Michelle Crawford

My Motivation

The Reasons Behind My Passion

At the age of 16, I began my training as a nurse. Early on, I witnessed how closely life and death can exist side by side, and how important it is to truly live a life we won’t regret, fully authentic and rooted in the full potential within us. Through many conversations with severely ill patients who shared their unfulfilled wishes and regrets, I began reflecting on life at a young age.

Working in intensive care further shaped this understanding. I saw how much patients and their families need someone who listens, someone who helps make heavy moments more bearable. It was never about having the right words, but about listening and offering the feeling of not being alone. These experiences profoundly shaped me.

Personal life events deepened these convictions even further. For me, it is about seeing people as they truly are and offering knowledge or guidance when it is needed, without imposing it. Walking alongside someone as a supportive presence, offering tools rather than instructions, has become a central value of my work.

Over time, my passion for supporting children and parents with special needs has grown steadily. Through personal experience and professional reflection, I have become deeply motivated to support families facing challenges of any kind, helping them navigate difficulties while also learning to recognize and enjoy the unique gifts, strengths, and meaningful moments that come with life alongside a child with special needs.

These experiences define who I am today and allow me to connect deeply with people who are seeking understanding, acceptance, and respectful guidance.

Methodology & Qualifications

Grounded. Mindful. Clearly Defined.

My work as a life coach is grounded in a solid, practice-oriented education combined with ongoing professional development. My goal is to support individuals in a professional, empathetic, and solution-focused way while respecting clear boundaries between coaching and clinical or medical care.

I completed my education in psychological counseling and personal development at the Paracelsus Health Academy, one of Germany’s well-established institutes for counseling and self-development. This education forms the foundational framework for my coaching work today.

My training included a strong focus on psychological foundations such as personality development, developmental processes, and group dynamics, alongside a clear understanding of the distinction between coaching, counseling, and medical or therapeutic treatment. I was trained in various communication and coaching approaches, including client-centered dialogue inspired by Carl Rogers, solution-focused methods, and communication models developed by Friedemann Schulz von Thun.

In addition, my background includes exposure to concepts inspired by behavioral and schema-oriented approaches, systemic thinking, body awareness practices, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, self-reflection, professional ethics, and supervision. These elements are applied in a non-clinical, coaching-based context and are used to support self-awareness, personal responsibility, and growth.

I have further expanded this foundation through certified trainings in:

• coaching-informed behavioral and schema-oriented concepts
• Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg)
• supportive coaching work with challenging or unhealthy relationship patterns
• reflective work with personal dreams as a tool for insight and self-awareness

I do not diagnose mental health conditions and do not provide psychotherapy, medical treatment, or clinical mental health services. Life coaching is not a substitute for therapy or medical care. If it becomes apparent that therapeutic or medical support would be more appropriate, I am happy to refer clients to trusted licensed professionals within my network.

The Little Extra Podcast

Inclusion. Parenthood. Growth. And that little extra.

The Little Extra Podcast is a project close to Emily and my heart – honest, personal, and empowering. We speak about life with a child with a disability, inclusion, personal growth, and how we can move through life with greater courage, compassion, and awareness.

As mothers of children with Down syndrome and woman living many roles, we invite you to listen, reflect, feel, and grow.

What You Can Expect

• real-life stories and lived experiences
• International bridge from Germany to USA
• reflections on parenting with additional challenges
• interviews with inspiring guests, parents, and professionals
• psychological insights into emotions, behavior, and development
• personal insights into our move to Minnesota from Germany and Fargo
• themes such as self-care, resilience, mental strength, and mindful communication

Who Is the Podcast For?

For anyone who…

• is interested in lived inclusion and life with a child with disabilities
• is a parent seeking orientation, reassurance, or understanding
• works as a professional, educator, therapist, or caregiver
• is interested in personal growth and meaningful life questions
• appreciates honest, deep, yet practical conversations

Social Media & Public Education

I regularly share insights on Instagram about life with a child with a disability, practical everyday experiences, and educational content around Down syndrome, resilience, self-care, and emotional strength for parents.

Instagram: _@michelle.crawford_

Blog on Medium

Thoughts. Feelings. Stories that move.

On Medium, I write about the things that often get lost in everyday life: honest thoughts, unfiltered emotions, and the big and small questions we carry, especially when life unfolds differently than planned.

I write as a mother, coach, partner, and human being on a journey. My goal is always connection.

Mein Medium Blog