What happens when the life you built no longer feels like your own?

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with mental health professional, author, and speaker Nic Collins to talk about leaving corporate America, rebuilding his identity, and learning to see vulnerability as a strength rather than something to hide.

They explore the power of saying things out loud, finding community that allows you to show up honestly, releasing the pressure to be everything for everyone, and taking action before you have the entire path figured out.

Because you’re not behind, and step one is simply taking one step.

Learn more about Nic:

Nic Collins is a public speaker, mental health professional, and author with a passion for helping others live with authenticity, confidence, and alignment. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Maxwell Leadership certified speaker, coach, and facilitator.

He is the author of ADVANCE: Discover Alignment and Authenticity by Living in Concert With Your Situation. He is creator and co-host of the Constant Quest Podcast, and curator of The Constant Quest men's gathering in the mountains of north Georgia, focusing on community, connection, and growth.

Connect with Nic:

Website: https://niccollinsauthentic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_collins_authentic/

Purchase a copy of ADVANCE: https://a.co/d/0cv8hWGN

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

Michelle never expected to become a soccer fan, but the Men’s World Cup pulled her in fast.

In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, she shares the reminders she found in the tournament: the power of community, the joy of being a beginner again, the clarity that comes from participation, and why talent means very little without character.

It’s a light, personal episode about learning something new, finding unexpected joy, and paying attention to the lessons hiding in the things we love.

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

For years, Michelle believed doing everything herself was proof that she was capable. In reality, the lone-wolf mindset was keeping her isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported.

In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, she shares the five roles that make up a strong personal advisory board: the mentor, connector, accountability buddy, coach, and contrarian. She breaks down what each person brings to your life, why one person cannot be everything for you, and how to identify the role you need most right now.

You were never meant to do this alone. The real question is: who’s missing from your board?

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

In this episode of This Is Nothing New™️, Michelle sits down with Jessica Millhiser, owner of JMills Consulting, to talk about what it really means to get back to the basics in business.

They explore defining success for yourself, building a business around the life you actually want, and why sustainable growth requires more intention—not more trends, tools, or platforms. Jessica also shares the practices that keep her grounded, from protecting her calendar to removing social media from her phone, and explains why every service-based business is ultimately in the business of hospitality.

The reminder is simple: slow down, gain clarity, and take action toward the business and life you actually want.

More about Jessica Millhiser:

Jessica is the owner of JMills Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs build better businesses through stronger structure, clearer strategy, and intentional growth.

With nearly 20 years of experience in operations, administration, and leadership, Jessica works with service-based business owners to create the internal foundation their businesses need to grow sustainably. Her work focuses on operational clarity, client experience, strategic planning, and building systems that support long-term growth.

Jessica holds a master’s degree in Coaching & Administration and is known for her collaborative, direct, and action-oriented approach. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and their two cats.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.

Learn more about JMills Consulting.

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wasn't on Michelle's bucket list. It started with a simple "yes" to a friend's question and became a year-long journey of training, setbacks, self-doubt, 60-mile-an-hour winds, and one unforgettable summit.

In this episode, Michelle shares the story of climbing Kili—from recovering after COVID and learning the meaning of pole pole ("slowly, slowly") to sleeping in a flipped tent and standing on Uhuru Peak in a whiteout. Along the way, she uncovers timeless lessons about resilience, focusing on the next step, celebrating progress, adapting when plans fall apart, and staying committed to the work instead of obsessing over the outcome.

Because the biggest goals aren't reached all at once. They're reached one next step at a time.

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

Most people don’t struggle with goals because they lack discipline. They struggle because the way they’re setting goals is broken from the start.

In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle breaks down the real reasons your goals fall apart. From goals that were never actually yours, to plans that are too vague to execute, to systems that don’t account for what happens when things get hard. And in some cases, the deeper issue is avoidance.

If you’ve ever started the year with momentum and lost it by February, or you keep circling the same goal without real progress, this episode unpacks what’s actually going on underneath that pattern.

Michelle walks through what actually works: getting clear on what you want right now (not what you think you should want), building a plan you can actually execute, using a pre-mortem to anticipate obstacles before they show up, and creating checkpoints so progress is visible before the finish line.

Remember, you’re not bad at goals. Your approach has been wrong.

Interested in learning more about 1on1 coaching opportunities with Michelle? Click here to book a free discovery call.

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

This week, I'm sharing a conversation I had on the Action Lab Leadership Podcast with host Danny Gruening, who also happens to be my husband.

We explore how leaders accidentally hold their teams back by trying to protect them, why curiosity can sometimes become procrastination, what I've learned about giving difficult feedback, and how keeping promises to yourself impacts your confidence.

Because sometimes the thing getting in your way isn't a weakness at all. It's a strength that's been taken a little too far.

This is a conversation about self-awareness, leadership, and recognizing when your best qualities might be creating unintended consequences.

Learn more about the Action Lab Leadership Podcast:

https://actionlableadership.com/podcast/

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle explores one of the simplest concepts in personal development—and one of the easiest to overlook: attitude.

Through a candid story about a coaching client and a surprising realization from her own year-end reflection, she unpacks how quickly we can let other people's energy, feedback, or behavior shape our outlook.

You'll learn why attitude is one of the few things completely within your control, how pessimism quietly influences your decisions and relationships, and why the people around you have a bigger impact on your perspective than you may realize.

Because sometimes the difference between an ordeal and an adventure isn't the situation—it's the attitude you bring to it.

Have a question? Send us a message!

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellegruening.com
Instagram: @michellegruening
LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening