Peaceful Profits Podcast Ep. 115 - Michelle Bishop's Journey to Becoming a Published Author
Synopsis:
In this heartfelt episode of the Peaceful Profits Podcast, host Chanelle Nielsen sits down with Michelle Bishop—certified life coach, breast cancer survivor, and author of Choose You First.
Michelle opens up about her powerful journey through trauma, healing, and self-discovery, and how Peaceful Profits helped her turn her deeply personal story into a bestselling book. From overcoming the limitations of AI-written content to forging a soul-level connection with her ghostwriter, Michelle shares exactly why Peaceful Profits was the right partner to bring her vision to life.
If you’ve ever felt called to share your story but didn’t know where to begin, this episode is packed with insights on courage, clarity, and what’s possible when you choose yourself first.
Transcript:
Michelle Bishop's Journey to Becoming a Published Author
[00:00:00] Hello, Peaceful Profits nation. Welcome to the Peaceful Profits podcast. I'm your host, Chanelle Nielsen, and I'm joined today by Michelle Bishop. Michelle, so glad to have you here. Welcome to the podcast. Thank you. I'm honored to be here and so excited as this is going to be the very first podcast that I've ever done.
Oh, and this is a great [00:00:20] one to start on and a great topic to be speaking about. So let me introduce you to our listeners and then we'll jump right in. So Michelle Bishop is a certified professional life coach. Coach author of choose you first and resilience expert who helps women break free from limiting beliefs to live authentically and powerfully [00:00:40] drawing from her journey through childhood trauma, surviving breast cancer, COVID 19 and the loss of her husband, Michelle teaches women how to transform.
Form adversity into strength through her unique silent warrior approach. As a successful businesswoman who built multiple careers from scratch, she combines practice business [00:01:00] acumen with deep emotional intelligence to guide others in choosing themselves first without guilt. This is a message we're going to see over and over as we talk today, and as I've read your book, choose You First.
This is something that speaks powerfully. To women everywhere and is so [00:01:20] personal to the journey that you've been through and before we get into your book and all of that good stuff, I would like to just hear a little bit of background and where I'd like to start is your connection to peaceful profit.
So how did you first come across Peaceful Profits? I had made a a determination that there was a calling for me [00:01:40] to reach out and. Touch other people's lives to make a impact, everybody talks about legacies and, what do you want your legacy to be? I wanted to make sure that I was fulfilling what I would consider a calling to helping others in that journey I had originally [00:02:00] looked at of course now you've hear all about artificial intelligence but and I recognize that I, myself, literally, is not, I'm not a writer, I have a story, I have a message, but I wanted to put it out there for the world to be able to read and learn.[00:02:20]
That being said, after going through the AI journey, I was like, what is this? There was like no human. Like resilient. It didn't resemble me in any shape or form. And even though I gave the information to this tool. It really [00:02:40] did not put out a product that I knew was authentic. And then I got the opportunity to be introduced to Peaceful Profits.
And I loved the immediate connection and the purpose within taking and interviewing whether or not it was a right [00:03:00] connect. For me, for them and in authoring my book and writing my book and telling my story and all the wonderful things I've learned over the past. So it gave me basically an extension to accomplish what my vision was, and I'm very grateful.
[00:03:20] Oh, that's so interesting. I want to learn more about the AI process that you went through because I think that a lot of people are tempted by that at this point. We hear all this about AI and it's so exciting and it can do everything. So what do you think was missing in that just didn't make it feel [00:03:40] like the book you wanted to have?
I know exactly what was missing, the human element of authenticity. And there's nothing in this world that can create that except one own individual, because we're all individuals on [00:04:00] this earth. Yeah. Okay. That's so interesting. And I think that your book just has so much of you in it. It has so much heart in it.
It's very real. It's very authentic. And I can see how without that piece in there, you would just [00:04:20] miss the mark so much, it wouldn't connect on that human level. And really is that. What we want is somebody to give us a essentially like a Webster dictionary of what definition is for something without human contact.
No authenticity, nothing [00:04:40] apart. I'm like, I don't see that as being the ideal learning environment for us to grow as humans. Yeah exactly. Okay, so AI didn't work out, not what you were going for. Backing up a step, what was going on in your world that even led you, you mentioned legacy, what led you [00:05:00] to seek our publishing services?
