top of page
"There has never been a better time to learn who you truly are, giving you the courage to make your world more energized, inspired, and peaceful. This program will enable you to find more confidence within yourself so you can be more of a resource for your colleagues and loved ones. You won't find this type of curriculum anywhere else in the leadership development world, where the focus is on productivity and performance rather than on connection-enhancing solutions."
Melissa McMillan, Instructor for Embodying the Courage to Lead
The Invitation
Dear Conscious Leader,
Are you feeling an inner call to show up with bolder leadership in your life, but something keeps holding you back?
-
Maybe you're wanting to set more boundaries and find more balance, but you aren't feeling confident enough to communicate what you need to others.
-
Perhaps you're seeing opportunities to step up at work, but you're not sure you have what it takes to be successful?
-
Maybe you're craving more courage and moxy in your world instead of compliance and people-pleasing, and you're ready to become the change you wish to see in the world.
I understand because I was there too. Years ago, I felt the call to lead but I didn't know how to do it in a way that didn't leave me unsure, full of self-doubt, and exhausted. That's when I got in touch with who I really was– deep down, the unshakeable parts of me– and this knowing gave me the permission I needed to stand up for myself and others with courage, kindness and tact. This shift towards an anchor within myself transformed not only my impact as a leader but it also strengthened my relationship with colleagues, friends and family.
What I've learned through my own journey and in helping others is this: your True Self–once you've connected to it and deeply felt it–can help you create more positive change in your life than doing common "hacks" like changing habits or doing "self-care." This connection to your deeper self tethers you to something real that you can access anytime you need; it's a grounding in your being that can't be taken away from you and emboldens you to lead with passion and integrity.
The Embodying the Courage to Lead experience offers:
-
Science-backed how-tos and technical information rooted in the field of psychology, and so much more
-
Empowerment to embrace your unique experiences while honoring your intention to learn & cultivate sustainable leadership approaches that don't leave you exhausted
-
Meaning-and-growth-focused guidance in finding your authentic leadership voice
Are you ready to:
-
Be more confident than ever & step into the kind of leadership your world needs?
-
Create deeper connections at work and with your loved ones?
-
Build a soul-care routine that will support you when times get rough?
If you're feeling a pull from within to embark on this journey, I invite you to join us. Imagine how good it would feel to go to sleep each night feeling your inner strength, knowing you did the right thing in each hard situation you encountered that day and that you stayed within your integrity. Wouldn't that feel amazing? Let's find out!
With Love,
Melissa McMillan
"As I reflect on the training, I can find where many of my life choices were based on living from a lack of knowledge and understanding of my true self and strengths. In hindsight, I realize I have turned down many opportunities, personal and professional, out of fear. Through this program I now know those barriers and 'feelings' as vulnerability and humility and those feelings were likely coming from my true self."
- Jeannie O'Rourke, DPM; Physician
If you want to skip reading the whole landing page, you can watch this video where I explain the program.
Have questions? Email me at mmcmillan@well-beingcenter.org.
hi, it's melissa
I am a deeply sensitive, introverted and empathic Conscious Leader who loves to navigate the business world in ways that challenge the status quo and make people think of more healing ways of doing business.
Let me share a little bit more about myself, my story with the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® program, and how I grew into my own authentic leadership...
I wish I knew that...
...modeling the kind of behaviors I saw corporate leaders typically display was not the smartest way to learn how to influence and collaborate with others. Especially when trying to imitate them often ended up with me putting my foot in my mouth, leaving me embarrassed and completely unsure of myself.
From my 8+ years as a leader in EnergyTech, I've learned that one of the most important skills a leader must have to influence well while simultaneously building trust is self-awareness– awareness of who we truly are. This is because the challenges of the business world will ask us who we are and what we stand for each and every day. And without this self-knowledge, we'll constantly be blown around like a plastic bag in the wind, forever bending to whatever forces try to shape us, never leading with strength.
