Awkward and Proud: Michele Molitor Of Nectar Consulting On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be Your Social Superpower
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Give yourself loving kindness — just as you would a friend. Be the love, kindness, and compassion for yourself that you wish to receive from others. It can be challenging at times, especially in the face of failure. Remember that FAIL is short for “First Attempt In Learning.” Take that #fail and learn what you need to learn and keep moving ahead with grace as you make different choices going forward. When you know better you do better.
In a world that often pressures us to fit in, embracing quirks and authenticity can become a unique advantage. Leaning into what makes you different, even if it feels awkward, can foster genuine connections and unlock personal empowerment. In this series, we would like to explore how embracing one’s true self can transform social interactions and become a powerful tool for building meaningful relationships.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Michele Molitor.
Michele Molitor is a force for positive change in today’s challenging mental health landscape. As a master coach, clinical hypnotherapist, speaker, and co-author of the international best-selling book, “I Am Perfectly Flawsome: How Embracing Imperfection Makes Us Better,” she has dedicated her career to helping others activate transformational change in their lives, both personally and professionally.
As CEO of Nectar Consulting, Inc., Michele’s expertise focuses on empowering professionals to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and the stress that often saturates modern work environments. Her approach is practical: to bring dignity into our communications that foster emotional well-being through genuine acceptance, belonging, and meaningful connection — with ourselves and others.
Clients affectionately dubbed her “The Mind Detective,” not just for her intuitive insights, but for her unique Rapid Rewiring™ approach that effectively combines neuroscience and positive psychology with the healing powers of somatic therapy and mindfulness practices. The results? Tangible improvements that make a real, lasting difference in people’s lives.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
My career journey has been a winding road but ultimately, a very fulfilling one!
In my previous career, I was a creative director working in high tech in Silicon Valley. It was an exciting and demanding time of working 80-hour weeks. Looking back though, it was a toxic work environment, which led to being bullied out of my position, leaving me with a massive case of imposter syndrome and corporate PTSD.
Yet there was a silver lining!
This catalytic event pointed me to a budding new industry called “career coaching” to determine my next steps. And in the process of being coached, I discovered my true calling and purpose for serving others. I boldly pivoted my career by getting trained and certified as a professional coach and started my company Nectar Consulting, Inc. in 2001.
Over the last 23 years of my practice, I’ve become a lifelong learner, constantly feeding my brain with new research to continually up my game. That thirst for knowledge led me to uncover the power of neuroscience, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and hypnotherapy.
I quickly realized how impactful combining these modalities can be and have continued my educational trainings to become a certified clinical hypnotherapist as well. Adding these tools to my skillset has expanded the depth and breadth of my work and formed the basis of my unique Rapid Rewiring™ approach. It helps facilitate the rapid transformation and release of limiting beliefs held in a person’s subconscious mind and nervous system. Empowering them to adopt new beliefs, habits, and strategies for success so they can go on to live their best lives.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I would have to say that my parents have always inspired me and my work. They have been married for almost 66 years now and business partners for most of that as well. I learned a lot from them simply by witnessing as a young child their tenacity, hard work, and determination, starting from nothing and going on to create multiple thriving businesses together over their lifetime.
Even though I took a different path, not working in the family business with my siblings, they have always encouraged me in their own ways. We didn’t always see eye to eye on my choices, but my father has always said to me, “Here’s my opinion. Now you do what you think is best.” Even though my career path has always been completely outside of their wheelhouse, they have always cheered me on from the sidelines.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Here are some things I’ve learned along my path thus far:
- Tenacity is key. In the face of self-doubt, haters, or a lack of clarity in ways that makes you feel sometimes really uncomfortable, keep going. Uncomfortable Happens.
Once when I was working on a big consulting proposal, one much bigger than I had previously bid on, I noticed a tingling in the top of my head, a squirm in my seat, and a desire to get up and have a snack. Anything to avoid sitting and working through this big proposal. Yet, in that moment I caught myself. I realized that I was bumping up against the edge of my comfort zone! So instead of avoiding the challenge at hand, I leaned into the squirm. I stuck with it, sat at my desk, and finished it. Then I got to celebrate my win of successfully completing a winning proposal in the face of my own self-doubt.
