Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ellis.
Hi Michelle , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Michelle Ellis, and I’m a mom, military wife, caregiver, educator, travel professional, and success coach.
Here is a quick background on how I got where I am today. For years, I lived in a constant cycle of starting over or settling for less. As a military wife, every new state meant packing up, leaving another job behind, and trying to rebuild my career from scratch. I was juggling so much: motherhood, marriage, caregiving, and the invisible weight of wanting “more” without knowing what that looked like. Deep down, I wanted stability. I wanted to build something that felt like mine. Something that made me feel fulfilled instead of just surviving. I didn’t want to keep losing myself in the process of supporting and being there everyone else.
Then in 2019, I heard a woman share that she earned income booking and selling travel. At first, I thought, “What do I have to lose?”… and that single decision opened a door I didn’t even know existed.
Since then, I’ve blended my background in psychology and social work with my passion for travel and mental health. I’ve built a brand that helps busy professionals and moms reclaim their peace and purpose through transformative travel experiences, trips that restore their energy and remind them of who they are beyond their roles.
Today, as a Certified Luxury and Wellness Travel Professional and Success Coach, I mentor moms and military wives who are ready to rewrite their own stories. I show them how to build flexible, remote travel businesses that fit their lives, not the other way around. Because yes, business is powerful… but community makes it sustainable. None of us was meant to do this alone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t call it smooth, but I’d definitely call it worth it. Every challenge became a lesson that helped me grow into who I am today. Adjusting to change taught me resilience. Learning to accept help taught me humility. Stepping outside my comfort zone taught me confidence.
At first, it was hard to shift from doing everything on my own to allowing mentorship and guidance, but that’s where everything changed. I realized that growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in community and through personal development. Through coaching, structure, and self-care, I found that prioritizing over balancing was key in order to serve in my purpose and find peace with that choice. What once felt uncomfortable became the very thing that stretched me into a better mom, coach, wife, and businesswoman. So no, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a beautiful journey of becoming who I am now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I want to share with you that before becoming a military wife, my long-time dream was to be a teacher. I earned my degree in early childhood education, my B.A. in psychology, and began my master’s in social work. But life had other plans. With each new chapter came new challenges, from relocations to three back-to-back pregnancies. During that season, I battled postpartum depression and made the difficult decision to step away from my master’s program. Between the tuition, my mental health, and the constant change, I felt completely LOST… that’s truly the best way to describe it.
Fast forward to now, I’ve rediscovered my purpose through coaching and faith. One of my mentors, a former educator who built her own success in the travel industry, helped me see what was possible beyond traditional careers. I found my confidence again and decided to bet on myself and my potential. I’m proud to say my love for education remains. I now serve as a substitute teacher while pursuing my Plan A, as an entrepreneur in the travel industry.
I’m grateful that I didn’t let life take me out; instead, I turned my challenges into a platform to help others who need the same encouragement I once longed for. I want to be known for more than travel. My mission is to stand as an advocate for moms who are ready to rediscover themselves, rebuild their confidence, and embrace joy again.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest piece of advice is simple, stop operating from a scarcity mindset. Don’t let fear keep you from saying yes to something that could stretch you or make you better. Pray on it, test it out, and trust your discernment. The traditional way of thinking no longer fits the world we live in. Our parents’ paths were different, and that’s okay. You have to do what works for you and your family. Make it make sense for your lifestyle and path.
When it comes to mentorship, alignment matters. Choose mentors who see your potential, not just your profit. The right mentor should guide you with integrity, not treat you like a number, and help you with a plan to reach your goals.
For me, what works is prayer and staying spiritually grounded. My faith is my compass. I’ve learned that when you focus less on the money, more on your purpose and on how you can serve others through your gifts, everything else begins to fall into place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleellis__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSelfCareAdvocate
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theselfcareadvocate/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Am9DoK4DtWydQxAjmH3uw
- Yelp: https://www.theselfcareadvocate.com/home
- Other: https://michelleellis.setmore.com
Image Credits
Pictured: Michelle Ellis during business training, personal travel, and with my mentor.
