Mahara Wayman [00:00:05]:
Welcome to the art of badassery where I explore what it takes to live life on your own terms. Break free from the status quo and unleash your inner badass. Whether you're a rebel at heart or simply seeking inspiration to step outside your comfort zone, this podcast is for you. I'm your host, Mahara Wayman and each week I dive into the stories, insights, and strategies of those who've mastered the art of badassery and are living life to the fullest. They smile when no one is lucky.
Mahara Wayman [00:00:40]:
Welcome to the Art of Badassery podcast. My name is Mahara, your host, and I'm really excited to introduce you to the amazing Mikael Leslie joining us today. She is a coach, an author, and an advocate for living life on your terms. No wonder she's on the art of badassery. Growing up in a small town in Oregon in the nineties, Mikaela played trombone and clarinet in the band and had ever changing dreams to be things ranging from a teacher to an engineer, and apparently, it's still evolving. Evolving. Now living by the beach in Southern California with her husband and pet plants, she enjoys the outdoors, hiking, running, skiing, and meditating. So grab your favorite drink and sit down with us as we dive into her journey of self discovery and, of course, badassery.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:25]:
Mikaela, welcome to the show.
Mikkel Leslie [00:01:26]:
Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to dive in here.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:29]:
Oh, we're gonna have fun today. So first of all, love the wall hangings behind. I don't is it a elephant, a turtle, or a camel? I can't see.
Mikael Leslie [00:01:39]:
It is elephants on both sides of me. Mhmm.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:43]:
Let's jump in right away and answer this the burning question that our audience wants to know, which is, call Fred Watson. You're a badass.
Mikael Leslie [00:01:51]:
Oh, yeah. I'm a badass because I am.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:54]:
I agree.
Mikael Leslie [00:01:54]:
That's just it. Like right? Yeah. We all are badasses. When we own it, we can step into that energy and become it. Yeah. I think knowing you are one, you can really sink into living the life of your own dreams, of really choosing, like, oh, this is not what I wanna do anymore. I wanna step on to the next stage of what's next for me. And realizing when you own that life for yourself, own that badassery, the more you can become it and have that as your life.
Mahara Wayman [00:02:20]:
Such a great answer. You get top marks, but I'm curious. Have you always been like this? Or
Mikael Leslie [00:02:26]:
what? No. No.
Mahara Wayman [00:02:27]:
Okay. Alright. Well, here we go. Here we go.
Mikael Leslie [00:02:29]:
Right. Yeah. So you mentioned trombone clarinet. So I was a band geek in middle school and high school. That was me for sure. And so growing up, I was a little more shy, recluse, didn't speak much, like, didn't know social social social interactions made me, a little hesitant, a little, like, popular kids. Like, oh, they're so popular. I don't know what to do here.
Mikael Leslie [00:02:52]:
And it's funny because I've learned over time that my friend groups, the people that I'm close with change over time. And so during school, that was hard because it's the same people year over year, at least when I was stuck in the same town to be able to do that. And so each year, I'd be like, oh, I wanna be here, but here. And then my mind was like, I should, like, be able to stick with one thread group like everyone else does. So I have so many doubts and fears and questions with it all. And so only after years of diving into myself of understanding, like, who I am and how I work and what do I want and, you know, allowing myself to have that, that's when I could own my badass self.
Mahara Wayman [00:03:29]:
Such an interesting point that you bring up, which is giving ourselves permission to question. And, you know, I as you were talking, I remember being in high school and grade school and high school, and we were taught that. We were just you know, I don't to be honest, I'm not even sure what I was taught other than you wanna fit in. Yeah. And that, you know, that worked for me up until a certain point. And then I realized that I just didn't fit in anywhere, and that was where I first began to question who am I really if I can't fit in in the environment that I was born into and raised into. Can you share with us some some times from maybe being a geek in high school that you began what it felt like? Like, just give us an example of beginning to find yourself or beginning to just question yourself.
Mikael Leslie [00:04:17]:
Oh, you know, in high school, I'm not sure I was there to question. Well, no. There is one point. So I was in band for years and years. So in middle school started in high school. And then my senior year, the band teacher was awful. Like, I didn't like him at all. And it's sad and funny because the year before well, the year that I came into high school, the band teachers switched.
Mikael Leslie [00:04:44]:
And the previous one, like, everyone loved. Everyone was, like, loved them. And they left, and this new guy came in. He was, like, to the books and, like, trying to get stick championships and everything and doing, like, these Japanese based, Asian based songs. And everyone was like, what the hell is this? Like, this does not make sense. And so I didn't like them at all. And so I continued through because that was what I was supposed to do. I was good.