Always remember, “Uncomfortable Happens. Keep Going!” You’ll be glad you did.
2. Self-Love & Compassion. Being a solopreneur isn’t always easy and it isn’t for the faint of heart! It is a journey filled with ups and downs and unexpected zingers from left field. Giving yourself some love and compassion when things don’t go as planned or intended is another key character trait to have.
For example, a couple of years ago I created an amazing online program, “How To Become UnShakeable.” It’s about overcoming fear and self-doubt to regain your confidence. I poured my heart and soul into creating this course. For me, it is a work of art. Yet, when I launched it, it didn’t fly as expected. I was so disappointed by the lack of results. Yet, I was able to give myself some time to sit in my puddle of disappointment, then I regrouped, recouped, and relaunched it at a later date to finally achieve the success I knew was possible and the positive impact I had always intended.
3. Remembering You Are Enough. This was a big lesson for me. My “Not Enoughness” belief was a set of fear blinders I had been walking around with my whole life. Until I finally figured out how to transform that negative self-talk into more empowering self-love. By learning how to release those fear blinders, I was able to see the abundance of everything available to me when I believed in myself.
“I’m not enough” is a common limiting belief that so many folks tell themselves and is often a misconception that is acquired early in life by our experiences. It doesn’t take much for a young mind to misinterpret someone’s words or actions, creating a deeply held belief that they’re not enough in some way.
When you can remember that You ARE Enough, then doors open when there once was only a perceived wall.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Can you recall a moment when embracing your awkwardness led to a meaningful personal or professional breakthrough? What shifted for you in that experience?
After getting bullied out of my high-tech position, I carried a lot of shame about it for many years. Always blaming myself, I had a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda’s happening that perpetuated the negative emotions of that difficult life event.
When I finally was able to leave it in the past, such that it no longer negatively impacted my nervous system, I was able to talk about it as a learning moment instead. I was able to reclaim my confidence and my voice. Sharing the challenges of that awkward moment empowered me to turn it around into my passion and purpose as a coach. Helping other women to rebuild their confidence and dial down their anxiety after getting caught in toxic workplace environments or relationships.
Creating powerful shifts in my perspectives about that event (and many others) have enabled me to turn my pain into power, building a fulfilling and rewarding career beyond anything I could have imagined for myself.
What’s possible for you when you embrace your failures and learn from them?
Many people feel pressure to ‘fit in’ socially. What advice do you have for someone struggling to be their authentic self in a world that often rewards conformity?
This is such a great question. The first thing that pops into my mind is this amazing and brief TED talk “How to Start a Movement” by Derek Sivers. It’s about being the one who stands out and the first follower who dares to take a chance following you in what you’re doing.
You see, it is when we dare to stand out, to be ourselves and embrace our individuality, that we actually embolden others to follow us. Sometimes, without even trying. Simply because who you are being is so compelling it naturally draws others towards you, your energy, and the ideas (or dance moves) you’re inspiring.
There is only one, precious, unique YOU in the world.
Please be yourself. Everyone else is already taken!
How do you think embracing your quirks and imperfections can enhance connections with others, especially in professional or high-pressure settings?
When you allow your true quirky self to shine through instead of sporting a false facade that so many folks regularly wear, it makes you more relatable, more human. We are all perfectly imperfect, flawed, and awesome, a.k.a. Flawsome! When you can embrace your flawsome self, this often unconsciously puts others at ease in your presence, making it easier for them to be themselves too.
The energy of being yourself is quite valuable. I like to think of it as your superpower. When wielded with skill, it makes you more attractive and approachable by others as well. For example, I can hop on a zoom call with a business professional, someone I’ve never met before, and within minutes they trust me enough to open up, sharing aspects of their work and lives they’ve never shared with others. Creating a safe and trustworthy space is key for them to get the support they’re seeking. Thus, empowering them to speak their truth and be who they are authentically.
When this happens, that person often walks away feeling seen, heard, and appreciated. Even uplifted. And that is worth its weight in gold.
