From Disability To Possibility & Purpose w/ Guest Michelle Steiner | #36 | The Why Of It All

They said she couldn't, and so she did! In this inspirational conversation, Melanie and Gina sit down with Michelle Steiner — a writer, photographer, para-educator, and advocate who was born with Dyscalculia, a learning disability that shaped her entire childhood.
From early on, Michelle was told she would never go to college…
…would never have the career she wanted…would never live independently…would never succeed. And yet — she did.

Michelle opens up about her early struggles with academics and bullying, the stigma around accommodations, the pain of feeling “different,” and the quiet courage it took to advocate for herself when even professionals doubted her potential. She shares how she grieved the life she thought she “should” have had, and how acceptance opened the door to purpose, creativity, and self-confidence.

Today, Michelle is living a life filled with meaning and purpose — empowering students with disabilities, writing about her experience, capturing extraordinary beauty through her photography, and embracing the simple pleasures that keep her grounded, present, and connected to joy.

This episode explores:
✨ Dyscalculia, learning disabilities & the emotional reality behind them
✨ The Growth Spiral — the Healing Journey experience of revisiting old wounds from a new level of awareness
✨ Grieving the life you imagined & embracing the one you were given
✨ The courage to choose your own path when others say you can’t
✨ How recognizing the small joys and daily presence become powerful mindset practices
✨ Building confidence after years of insecurity and self-doubt
✨ Why empathy becomes a superpower
✨ Turning pain into purpose, and limitations into gifts

If you’ve ever felt underestimated, different, or dealt a bad hand — Michelle’s story will remind you of what’s possible when you refuse to give up on yourself.

To follow Michelle’s work, writing and photography, visit:
🌿 www.michellesmission.com
🌿 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16kKJpUMfq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🌿 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steiner7250?igsh=d3AwcXM2bXFodGxh
🌿 email: [email protected]

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Legal Disclaimer: We're not doctors—just two people sharing our own healing journeys, and what we’ve learned along the way. This podcast is for conversational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.