Check Out Michelle Shirley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shirley.

Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Miami and I am the daughter of two Jamaican immigrant parents who came to this country with hope, grit, and a deep belief in building a better future for their family. Miami shaped me in so many ways, from its diversity to its sense of community, and it is a place I have always been proud to call home.

I graduated from the University of Miami, but long before earning a degree or stepping into leadership, my education began at home. As a young child, I witnessed domestic violence in my household. Those experiences left an imprint on my heart and quietly shaped my understanding of how deeply relationships can impact our sense of safety, identity, and belonging. At the time, I could not have imagined that those early moments would later inform my life’s work.

As I grew older, I became increasingly aware that so many people carry unseen stories into their relationships. Pain, fear, hope, and longing often coexist. Rather than allowing my past to define me, it became a compass. All roads, even the difficult ones, led me to the beautiful place where I work today. Leading Be Strong International feels like a full circle moment, where personal history meets purpose.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the hardest truths about leading a nonprofit is how fragile the work can feel at times. When funding is uncertain, the mission you love can feel like it is standing on a narrow bridge. Without resources, even the most impactful programs can slow down or stop altogether. That reality never fully leaves you, no matter how long you have been doing this work.

Building a mission is also about building trust and visibility. You can have a powerful vision, but if you are not connected to the right people, the work can remain unseen. Elevating a brand takes time, relationships, and countless conversations where you are sharing not just what you do, but why it matters. That can be exhausting, especially when you are carrying the weight of an entire organization.

Another challenge is learning that you cannot do it all yourself. As a CEO, there comes a moment when you realize the work can only grow if you find the right people to walk alongside you. That means hiring talent, trusting others with the mission, and building a team that can take the work into the community with boots on the ground. Finding those people, and having the resources to support them, is not easy.

There were also seasons that required personal sacrifice. There were moments when I chose to cut my own salary so that my team could receive livable wages. Those are the quiet decisions that rarely make headlines, but they shape the heart of an organization. They are made in the dark, long before any recognition comes.

Leadership, especially in this space, is often lonely. It requires faith, resilience, and a willingness to keep going even when the path is unclear. These challenges are real, but they have also been the moments that deepened my commitment and reminded me why this work is worth fighting for.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With all of the trauma I experienced growing up, I never imagined that I would one day be married or have a family of my own. For a long time, relationships felt confusing and even intimidating. It took years of personal work, reflection, and healing to understand what a healthy connection truly looks like. That journey changed everything for me, and it is at the core of the work I do today.

We are rarely taught how relationships actually work. Instead, we learn from movies, social media, and highlight reels that make love look effortless. What we do not see are the differences people bring into relationships. Past wounds, expectations, communication styles, and unspoken fears all show up the moment two people try to build something together. Without the skills to navigate those differences, relationships can feel overwhelming or painful.

That is where the work becomes real. Through Be Strong International, we help people understand the fundamentals of relationships and develop the Heart Skills™ needed to navigate connection with clarity and confidence. This includes learning how to communicate honestly, set healthy boundaries, manage emotions, and make thoughtful choices about who and how we love.

One of the most important lessons we share is that growth does not always mean staying. Sometimes it means taking time to be alone and do the work on yourself. Sometimes it means ending a relationship that no longer serves you. Those choices can be difficult, but they are also acts of strength and self-respect.

My work is about giving people permission to slow down, reflect, and choose relationships that are healthy and life-giving. It is deeply personal for me because I have lived it. Every day, I am reminded that when people are given the right tools and the space to grow, they are capable of building relationships that bring healing, joy, and lasting connection.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, for me, is found in those quiet but powerful “aha” moments. The moment when something clicks on someone. When a young person realizes they have a choice in how they respond. When a parent sees their child differently for the first time. When a couple understands that conflict does not have to mean disconnection. Those moments are small on the outside, but life is changing on the inside.

I also see success in transformation over time. When people begin to show up differently in their relationships, with more patience, confidence, and compassion. When families feel stronger, communication feels lighter, and homes feel safer. That kind of change does not always come up with applause, but it leaves a lasting impact.

Success is also about the essence we leave behind. When people hear the name Be Strong, I want them to feel joy, warmth, and trust. I want them to remember how they were treated, how they were welcomed, and how supported they felt, no matter who they interacted with on our team. Culture matters, and the way people experience us matters just as much as the programs we deliver.

At its core, success is when a child, a parent, or a family simply says, thank you, you changed my life. Those words are humbling and sacred. They remind me that the work is not about numbers or recognition, but about hearts being touched and lives being changed in meaningful and lasting ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bestrongintl.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleshirleyceo?igsh=MTNiOGdvbDE3NmRidA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestrongintl
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleshirleyceo/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bestrongintl
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeStrongIntlInc