Hello,
I’m Michelle Madrid
I help midlife and empty-nest women unbox their truth, reclaim their power, and step boldly into the next chapter of their lives.
I grew up feeling invisible.
Born from an affair and placed in foster care, I entered the world with a story that felt too painful to tell. I was adopted by American parents, but my early years were shaped by rejection, silence, and a deep sense of not belonging.
I carried the weight of shame and fear like armor. I shrank myself to survive. I became the "good girl," the peacekeeper, the one who didn’t take up space.
The message I internalized was this: to be accepted, I had to erase who I truly was.
But over the years, I've learned the boxes we carry—filled with stories of shame, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-doubt—do not define us. They are not who we are.
They are the invitation to return home to ourselves.
My Breaking Point
There wasn’t one single moment—there were many.
Losing my adoptive parents. Becoming a mother myself. Dropping my son off at college and feeling a piece of my identity go with him. Sitting across the table from my husband as he questioned whether he wanted to stay.
Each moment cracked open something deeper. And in the stillness that followed, I realized:
I had spent so much of my life tending to everyone else’s needs, I had no idea who I was outside of my roles.
Real Healing Began…
when I started to unbox the stories I had carried—the shame I had mistaken for truth, the expectations I thought I had to live up to, the fear I believed would keep me safe.
I reclaimed my voice.
I gave myself permission to take up space.
I started building a life that wasn’t based on what others needed from me—but what my soul was asking for.
Before I ever became a coach or mentor, I built a successful career as a television news anchor. I had the #1 show. I was Emmy-nominated. On paper, I was thriving.
But inside, I was still living in the box. Still performing. Still trying to earn my worth.
Step by step, I began to remember who I was before the world told me who to be. I started to speak up, stand tall, and take up space—as a mother, a partner, a woman, and a soul.
Today, I hold certifications in Leadership Psychology from Cornell University, and coach training from the Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT). More than that, I bring decades of lived experience walking through the fire and coming out the other side.
I created the UNBOXED Framework to help women like you do the same.
I’m not here to tell you it was easy.
But I will tell you this:
It’s possible to feel powerful again.
To find yourself in the mirror and actually love who you see.
To stop performing and start living—on your terms.
And that’s why I do this work.
Why I’m Here For You
I know what it’s like to lose yourself inside the roles, the expectations, the people-pleasing.
I also know what it’s like to unbox all of that—and come home to yourself.
That’s the transformation I guide women through with my signature UNBOXED Framework.
It’s not therapy. It’s not just coaching. It’s a reclamation.
A return to the woman you were before the world told you who to be.
And an invitation to become who you are now, fully and freely.
This is your time. Let’s make it powerful.
The UNBOXED Framework
The step-by-step system that holds the power to change everything:
U - Understand Your Story
Reflect on the decisions and experiences that brought you here. Honor the version of yourself that made those choices, show compassion for your past, and lay the foundation for your future.
N - Nurture Your Inner Light
Reconnect with who you are today. Show yourself grace, embrace your growth, and begin building a life that reflects the new you.
B - Break Free from Boxes
Identify the unique set of boxes that have kept you small, confined, or hidden. Unpack the weight of those limitations and release what no longer serves you.
O - Own Your Power
Claim your strengths and stand boldly in your truth. Move forward with confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.
X - Expand Your Vision
Let your dreams stretch beyond the boundaries you once thought possible. Open your heart to new possibilities and take inspired action toward a life that feels aligned with your soul.
E - Embody Your Vision
Step fully into your transformation with intention. Create rituals, habits, and plans that reflect your unstoppable energy and sustain your growth.
D - Declare Your Legacy
Embrace the ripple effect of your transformation. Let your journey inspire others, leaving a legacy that empowers and uplifts. You are unforgettable.
Let’s Break Free Together
No matter where you’ve come from or how long you’ve felt invisible, it’s time to unbox your potential. It’s time to stop shrinking and start living boldly.
You belong here, and the world needs your story. Let’s take the first step toward building a life that’s authentic, powerful, and entirely yours.