Hello Wellness Soulmates,

I'm Michelle Schrouder, founder of Willpower for Wellness, and a health and wellness expert in the upstate New York area.  My wellness journey started in 1996 when I started to realize that this journey was not a “Monday morning start” but a journey down a road that is compiled of perpetual research and acquisition of knowledge.   The healthiest road I would ever be on and it’s all because of the choices I make on an hour to hour basis….it’s not a day to day or week to week journey…it’s hour by hour.

I have learned throughout the almost 26 years of working with clients that I can suggest what they should be eating to have a healthy overall diet, I can suggest how they should prepare it, I can recommend fitness routines and present opportunities for client to move more and prepare them for any obstacles and barriers that may come their way…but do they have the willpower to follow through and maintain that lifestyle.  Once someone made an analogy at a meeting that I immediately thought was ridiculous.  It actually was ridiculous in the context at the time, but now when I talk to clients about their “yellow brick road” to wellness, it is easy to reference the witches and monkey’s that will continue to sabotage their road to “Wellness Oz”.  Those witches and monkeys are weddings, vacations, work travel, holiday times, parties, negative and nay-saying friends and family members and the biggest one of all- their time.

Your personal expedition to becoming healthy will come from your soul….you’re your personality and what makes you unique; I direct this letter to my “Wellness Soulmates” because a soul mate is:  

A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet -- a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time, you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness and happiness when you are around them. And when you are not around them, you are all that much more aware of the harshness of life, and how bonding with another person in this way is the most significant and satisfying thing you will experience in your lifetime. You are also all that much aware of the beauty in life, because you have been given a great gift and will always be thankful.

In this journey, we are soulmates.  I will help you be as successful as you are willing to be by focusing on your current wellness talents, the trusting relationships you have and will have in the groups (if you are participating in a live group) and with me, a positive contagious attitude and having the heart and passion to be healthy.  

“The biggest challenge is figuring out how to make the commitment of time and energy to regular exercise and healthy eating.  Your lifestyle will eventually be our challenge”- Dr. David Sobel, American Heart Association.

Read the guiding principles of the Willpower for Wellness lifestyle that I have outlined below that will assist you in understanding the importance of a balanced lifestyle to your successful metabolism makeover efforts.

Make your self-care define you as a well-adjusted person who can successfully love and play.  

Wishing you an enthusiastic journey,

Willpower for Wellness Manifesto

Guidelines for Wellness Soulmates

Free Download

About Michelle

  • Michelle Schrouder is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, BS in Psychology and the University of Rochester, MS Counseling.

  • She holds certifications in Counseling, Coaching and Fitness from the Cooper Institute, American Association of Lifestyle Counselor, Summex Health Management, Novartis Nutrition, AFAA, Powder Blue Productions, Beachbody (TurboKick and Insanity Certified), Barre Above and TLS Weight Loss Solutions.

  • Full time, Michelle is the Program Director, Department of Recreation and Wellness Programs at Rochester Institute of Technology. Michelle is in her 26th year at RIT.

  • Michelle was a member of the St. Bonaventure Women’s Soccer Team
    (1990-1994) and has coached at the travel and premier levels.

  • Along with her athletic accomplishments, Michelle has an extensive
    dance background.

  • She lives in the upstate New York area with her husband Bill and
    2 daughters, Hannah and Hadley.

  • Michelle and her husband have been involved coaching youth athletics with the focus on building confidence and leadership through team dynamics and competition.

  • Both of their daughters are multi-sport athletes: soccer, basketball and flag football.