Well that's what I did for too long... and I learned my lesson!
Now, many years later, I can share the valuable wisdom I've gained from my own journey and use it to guide others. This program can help teach you what's essential for authentic leadership because the underlying process, the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® program, has helped countless individuals get in touch with their True Self and learn how to lead from the heart. By helping individuals connect with themselves in body, mind, heart and soul– and by going through the transformation myself– I've found that...
First, your core values are one of your most important resources for showing up more authentically in every aspect of your life. And yet, most people don't identify what those values are because they simply don't know how powerful integrating their values make them.
Second, your authenticity makes you a magnet for building trust and developing the courage to speak up for what you believe in. Most people unconsciously hold their authenticity back because they want to fit in, not ruffle any feathers, and just maintain the status quo– even though it's actually hurting them deep inside. And then they wonder why their lives aren't growing in the more meaningful direction they want it to.
And I also wish I knew back then that those who have realized true leadership success have done so because they understand that they're in it for the long haul in an ever-unfolding, lifelong process. I'm not here to promise you big, fancy overnight results, but I am here to help you dig deep by giving you down-to-earth tools and practices that when applied over time using your unique gifts and strengths, result in fulfilling outcomes that have a lasting impact.
And yes, more opportunities will likely begin to flow your way too because people will love your leadership and want you on their team.
About My Leadership
I've been in various leadership positions over the course of my career: as a Project Manager, Geophysicist, Data Scientist, Director, Vice President, and now as Senior Director at Well-Being Center of Colorado. By journeying through the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® (TFW) program over 2 years ago, I've learned a tremendous amount about myself. One of the biggest benefits I've seen in my life since taking TFW is that I've learned to listen to the inner voice inside of me when it asks me to lead with integrity. The connection I have with my own inner voice is so strong, it's given me the courage to live more boldly, even if I'm the only one to speak up about an important issue. Since I've been able to integrate the learnings from TFW into my life, I've been able to make my relationships stronger and my career more meaningful. And, as a bonus, I've been able to transition my career to teaching these beautiful strategies to others, which has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life so far!
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE WHEN YOU JOIN
What will I learn from this program?
The Embodying The Courage To Lead program offers 5 primary outcomes to participants:
1. Releasing Fear & Self Doubt.
Many leaders struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure. This program provides tools to:
- Identify and shift limiting beliefs that hold leaders back.
- Develop self-compassion, allowing leaders to embrace imperfection.
- Reframe challenges as growth opportunities rather than threats.
The Impact: Leaders become more confident in their decisions, even in uncertainty.
2. Strengthening Self-Awareness & Inner Alignment
Courageous leaders know who they are and what they stand for. This program helps leaders:
- Reflect deeply on their values, purpose, and strengths.
- Align their actions with their core beliefs.
- Lead with integrity, even when facing opposition.
The impact: Leaders inspire trust and loyalty by being consistent and principled.
3. Building Emotional Resilience & Handling Criticism
Leadership often involves difficult conversations and criticism. This framework teaches leaders how to:
- Regulate emotions under pressure through awareness and self-regulation techniques.
- Shift from reactive to intentional responses.
- Stay grounded in their purpose despite external challenges.
The impact: Leaders remain composed and steadfast in tough situations.
4. Fostering Authentic Connections & Vulnerability
True leadership isn’t about projecting perfection—it’s about connection. This program encourages leaders to:
- Embrace vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.
- Show up as their real selves, fostering trust with teams.
- Lead with empathy, listening deeply to others’ perspectives.
The impact: Teams feel psychologically safe, fostering collaboration and innovation.
5. Cultivating a Growth Mindset & Taking Bold Action
Courageous leaders take risks and embrace change. This approach helps leaders:
- Develop a growth mindset, seeing setbacks as learning opportunities.
- Overcome fear of failure by focusing on personal and collective growth.
- Take bold, values-driven action instead of playing it safe.
