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Attributes of a Strong Woman“A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink.”
(Gina Carey[1])

Dear reader, welcome back. I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of my Something Significant interview with Michelle Norris, in which Michelle shared with us how she and her husband Keith founded the Paleo f(x) conference after the tragic death of their daughter and the realization that they needed and wanted to make a change in their lives and the lives of others. Here now, Part 2 of our interview.

What obstacles have you faced in your pursuit of significance? How did you overcome them?

My approach to overcoming obstacles is very different today—as compared to my previous life — because I am healthier and happier, and because I’m really learning to be OK with who I am and with my uniqueness as a woman leader. I’ve done a lot of personal growth work over the last few years to become a better leader. I’m learning how to deal with people and challenges without creating a defensive response. I’m developing a softer approach.

Michelle Norris

You see, women CEOs tend to show up in a very masculine way in order to be accepted in the male-dominated business world. We believe we have to operate ‘like they do’ in order to fit in and to get what we want. The problem is: that’s not what is innate to us. It’s not natural, and therefore, it’s not authentic. That’s why women in power are so often called ‘bitches.’ When we try to ‘lay down the law’ like men do, we don’t do it like them because it’s not our authentic way of being. I’m learning that leading like men do doesn’t work for most women, and it hasn’t worked well for me.

Leading from the feminine power within me works so much better. In fact, no offense to men, but authentic women leaders can be way more powerful than men, because we’re nurturers. We come from a place of concern and care, and we naturally focus on the good of the entire organization, rather than focusing on what’s in it for us. So I’m excited to be working with a lot of women leaders to accept that we are women and to lead with our natural feminine power. That’s how we’ll get respect — as authentic leaders — and that’s the best way for us to lead our organizations and our lives. So that’s a big change for me.

I’m learning to let my inner-feminine take control in the way I lead others, and I’m not only getting a lot more respect for it, but people are also enjoying working for me… when in the past, they didn’t. I’m learning that I do much better and am happier (and others around me are happier too) when I operate in the authentic, feminine way that is my nature.

It’s been a hard lesson, but it’s a lesson that I have joyfully and gratefully and solemnly learned. And I continue to learn. I’m still figuring out who this person is inside me… she’s the CEO, the wife, the mother and the sister, the daughter, and the friend. I’m all those things, and it all goes hand-in-hand in the new mindset that I bring to leadership, dealing with people, and overcoming obstacles.

What is one thing you wish you had known 10 years ago?

There was a very long period where the way I was working created a very unhealthy lifestyle (ironically, all while putting on a health and wellness conference). There was a really big disconnect and hypocrisy between the message we were delivering through the event and how and what I was doing in order to deliver that event. And it took a serious toll on my health. The last year and a half has been very, very difficult. I ended up with a skin cancer, and I feel very thankful and blessed that I was able to treat it naturally. Of course, my dermatologist recommended surgery immediately, but I told him no! It took a lot longer, but I’m cancer free now, and I’m very happy about that.

I’m also dealing with some pretty serious thyroid issues going on from a severe mold exposure, but you know, working through these issues has helped me realize I was working so hard before that it was running my body into the ground. It was really stupid, and I wish I had known ten years ago that it was a mistake. I wish I had known that it’s not enough to live the label of paleo; I have to live the true, authentic paleo lifestyle. I really wish I had known the tremendous benefits of living my life the way nature intended.

Michelle Norris With Paleo f(x) Panel Members

What is one hope you have for the next 10 years?

That Paleo f(x) goes global…and that this movement keeps proliferating and we really make lasting change in the mainstream health system. They say revolutions fail because the rebellion takes down the old system before they have something new to put in its place, so if we want to replace Big Pharma and a health system that practices sick-care rather than healthcare—managing diseases rather than curing symptoms—then we have to build what we want. So, in the next ten years, we’re going to be building the healthcare system that we want to replace the current one. Then we can slowly, but surely, tear down the entire old system and put in its place a shiny, new system that helps people truly have happy and vibrant and fulfilled lives.

Are there any books or resources you would like to recommend to our readers?

Oh boy, I read so much. At any point in time, Keith and I have probably twenty books going between us. Right now I’m in the process of reading about ten different books depending on what I’m in the mood for on a given day. Here are a few favorites:


Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your inspiring story with us! I wish you every success you can imagine as you create a shiny, new healthcare system that truly helps people.

Book your tickets to join us in Austin, Texas this year: Get Tickets (It’s gonna be fun!). And follow Michelle, here…

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[1] http://www.ginacarey.net

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