At age 11, Michelle was permanently disabled in a car accident that froze her growth at 4’ 4” and left her needing crutches to walk. By her own admission, she wasn’t just physically small – she used to live her life emotionally small. The hardest part of living with a visible disability was the shame and unworthiness she carried in her heart and mind.

She embarked on what began as just a physical fitness journey – and evolved into a life-transformation journey when she decided to join her gym mates in their quest to climb Machu Picchu in Peru.  She hiked up the 26 miles of ascending trail, 8-10 hours a day. She had to bandage her wrists so they wouldn’t break as they took a load of her body weight with every step on her crutches.

She ultimately ascended the peak … crawling on her hands and knees at the end, to the cheers of those in her party who had been strangers at the outset of the journey.

When she came home, she was changed forever. The voices of shame and doubt about her body were gone. She was free to live life fearlessly. And to help others do the same. To guide them along their own journey to becoming fearless and limitless, to having the courage to say "yes" to their own Machu Picchu's -- those challenges that too often intimidate them into inaction.

Her message, and the experiences that birthed it, are both a balm and an emboldened for leaders today. Those who need encouragement and equipping to pass along to those they lead find it daily through Elevate LifeCoaching, her speaking engagements, and her podcast.

Michelle Kuei is an international professional speaker, coach, and critically acclaimed author. Her life’s mission is to be the champion that empowers women to get to the top of their mountain, one courageous step at a time.

Michelle is the Former Secretary of the United Nations Association of the USA at the Pasadena Chapter, Clinical Pharmacist at USC’s Keck Medical Center, and Former Associate at the Associated Patient Advocates.

Michelle has been featured in The Los Angeles Tribune Live series, Shoutout LA, Voyage LA Magazine, FOX, and Authority Magazine for her expertise on topics of overcoming adversity.

She is a member of the Women Speakers Association, Circle Leader from WomanSpeak, the immediate past area director at Toastmasters International at District 100, and The Elected Division A Director at Toastmasters International at District 100 in 2021. Michelle’s recent acclamation includes keynote speaker at AEISEC India, Asian Pacific Americans at CalTech, and The Love and Victory with Val Radio show on Raise the Praise 100 in Houston, Texas.

Michelle’s Educational Achievements include ICF Accredited Associate Certified Coach, Doctor of Pharmacy, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching Certified Professional Coach, Certified Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and Certified CORE Dynamic Transition Coach. She is also an International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance certified mindfulness and meditation teacher and the host of her podcast ‘The Michelle Kuei Podcast” where she shares inspirational stories of business and mindset with her audience.