Reclaiming Your Power: Micheline Trottier on Empowering Women to Overcoming Life’s Challenges
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Reclaiming Your Power: Micheline Trottier on Empowering Women to Overcoming Life’s Challenges
Life can throw curveballs, leaving you feeling lost and uncertain. For women facing separation or other life crises, these challenges can feel insurmountable. Micheline Trottier, a dedicated coach, knows this feeling firsthand. Having navigated her journey of heartbreak and healing, she now empowers women to reclaim their power. In this interview, Micheline shares her insights on overcoming fear, rebuilding confidence, and embracing independence. Discover practical tips and strategies to navigate difficult times and create a fulfilling new chapter in your life.
Magazica: Welcome, dear readers and viewers. We are honored to have Micheline Trottier with us today. Micheline is a dedicated coach specializing in empowering women to reclaim their power, especially during challenging times such as separation and divorce. Through her compassionate guidance, she helps women overcome fears, rebuild confidence, and embrace independence. Micheline’s work is transformative, turning fear into opportunities for personal growth and empowerment. We are excited to learn from her insights and experiences. Micheline, welcome to Magazica.
Micheline Trottier: Thank you so much. I appreciate being here, and I’m very excited to share this with everyone.
Magazica: The introduction mentions that you help people, especially women, through challenging times. Could you share a bit about your journey? What inspired you to become a coach specializing in supporting women through these moments?
Micheline Trottier: I’d love to. For many years, I owned a restaurant where we had a lot of students and young adults. Many of them came to me for advice, and I realized I had a natural inclination toward helping people and getting to know them on a deeper level. People were drawn to my calm and approachable nature, and a lot of clients said they felt safe in that environment. That’s really what inspired me to work with women.
When I went through my separation, it was incredibly tough. I felt alone and didn’t know who to turn to since I’d always been the one everyone else relied on. I saw a therapist, but nothing resonated, and I felt misunderstood. Eventually, I stopped going, leaving me feeling isolated for a long time.
Then, a friend suggested I take a coaching course with her. At that point, I didn’t even know what a coach was, but during the program, we practiced coaching with each other. That’s where my healing journey truly began. I realized that I could help others in ways that traditional therapy hadn’t helped me.
Since then, I’ve worked with women facing all kinds of challenges—not just separation or divorce—but my passion is helping women navigate these moments of intense change. I want to help them overcome anxiety, stress, and the sense of being overwhelmed. My role is to guide them through the emotional and practical challenges of separation and divorce, and of life in general, and help transform those challenges into opportunities. I help them create a roadmap toward a fulfilling new chapter and watch their lives prosper. It’s truly my passion.
Magazica: Your story is so inspiring. It seems like what you offer to these women comes from a very authentic understanding, drawn from your lived experiences.
Micheline Trottier: Absolutely! I’ve been there. It wasn’t a pretty place, and I understand the feelings of victimhood, shame, guilt—all those heavy emotions. It’s not an easy place to be, and my heart reaches out to women going through that. I know I can help them, and that’s the best part.
Magazica: That’s what makes your work feel so authentic and natural. Your words don’t just reach the mind; they connect deeply with the heart.
Micheline Trottier: Oh, thank you! I appreciate that.
Magazica: It’s because your work truly comes from your heart and reflects your authentic self and life experiences. That genuine quality is so inspiring, and it’s evident that your personality and life journey make people feel safe around you.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, that’s exactly what someone recently shared with me. She said it was my experience that drew her in. Anyone can read a book, but having lived through these things adds a different depth.
Magazica: Knowledge certainly resonates with us intellectually, but kindness and compassion touch us on a different level. Self-help books can be brilliant and intellectually stimulating, but authentic stories inspire and motivate people uniquely.
Micheline Trottier: Absolutely, I believe that too.
Magazica: Thank you for sharing that. It’s easy to see why people feel safe with you. Now, could you talk a little about the common fears or challenges women face during difficult times? You mentioned earlier that there’s often a mix of emotions, as well as social and peer pressures.
Micheline Trottier: Of course. For me, the biggest challenge was loneliness. When you’re used to having someone around all the time, suddenly being alone can feel incredibly isolating. And for women with children, the times when they’re not with you, only amplifies that loneliness.