Mikael Leslie [00:05:04]:
I played my instruments. Like, I did everything. But because of the environment and the lack of support that I was receiving, I questioned it. I was like, okay. Like, I don't need to practice. Like, I practiced for so long in middle school and, like, my first year in high school, and I was like, oh, there's no point. Like like, I don't need to practice because I'm like, this is stuff that I know that's so easy for me. And so didn't practice, and I was like, oh, yeah.
Mikael Leslie [00:05:30]:
This is not right for me. And everyone liked the choir teacher. I was like, oh, maybe choir. Like, maybe that'll be better. And so halfway through my senior year, I switched. I went into the band teacher and was like, I'm dropping. Like, I'm here, but not not anymore. Like, I'm switching over.
Mikael Leslie [00:05:44]:
And so that was a time of sinking into being like, okay. Yeah. Like, I can change this. I can choose me and what it is that I want and know that each day that I choose to be a part of something that's not right for me, the more it drains me, the more I question it. I remember sitting so there was, like, a 7AM plus that we had, like, zero period, And I would be, like, laying on my trombone waiting for the the saxophones to, like, get their riff right and be like, this is this is stupid. Like, me and the other trombone is, like, we know our shit. Like, why are we here? What are we doing this? And it was just I was done with it all. And so it was beautiful to be able to step into the choir and have fun and enjoy it and be able to sing with my voice.
Mikael Leslie [00:06:28]:
So many juicy things there. Not the least of which was recognizing your right
Mahara Wayman [00:06:32]:
to have fun. Mhmm.
Mikael Leslie [00:06:33]:
Yes.
Mahara Wayman [00:06:34]:
And, of course, you know, when we're back in high school, that may seem more prevalent. You know, it's okay for kids to have fun. When we're adults, we may dampen that a little bit. But what I what I'm hearing and what I see, if you're watching this, you'll see it too, is her energy is through the roof, which which especially when she talked about switching from something that drained her energy to a place that you act your energy was was in where you had more energy and it was a lot of fun. So would you say then that part of your badass rejourney has been recognizing what fills your cup and what makes you feel what makes you feel like you're having fun?
Mikael Leslie [00:07:10]:
Right. Yeah. Totally. I think that's it for all of us when we realize and step back and be like, okay. What fills me up? What drains me? And how can I decrease that drain and really fill you up on more continuous basis? Because we do have that choice each day of what that is, and it can be hard and daunting and be like, okay. Like, yeah. These things that I've been doing for whole my whole my whole life, like, can't do them anymore because they're not right for me. That's really scary.
Mikael Leslie [00:07:34]:
But, yeah, I think choosing yourself is what it comes back to for me. I'm realizing and seeing like, oh, yeah. Like, what lights you up? What gets you excited is choosing you, and you're deserving and worthy of that. So let's do that all the time.
Mahara Wayman [00:07:49]:
You make it sound so easy, and I hope I know that I sometimes make it sound easy, but let's can you take us back to a time when the choice wasn't that easy?
Mikael Leslie [00:07:58]:
Yeah. So many choices. Let's see which ones. Oh, yes. So my first job at a college. So I worked at a paper mill on the coast of Oregon. So I went to Oregon State, grew up in Oregon. And there, I was an engineering intern and, like, felt like, okay.
Mikael Leslie [00:08:21]:
Like, I'm doing the things and, like, other people have gotten to decisions from going from engineering intern to being a full time engineer. So, like, oh, we all do that. I was one of the ones that wanted that, so I applied for the position. I went through the interview process and everything. And then spoiler alert, they decided it wasn't for me. And so going into the office of my manager and him telling me, like, you didn't get it. It's like, oh, fuck. Like, I put all my eggs in this basket.
Mikael Leslie [00:08:48]:
Like, this is what's what's what's what's supposed to be next for me. It was a blessing in disguise, of course, as everything is that doesn't work out for us. But it was so hard to be like, oh, yeah. Like, I thought this was it. I thought that's what we're gonna do. So I cried out of there, went to my car, and went home. It's like, okay. I'm done.
Mikael Leslie [00:09:05]:
Screamed my lungs out, singing singing to the different songs and be like, just so much energy and determination to be like, yeah. This is my next step. And then be it pulled out from underneath me. And it being because I wouldn't speak in, They had these values and they were, like, very corporate. And so they had these values and mission statements and things like that. And they wanted me to restate them and say them verbatim, and I didn't because I thought that was silly and stupid. And so when, like, when they gave me feedback on why I didn't get it, it was that. And I was like, cool.