Once again, recognizing my own limitations, being able to express my own. My work, my vision, my story to others I knew I [00:05:20] needed not just a publishing arm, but truly a partner in my vision and journey to helping others. And I hate to use the analogy. Sometimes you've got to kiss some frogs to get to the prince, but I was willing to really do the research needed to do that.
And. [00:05:40] It was through a number of not trial and errors, but interviewing to make that determinate there was a connect there and 100%. I had no reservations. Once I had met. The organization within Peaceful [00:06:00] Profits and how the follow through was consistently all the way what they promised and more. And when there was a little bit of adjustment that needed, there could be that adjustment so that it put out the best product for the reader to be able to understand.
And also complete the vision at hand. [00:06:20] Yeah. Okay. I love that. So what were some of your goals in coming here? Or another way to ask that is, why was a book just important, more important to your bigger mission of what you have in mind for your future, for your business, for getting this message out into the world?
I really consider a book, this book, [00:06:40] Choose Me First. Is basically that coal of the basis for me for the rest of my journey with the world. It literally is that hot stone that will allow me to then take all these pieces. [00:07:00] Of life lessons and expand upon that even greater, because I recognize that not everybody has the same life journey.
And so there's so many different pieces and parts of the story that I get to expand on, like breast cancer and the survival of that and what that means emotionally and [00:07:20] different things like even when you lose a spouse. And what's that to be, unexpectedly or expectedly because everybody's grieving.
is different. And so it allows me to leave a legacy. But without having a foundation and that hot stone [00:07:40] at the beginning, it really is difficult to me to be able to explore all my life and just a meeting through coaching journeys, that kind of thing. It's got to be more centralized. And this gives a good overview.
Okay, I think that's really a powerful way to put it and that it can be just the [00:08:00] beginning of a journey with you that this is where people can come in an entry point into your world and understanding and to bridging that gap between their story and. And your own that you share on these pages and I love to say your world, but really it's a community.
That's what I want. It's not [00:08:20] my, just like I said, your best you it's because everybody has their own best and what they want for themselves. And I really want that. Yeah. Beautiful. Now, I would love for you to walk us through your experience of working with Peaceful Profits. Tell us some of the key moments and just what the process [00:08:40] itself was like.
Initially after I had learned about Peaceful Profits, I had an interview with one of the, I don't know, like screening, I would say screening to see whether or not the match was a good match or not. And that went well for both of us. And we decided to make the next [00:09:00] step. And I went for Peaceful Profits.
recognizing I needed all the help I could get. I'm only one person. So I went ahead and wanted to have somebody hold my hand through the journey. And she was able to match me up with an [00:09:20] incredible ghost writer. And it was a, just, it's, Like a lifelong friend that I know that I will have forever.
And she really got me. And even when we had made some adjustments or something was out of like sync the recovery process was so easy. Like [00:09:40] it was like, Oh, this is what's going on. And I'm not really connected here. And so it's an open, loving relationship. And. You use the words Peaceful Profits.
There's nothing peaceful, really, when you think about what you're doing. Yeah. You're really in any book, whether or not [00:10:00] it's a children's book or a inspirational book, or even a directional book, there's a lot of moving parts to it. And so I feel, which. You say, yeah, I didn't realize how many there are and, but I am so grateful all the time for [00:10:20] Peaceful Profits, because if there's a landmine or something that we need to take care of, or even if it's just the next step, oh, what is that process?
You have to have a process because if you don't have a process, then you don't move. And Peaceful Profits has allowed me [00:10:40] to do that, and I'm very grateful. You bring up an interesting point. I think so often, going into a book, so many people want to write a book, and they don't realize the part you just said, that there are so many moving pieces, there are so many things to figure out, there are so many adjustments that need to be made along the way, [00:11:00] and it is a lot to go from idea to actual completed book.
And I love also this connection that you mentioned with, your ghostwriter that you have this and it really becomes this collaborative effort where you are providing, it's your book, you're providing all the content, [00:11:20] you are doing all the thought and the effort and the ghostwriter is arranging, that's what I think of as I do ghostwriting, arranging the words on the page But it's still this collaboration where it goes back and forth to you.