The impact: Leaders drive meaningful change and inspire others to do the same.
Final Thought:
Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to act despite it. Embodying The Courage To Lead helps leaders cultivate the inner strength needed to lead authentically, creating a lasting impact on their organizations and communities.
What will this 6 week experience cover?
I am guiding you into your most authentic way of expressing your leadership so that it simply becomes what you do without overthinking it.
You will learn and practice how to listen to your own heart and intuition to make aligned decisions, which is probably the most valuable leadership (and life!) skill you can ever have.
We are going to do the inner work so that you can be more aware of the drivers behind your fears of rejection, failure, and criticism and finally overcome them, releasing old narratives that are holding you back from confidently showing up in hard situations.
You will learn about the cultural masks you've learned to wear to survive and how you can take those masks off enough to express yourself authentically both at work and in life.
You will connect with the kind of leader you hope to be in the world by connecting to yourself in a deeper way. True courage comes from making the transformational shift from stress-driven seeking for external validation to an empowered, purpose-driven approach to leadership that leaves wholeness in its wake.
Of course, we'll also cover how to cultivate deep resiliency skills and recognize early signs of burnout. It's vital that we learn how to be sustainable leaders who can thrive in high-stress environments.
You'll know all the steps to become the kind of leader you want to be without the overwhelm, and you won't have to do it alone! You'll have 6 weeks of support and we'll be cheering you on! The magic of transformation is felt more deeply when you have accountability and are surrounded by those who believe in you.
Here is everything you'll receive:
6 Weekly Live Virtual Calls: Join for six 90-minute virtual sessions to receive teachings on how to reconnect with who you truly are, complete in-class exercises to practice overcoming fear with fellow participants, learn mindset and de-conditioning guidance, ask your questions, and work with Melissa DIRECTLY.
FULLY Live Call Presentations (using Zoom) you can access anytime during and after the program with downloadable PDF exercises and homework assignments.
A private membership portal with access to your course content for TWO YEARS.
PLUS you'll receive the following bonuses:
BONUS #1: TWO LIVE 1-hour Q&A sessions to help you integrate the learnings into your life.
I will host two 1-hour Q&A sessions in the weeks following the program so that you can receive additional support in implementing the course learnings into your life. Feel free to ask questions about specific situations, the course content, the bonus content, and whatever else you need to move forward with embodied confidence.
BONUS #2: A pre-recorded teaching for moving deeper into well-being
A wonderful way to connect even deeper to who you really are is to use the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® model in its native form. This model is designed to guide you to your deepest levels of well-being in body, mind, heart and soul. The Embodying The Courage to Lead program is rooted in the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® model and contains elements of the model using a piece-meal approach for the application of developing courageous leadership. You can leverage the model's power to achieve even deeper levels of inner peace, self-awareness, and clarity. I'll show you how to do that in a pre-recorded video.
BONUS #3: A Deeper Dive Into Understanding Your Shadow
An often unexplored dimension of cultivating authentic leadership is the incorporation of our "Shadow" into how we understand ourselves. "Shadow" is a concept introduced by Swiss psychologist Dr. Carl Jung and is the unconscious part of our psyche that contains aspects of ourselves that we don't like, so we repress, deny, or reject them. The problem with avoiding our Shadow is that it still exists inside of us and operates in the background of our human experience, influencing our behaviors, emotions and decisions–often in ways we don't realize. While we will cover the basics of our Shadow over the course of the 6-week program, we won't be able to go as in-depth as is usually needed to fully connect to and integrate our Shadow. So included in this program will be a pre-recorded video that will allow you to more deeply understand your shadow, identify some aspects of your Shadow, and understand how it influences your leadership today. I'll show how you can move toward self-acceptance and integration of your Shadow aspects, deepening your comfortability with vulnerability, authenticity, and self-love.
What makes this program unique?