Mikael Leslie [00:09:40]:
Alright. Whatever. Let's let's move on from here. Took me some time to do that, but that's okay.
Mahara Wayman [00:09:46]:
Wanna just jump in and get some clarity. Are you saying that you can get your first engineering job?
Mikael Leslie [00:09:50]:
Yes. My full time position. Yes. So I had an internship, so low in pay, not permanent. And so it was that transition from the engineering intern at the same company applying for the engineering position there and not getting
Mahara Wayman [00:10:05]:
it. Because you wouldn't articulate their values.
Mikael Leslie [00:10:09]:
Yes. Mhmm. Yes. Yeah. It was a good learning lesson because every other position that I continued to apply later further, I was like, what are their mission statement? What is their values? I got this. Like, we we can talk about this for sure. So that was very good for myself and everyone I talked to about applying for jobs, but it was a rude awakening at the time.
Mahara Wayman [00:10:29]:
So I might understand then that you didn't follow the engineering path after that?
Mikael Leslie [00:10:35]:
Correct. Yeah. It led me to question so much after that. I was like, okay. Cool. Like, that's not it. That was, like, the easy transition from, like, engineering interns to engineer. Like, this, the, the, the, the, the, the, the.
Mikael Leslie [00:10:46]:
And so after that, I was like, oh, what is it, like, that I really wanna do? And so it led me to question being behind a desk all the time and just having to do all the programs and figure out different things for that way. And I realized I liked interacting with the operators that were at the paper mill. So I would have to go in and tell them, like, you should really try running the machine like this and see how it happened, and then we'll run the data and everything. And be like, no. We don't wanna do that. We gotta get production. Like, we gotta get everything together. But I love going in there and being like, hey.
Mikael Leslie [00:11:17]:
I brought some goodies for you, some baked cinnamon rolls here. If you, run this for, like, an hour, maybe I'll bring you more. So it was a fun game of figuring out how each of the operators ticked to be able to convince them to do what we needed to to figure out the impacts of the different work. I was like, yeah. That's totally sales. So from there, I moved down to California and started in a technical sales route where I brought my camera based inspection systems. So I had a camera that told things if things were good or bad and to different assembly lines all throughout California and Oregon and Idaho, actually, and Washington. And I was able to show people, like, what it was like.
Mikael Leslie [00:11:58]:
And it was really cool because that experience showed me how so many different things were made because it was, like, how it was made each day that stepped into a different plant. And so that was really cool. But it was a a very different path than what I had done before, but really cool and learning so much from it all. And, of course, that eventually ended as well.
Mahara Wayman [00:12:18]:
Okay. So I'm I'm curious because this I'm always curious, but what did you learn about yourself that has you say now all these years later that was really cool?
Mikael Leslie [00:12:27]:
Mhmm. I like how understanding how things work. I like to be able to see a pen and be like, oh, yeah. I totally know how this was manufactured and put together and how it was assembled and everything. That is really cool to me because understanding why things happen and why things occur. The question of why has always been, like, my favorite question. Like, you tell me to do something and I'm like, why? Why? I'll remember it better if you tell me why. If you don't wanna, like, tell me why, then I probably will forget, then I'll have to learn it myself.
Mikael Leslie [00:12:55]:
So I love understanding how things work and how things tick, and that's something that's still continued today.
Mahara Wayman [00:13:00]:
Okay. So what came next?
Mikael Leslie [00:13:02]:
Yes. So from there, there's a point where I was like, okay. I've been doing this for, like, four years now. Like, I wanna be in management. Feel like that's the right step for me. I've been doing so many different things. They've been hiring so many different period, people and, like, splitting up my territory. I was like, I could, like, totally manage them.
Mikael Leslie [00:13:17]:
That'd be totally fun. And I talked to my manager. He's like, hey. So, yeah, I wanna manage people. And he's like, okay. Well, we can start put put you on the path. It's gonna take about two years. You're gonna have to do this role and be a manager at the same time.
Mikael Leslie [00:13:29]:
Like, this is a process for it all. And I was like, cool. Alright. So the first step, first of all, is to continue to cover my territory, make the same goals, and manage people. So add on more responsibilities, no more pay. And then in two years, maybe I'll be able to get that promotion to be able to meet full time manager. Okay. Alright.
Mikael Leslie [00:13:46]:
Got it. Yeah. I'm done. Outguests. I was waiting for that. Right. Exactly. And Why would you do that?
Mahara Wayman [00:13:55]:
Mhmm.
