SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BURN THE HOUSE DOWN TO FIND HOME.
Not always, but sometimes (don’t let that scare you!).
I often ask people to describe the last time they truly felt like their authentic self. The purest form of who they really are. There’s usually a long pause while they think about it. Sometimes they can’t even remember. And I get that. For many people, it was decades ago. That was me until I had to crack open like a seed and grow.
Finding my own personal Breath+Fire has transformed my life. My inner flame, which was either a pilot light or a blazing inferno is now a controlled blaze. I have been on my own intimate healing path of recovery from double hip replacement surgery, addiction, grief and a marital separation which has created a deeper sense of compassion and understanding for myself. Essentially, a road to self-love. It is my true desire to create transformative and customized experiences for others that hold space for them to find their own Breath & Fire within life’s journey.
But I can’t express how grateful I am to have finally decided to find that authentic woman again. Being in recovery pushed me to re-examine everything I was and everything I wanted. It forced me to reconnect to my breath, to find my calm, and to reignite the fire inside, to find my passion again.
I think we’re always in recovery from something. No matter what has happened to us, we’re always living with and working through the trauma of our lives. But it can be better than that. You can come home. Let me help.
Michelle’s Professional Bio:
Michelle Hillier, B.Ed., OCT, CCAR, FIS
Michelle is on a fierce mission to ignite the limits of wellness—and she’s bringing you into the circle.
As a TEDx speaker, educator, and published author, Michelle has spent over two decades helping people unlock their hidden potential through movement, creativity, and radical self-discovery. But she’s not here for the status quo—she’s here to ignite something deeper.
Her mantra? "When you move YOUR way, you can't get it wrong." It’s that simple, yet that transformative. From captivating large crowds to intimate coaching sessions, Michelle’s message has sparked millions to reclaim their power and move beyond their limits. A certified yoga and breathwork teacher, movement specialist, and recovery coach, Michelle is a master alchemist, blending years of expertise with her own journey to create something unique.
Professional performer turned post-secondary arts education and wellness educator—but that’s the beginning of what she brings to people. Breath + Fire is where she merges all her passions, knowledge, and lived experience into a dynamic platform for radical change. Awaken Your Flame is more than a program—it’s a revolution. It’s a call to action for anyone ready to step into their power, clarity, and healing.
With Michelle, it’s all about creating safe, transformative spaces for people to reconnect with their inner flame. Through tailored coaching, workshops, and immersive retreats, she leads you to live boldly in alignment with your deepest truth—your essence, your passions, your fire.
Ready to awaken your flame? Let Michelle show you how to light it up.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto (Certified Ontario Teacher)
Recovery Coach (Recovery Coach University
Dance/Movement Specialist, York University
Certified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance
Trauma Informed Movement Educator
Certified Meditation/Social Emotional Learning Facilitator, Breathe for Change
Certified E-Speaker, eSpeakers
Transformational Breathwork Coach (Breath Masters Academy)
Fitness Instructor Specialist, Can-Fit-Pro
Career Highlights
Sought after educator, speaker (TEDx, SunLife, BMO, Loblaws/Shoppers, WestJet, SHAPE America to name a few….see Media page for more info) podcast guest and published author/content creator. Transformed millions of lives with her message through large crowd presentations (up to 3000+), workshops, trainings, content creation and one-on-one coaching and experiences. Her work has spanned a broad range of industries taking her internationally with her message.
Pioneer in movement education, designing and delivering teacher training and workshops dedicated to inspire leaders and educators to make movement more accessible, as well as creator and founder of the “Groove for Kids” program, reaching more than one million youth in 800+ sites across North America
Recovery coaching and companioning for Greenestone Centre for Addiction and Recovery as well as personal one-on-one coaching for clients in all facets of personal recovery (addiction, embodiment, lifestyle, wellness)
Podcast guest interviews on shows such as The Addicted Mind, Sense of Soul and current weekly host for She Walks Canada
Creator of movement programming for Skillastics, reaching over 10,000 children across the USA
Author of the Teaching Dance and Movement Education in Physical and Health Education in Canada (2019)
Sessional lecturer on faculty at Ontario Tech University, former Instructional Leader in York University for current teachers and teacher candidates, shaping their philosophy of creativity and the arts in the classroom
Interviews with CP24, The Morning Show, CTV News, CBC, Breakfast Television Toronto, 680 News and Toronto Star regarding dance and movement and the reach of programming across North America