And is this what you wanted? And is this going to work? And eventually it comes out [00:11:40] to be this wonderful and beautiful book. That's better. I feel than either person could have come up with on their own because it's just this synergy that happens when you work together. You use the word synergy. I think that's an excellent word.
It is a synergy. And. The way that you're [00:12:00] communicating continually through that process. And again there is absolutely no doubt within my mind at 100 percent that I would never be published or even had been Finished or started a book without Peaceful Profits. That is, [00:12:20] that's the bottom line. Yeah.
Someone who shared so much, so personally, I can see how that would bring up a lot of emotions in the writing process. I'm very curious how that was in the ghost writing process for you. Writing a book that's so vulnerable, how [00:12:40] was that sharing with this person? Putting that all out there.
Chanel, that is a great question. I'll tell you, it was, I was very raw during some of these processes and didn't actually realize what it would [00:13:00] bring up. And, it was draining at some point. And like you said, the collaboration with my ghost rider. She like, honestly, it was like, I felt like when I needed a hug or if I was just getting through a moment or anything like that, she was so aligned with [00:13:20] me and that is, that's, it takes time.
It's, it is a. It's a journey and it, you have to take it step by step and to be able to be gifted to know when to push the gas, when to come off the gas. It's a really unbelievably [00:13:40] unique human element that you would not get normally. And I don't think that you would just get that with anyone.
And so Peaceful Profits not only has allowed me the processes that are steadfast and true, but also really feeling [00:14:00] like part of a community, like I said, and getting the vision out to people so that, it's a win for everyone. Yeah. Wonderful. Now, your book has recently been published. It was published this month.
I would love to hear some of the outcomes that you've seen, some of [00:14:20] the feedback that you've gotten. Tell us kind of the splash that this book has made so far. And this is just the beginning. Will tell you, I'm amazed In the beginning, and like you said, it's been maybe, a week and a half or something like that.
But people that would [00:14:40] say, like in my town, that know me really didn't know me, and now they know me. And It's so liberating. It's, and I love, I really love that even people that don't know me and the feedback is that their appreciation [00:15:00] of the vulnerability, the honesty, the the ability to.
It's just, it's, it fills my heart. It definitely makes me so more [00:15:20] even motivated to get out there and share the messaging so that everyone can be have just, just a small little pivot of positive change is a beautiful thing. Yeah. Yes. Wonderful. And that's, that is the true, you can all listeners can [00:15:40] see that Michelle is leading with her heart because she is speaking of the human connection that she's gotten from this book.
I also happen to know that you hit number one in your category on Amazon, right? I, that's what I understand. I'm pretty [00:16:00] excited. That's huge. That's so exciting to have this new book come out to already start to see this success and this momentum. How does that feel? Oh my gosh. It's I'm just like, I'm just like so happy.
It's, but you know what I began happy [00:16:20] and whole and it's. It's really interesting because I am a widow, but even in that it was the first time that I recognize being vulnerable to others and being true and authentic within your heart [00:16:40] really makes an impact. And so as much as it means to me, it really means so much more.
That it's going to others and that we can really make a difference and that's what I'm talking about in that legacy of knowing that [00:17:00] everybody can make really small movements and be peaceful and make a positive change. Don't have to be a victim. Yes. Yes. Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm excited for you to continue to share this message to continue to get the book out.
[00:17:20] Let's talk a little more about the book itself. So the book is called Choose You First and let's talk about why this was the book. Why did you write this particular book with this particular message? Today in 2025. Is [00:17:40] very different than when I was born in 1966. And we all go through those times of change.
And I have felt there've been so many dynamics that have been so polarizing. And so it's like almost like [00:18:00] taboo to not talk about it. And I was like. No way not gonna do this. I think that doesn't make the problem go away It doesn't do anything to solve it by being silent. So let's just put it out there and I'm doing it [00:18:20] Courageously and fearlessly in it and when I say choose me first, it's not choose me I want people to read it as they are choosing themselves for yes And often it gets twisted as that's a selfish move.
