Women in Wellness Series: Michele McPherson on Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Nervous System Healing & Redefining Success

What does it look like to build a life where wellness isn’t just a checklist—but a way of being?

For Michele McPherson, a Registered Social Worker and certified YogaFit Instructor specializing in trauma-sensitive yoga, wellness is an ongoing practice rooted in nervous system regulation, intentional boundaries, and a deep respect for the body-mind connection.

In this edition of the Women in Wellness series, Michele shares how her background in social work and somatic therapies helps women move beyond survival mode and into lives that feel nourishing, resilient, and whole.

🌅 “I try my very best to keep the bookends of my day consistent.”

As a mother of two and a helping professional, Michele knows that structure is key—but perfection is not the goal. Instead, she focuses on creating grounding rituals at the start and end of her day, allowing the middle to unfold with grace.

Her morning begins without a screen in sight. The phone stays off for at least an hour after waking, while her first sip of coffee becomes a quiet meditation. Then comes breakfast with her daughters—a moment of presence and connection that fuels her as much as her protein-rich smoothie or leftovers do.

"I’ve really noticed a difference since supporting my blood sugar," Michele shares. "Not just in my energy—but my nervous system, too. And my family thanks me for that!"

From humming in the car to regulating her breath before work to scheduling breaks between sessions, Michele intentionally weaves in nervous system resets throughout her day.

Evenings are dedicated to family, movement, and winding down with her non-negotiables: herbal tea, magnesium, lavender body cream, journaling, and a guided meditation.

💫 “Healing involves the brain, the nervous system, and the body.”

Michele’s passion for wellness is lifelong, beginning in childhood (yes—she once traded fruit roll-ups for cucumber slices!). But it wasn’t until university that she began merging her passion for movement and mental health.

Facilitating support groups in Toronto opened the door to integrating trauma-informed principles with physical practices like yoga and running. Now, through her work as a therapist, she draws from somatic psychology, polyvagal theory, and trauma-informed care to help clients understand how stress and emotion are stored in the body.

“I’m still in awe that I get to do this work,” she says. “It’s about helping people build emotional resilience by reconnecting with their body.”

✨ “We can’t care for others from an empty cup.”

When asked what she wishes more women knew about wellness, Michele doesn’t hesitate.

"The tendency to people-please and put ourselves last is so common—and so deeply ingrained. But when we prioritize our wellness, even in small ways, it has a ripple effect. Our brains literally build new pathways to associate self-care with positive outcomes, not guilt."

Her message? Start small. Notice how you feel. And watch the positive dividends compound over time.

🧭 “My daughters are my anchor point.”

At the heart of Michele’s work is a desire to model empowered wellness for her two young girls. She wants them to grow up with fewer barriers and more support—especially in male-dominated spaces like sport and leadership.

“I want them to find their voice. And to do that, I have to keep finding mine.”

It’s this purpose that fuels Michele’s commitment to advocacy and community support—and the reverence she brings to each client relationship.

“These women show up with so much strength and vulnerability. It’s an honour to walk alongside them.”

🤝 “We’re wired for connection—but more disconnected than ever.”

While social media offers quick ways to connect, Michele believes something essential has been lost in translation. In her practice, she sees how isolation, poor communication, and digital overwhelm have contributed to a collective sense of disconnection.

"We need real community. Eye contact. Nervous system co-regulation. And we have to work to rebuild those muscles."

🧘‍♀️ “This is my build phase.”

If Michele’s 20s were about pushing boundaries and chasing achievement, this chapter is about intentionality.

“I used to be caught in the trap of tying self-worth to doing more. Now, I focus on goals that feel meaningful throughout the process—not just in the outcome.”

It’s a quieter, more grounded version of wellness—one that celebrates micro-decisions, joy in the journey, and a definition of success rooted in wholeness, not hustle.

Michele McPherson reminds us that true wellness isn’t about checking every box—it’s about checking in with yourself.

From early morning rituals to trauma-informed therapy, from motherhood to magnesium tea—her story is one of coming home to the body, embracing the nervous system, and honouring the quiet strength of small, consistent shifts.

Connect with Michele:

Michele is a Registered Social Worker (RSW), certified YogaFit instructor, and trauma-informed yoga facilitator based in Sarnia, Ontario. She integrates holistic and evidence-based approaches to help women heal from the inside out. You can follow her journey on Instagram at @mindfully.michele