TRANSCEND | EMPOWER | TRANSFORM

Let the beauty of your journey towards physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being serve as a catalyst for positive and fulfilling life change

My Story

Welcome to Mountain Awakening! I'm Michelle Farkas, a Certified Wellness Coach and Stretching & Flexibility Coach. For over thirty years, I held leadership positions at a well-known Fortune 100 company, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in safety and compliance, training program design and development, and project management. As the COVID pandemic unfolded, I decided to take early retirement. It was a difficult choice, but I knew I was still young enough to embark on a second career. I took a leap of faith and embraced the opportunity for a new beginning.

After dedicating three decades to demanding work hours, endless emails, and numerous meetings, I felt the pressing need to take a break, recenter myself, and indulge in activities that genuinely brought me joy. During this self-reflection period, I stumbled upon an intriguing hiking endurance event known as 29029. This event is aptly named due to its aspiration of covering the equivalent of 29029 feet – a feat that matches the elevation of Mt. Everest. As someone who had grown to love hiking, the allure of this event lay in the fact that I wouldn't be competing against others but rather challenging myself. Despite my internal back-and-forth, a strong pull towards this opportunity led me to take a leap of faith and register for the event scheduled for 2022.

As I envisioned the upcoming event, a sudden wave of doubt and self-criticism washed over me. This new challenge was uncharted territory for me. The task ahead was to ascend the mountain 13 times within 36 hours, hiking up and then taking the gondola down. As I set out on the hike, I found myself comparing my abilities to those of others around me. With each climb, I felt more and more disheartened and demoralized. Despite not reaching the peak of Everest, I did accomplish the equivalent of hiking two of the world's highest peaks – Mt. Kosciusko and Mt. Vinson. While I felt a sense of pride in this achievement, I couldn't shake the humbling realization of just how strenuous the experience had been. Part of me wished to escape from it all, while another part clung to the hope of participating in the event again the following year.

The co-founder of 29029, Colin O'Brady, is an extraordinary individual celebrated for his achievements as a professional endurance athlete, captivating speaker, and intrepid explorer. One of his most impressive accomplishments was setting a world record by completing the first unsupported crossing of Antarctica using only human power. He undertook this remarkable feat by pulling a 300-pound sled across a harrowing 900-mile stretch of the frozen continent. During event orientation, Colin eloquently recounted his awe-inspiring experiences and left an enduring impression with his powerful statement: "We are the stories we tell ourselves." These profound words resonated deeply, offering guidance and fortitude as I confronted my hurdles, grappling with inner doubts and self-criticism. I realized that the narratives I told myself were not always compassionate or hopeful. These self-narratives were like chains, constraining me from pursuing many endeavors due to a fear of inadequacy, imperfection, and, above all, a fear of failure.

After returning home from the event, I realized there was much work ahead of me. The decision to participate in the event again was already made. I felt a sense of unfinished business and a burning desire to prove that I could achieve more than I had previously thought. This wasn't just about physical training; it was also a journey of mental and emotional strength. Over the next year, I embarked on a wellness journey that pushed me to shatter my perceived limitations. This transformative experience led me to reevaluate deep-seated beliefs and ultimately transition into a new career as a consultant and wellness coach.

In 2023, I made significant progress compared to the previous year. Although I didn't achieve my goal of reaching Everest, I did manage to hike the same distance as Mount Kilimanjaro in under 24 hours. Unfortunately, a painful hip injury prevented me from reaching the peak at 29029 feet. However, the most valuable takeaway was the immense mental and emotional growth I underwent during this experience.

Throughout my journey, I have gained profound insights that have shaped my perspective on our shared struggles. I am committed to empowering individuals to overcome self-imposed barriers, unlock their latent abilities, and embark on life-changing personal growth endeavors. As a certified Wellness Coach and Stretching and flexibility Coach, I am dedicated to providing extensive guidance and knowledge to help others pursue harmony and satisfaction in their lives.

In my work, I have the honor of integrating established wellness practices with personalized approaches, offering customized support and motivation to individuals dedicated to enhancing their holistic wellness and nurturing balance in their daily lives. Leveraging my expertise and genuine passion for wellness and profound change, I aim to enable individuals to embark on their unique wellness journeys focused on self-exploration and well-being.

Let's work together to TRANSCEND your self-limiting beliefs, EMPOWER endless possibilities, and TRANSFORM your life!

CREDENTIALS

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  • Bachelor of Science, - Aviation Management, Jacksonville University

Certifications

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine, Certified Wellness Coach

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine, Stretching & Flexibility Coach