Oh, you want to choose you first. [00:18:40] And it really is about the racket you're telling yourself in your head. Because when the plane goes down, they tell you, before you can help others, and the oxygen mask drops down, you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, to help anybody else. [00:19:00] Otherwise, within less than 30 seconds of lack of oxygen, you're going to pass out.
So We are doing so many things and we often as women do for everyone else and then we're last. But what we don't realize is that by choosing yourself first, [00:19:20] how many more people you can actually help and do it with actually a breath. And that's how I use it with actually a breath. And so it really is not a selfish, it's a selfless move to choose you first.
So yes, the book [00:19:40] title love it now you brought up the idea of breath and that was a message that you shared a lot not until part two of the book, but talk to us a little bit about that idea of what that means to you of what that idea of breath and that whole concept of taking a breath actually means.
[00:20:00] Okay, I've got to take a breath. And I did suffer from COVID in 2020, December, when it was rampant. And, you were seeing in the media, just all over the world, death, millions and millions. And it was such a [00:20:20] dramatic time. And having been in the ICU for three weeks, Just trying to get my breath was definitely interesting because tied into my whole life of living it with anxiety and mask [00:20:40] and just being able to breathe through things to get through things and you think, oh, the simplicity of breath, we take it for granted.
And the reality is that it actually has a chemical reaction in one's brain that can be [00:21:00] triggered just by taking and breathing. And I remember in that ICU, because at that time, no one could come in. So when they did, they were suited up and so you didn't have your loved ones and call it an epiphany or medication or whatever.
I remember that. There was a [00:21:20] time that there was a little alcove with a sofa little loveseat that loved ones could sit But there were no loved ones and I remembered this night the scene in that area was of a man and it was all yellowed and it was a He was laying on the couch and throwing a ball [00:21:40] against the wall and the ball would come directly to him And it throw the wall and go back like it was just seamless.
And I kept on hearing the message. It's just time. It's just time. And really, it was something that would coming through and being a [00:22:00] survivor of COVID and all of the things. I realized that time is of the essence. Breath is essential and truly by all of the things that I have gone through in my life, it has been the one constant.
And that [00:22:20] is breath, and it should not be taken advantage of, and how you utilize those tools are very important too. Yeah. I think that's such a powerful message, even because of its simplicity. It is the simplest thing. We do it all the time without even thinking of it. And yet tuning into the breath [00:22:40] changes things.
It just does. And I love how you touch on that in your book. Now In your book, you've got so many beautiful stories and teaching moments that kind of have taught you throughout your life to, to cherish the time, to take the breath and to choose you first. So can you just share a few of your life [00:23:00] experiences that you feel like really helped you to learn that?
There are a lot. And it's interesting because in every moment you think, Oh, this has happened or this has happened and you're reflective on it. But I think [00:23:20] being able to be a survivor of a very deep, traumatic childhood abuse and emotionally and physically, [00:23:40] and to know that I am not statistics.
I hate statistics. I just think who then calls the shots on that? And so to be able to have, and being a young child and not have the resources and [00:24:00] not have the choice, truly, I say, choose me first, but as a child, you don't. No, any differently. This is your normal. And so it's really wonderful to be now an adult and know that there's so many opportunities and resources as [00:24:20] adults that we can help advocate for Children.
And that I want to make sure that all of these things that are in the closet in the dark. It's okay. It's a neutral event, really. It's how you are and what you're doing and your actions and being able to see [00:24:40] and leverage resources. That is a really big deal for me. And I want people to know people may not always know readily.
What is that resource? And, is that what are the, they think in the, again, their own racket of what's the The repercussions of as [00:25:00] opposed to really feeling safe in that decision making process and know that you're not a number that you're you're a person, you're human and all of the Children that we bring into this world need us all to advocate for them.
So I would say that would be a very first step for me and very [00:25:20] emotional. But in the same sense I've taken that. Mhm. And I get to have a platform. I know what it's like. I understand being a mother myself. Also from that perspective, I know from being a parent and having a partner in that [00:25:40] situation how that emotional act impact can be for one.
And it just takes just the smallest And that. Choice that you make. And someone's even if it's as simple as a hug. Yeah. And I love that. Wonderment. A childhood, how [00:26:00] everything is just new to them. And how, unfortunately, sometimes that new becomes their normal and how can we change that pattern? And it is an opportunity as an adult to make the choice.