Mikael Leslie [00:13:55]:
Right. Exactly. And at the time, I was working with a startup, actually, showing them my camera, showing them what's going on, and they're like, hey. Tapping me on the shoulder of me like, you wanna come over here, do some project management, do some sales, do some account management? And they're like, sure. So I went over there, for about two years. And there was very interesting startup vibe, so 20 to 40 people depending on the time. And it was challenging and amazing and incredible. So it felt like a small family because we were all rooting together trying to get things out the door.
Mikael Leslie [00:14:30]:
And what we were doing was we were a robotic integrator. So we would take assembly lines, bring in robots, and automate the system. So we were the ones that put all of your things together and made it actually work. And so my role there was to be able to project manager everything, making sure that things all came together in the right order, communicating that to the customer, working with the engineers to tell them, like, the customer wants this. I know you don't wanna do this, but, like, can we try like this or this or trying to brainstorm with them all? So is that middle person for it all? Because you really don't want engineers to talk to a lot of customers because they just don't talk the same language. So that was really cool to be that intermediary with it all. And as it was fun because I was able to be a part of the process of them getting bought out. Actually made the introduction to the people that bought them out, so that was really cool to be part of that process.
Mikael Leslie [00:15:23]:
And as they're doing so, they're being bought out by the, like, fast food, like, big conglomerate of different things. I was like, yeah. This isn't this isn't me. Like, I'm not into that as much. I'm, like, healthy, sustainable, that type of thing. So I was like, okay. What's next for me? And I was stressed and burnt out. I was like, okay.
Mikael Leslie [00:15:42]:
I need to do something that's more for me. So I thought the outdoor industry because I love the outdoors. Like, oh, yeah. That would be a good transition. I tried. I really did. I really tried. But the commute What did you try with? So, like, getting there, doing it, doing the role.
Mikael Leslie [00:15:59]:
So I was project manager similar to what I was doing at the previous company, but with the commute and the role that I was doing, it was a new role, so they had it really had it deploy divine. And about nine months in, I had done everything that needed to be done. So it was like this open space of, like, oh, what's next? And with the commute being so awful, like, I started to stay over there overnight because the commute was so bad. I was just done. Like, okay. Cool. And at that point, I'm like, I need to figure out something. So I was, like, trying to figure out and easy out.
Mikael Leslie [00:16:29]:
I mean, like, what am I going to do? Love the outdoors still. Like, I'd still love that. So let me write a book about women in the outdoors. Like, I'm just gonna leave and do that. I know. Right? Yeah. I just needed an out of some sort. I was like, please, like, save me in some way because I was stressed, overwhelmed.
Mikael Leslie [00:16:44]:
I couldn't just deal with the commute and everything. I'm like, okay. I'm gonna leave and write this book. So I left, and then my sister told me that I don't write. And she was totally correct. I didn't write at the time anything. And so that was a rude awakening, which led me six months, to have an early time and figuring out what it is that I wanted because I didn't have a job. Like, I've did everything.
Mikael Leslie [00:17:08]:
So I dove into what is it that I wanted myself. Like, at the end of the day, what drove me? What did I want? And I backed back in California because I wanted to be outdoors, and I was gonna be outdoors. So that was the next step for me.
Mahara Wayman [00:17:21]:
Okay. I'm gonna jump in here and just say, holy shit. What a story. Because, really, what I'm hearing is that all along the journey, you kept asking why or why not, which is part of being a badass. Right? Is having this amazing dialogue with yourself. It's not always easy to do. Right? I totally get that. But what I wanna just go back to is in in the vein of asking why, why did you allow yourself to stay so long in a position that was draining you?
Mikael Leslie [00:17:53]:
Yeah. I see this so much myself with the clients that I work with and people around me of that inability to leave, something that's draining you, that's something that's not filling your cup. And it's it can be hard in it because that can be all that you know. The only thing that you know is draining you, is there and being present and making the money and going in day in day out, you don't know anything else. And so for us as humans, the unknown is scared. We don't know what we don't know, and that's scary. They look, what's gonna happen next? Where am I gonna get money? How am I going to live? All these different things. And we think about and I thought about myself, like, okay.
Mikael Leslie [00:18:33]:
I have all these responsibilities, all of these things. I have bills to pay. I have different things. And only when I was able to pay off my car and pay off my school loans and then have $25,000 in the bank and looking at it and be like, why am I doing all this? This is not worth it. Like, for my whole life, I had been driven by money because I've seen my parents not that being the biggest stressor in our lives as growing up. And so seeing that seeing that money in the bank account and being like, it's not worth it. Like, I'm still stressed out. This is not the solution.
Mikael Leslie [00:19:06]:
And for me, that was the wake up sign to be like, okay. Like, there's gotta be something else out there. And that was the paradigm shift for me because what I thought to be true was not true. And seeing that number there allowed me to realize being like, not true. Okay. Now I can move on. And so flipping those paradigms for all of us is issue is the question. And figuring out what those are can be hard when you're stressed and overwhelmed because we don't question ourselves.
Mikael Leslie [00:19:33]:
We don't we don't have time and space or energy to be like, oh, what is it? What's going on?
Mahara Wayman [00:19:37]:
So so good. Alright. Did you ever go back and start writing?
Mikael Leslie [00:19:41]:
Yes. So after that, I worked at a wilderness therapy program for a quick hot year and then started coaching. And then coaching, I started using social media, and that's where I started writing and then started writing my book and became an author. So now I am an author.
Mahara Wayman [00:20:00]:
Celebrating you. Great. Thank you. Celebrating you. What did your sister think when you said, by the way, remember a couple of years ago when you said I didn't write? Guess what?
Mikael Leslie [00:20:09]:
Yeah. It's funny because when I get determined when we all get determined about something and be like, I am doing this no matter what the fuck you say, then it's just it. But when someone else puts that doubt in, that just reflects your own doubt. And so when she said that, it showed me like, oh, yeah. I don't really know me. Okay. Cool. Like, I'm not ready for this.
Mikael Leslie [00:20:28]:
But when I started writing my book, I was like, I'm ready. Like, I've been coaching for years now. I have all these stories. I have all my experiences. I need to get this out. Like, it was bubbling to get out of me. So, she was supportive. She read it.
Mikael Leslie [00:20:41]:
She told me about it. I was like, oh, yeah. That's beautiful. I've I've actually coached her, and so that's been a wonderful experience as well.
Mahara Wayman [00:20:47]:
Wow. So so good. I remember when I started writing to your point, it never even occurred to me to not do it because I had no expectations. It wasn't connected to the outcome of being, you know, successful. It was just I just felt driven to do it until I didn't, until I started getting connected to the outcome. And then it all became very convoluted, very cumbersome, and it wasn't fun anymore. So I I really appreciate that you brought that up, that it's our own doubts that can hold us back. And part of being badass is having the courage to recognize that and be okay with it.
Mahara Wayman [00:21:23]:
Like, you know what? That kinda scares me, and it's okay. Yeah. It's okay giving ourselves grace because there are you know, being a human, we do have them. We all have them. They just look differently sometimes in different people. But now I wanna know how you went from being in an outdoor program, wilderness program, to being a
Mikael Leslie [00:21:44]:
coach. Yes.
Mahara Wayman [00:21:46]:
There's gotta be a story there.
Mikael Leslie [00:21:47]:
Right. Of course. There's always stories. So at the wilderness therapy program, we learned all about these things called emotions, called thoughts and beliefs. And I was like, oh, this is kinda cool. Like, yeah, I'm teaching them to you, but I've never been taught them myself. So this is really good for me to know and for everyone else around me to know too. And so thinking about it, I was like, oh, this would have been super helpful when I was at a start up, when I was working in sales, when I was at the paper mill.
Mikael Leslie [00:22:11]:
So many different experiences that would have been so helpful. So after I left, I was like, yep. It's like, I have. So it's funny to get before I went to the wilderness therapy program, I considered being a life coach. I was like, I don't have experience. Like, there's no way I could do this. And then afterwards, I was like, there is every excuse that I had written down is no longer valid, and now it is time to do this. And it is scary, and we are going and we're doing it.
Mahara Wayman [00:22:35]:
So so good. Can you see a connection between all of the work that you had done up until that point and how you were finding your way?
Mikael Leslie [00:22:43]:
Yeah. It's been interesting because I don't always know like, typically, we don't always know in the moment how everything connects, but it's really cool to look back and be like, oh, this is why this occurred. My engineering degree has allowed me connect with other engineers and be able to talk their language and not be afraid of it. And then be like, oh, yes. It's totally helpful. So a lot of individuals that I've worked with that are more technical, they're more open to talk to me about different things, about their emotions, about human design, for example. Like, one of the engineers that I worked with, brought it up to him. I was like, let's try this thing called human design.
Mikael Leslie [00:23:16]:
Let's just play around with that. I'm gonna, like, tell you kinda who you are and how it works, and then you can tell me if we wanna continue with it. So I dove into it, and he's like, yeah. I trust you. Whatever. We can do it. And so we dove in, and he was like, can can I explain me to a t? Let's continue with this. And I'm like, yes.
Mikael Leslie [00:23:32]:
Very good. Very good. So it's fun to be able to bridge that gap for a little a lot of individuals that a lot of this may not be in their field or their understanding or their awareness and bring it towards them. So I see little things like that throughout my whole career come together and be able to help out more people too.
Mahara Wayman [00:23:49]:
You mentioned human design. I'm very familiar with human design. What are some other modalities that you bring to the table with your clients?
Mikael Leslie [00:23:56]:
Yes. So as I mentioned, those thoughts, beliefs, emotions associated with the wilderness therapy program, use that. Now call it mindset because that's all it is. And then the third kind of thing that I work with is strategy because having plan is like, I love love love plans. And even though they change, they develop. Having a plan gives us courage, gives us, spirit, gives us awareness to be able to take that next
Mahara Wayman [00:24:24]:
step for us. And, of course, your engineering degree just highlights that. Right? I get Peter is an engineer in the world on a job site that doesn't have a plan and doesn't understand how how things work. Right? Mhmm. All together. So so good. And can I just can I just call out that first of all, you're a lot younger than I am, but you were in a in a project management position? Oh my god. You were quite young.
Mahara Wayman [00:24:49]:
Were you not?
Mikael Leslie [00:24:50]:
Let's see here. Gotta do the math here. Mid twenties, 20 seven, 20 eight probably at that time. What have
Mahara Wayman [00:24:56]:
you learned about yourself, though, when you went into coaching and you took the training, for yourself? What was the biggest thing that you did that you learned?
Mikael Leslie [00:25:05]:
Oh, it's funny because the coaching program that I did, I went through it and everyone was, like, doing pretty good. But then, like, I would come in and be like, hey, guys. Like, we're doing this. Like, we're gonna make some changes, some shifts because we did practice sessions.
Mahara Wayman [00:25:19]:
Right.
Mikael Leslie [00:25:19]:
And, like, I felt, like, awesome at the end of them being like, yeah. You're you're moving forward. You're doing this. So it's very interesting in that way because knowing that I, like, I knew the skills. I knew what I needed to do. And so coming out of that, I was like, okay. Yeah. I got some more confidence.
Mikael Leslie [00:25:32]:
It's funny because during the last day, few days of the training, I was sick out of my mind. Just like, had a mask on. I was covered up, sniffling, snuff. Like, oh, it's so nasty. Gross. So gross. But I was able to show up and still coach during that time too. So it was wonderful to be able to see that and understand, like, okay.
Mikael Leslie [00:25:49]:
Yeah. I can help people no matter what. And, like, looking back at my life, it's always I've always been the person that my friends, my family come to to talk to. I always bring out those next steps for them and be like, okay. Oh, you don't like your boyfriend? Well, yeah, this is a continuous problem for you, so let's talk about that and actually what you want in a in a partner. Things like that.
Mahara Wayman [00:26:09]:
What I'm hearing, and I've experienced it myself, so I absolutely can can attest to this, is that often we are exhibiting our dream life or the dream skills, the skills that are gonna take us to our dream. Let me rephrase that from the get go. I fully believe that when we come out of the womb, we know what our skills are. Like, we we we attract it. We do it. Often, we don't know how to turn that into a life's purpose. We don't we're not we're not raised to think of a life's purpose. Speaking for myself, I was raised to think get a great job and be as happy as possible.
Mahara Wayman [00:26:45]:
But it was it was more connected to find the right guy, raise a nice family, and and make decent money. It wasn't, sweetheart, you know, what are you what makes you so happy in a day? Like, what's your you know, none of those types of conversations. I have them with myself now, but I love that you recognize that now. Okay. So let's talk about the badassery that you are sharing with the world today. You mentioned what's the name of your book?
Mikael Leslie [00:27:13]:
My book is called Soar by Living Your Life, and I am a wonderful, amazing author and have my book right here for everyone to see.
Mahara Wayman [00:27:22]:
Yes. Mhmm.
Mikael Leslie [00:27:24]:
So that is my book. I always have a new program here or there that I am creating and shaping and building because I always like the new and the amazing. I'm a manifestor in human design for those that know human design, so I'm always pushing the envelope. And so right now, the two that I have that I'm working with is travel transformation where we travel all over the world to be able to transform your life into alignment of what it is that you actually want. And then the second is coaching and coworking, being able to help you move through and do the things that you know you should and want to do with some support along the way. So those are the coaching avenues that I have. I have my weekly email that I have that I get sent out, and then I'm on social media on Facebook as well.
