Unlocking Personal Growth: Insights from Michelle Gruening on Coaching, Success, and "Stop Doomscrolling"

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In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge welcomes Michelle Gruening, personal growth coach, keynote speaker, and author of Stop Doomscrolling. Michelle shares her inspiring journey—from working with Walt Disney World to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—and how she now helps entrepreneurs break through limitations and achieve radical clarity. Together, Josh and Michelle dive into the importance of defining success on your own terms, combating imposter syndrome, and taking intentional action for personal and professional fulfillment.

Redefining Success and Creating Radical Clarity

Michelle Gruening’s mission through MG Coaching is to help first-time entrepreneurs and driven professionals realize that professional success doesn’t always equal personal fulfillment. Having spent over 20 years in leadership and customer service roles across industries—from Disney’s FairyTale Weddings to international art museums to building global customer success teams—Michelle learned firsthand how societal expectations can lead people away from their true passions. Today, she empowers her clients to define success for themselves and encourages them to create goals that align with their authentic desires, not someone else's definition of achievement.

One powerful theme Michelle shares in this episode is the concept of breaking free from “comfort zone paralysis.” She encourages individuals to identify the red flags in their life and business—especially when those red flags are internal. By fostering a growth mindset, Michelle teaches clients how to move past fear, perfectionism, and limiting beliefs. Her approach combines tough love coaching with the encouragement needed to take bold steps toward transformation. As she explains, whether it’s climbing literal mountains like Kilimanjaro or metaphorical ones like launching a new business, success requires commitment, self-awareness, and radical ownership of your choices.

Michelle’s recent passion project, Stop Doomscrolling, perfectly complements her coaching philosophy. The activity book is designed to help people curb the unhealthy habit of endless social media scrolling and instead engage in activities that foster real-world joy and connection. Through mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, puzzles, and creative outlets, Michelle provides tools that encourage readers to be more present, more intentional, and more fulfilled.

About Michelle Gruening

Michelle Gruening is a personal growth coach, keynote speaker, and author dedicated to helping first-time entrepreneurs and professionals achieve radical clarity in life and business. After two decades in customer service and leadership at companies like Walt Disney World and international art institutions, Michelle left behind the status quo to pursue a life defined by purpose. Within a year, she summited Mount Kilimanjaro, authored Stop Doomscrolling, and launched MG Coaching. Michelle inspires audiences and clients alike to rewrite their own stories—one bold step at a time—by embracing a growth mindset, making intentional choices, and letting go of toxic environments.

About MG Coaching

MG Coaching helps first-time entrepreneurs and ambitious professionals create radical clarity in life and business. Through tough love coaching, mastermind groups, and personal growth resources like Stop Doomscrolling, Michelle Gruening provides the tools and support needed to break free from comfort zones, identify self-imposed limitations, and take empowered action toward success.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Michelle Gruening’s Website
• Michelle Gruening’s LinkedIn Profile
• Stop Doomscrolling – Activity Book

Key Episode Highlights:

• Personalized Definition of Success: Michelle explains why true success must be defined individually, not based on societal norms.
• Breaking Comfort Zone Paralysis: Insights into how fear and perfectionism keep entrepreneurs stuck—and how to move past them.
• The Power of "Stop Doomscrolling": How reducing screen time and engaging in mindful activities can boost happiness and clarity.
• Lessons from Climbing Kilimanjaro: Practical mindset strategies for overcoming massive personal and professional challenges.
• Building Your Personal Advisory Board: Michelle shares the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors, accountability partners, and a strong support system.

Conclusion

In this energizing conversation, Michelle Gruening reminds us that living authentically and achieving true success starts with radical self-awareness and bold, intentional action. Whether you're redefining your goals, tackling self-doubt, or cutting down on screen time, Michelle’s insights and resources offer a clear path forward. By focusing on personal growth, building a strong support network, and taking decisive steps toward your dreams, you can unlock your full potential—and inspire others to do the same.

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