Magazica: Very true.
Micheline Trottier: Exactly. And it’s not just physical isolation. Friends may stop calling, or you’re no longer invited to gatherings with couples, which can hurt your self-confidence and make you feel like an outsider. You start to lose parts of your identity, and there’s often a fear of never finding love or companionship again.
Magazica: That must be so difficult.
Micheline Trottier: It was. There was also the stress of wondering where to live, how to survive, and what the future would look like. But ultimately, the isolation and loneliness were the hardest for me. Those feelings shaped so much of the experience.
Magazica: It often leads to a loss of identity, doesn’t it?
Micheline Trottier: Absolutely, the loss of identity is a factor.
Magazica: Along with a sense of direction, right?
Micheline Trottier: Yes, it can severely impact self-esteem.
Magazica: Yes, self-esteem.
Micheline Trottier: There’s a pervasive sense of failure and guilt. You start to question what went wrong. I was married for nearly 30 years.
Magazica: Wow, that’s a long time.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, it instills a fear of rejection.
Magazica: I understand.
Micheline Trottier: And regarding guilt, I’ve seen how it can eat away at someone from the inside.
Magazica: Yes, exactly. It’s like a hidden negativity, creating a deep emotional abyss.
Micheline Trottier: Shame is the lowest vibrational emotion, stemming from feelings, while guilt is slightly higher and related to actions. For instance, I felt guilty for not having a successful marriage.
Magazica: Is this concept from the book Power vs. Force?
Micheline Trottier: Yes, it discusses levels of consciousness.
Magazica: Right, love being the highest, and shame being the lowest.
Micheline Trottier: Precisely. Guilt is right down there as well.
Magazica: It’s fascinating how you connect these challenging feelings to a vibrational understanding.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, I do my best to keep my vibration high by practicing gratitude daily, and it’s about the journey of helping others, drawing from my experiences.
Magazica: It’s inspiring how you’ve managed to overcome those challenges and now help others facing similar situations. The other day, we spoke with Jen, who mentioned that post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to post-traumatic growth.
Micheline Trottier: Absolutely, I completely agree with that perspective.
Magazica: So, turning trauma into opportunities for growth.
Micheline Trottier: Exactly. It’s about transforming those challenges into new possibilities for personal development.
Magazica: So, how can someone—not only a woman but anyone—start to rebuild their confidence after a relationship crisis? What are the first steps they should take?
Micheline Trottier: Well, the first step is to acknowledge their feelings and experiences, allowing them to process those emotions without judgment. The next step is to create a support network, as it is essential during this time.
Magazica: Absolutely.
Micheline Trottier: Surround yourself with positive people. This might also mean connecting with a professional who understands your situation. It’s important to find someone who you feel safe and comfortable with, to be a coach for you. Based on what my clients have shared, they found that therapists often did not provide the same level of support as their coaches did. A good coach can guide you through your transformation.
In my experience, the therapist I worked with didn’t grasp what I was going through, even though he was a marriage counselor. Nothing he said resonated with me.
To build your confidence, I recommend making a list of your strengths. I always start by asking, “What are you good at?” Identifying your powerful skills can be empowering.
Acknowledging what makes you feel powerful is a good reminder of your capabilities, especially during tough times. I often tell my clients, “Remember how good you are at this? You are amazing and powerful and can do anything you put your mind to!”
Magazica: You mentioned the term “coach,” which is very powerful. Recently, I listened to a discussion about the difference between a coach and a mentor. A coach guides you through every step of the process. They act like a GPS, directing you on where to turn, and when to stop, and alerting you to any obstacles along the way. In contrast, mentors provide road signs. They offer guidance but are not with you at every turn. For example, they might inform you of speed limits but do not give ongoing directions.
Micheline Trottier: Yes!
Magazica: A coach constantly monitors your progress, which is why finding a coach is so important during challenging times. At that moment, you might feel a sense of emptiness or numbness, so having that continuous support is vital.
Micheline Trottier: Exactly!