Mahara Wayman [00:28:06]:
Okay. The most badass thing that you've done this year.
Mikael Leslie [00:28:09]:
Oh my goodness. A few things. So this was a year that I was like, yeah. All of these excuses, we're done with them, and we're doing what we want. So I went to a retreat in June or July, sometime in the summer, the June. And it was a Joe Dispenza retreat, and I've been following this work for years now. And I've always wanted to go, and I was like, I am doing this. This is the year we're doing it.
Mikael Leslie [00:28:34]:
So I went, and it was incredible and amazing. And then around that time, I was like, I have been wanting to learn Spanish forever. Like, I've tried one program or another. I saw this six months to fluency program, and I was like, okay. We're gonna do this. So I'm in the middle of that now. I have hit 50% of the program, and I'm very excited. I'm making a lot of progress with that, so that's been amazing.
Mikael Leslie [00:28:57]:
And then I'm also training for a marathon because why the hell not? And here we go.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:02]:
Well, give you lots of reasons why not. Right. If only you asked me, I could've told you why not. Mhmm. Oh my god. Okay. So Joe Dispenza retreat, mind blowing. Mhmm.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:14]:
Learning Spanish, so so good. I I tried to learn it when I was I'm from Jamaica, and that was a second that was a language that you learned in school. Mhmm. I can all I know how to say is go to the bank. I laugh. And a marathon half or full full. We're doing it. Of course you are.
Mikael Leslie [00:29:34]:
Right? Exactly. Why not?
Mahara Wayman [00:29:36]:
Have you ever have you done a half marathon?
Mikael Leslie [00:29:38]:
I had the longest I'd run is a 10 k. So and everyone was like, yeah. You should start with a half. And I'm like, why the hell would I settle for something that I know that I want the marathon? I've talked about the marathon. I settled with the 10 k, so I'm not settling. We're doing this.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:51]:
My god. You are such a badass. Okay. Think about, though, your journey. What do you wish you had known then that you know now?
Mikael Leslie [00:30:01]:
So much. I think it's the the biggest thing is you're okay. You're safe. You can be you at the end of the day. I think there's so much pressure to show up in ways that aren't for us, and the sphere of going into the unknown of what if it all burns down? What if I, like, don't do anything? Like, what happens then? And being so afraid of that happening, but knowing telling myself that it'll be okay. Like, let it burn all down and see you what remains and see what brings you joy, your resilience. It's been funny because when I was young, I would go after what I wanted, like, banned. I wanted to be in Jasmine.
Mikael Leslie [00:30:42]:
I'm like, I'm gonna be in jazz band. Like, don't tell me otherwise. I'm gonna be in jazz band. So I talked to the teacher and I was like, what do I need to do to be in jazz band? I was like, learn it. And there's no clarison and then the clarison band. Jasmine, I know. He's like, play the trombone. It's automatic spot.
Mikael Leslie [00:30:55]:
Like, okay. I'm gonna learn a trombone. Learn the trombone. Convince my parents. Take me lessons to be able to do it. Did it. And so, like, leaning into that determination. And I think only in high school, did I, like, start to shut down and be like, oh, yeah.
Mikael Leslie [00:31:09]:
It's like there's too much for external pressure for me at a time to be able to look and act and be in the in club and find those friends and everything. But in reality, the more that I lean back into just doing whatever I wanted to and having the freedom and choice to change that when I wanted to and realizing that was okay. That's what I would wanna share.
Mahara Wayman [00:31:29]:
Such a great share. And you brought up you know, you said the words what if. And truly, I I often play the what if game with clients, either purposely. I'm like, okay. I know we need to play the what if game, or it just comes out automatically. Typically, when they are sharing fears. And so people listening, when you recognize that narrative you're telling yourself that you're not good enough or this what, you know, this hurts or, you know, what if, Stop for a moment and ask yourself, okay. But what if I didn't? Or what if it didn't? Because and what what you're gonna notice is instantly your energy lifts.
Mahara Wayman [00:32:07]:
You go, well, if I didn't feel like shit, I'd feel great. And I would do this, and I would do that, and this, and all of these amazing things happen. And guess what? You've just you've just jumped into a new paradigm. And so playing the what if game can be so powerful. And the first time that it came to me, I was coaching. I was leading a a weight watcher meeting. This was probably eight years ago. And I had there was a member in the meeting very upset that she was so afraid she would overeat at at a meal.
