Meet Michelle Mikolis | Registered Nurse and Transformational Holistic Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Mikolis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My business creates impact by helping people do the inner work—healing themselves, overcoming challenges, and breaking through the patterns that have been holding them back. And here’s the thing about that: when one person does this work, it doesn’t just change their life. It creates a ripple effect on everyone they come into contact with.

When someone becomes more self-aware, emotionally regulated, and aligned with their purpose, it improves every area of their life—not just their own well-being, but their relationships, their parenting, their leadership—everything.

And it doesn’t stop there. Change like this is contagious. I’ve had clients tell me that because of the shifts they’ve made, the people around them—partners, family, friends, even coworkers—have been inspired to start making positive changes in their own lives too.

For example, when I work with nurses, that ripple effect extends far beyond the well-being of the nurse. As they heal, grow, and regulate their own nervous systems, they’re able to show up with more presence, compassion, and resilience—not just for themselves, but for their patients. When a nurse is thriving, the quality of care they provide dramatically improves. That means better outcomes, better patient experiences, and ultimately, a shift in the healthcare system from the inside out.

This kind of transformation isn’t just personal; it’s collective. It has the power to shift generational patterns, break cycles of burnout, stress, and self-doubt, and create healthier, more connected communities. Healing spreads. Growth spreads. And that’s what makes this work so powerful—not just for the individual, but for the world.

Because every life I touch, touches more lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began my career as a nurse in telemetry and later transitioned to the ICU. Like many nurses, I was drawn to the profession by a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. But over time, I found myself burned out and deeply unfulfilled. I knew I wanted to help people in a deeper, more meaningful way, but at the time, I didn’t know what that would look like, and I didn’t see a clear path forward.

For years, I searched for something that would bring me both fulfillment and freedom—trying everything from becoming a yoga teacher to working in social selling. Those experiences were important stepping stones, but as I stepped outside my comfort zone, they also surfaced the inner blocks that were holding me back—self-doubt, fear of judgment, procrastination. That’s when I realized I needed support and started working with coaches myself.

That decision changed everything. I eventually became a board-certified transformational holistic coach, blending my background in nursing with a holistic, integrative approach. What sets my work apart is that I don’t just focus on mindset or outer behavior change—I help people create real, lasting change at the root so they can break free from the patterns keeping them stuck.

But getting here hasn’t been easy. Entrepreneurship has challenged me in ways I never expected. I had to unlearn perfectionism, stop overcomplicating things, and trust myself in a way I never had before. Looking back, every challenge I faced was part of the process—teaching me resilience, patience, and the importance of trusting the journey.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that every struggle I went through was necessary to shape me into the person I needed to become. At the time, I just wished things would’ve been easier, but looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges because they pushed me to seek the right support, do the deeper inner work, and truly heal and grow in ways I never would have on my own.

What I want people to know is that change is possible, no matter how stuck they feel. I’ve been there—I know what it’s like to want more but not know how to get there. The struggles aren’t roadblocks; they’re invitations to grow. And with the right support, you can break free from what’s been holding you back and step into something so much bigger than you ever thought possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, this is so hard because there are just so many incredible places to choose from in LA , so this is in no way an exhaustive list—just some of the first places that come to mind. (Although unfortunately, many places in LA have been impacted by the recent fires, so this list is going to look a little different than it would have a few months ago.)

I think in terms of food, we’d kick things off at Grand Central Market downtown. It’s an iconic food hall and market, perfect for sampling a bit of everything with foods from all over the world.

I would also insist that they try my favorite pizza. I’m obsessed with L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Hollywood. It’s just like the one in Naples (the famous one that Julia Roberts ate at in Eat, Pray, Love), but without the crazy two-hour line. In my opinion, the pizza is just as good, and the ambiance is beautiful.

LA has killer sushi, so I would definitely make sure we had sushi at least once while they were here. If we’re keeping it classic and simple, you can’t go wrong with Sugarfish. If they were open to dropping some $$$ for some no-frills, top-notch sushi, I would say let’s do Sushi Park. But honestly, my local hole-in-the-wall sushi spot, Shintaro, in Hollywood never disappoints either. Or if they really wanted the iconic LA vibe, I’d take them to Nobu Malibu, which combines great sushi with ocean views for a more high-end overall experience.