Magazica: What you said resonates deeply with a podcast I recently heard. Though it focused on entrepreneurship, the core message about support remains relevant across various fields.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, it’s fascinating how interconnected these concepts are. However, I must emphasize that not all coaches are the same. When searching for a coach, it’s wise to speak with several to find someone you feel comfortable with. I’ve heard clients say they found previous coaching sessions stressful, so it’s crucial to ensure your coach creates a safe and welcoming environment.
Magazica: Absolutely.
Micheline Trottier: Currently, I’m involved in a women-centered coaching program that focuses on fostering safety and creating a supportive space for women.
Magazica: That brings us back to our initial discussion. You mentioned that people feel safe with you. This sense of safety is fundamental.
Micheline Trottier: Holding the space. Yes, exactly.
Magazica: Fantastic! Everything is falling into place as our conversation unfolds.
Micheline Trottier: Beautiful.
Magazica: Thank you for that. Now, let’s focus on two aspects: one tangible and one intangible. How do you guide women in managing an intangible issue like loneliness and a tangible issue like financial instability during challenging times? What are the nuances or steps you take?
Micheline Trottier: Loneliness and isolation were significant challenges when I first separated. I recommend viewing this experience in two ways: you can see yourself as a victim, feeling alone and helpless, which will keep you stuck; or you can embrace it as an opportunity for self-reflection, and begin to move forward.
This is a pivotal time to reconnect with yourself and ask questions like, “Who am I now? What do I want to do? Where do I want to go?” Being open to change is essential.
Magazica: So true.
Micheline Trottier: Regarding financial instability, my first recommendation is to open your own bank account and get your own credit card if you have joint accounts. It’s crucial to monitor your joint accounts closely to prevent any surprises.
Next, create a simple budget to assess your current financial situation. Your expenses may have changed due to possibly having only half of the previous income. If you find yourself short on income, consider exploring new career options or starting a business to improve your financial stability.
I also suggest reaching out to a financial advisor for support. During my own transition, I often felt numb and struggled to make decisions. Having professional guidance can be invaluable.
Magazica: Absolutely. To summarize, during such times, it’s important to seek help for both internal healing and external survival—physically and financially.
Seek out professionals who can guide you with compassion. You emphasized the importance of self-reflection. Let’s delve a little deeper into that.
Can you discuss the significance of letting go of guilt and shame, as well as addressing low self-esteem? We’ve touched on these topics, but let’s explore them further regarding post-traumatic growth or any kind of personal growth.
Micheline Trottier: Letting go of shame and guilt is crucial for personal growth. These emotions can keep you stuck and hinder progress, isolating you from creating healthy relationships and new opportunities. They can prevent you from moving forward in life.
Magazica: That’s very insightful.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, they are isolating emotions that hold you back. Was there another part to your question?
Magazica: Thank you for sharing that perspective. The other part of the question pertains to the importance of letting go of guilt, shame, and similar feelings. What is their overall impact?
Micheline Trottier: Guilt, shame, and low self-esteem can significantly hinder personal growth. They keep you stuck, preventing you from moving forward and fully engaging with life.
Magazica: Is there any tool you would recommend to someone experiencing stress, overwhelm, or anxiety? For instance, some people suggest journaling, mindfulness, or meditation.
Micheline Trottier: Absolutely, journaling is one of my top recommendations. First and foremost, it’s essential to become aware of your emotions. Journaling is effective for expressing those feelings; when emotions are bottled up, it leads to stagnation. I encourage using paper and pen for journaling. Writing helps to externalize your feelings and provides a tangible way to track your progress. You can revisit past entries and see how far you’ve come, which can instill a sense of hope and motivate you to continue moving forward.
Magazica: I’ve been journaling with a physical pen and paper for the last 20 years, and it has become a self-care routine for me.
Micheline Trottier: That’s wonderful! Journaling is indeed a perfect self-care practice.
Magazica: What role do you think self-care routines, such as positive self-talk and having a supportive social network, play in reclaiming one’s power? Could you elaborate on journaling and suggest other practical self-care tips?
Micheline Trottier: Some self-care tools I utilize in my coaching include breathing techniques, like the Square Breath, which is particularly effective for managing stress. The Navy SEALs employ this technique in high-stress situations, and it can quickly help calm your nerves.