Mahara Wayman [00:32:41]:
And, of course, this is very, very prevalent fear in in any sort of weight loss conversation because a lot of and I'm a member too. A lot of us are afraid, you know, if I just let go, then I'll just keep, you know. And I remember saying to her, she goes, yeah. But I could do this, this, and this, and this. And I said, okay. So what if you did eat too much? What would happen? And she's like, what do you mean? I'm like, you just said you were scared of eating too much at the dinner. What if you did? Tell me exactly what that means. There was silence, and she's like, oh my god.
Mahara Wayman [00:33:11]:
I guess I'd have a bellyache. I'm like, okay.
Mikael Leslie [00:33:14]:
Have you ever had
Mahara Wayman [00:33:14]:
a bellyache before? She's like, yeah. I said, did the world stop spinning? No. And you navigate recognizing that you ate too much and not beating yourself up for it. And by this time, there was a lot of emotion. And that was kind of the beginning of of me understanding the power of the phrase what if. So I really just wanted to call out that that's pretty powerful little session there. A little section of what you said has so much power, and it's part of being the badass is having the courage to say to yourself, okay. What if I fall down? Mhmm.
Mikael Leslie [00:33:48]:
Fuck.
Mahara Wayman [00:33:48]:
I'm just gonna get back up again. Right. Mhmm. What if they laugh at me? Okay. But what if they don't? What if they actually are cheering you on? Mhmm. Oh, a beautiful opportunity for growth just in that little phrase. I wanted to pull that out. Well, any last minute thoughts to share on best practices for feeling yourself? Oh,
Mikael Leslie [00:34:08]:
yes. Music is one of my favorite ways to tune into it. It's funny. I was working on a coaching and co working session recently, and they asked me, like we're talking about motivation in some way or another. And it's like they asked me, like, how do you get motivated? And I'm like, well, let me tell you. Like, we got music, of course. It's a wonderful tool to be able to use it, and my favorite is, like, dance music. And then I have some technology tools, like, a vibration tool that'll be able to tune me into a higher, like, speed and energy.
Mikael Leslie [00:34:39]:
And then, you know, I got thoughts and beliefs. Like, if I tap into why I'm doing something, I have so much more energy and motivation. Like, I would think about, like, oh, lost Spanish homework that I have to do now. So sometimes I think in the mindset of, oh, there's, like, 200 flashcards that I have to do and it's so much and how am I gonna get it all done? But if I think about how I'm learning a language so I can speak with more people, to be able to understand with them, to communicate with them, to connect with them, that motivates me, that gets me inspired. So tapping into those things for ourselves can allow us to be more badasses and do what we want.
Mahara Wayman [00:35:15]:
So, so good. Yeah. I often you know, comes up a lot in the work that I do is understanding your motivation, understanding the necessity for the outcome. It can be the carrot that pulls you through the tough times. Mhmm. When when you don't really get why you're doing something and it's hard, oh my god. Are you gonna do it? Well, you may, but it's gonna hurt and it's gonna take a long time. But when you're very clear on why on on what our why is that it does make things easier.
Mahara Wayman [00:35:42]:
Holy hell. I'd love to chat it with you. Can you speak out share with us your website? Because I, obviously, check the show notes, but just in case they don't, I want them as well. Have a It
Mikael Leslie [00:35:52]:
is a fulfilled life coaching is my business name as well as my website. So you can get catch me at afulfilledlifecoaching.com.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:01]:
So good, Mikhail. Thank you so much for sharing your badassery with us today. Your energy is infectious. It's not enough to make me wanna run a marathon by any stretch, but I do wanna stand up and listen to some good tunes right now. So There we go. Good. Sharing your journey with us and your story, and look forward to doing this again in the near future, I hope. My name is Mahar.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:22]:
This has been the art of badassery. Please share this episode with anyone that you think would benefit from getting a little jolt of of energy and badassery in their day or someone who is perhaps struggling to feel comfortable within themselves and in their life. We are both coaches. We'd love to hear your feedback. And, of course, check the show notes to access her book, my guest's book, and, of course, the work that she is doing. We'll see you next week on the art of badass when I interview yet another badass chick. Take care.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:55]:
Thanks for tuning in to another badass episode. Your support means the world to me. So if you enjoyed what you heard today, don't forget to like, share, and rate the episode on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback keeps the badassery flowing. And, hey, if you're ready to unleash your inner badass and conquer whatever life throws your way, Why not book a complimentary badass breakthrough session? Just click the link in the show notes to schedule your session, and let's kick some serious butt together. Until next time, stay fearless, stay fabulous, and of course, stay badass. This is Mahara signing off.
