What Happens When You Finally Choose Yourself? | Ep. 4 COH | Valerie Hope

Update: 2025-08-19

Description

In this episode of The Circle of Hope, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Anderson, a dynamic leader whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Our paths first crossed in a workshop at UT Dallas, where Michael, then a Deputy CTO, lingered after class to dive deeper into public speaking, coaching, and finding new purpose beyond the corporate grind. What began as a networking connection soon transformed into a supportive friendship rooted in curiosity and the desire for growth.

Michael shares his story of overcoming adversity, from growing up in a tough environment with limited role models to finding new direction in the military and, ultimately, coaching others to greatness. He takes us through the emotional pivot that moved him (and his wife!) from executive life in Texas to entrepreneurship and expat living in Mexico—driven by a desire for meaningful relationships, work-life balance, and continuous learning. Along the way, we explore the challenges and joys of building a network from scratch in a new country, the deep fulfillment found in helping others unlock their potential, and the power of mindful intention in shaping our destinies. This episode is a testament to courage, connection, and the transformative impact of conscious choices.

Watch This If:

You’re navigating a major life or career transition
You want to learn how to build powerful relationships and inner circles
You’re curious about taking the leap to live or work abroad as an expat
You value stories of resilience, healing, and overcoming adversity
You seek inspiration for starting or deepening your personal development or coaching journey

Quotes to Remember:

“What you see every single day in your community is a very, very small slice of what real life is actually like. You have to move. You have to do something to get outside of your immediate community.” – Michael Anderson
“When she shared that…that said to me that…I’m in control of my destiny. I get to select what I become, what my legacy is going to be. I’m in firm control of that.” – Michael Anderson
“If we can just, for a little while, each morning, dedicate a space of time…to mindfulness, only ten to fifteen minutes a day…there is no limit to what an individual can do.” – Michael Anderson
“The drive for growing, for moving beyond the circumstances of your childhood, for healing aspects of your life that were hindering your progress…there’s a pattern that needs to be interrupted.” – Valerie Hope

What You’ll Learn:

How resilience, intentionality, and mentorship can transform your life and career trajectory
The role of coaching not just as a profession, but as a tool for healing and fast-tracking growth
Strategies for building and nurturing authentic relationships and support circles
The realities and rewards of starting over in a new country and culture
Ways to maintain and expand your network—even across distances and borders
The importance of mindfulness and awareness in breaking limiting cycles and creating new possibilities
The value of curiosity, follow-through, and continuous personal development as lifelong assets