My Journey
Hi, I’m MicHelle Simonsen—the hands and heart behind the healing.
I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist, EMMETT Technique Practitioner, SomaYoga Teacher, and Reiki Master. My work blends practical skills with a thoughtful, caring approach to support your well-being. I strive to create a welcoming space where you can reconnect with your body, release tension, and restore balance. My integrative approach supports healing on every level—physical, emotional, and energetic.
Every journey has its storms—and sometimes, those storms last years.
Have you ever had one of those days where you just wish you could crawl back into bed, pull the covers over your head, and make it all go away?
Or maybe it’s been one of those weeks, or months... or even years.
For me, it was one of those seven years.
Maybe you know what I’m talking about—that long stretch of time when it feels like every time you find a sliver of light, life throws something else your way. Just when you think you're turning a corner, the Universe says, "Not yet," and down you go again.
Yep, me too.
From losing most of my immediate family, navigating the isolation of COVID and job loss, letting go of 25 years in Minnesota to start fresh in Florida, and living with chronic pain and long-term illness... I've journeyed through some incredibly tough terrain. There were days when it felt like I was crawling through old, rutted wagon trails just to keep moving forward.
But here's the beautiful part:
I did keep moving forward.
Where I Am Today
Today, I’m free from the chronic pain that ruled my life since 2015, and my health is improving every single day. I’ve found a community here in Florida—deep, soulful friendships that remind me how blessed I am, every day.
Though I’ve lost so much, I’m deeply grateful that my one remaining birth family member is also my best friend—my sister. The bond we share has carried us through immense grief and loss in a short span of time, bringing us even closer. That connection is what ultimately led me to Florida, so I could be near her. She is my rock. Her love and support, along with that of my brother-in-law and their beautiful family, have lifted me through many tough seasons. For that, I will always be grateful and beyond blessed.
I live in a neighborhood I love (after three moves!), in a home that feels like pure joy. I share that home with two adorable dogs—Luna, a rescued Morkie who joined me in June 2021, and Dexter, a joyful Yorkie who burst into our lives on New Year’s Day 2025.
And now? I get to open the doors to Be . Motivated Wellness Center—the culmination of years of learning, healing, and saying yes to my life’s purpose.
Be . Motivated Wellness Center:
A Dream Realized
This center has lived in my heart and mind for a long time. It’s born from my deep belief that the body knows how to heal—when we listen, when we pause, when we give it permission to say yes to itself.
Your body dreams of moving freely, living fully, and returning to a natural state of ease. The stress, tension, and pain you may be feeling now are not just symptoms—they are signals. They point to a distance from ease… a state of dis-ease. But that distance isn’t permanent.
If your body can dream of something different, so can you.
So dream it.
Dream of a better swing, a longer walk, a more graceful dance. Dream of playing a full game of pickleball, getting up out of your chair with ease—or simply fill in the blank with whatever movement brings you joy.
Then believe it.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you're right.” —Henry Ford
You absolutely can. Now choose to be . it.
Start now—at Be . Motivated Wellness Center.
My Healing Journey
I began teaching yoga in 2012, after receiving what you might call a “nudge” from God—or a cosmic shove from the Universe—the year before in a recovery yoga class, and I knew I had to do this.
So I left it all:
A 28+ year career in mortgage and title insurance.
My marriage.
My comfort zone.
And I stepped into a new life.
I launched Your Recovery Yoga, working within addiction treatment and trauma-focused centers in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. That path led me to Somatics in 2014, through a trauma-informed yoga training with Off the Mat Into the World. The way somatics helped me reconnect with my body, safely and gently, changed everything.
That led me to Hanna Somatic Education and SomaYoga, which now form the foundation of my yoga approach.
I also discovered Reiki—first as a receiver, then as a practitioner, and now as a Reiki Master. The healing I experienced through Reiki was unlike anything I could explain. It worked. It healed. And it called me to share it.
When chronic hip pain (thanks to arthritis and bursitis) pushed me to find answers, I discovered the EMMETT Technique—and it was like magic. Today, I’m a Level 4 Advanced EMMETT Technique Practitioner.
And to bring it all together? I became a Licensed Massage Therapist, using intuitive, skilled touch to find those hidden spots, soothe the nervous system, and restore balance in body and spirit.
My journey has taken me through darkness, discovery, and deep healing—and it brought me here, to a place where I now help others walk their own path with greater ease, grace, and self-compassion.
Every modality I offer is rooted in the belief that healing begins with safety, self-trust, and permission to simply begin.
Whether you’re joining a public class, attending a workshop, or booking a private session—know this:
I see you.
I hear you.
I believe in you.
If you can dream it, you can believe it, and you can absolutely be it.
