Meet Michelle Gruening

Photo by Kalen Jesse Photography

From orchestrating magical moments at Disney's FairyTale Weddings to summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Michelle’s journey proves that breaking free from the conventional path leads to extraordinary results. She’s mastered transformation—not just in theory, but through real-life experience. After achieving corporate success yet feeling unfulfilled, she turned that frustration into a mission: helping business leaders redefine success on their own terms.

With over two decades of leadership experience at Disney and Starbucks, including managing the Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney World and overseeing operations for Starbucks during Super Bowl XLVI, Michelle realized that professional success doesn’t always bring personal fulfillment. Feeling stuck by others' definitions of success, she decided to break free, rebuild her life, and now helps others do the same.

As the author of Stop Doom Scrolling (available on Amazon), and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach, Michelle shares the lessons she’s learned by combining her experience with practical strategies that help business leaders overcome their own limits. Her approach isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about reframing what’s truly possible in your life and business.

When she's not working with clients, you’ll find her hiking Colorado’s mountains, getting lost in epic fantasy novels, or adventuring with her husband and their sassy rescue dog, Macklin.

Ready to transform your business with the same strategies that took Michelle from stuck to standing on top of Africa’s highest peak? Book your discovery call below and let’s get to work.

Feedback From Former Colleagues and Employees

  • "Working with Michelle was one of the first times I experienced what vulnerability could look like in a leader."

  • "Michelle gave us techniques to manage stress, techniques to learn about our own working styles, and led by example with a work ethic that is rare."

  • "Michelle is able to identify unspoken thoughts based on other's verbal communication, and is really good at picking up nonverbal cues."

  • "Michelle knows that if you want to do something new, you have to just get in there and learn. She helps people take action on their goals and keep moving forward."

  • "Michelle is able to remain objective in moments of conflict and provide space to think differently about the situation before reacting."

  • “I was struggling with my professional identity, and if it wasn’t for Michelle’s coaching, I’m not sure I would be in the role I have today that allows me to provide a stable life for my family.”

  • "Michelle has a lot of empathy. She's able to speak in a way that is not exclusive or judgmental, but from a position of wanting to help."