What role does vulnerability play in transforming awkwardness into a superpower? Can you share a time when showing vulnerability opened doors or strengthened relationships?
I’ve found through my work that when we share our own vulnerable stories with others, it helps create a more level playing field. It makes us more relatable, likeable, and approachable to others.
Years ago, in one of my very first coach training courses, the master coach and trainer John Vercelli said to me, “You know you’re much more approachable when you’re vulnerable.” At that moment in time, I thought he was utterly crazy! It made me squirm just thinking about trying to “Be Vulnerable!”
However, over the years I’ve come to see the wisdom in his advice and have finally adopted it whole-heartedly. Granted, it took me a while to shed my fears in order to Be Vulnerable with others yet in doing so, it has made all the difference.
From a more vulnerable place, it’s much easier to strike up conversations and attract to you the ideal clients you’re looking to work with and build long-lasting friendships, business relationships, and collaborations.
What are “5 Ways To Embrace Your True Self”?
1. Give yourself loving kindness — just as you would a friend. Be the love, kindness, and compassion for yourself that you wish to receive from others. It can be challenging at times, especially in the face of failure. Remember that FAIL is short for “First Attempt In Learning.” Take that #fail and learn what you need to learn and keep moving ahead with grace as you make different choices going forward. When you know better you do better.
2. Remember, You Are Enough. We are all human and we all make mistakes. It’s important to discern between Being enough and Doing enough. A perfect example is the Olympic athlete who trains their entire life to make it to the games and compete yet, falls short of standing on the podium to win a medal. This doesn’t mean they weren’t enough. It just means they fell short of their goal. As you consistently remind yourself that You ARE Enough, you’ll be achieving more goals and breaking through barriers with ease.
3. Release your need for perfectionism — Achieving perfection is merely illusion we create in the mind from a place of feeling “not enough.” And leads to over giving, over working, people-pleasing, and procrastinating. We are all perfectly flawed and awesome all at the same time. Embrace your flawsome. Get into action. And listen to your intuition to know when you’ve given it your best. Your body will thank you.
4. Find your authentic voice and share it with the world. No matter what your age, race, sexual identity, country of origin, or profession is, you have a unique perspective and experience to share with the world. Find your way to express it through your talents, genius, and gifts. Allow your gifts to shine, to inspire others and move mountains.
The world needs your voice. Now more than ever.
One of my favorite inspirational examples of this is Greta Thunberg. She never let her age, nor her neurodiversity stop her from speaking her truth. And just look at the worldwide impact her voice has made in raising awareness of the climate crisis.
5. Embrace your passions and purpose in the world. Find the thing that lights you up, gives you meaning and purpose and do more of that in the world. This is the fastest way to create a happy and fulfilled life. In my career I’ve worked with so many people who lack purpose in their work and lives. Causing them great anxiety and strife. By taking the time to do the inner work to find your calling, in whatever form that takes, it will give you a lifetime of blessings.
Do you believe that celebrating awkwardness can inspire innovation and creativity? How has staying true to yourself influenced your approach to problem-solving or leadership?
Absolutely! Our awkwardness and authentic voice are a representation of our own life experiences, knowledge, and know-how. It is our unique lens through which we see the world. This unique lens enables us to step into a place of flow — that place where time disappears and creativity flourishes — where ALL things are possible.
I like to think of myself as a “Possibilitarian” which comes from the Norman Vincent Peale quote: “Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities — always see them, for they’re always there.”
When we proudly celebrate and embrace our awkwardness, perceived obstacles and barriers can fall away. Leading to new possibilities for innovation and creativity emerging from the darkness, and revealing unexpected positive solutions to the problems at hand.
How can our readers further follow your work?
You can reach out to me anytime at www.MicheleMolitor.com where you’ll find my blog and other tools to feed your mind, heart, and spirit.
Or find me on these channels:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemolitor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapidrewire/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.molitor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/michelemolitor/
Book: www.IAmPerfectlyFlawsome.com
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Awkward and Proud: Michele Molitor Of Nectar Consulting On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be Your… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.