bombing 03:48 - Personal Growth and Core Values 07:03 - Social Media Poll and Feedback 09:43 - Increasing Intensity of Texts 12:05 - Realization and Research on Love Bombing 14:24 - Reflecting on Past Experiences and Self-Worth 17:01 - Genuine Compliments vs. Love Bombing 20:35 - Top Three Signs of Love Bombing 00:22:03 - Intensity Without Foundation 00:23:07 - Overwhelming Grand Gestures 00:24:22 - Future Forecasting 26:20 - Taking Action to Stop Love Bombing 27:57 - Genuine Connection and Affection 29:02 - Consistency Over Time 30:29 - Grounded Self-Worth and Recognizing Genuine Affection Quotes: "I have my soul wide open, but my heart's wide open too because I am honestly really ready for an incredible love in my life." "I am almost positive I confused the love bombing in the past and I confused survival in the past with love." "I am the Michelle that I am so proud of and that I'm so happy to be." "Manipulation happens quickly. Deeply connected love, not so much." "Be so in tune with your internal gut, with your intuition, with your radar, that you are not ignoring and excusing these kinds of behavior and you're not confusing them with genuine affection." "Just having enough confidence in yourself and love for yourself to recognize it and take action to stop it and make sure that that is not anybody you are ever going to allow to be in your life to manipulate you." "Become the love that you have been waiting for." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website Instagram:  TikTok VERB Media Group Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special

    32 min
  8. The Cycle of Fighting for Love: 5 Signs You're Still In It

    07/03/2025

    The Cycle of Fighting for Love: 5 Signs You're Still In It

    Unpacking the Need for Validation in Relationships In this podcast episode, Michelle Renee explores the profound impact that childhood experiences have on adult relationship behaviors, particularly the tendency to fight for love rather than simply receive it. This theme is essential for anyone seeking to understand their relationship dynamics and the underlying reasons for their behaviors. Michelle shares her personal journey of recognizing how her upbringing in a highly dysfunctional and toxic environment shaped her beliefs about love and relationships. She delves into the complex reasons why we often fight for relationships rather than simply embracing the love that is offered to us. Drawing from her personal experiences, Michelle shares a recent wake-up moment regarding a situation that has been ongoing for six months. She reflects on a connection with someone who, despite the fun, laughter, and chemistry they share, is emotionally wounded from a past relationship. This episode explores the dynamics of attraction, the comfort of familiar struggles, and the importance of recognizing when to fight for a relationship versus when to allow love to flow freely. Join Michelle as she navigates this deeply personal topic and encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationship patterns. Talking Points: 01:16 - Personal Story and Current Situation 02:30 - Realization and Emotional Lessons 04:08 - Childhood Reflections and Conditioning 07:00 - Five Ways Childhood Affects Adult Relationships 07:00 - Mistaking Intensity for Intimacy 08:41 - Choosing Emotionally Unavailable Partners 09:35 - Hyper-Independence and Over-Giving 11:00 - High Pain Tolerance 14:01 - Proving, Performing, and Pleasing 20:04 - Learning to Receive Love 22:04 - Inner Child Work and Healing 24:01 - Weight Loss and Vitality Journey 25:04 - Living Authentically and Openly Quotes:  "I ended up learning this huge, huge lesson from him, which is probably the reason why he was sent into my life in the first place." "I was totally conditioned to fight for love." "Calm love to me just feels boring to me, to be honest."  "I just realized lately that fighting for love, instead of just relaxing and understanding that I'm worthy to just receive love, means I don't have to prove anything." "I don't need to fight for love anymore. I'm not in survival mode anymore." "I am going to heal all this. I am going to figure this out. And I am going to celebrate every single step of the way of what has happened when I sort of let go of all of that." Stay Connected: Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and stories on the Soul Wide Open podcast. Subscribe now and join us on this journey of healing, growth, and living with your soul wide open. Connect with Michelle: My Website Instagram:  TikTok VERB Media Group Useful Resources: Order my #1 Best -Selling Memoir Nine Days on Amazon Soul Wide Open Podcast On Spotify Join the Soul Wide Open FB Group Watch our CBS/Paramount Plus Special

    27 min
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Inspiring women to heal forward and live a Soul Wide Open lifestyle through purpose-focused coaching, mindset, self-awareness, education, and community.

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