Two, change the pattern and choose you first. [00:26:20] Yeah. And you've mentioned on this podcast a couple times, this idea of not being a victim. And I think with this idea of statistics of, children of abusers often become abusers themselves. And that is staying stuck in that victim mentality.
This is what happened to me. And so I'm going to play this out, [00:26:40] whether it's conscious or unconscious, but This idea of choice of overcoming that speak to us a little I mean you had a really rough Childhood you've been through a lot of things and a really even beyond childhood You have been through a lot of things And so how [00:27:00] do you make that conscious choice not to be a victim and to choose something different?
I will share that My greatest joy is that I always wanted to be a mother and I love my children, [00:27:20] two girls, and I loved our blended family when when I, when we did have a blended family and I still love them. And so we had four girls and in that they've never, my children have never experienced any form of emotional or physical abuse.
[00:27:40] So I got. The opportunity to break the cycle and lead with my heart and love my children. And I do attribute that to others. When I was a child that gave me love, which was so essential and I was so needing it, but I also will say that [00:28:00] my father was always a very. Consistent part, even though, in the 60s, the roles were different and he was, often more the breadwinner of the family, but I used his methodology of.
Disciplining my Children that I had said, because I think my dad gave me two [00:28:20] spankings and my whole life and but I always knew what to expect. He had this 123 method. He was always consistent. And I think that maybe, because when Children are younger, they may not understand it, but it's very deliberate and intent.
And And so I really am grateful that you [00:28:40] can make this change by the influences of others. My grandmother was a wonderful, loving role model for me, even though she didn't live in the same town as we did, but you get that opportunity As an adult to share that with a child so that in that subconscious cell that as they become [00:29:00] conscious, they can make that choice to make changes in their life.
Beautiful, beautiful. Now, what do you hope that readers We'll learn. I would ask in two parts. What would you hope they'll learn from this conversation? But also more importantly from your book from all of the experiences that [00:29:20] you've had and you've shared What do you hope they'll take from that no matter what life presents itself?
There will always be challenges. They're not predictable. There's no book of your life You are the author [00:29:40] of your life. And so in those challenges Regardless of what they are, you have to take a breath, choose me first and make a move to stay still or move [00:30:00] in the simplicity of that and the outcome is absolutely determinant on your own actions and not that of others because you cannot control that of what others will do.
But you can control what you will do and it can have a beautiful outcome or it cannot. [00:30:20] You're empowered to do that. Oh, I love that message. I love that. The idea of letting us see how much control we have over our own selves. over that piece of it. And that addition that you added there of the breath, right?[00:30:40]
Allowing us to slow down so we can really figure out what choices we can make and where our power lies. In, in many situations, we are so overwhelmed by those choices. We get so much in our brains all the time, just from every second. [00:31:00] And just to take those moments, and sometimes it might just be a simple breath.
Sometimes, like last Friday with me, I needed about 30 minutes of a breath. My brain was a little full. That was choosing me first so that I could do more for others and expand my [00:31:20] plate, and I do it joyfully and not just, and it's authentic, and I have to tell you, Chanel, thank you so much for letting me be who I am, because it's so important that you care about your listeners, you care about others, you care about me, and I just [00:31:40] really appreciate it.
Oh thank you. This has been such a fun conversation. I have loved learning a little bit more about what brought you here and the behind the scenes of what brought this beautiful book into the world. So for everyone listening, Peaceful Profits can help you get your book out into the world [00:32:00] too.
And you can learn more about our publishing services by going to PeacefulProfits.com/podcast to get started. And I know you're all also interested in Michelle's book, choose you first one woman's journey through pain, resilience, and hard one healing. So Michelle, tell people where they [00:32:20] can find more about your book and get it in their hands so they can read it.
If you go to my website, Bishop life. B I S H O P L I F E dot com. Then I'll have a direct link that'll take you directly to how to get to my book. And I also have some blog [00:32:40] information and some other things that'll be coming up in the future so we can build our community of hope. Perfect. Okay. That community is so needed in our world and so many people need this message.
So Michelle, thank you for sharing it. Thank you for being here, everyone. Thank you for listening. And we'll see you next time.