This course will give you so much more than "just" the courage to be a better leader in the world. It is a deeply transformative experience that will refine your AUTHENTIC expression which will then flow into everything that you do... and create ripples of loving change in your life.
PLUS, in the emerging world of AI and increasing automation, all the guidance I've seen and heard from top experts in the working world agree on ONE thing:
Going forward AUTHENTICITY is the only way to be truly successful. If we don't learn how to connect with our true selves now, we'll keep trying to fit in and be like everyone else (or rely solely on AI to outsource our creativity), and we'll fall behind those who took the time to do the important inner work. Your life is asking you to be fully YOU, with zero compromises.
While I can't predict the future, I can feel deeply in my heart how true this is because I've felt the transformation myself and seen it in the lives of those I've helped.
I wholeheartedly believe that the harder path going forward will be following other people's ideas of who you should be as a leader by hiding your truth and values.
And, paradoxically, the truly easy and effortless way going forward is the bolder and radically more authentic way. It will take a bit of courage at first to step into your power as the conditioning you've learned has made it such that your nervous system is accustomed to NOT being yourself fully (hence why we've created this course).
It's time for your VOICE to be expressed and heard!
I myself have been through the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® program for almost 3 years now and it has been a game-changer for my confidence, my relationships, and for what I view as my purpose in the world. It has allowed me to take calculated risks for building the kind of life I both enjoy and don't need a vacation from.
Here is what I know most deeply: more knowledge about business economics and performance metrics isn't what makes a great leader in today's world. Inspirational leadership comes from doing the inner work to better understand ourselves and how we interact with the world around us. And that's what this course is designed to do: experience transformation from the inside out so you can make the kind of impact you're destined to.
Are you ready to go on this journey with me and a group of like-minded, committed humans?
Because I AM!
The secret benefits of authentic leadership
...that I think you need to know about.
Your Confidence May Go Through The Roof
As a leader your confidence is a very important asset. And confidence is not something that just magically appears from following a C-suite executive's formula for years. Confidence comes from taking action, doing the things you feel called to, even though you might feel afraid doing it. It's building the muscle that allows us to take aligned action and expand ourselves beyond our old comfort zones again and again. I personally feel more confident than ever, and my THRIVING FROM WITHIN® journey has a lot to do with that!
Connecting To Your Inner Integrity Leads to Clarity For Your Life
When you commit to living within your core values, you create accountability for healing yourself and consistency for your nervous system. In essence, you're creating an engine for inner growth that turns into a map, compass and trail for how to live your life. The more you listen to your inner guide, the voice of your True Self, the clearer you can see each next right step for what to do in your life. This clarity allows you to take bolder steps because you know you're in alignment with your life's purpose.
You Become Less Reactive to External Circumstances
As leaders, we're tasked with frequent decision-making and opportunities for empowering others to solve problems. Without increasing our self-awareness, these aspects of leadership can feel overwhelming. And yet, by developing an understanding of our values, strengths, and triggers, we increase our ability to manage our emotions more effectively, preventing knee-jerk reactions to external stressors. By staying grounded in who we are, in a very felt sense (not simply imagined), we can more thoughtfully respond instead of react.
Your Connection to Others Deepens
The more authentically we show up in every aspect of our life, the faster we build trust with our teams, friends and loved ones. Authentic leaders cultivate deeper connections with their teams, fostering a culture of empathy and open communication. This is because a leader who is grounded in who they are is better able to hold space for others, connecting with them on an emotional level, which enhances collaboration and partnership.
Your Enhanced Creativity will Surprise You
Increased self-awareness allows us to experience deeper levels of psychological safety in body, mind, heart and soul. This feeling of safety allows us to naturally explore our creative side. Before we know it, we find ourselves taking more creative risks because we've cultivated a deeper integration of self-acceptance. Our capability for more meaningful problem-solving allows us to be a more effective, innovative leader.
Who is this program for?
For those who feel a strong pull toward leadership and a desire to use their actions to make a deeper impact.
