Today we are getting to know one of our four amigas better, Michy. Tuning in you’ll hear about Michelle’s background growing up in Venezuela, how her family came to immigrate to the USA when the political situation started changing, her initial resistance to the move, and how her perspective changed over time. Michelle opens up about the events that shaped who she is today from learning independence to her financial struggles, and the stories of the toxic relationships she got involved in and then got out of. She opens up about how her parent’s marriage modeled for her what she believed she was supposed to put up with as a wife and how she found the courage to leave her abusive husband after 12 years. She explains how she diminished her level of tolerance for abuse and stopped repeating the pattern. Tuning in, you’ll find out about the profound revelation she had from a conversation with her ex-husband and how this impacted her life. For some great wisdom from an inspirational woman who has overcome so much, tune in today! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic abuse.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hear about what it was like for Michy to grow up in Venezuela.
• How her family decided to emigrate when the political situation started changing. 
• How the opportunity came about for Michelle’s dad to work in the USA. 
• Michelle’s plans to return to Venezuela and what changed her perspective on living in America.
• Her goal to become a financial analyst. 
• How getting out of a toxic relationship helped Michelle learn independence. 
• The financial struggles she experienced when she first went off on her own.
• The story of how she met the man who would become her husband and her son’s father while working as a bank teller. 
• How her career developed into property management.
• How Marcy and Michelle met through a mutual friend and Michelle’s first impression of Marcy.
• What led to the end of Michelle’s marriage and how this impacted her life.
• TW: For listeners who wish to skip Michelle’s recount of the abuse suffered by both her mother and herself, please skip audio from [31:39] to [35:11] 
• How the modeling of verbal abuse in her parents’ marriage influenced her own marriage and the abuse she suffered.
• How Michelle diminished her level of tolerance for abuse and stopped repeating the pattern.
• The conversation that Michelle had with her ex-husband that led to the realization that she had allowed herself to be abused.
• How much of the story Michelle’s son, Steven, knows about her relationship with his father.
• Thoughts on the difference between choices and sickness.
• Why Marcy is impressed by Michelle’s refusal to settle and her continued efforts to raise the bar for herself. 
• Where to reach out for support if you are in an abusive relationship.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline  — 1800 799 SAFE (7233)

Chatting With My Amigas Website 

Chatting With My Amigas Email

Chatting With My Amigas on Instagram