A few other places I would take them are Gjelina in Venice for their farm-to-table dishes with a rustic-chic vibe and Geoffrey’s Malibu, which is right on the ocean. Every time I’m there, it feels like I’m on a mini-vacation. For a cozy ramen night, Jinya Ramen hits the spot. And if they’re up for it, authentic Korean BBQ is always a fun, interactive meal for out-of-towners who may not have access to this in their home city.

I’m not a drinker these days, but some spots are worth it for the vibe alone. We’d head to the rooftop at Hotel Erwin in Venice for sunset—this spot is right along the beach, and it’s a beautiful place to watch the sunset. They even have some great mocktails too.

For a unique experience, I’d suggest Good Times at Davey Wayne’s in Hollywood. It’s this cool speakeasy where you enter through a vintage fridge door. If you’re a 70’s lover, this is the spot. It’s worth checking out just for the fun vibe and décor.

One thing I love about LA is the easy access to nature and all the hiking options in the area.

We’d definitely hit up the Griffith Observatory—the views are killer, and the trails around there are great.

Runyon Canyon is a classic hike with awesome city views that is right near my house, so I am sure we would end up there at least one day. It’s a great place to get a little exercise before we head out to explore for the day.

My local favorite is the Wisdom Tree Hike. It’s especially magical at sunset with 360-degree views. I like to head up just before dusk with headlamps, watch the sunset, and then hike down under the stars. This hike is steep and a great workout, yet not too long. If we have extra time, we may even add hiking to the back of the Hollywood sign too.

Otherwise, I’d take them to Lake Hollywood Park for a great view of the Hollywood sign.

I would also suggest a drive through Beverly Hills and a stroll or at least a drive down the iconic Rodeo Drive.

For artsy vibes, LACMA is a must, especially for that iconic IG photo in front of the lights.

If they visited in summer, I’d suggest catching a show at the Hollywood Bowl or an outdoor movie at Cinespia in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

If we can get a reservation, I would also suggest a night at the Magic Castle—it’s this exclusive spot filled with magic and old Hollywood charm. This is definitely a favorite place to take out-of-town guests.

For more live music, The Baked Potato is a tiny, unassuming spot that’s actually kind of legendary in the jazz world. It’s super intimate—just a small room with a stage—but the musicians who play here are next-level. Oh, and yes, they do serve giant baked potatoes, which is random but also part of the whole experience.

And then there’s The Toledo Show in Santa Monica, which is a whole vibe. It’s this cool mix of jazz and burlesque—sexy, moody, and totally captivating. Definitely something different and worth checking out.

We’d spend one evening catching a comedy show at The Comedy Store or The Improv. They always have so many great comedians.

And no trip to LA would be complete without a visit to Venice Beach. It’s the ultimate spot for people-watching, soaking in the eclectic, artsy vibes, checking out the street performers, and of course, Muscle Beach. And if they’re really in the mood for more street performers, we could take a walk down the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica—it’s always got something going on.

I would also suggest a bike ride from Marina del Rey down through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, and Redondo, riding along the bike path (The Strand) and maybe stopping for food on one of the piers.

Last but not least, I’d take them to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades for Sunday service and to walk through the meditation gardens. It’s honestly one of the most magical places in all of LA.

Even with all this, we’d only be scratching the surface of what LA has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many incredible coaches, mentors, and thought leaders who have influenced me on my journey, but if I had to give a shoutout to one, it would be Alyssa Nobriga. She has been my mentor and coach over the past year and has had the biggest impact on me—not just as a coach, but in my own healing and transformation.

When I found her program, I had already been a certified coach for over a year. I had invested in multiple coaches and business programs, but I still didn’t feel fully confident in my ability to create real transformation for my clients.

Many previous mentors had told me, “It’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about who you’re BEING.” But I didn’t fully grasp that concept until I found Alyssa and her coaching program, The Institute of Coaching Mastery—that was when I was finally able to truly embody the version of myself that I wanted to become.

Through her work, I’ve stepped into an entirely new way of being. Her program not only deepened my skills as a coach but was also pivotal in my own healing and transformation. I don’t even feel like the same person I was before—in the best way. It has completely shifted how I show up in my daily life, helping me navigate challenges with more confidence, stay grounded in who I am, and approach both my life and my work with a deeper sense of trust and alignment. Thanks to her mentorship, I now have the tools and confidence to facilitate real, lasting change for my clients.

Website: https://www.michellemikoliscoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic.nurse.michelle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.mikolis

Image Credits
Shlomit Levy Bard