For YOU, if:
You're ready to trust yourself more instead of getting caught up in other people's opinions all the time.
You want to get to know yourself better through the psychological lens of understanding your inherent wholeness and learn how to leverage your natural gifts.
You desire to build your leadership foundation on a sense of inner healing and wholeness, ultimately making your endeavors more self-sustaining.
You want to learn how to generate more courage and confidence for yourself, without the process being overly-complicated. Simplicity is key for you–you don't need another source of overwhelm.
You are ready to advocate for yourself and others through your unique values and strengths.
You are ready to step into your power and show up in your life with more purpose.
You are open to "going against the grain" sometimes and new ways of doing things. You are open to slowing down to ground yourself and listen to your heart for a potential new direction to gain clarity towards where your True Self wants to head.
You crave to experience a healthy balance between BEING and DOING... and you desire to lead simply and effectively in a way that feels simple, FUN and sets you up for sustainable success in your life.
Meet Your Courageous Leadership Guide: Melissa McMillan
My Purpose & Transformation
I have discovered that my work transforms when I connect to the strengths that come naturally to me and I share how to operate this way with others. I feel this is my responsibility and innate purpose in life.
I am an Enneagram Type 3: The Achiever, which means that while I'm naturally quite driven to succeed, the constant quest for the next success kept me eternally busy and never allowed me to stop and think about how my work habits were physically and emotionally draining me.
Until I found myself trying to maintain that same level of drive while also juggling a partner and two small children, leaving me wondering why I was experiencing symptoms of exhaustion on a weekly basis. It took me months to realize I was suffering from severe burnout.
While experiencing burnout was a difficult thing to recover from, it turned out to be a gift because it led me to the THRIVING FROM WITHIN® program. TFW helped me understand some of the motivators and underlying fears that were driving my relentless pursuit for success. (A very typical Type 3 thing I've learned!)
By understanding myself in this deeper way, I was able to identify what I truly cared about doing in my career (helping others think more deeply about their lives) and what next steps I needed to take to make these discoveries a reality.
But the truly beautiful thing that I wasn't expecting was how naturally the courage began to emerge because of how deeply in my heart and body I knew that I was on the right path. It actually began to feel harder not to take the next right step because of how authentic each choice felt. Yes, fear was still present, but it was no longer able to stop me.
In the end, I became more afraid of not following my path than following it. And this is the place I want to help you get in your leadership.
So I do hope you will join me in this truly one-of-a-kind program!
Does this program come with a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantees or refunds, as the success of this program depends on how fully you show up and engage with the material and resources offered.
This program is designed for those who are truly committed to this transformative journey and join from a place of heartfelt intention. When you bring this level of dedication, you can expect magic to unfold. You'll have my full commitment as a loving teacher and friend, sharing the best of what I've learned over the years as a Guide in burnout prevention and recovery.
Here are some answers to any further questions you may have
If I can't make the live calls, will I still get value out of the program?
Absolutely, yes! You will have access to all replays which you can watch at your convenience. PLUS, just let me know that you're unable to attend the calls in person and I'll make myself available via email to answer any questions you have! Access to all the content for 2 years alone is worth the investment.
What day and time will the live calls be?
TBD! We're working on putting a schedule together now. The best way to stay informed is to sign up to be notified when we're ready to launch.
Does this program contain 1-on-1 coaching?
No this is a group experience. You will have the opportunity to ask questions related to your personal experience during the Q & A portions of the live calls. Often times we find that the group experience can lead to even greater results than 1-on-1 coaching because you'll also learn from the engagement and questions from the other program participants. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask your questions!
What is the content of the live calls?
The exact order of the content isn't going to be shared until we start the program because I want to be able to flow with what the group needs. Each call will contain a presentation/teaching, an exercise you'll engage in with your fellow participants, a re-integration where we digest what we learned in the exercise, and then an opportunity to ask questions.
bottom of page