Magazica: I wasn’t aware of that.
Micheline Trottier: It’s crucial to identify what triggers your stress and anxiety. Is it negativity from certain people or situations? Reducing exposure to negativity can be beneficial.
Journaling is an excellent outlet for emotions. In addition to that, engaging in self-care activities such as spending time in nature can be very grounding and uplifting. Other self-care practices include enjoying a hot bath, meditation, and participating in hobbies that bring you joy—especially those you may have set aside due to past circumstances or external influences.
Magazica: That makes sense.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, reconnecting with activities that bring you happiness is vital for improving self-esteem and overall well-being. It’s important to focus on things you enjoy and excel at.
Magazica: However, with that influence comes a wide range of opinions, which can often lead to misinformation. In this age of information overload, what advice would you give to women who feel stuck in their lives or are uncertain about the future? For instance, some may feel they’re not making any progress, while others may be anxious about changes in job landscapes or family dynamics, especially amidst personal crises.
Micheline Trottier: I suggest taking time to reconnect with yourself. Listen to your intuition; it’s a powerful tool. Women often possess a strong sense of intuition, yet we sometimes neglect to trust our feelings. So, it’s essential to become more familiar with those emotions.
Be patient and kind to yourself, especially when you feel stuck or uncertain. It’s perfectly okay not to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to know everything at once. Instead, focus on taking one small step toward self-discovery and see what unfolds from there.
Have faith and stay positive. Let go of negativity and refrain from dwelling on negative thoughts that suggest things won’t work out. Instead, adopt a curious mindset. Ask yourself questions like, “What if I tried this?” Be open to change and remain flexible.
Magazica: Nice points! And powerful too!
Micheline Trottier: You know, something that has been powerful for me is asking myself “I wonder what would happen if”… and that opens up a lot of possibilities. It’s important to trust your intuition and yourself. Our gut feelings tell us a lot, so we must learn to trust that.
Magazica: I like the idea: the imagination of danger can be more perilous than the actual danger.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, that’s so true!
Magazica: When you start thinking in terms of “what if,” you’re essentially opening up possibility in your mind. This allows you to face it and analyze it. Another crucial point you’ve mentioned is about trusting your feelings. Coming from the business world with an HR background, I often discuss this with corporate professionals.
Micheline Trottier: Trusting that things will work out for you is vital. Having faith is also essential.
Magazica: It’s true; we create our reality through our thoughts. Successful business people often tell us that out of the many things they’ve tried, only a few succeed. For instance, they might succeed in just five out of fifty attempts, but they never fail to trust themselves.
Micheline Trottier: I love that.
Magazica: They maintain a deep trust in themselves. While ventures, ideas, and products may fail, they keep moving forward.
Micheline Trottier: Yes, using failure as an experience to progress is important.
Magazica: Absolutely. Transforming challenges into opportunities is such a powerful message. Now, onto the final official question. I initially thought we were wrapping up, but the conversation has been so engaging that I must ask this: How do you envision yourself in the future? What is your vision for personal growth and rebranding, and how do you plan to leverage your experiences to help other women?
Micheline Trottier: I believe that every woman I help creates a ripple effect. When I assist someone, they can also help others around them. My vision is to empower 10,000 women. If each of them can help ten others, that’s a potential reach of 100,000 women.
Magazica: Wow! What a grand and philanthropic vision!
Micheline Trottier: That’s my vision. I know that for every life that I transform, the ripple effect will be profound.
Magazica: That’s incredibly powerful and beautifully expressed. On that positive note, I hope that Mother Nature supports you in your endeavors. May you spread positive vibrations throughout society. You could become a significant source of inspiration. We’ll conclude our conversation for today, but if you have time, we would love to continue this discussion. Thank you very much.
Micheline Trottier: That’s so kind of you to say. Thank you, Suman.
Magazica: Thank you.
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Micheline Trottier
Micheline Trottier is a certified life coach based in North Bay, Ontario. She specialises in empowering women going through separation and divorce by helping them build confidence and embrace their new chapter in life. She provides one-on-one coaching programs for women facing these challenges.