Serene Lake View with Sailing Boat and Forest

About Me

My Story

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Coach | Counselor | HR Leader

My work has always centered around people – how they grow, how they struggle, and what helps them thrive. But the path that brought me into coaching wasn’t a straight line. It was shaped by years of watching what happens when people feel supported… and what happens when they don’t.

I started my career in education, drawn to the spark that happens when someone gains clarity or confidence for the first time. Later, in counseling and human resources leadership, I found myself at the intersection of people’s personal lives and their professional realities. I saw leaders who inspired trust, created belonging, and brought out the best in their teams. And I saw the opposite – environments where stress, misalignment, and poor leadership left people exhausted, disconnected, and simply trying to make it through the day.

Those experiences stayed with me. They made something very clear:

People deserve more than survival. They deserve workplaces and lives where they can grow, feel grounded, and move with intention.

Coaching became the natural next step. A way to bring together everything I’d learned about human behavior, organizational dynamics, and the power of a supportive relationship. Today, I help individuals reduce stress, build healthier habits, reconnect with what matters most, and make decisions that feel aligned with who they are becoming. I create spaces where people can think clearly, understand themselves more deeply, and take meaningful action toward the life and career they want.

Michelle Neel, MA, LPC, SHRM-SCP

I also partner with organizations that believe in developing their people – strengthening communication, resilience, and well-being across teams. Whether I’m working with a leader navigating complexity or a group striving to work better together, my goal is the same: to help people show up with greater purpose, presence, and alignment.

This work is personal to me. It’s rooted in every moment I’ve witnessed someone rediscover their confidence, reclaim their voice, or realize they’re capable of more than they thought. Coaching isn’t just what I do. It’s the way I help people create lives and workplaces where they can truly thrive.

Beyond the Work

A Few Fun Facts

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I’m originally from Michigan and have a soft spot for animals of all kinds. I love to travel, laugh with family and friends, and savor life’s simple pleasures – especially a morning run, a good cup of coffee, or a glass of wine. 

  • Originally from Michigan
  • Animal lover
  • Avid traveler
  • Morning coffee ritual
First Person view of a person in a horse on a road with cloudy sky with a rainbow