“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to T.H.R.I.V.E.; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
-Maya Angelou
Greeting! I’m Chalanda Michelle!
I’m a teacher (former corporate trainer), global speaker, storyteller, travel enthusiast, and a rich haute housewife.
I share how to live a life of MORE by:
Adopting T.H.R.I.V.E. as a Lifestyle
which are 9 scientifically proven strategies that will help you
The question remains…
Is there something inside of you that desires MORE from life?
You know in your heart of hearts that a life filled with choices, freedom, peace of mind, meaning, and ultimate enjoyment exists for you.
But your environment has convinced you otherwise. So you end up settling for the status quo because you quite frankly fear failure or plainly do not know where to start.
I did that for a decade. It was not until I changed my mindset that my life changed.
In the span of two years of intentionally working on myself, I was living the good life:
- A good government job (My mom and a friend still ask why I quit that job).
- Good credit.
- Debt-free (other than my student loans).
- Lived in a nice neighborhood.
- Take two to four vacations a year (at least one consists of an international trip).
- Recognized as a leader in my sphere of influence.
- Supported good causes with my time and money.
It was a far cry from two to three generations of domestic workers and sharecroppers.
I was grateful for this new life, but something kept calling me to a life of MORE.
The clock was ticking, and I had missed so many opportunities to go after this burning desire. Mainly due to fear. Time was running out, and the fire was slowly fizzling out.
I had a burning desire to explore the world and live internationally, despite the fact that no one in my family had a passport.
Most importantly, I wanted to show others, especially the younger generation, that regardless of your past, family lineage, age, net worth, or educational background, you have the power to change the trajectory of your life.
As the screenwriter, director, and protagonist of the Chalanda Michelle Reality Show, I made an executive decision not to settle for good when I could be great. Even if I had to take a few steps backward in order to take quantum leaps forward.
For you, it may be to start your own business, go back to school, start a new profession, or even get on an airplane, but you lack the inner confidence to take the leap of faith. So you settle. Never manifesting your dreams and desires. I’m a living witness that you can “Baby Step Your Dreams Into Reality.”
I provide you with real-world life lessons and tools to take your confidence to the next level.
Exchange Your Passion For Provision
In addition to living abroad, I, too, desired to “exchange my passion for provision” and live a life of ultimate enjoyment.
I came to know this was possible when I crossed paths with an amateur footballer (also known as a soccer player) from Ghana on one of my personal exotic excursions.
Sitting in a revolving restaurant sipping cocktails, he told me about his love for football. He’d never worked a “regular” job.
With exuberance, he proclaims “I like football too much, wallah (I promise in Arabic)” in his Ghanaian accent.
He continues to express his love for the game “when I’m sad playing football makes me happy” and seals it with a click of his tongue.
“Football has given me too many opportunities” he exclaims.
What I comprehended from our merry conversation, his passion is his provision; every day doing what he loved. He wasn’t trading time for money but trading time for enjoyment.
Was he a living testament to Confucius’ quote,
“Choose a job you love,
and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
I was both inspired and intrigued by this gentleman’s life.
You Just Can’t Talk About It
A year later, I conquered my fear of the unknown, packed all my life possessions in two suitcases (one included only books), and “burned the ships” so I couldn’t go back.
It was the most exhilarating thing I had ever done. A real confidence booster.
I purposely set out to exchange my passion for provision. I did the work by reading multiple “self-help (aka healing)” books, and I journaled a lot. Get my 2019 Reading List here.
Eight and a half months later, on September 16, 2019, writing my Morning Pages as directed by The Artist Way, I journaled I’m passionate about teaching, self-care, and living a fulfilling life.
When It Rains It Pours
I would like to tell you that once you make the decision to go after your life of MORE, it’s going to be peaches and cream.
The minute you step out of your comfort zone, all hell is going to break loose, but you have to stay focused. Focus on the end goal, your WHY, your burning desire, the definition of your life of more.
My first two years living abroad were H-E-double hockey sticks.
I took a stress test and my score was 446. The model predicted a score of this magnitude has an 80% chance of health breakdown in the next two years.
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
The result of these stressful events was the birth of my flagship message, T.H.R.I.V.E., which comprises 6 practices (now evolved into 9 scientifically proven practices) to relieve stress and boost your mood, a message I still use today.
I obtained a job as a corporate trainer for the first unicorn company in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). A little girl from Alabama born into poverty.
I’m a living testimony, T.H.R.I.V.E. works.
It saved and changed my life.
Life Got You Stressed?
Exploring cultures, cuisines, climates, and currencies is a great way to boost your mood. Web MD reports, “Exploring new places and immersing yourself in new cultures is mentally stimulating. Doing this regularly can have great effects on your mental health.”
I’ll add that traveling builds your self-confidence. I advise everyone to travel. It is the best gift for yourself.
Not only are you creating memories of a lifetime, but you are also making your inner spirit stronger in the process.
I encourage people to take trips that they can think back on and say they truly lived life.
Having high tea at the Atmosphere Lounge in Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). Seeing the sunrise in a rooftop pool in Thailand (Bangkok). Walking the white cliffs of Etretat in Normandy (France). Relaxing poolside at the Kempinski hotel in Accra (Ghana). Running through the rainforest in Cape Town (South Africa) with some ultra-athletes.
No one can take these feel-good experiences and memories from you. Even on a bad day, you can go back to the memories and feelings you created in those places. Most importantly, you can share them with others.
Are you ready to start on the path to YOUR life of MORE?
My goal is to help others implement T.H.R.I.V.E. as a lifestyle routine.
You too can stress less and live more.
And I’ll let you in on a secret: everything does not have to be perfect; you can start from where you are.
I’ll be honest with you. There will be a lot of ups and downs, bruising and healing, learning and unlearning, especially if you have a lot of emotional baggage to unpack.
But it’s so worth it.
To clarify, my advice is not to quit your good-paying job and move to another country.
Instead, do the internal WORK and become serious about becoming your higher self and living it out daily.
Go Forth Fearlessly,
Chalanda Michelle
Do You Need Help To Plan A Trip?
Well, that’s my specialty. I love planning. I especially love to plan trips, what I call xotic xcursions.
Thus far, I’ve explored 26 countries throughout the world: the Bahamas, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico, Kenya, Spain, St. Martin/Marteen, Punta Cana, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, South Africa, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Morocco, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Egypt.
If you require help planning your next trip (family reunion, girl/guy trip, bridal shower, high school reunion, etc), I’ll be happy to assist.
