West Grad Mras Leading Inspirational Life with a Worldwide Influence

Dr. Michelle Mras (Guichard), Bellevue West graduate – Class of 1986, is a multiple award-winning international speaker and best-selling author/co-author of sixteen books. When Michelle isn’t engaging large audiences or writing inspirational stories, she might be making a Sci-Fi movie or producing a new episode of one of her podcasts or shows.

Mras attended Bellevue West where she was involved in several music-centric extracurricular clubs and groups including Marching Band, Pep Band, Madrigals, and the West High Singers. She gives credit to many of her teachers at West and spoke very highly of them, including Band Director Rod Schmidt, Physics Teacher Fred Crow, and Choir Director Don Reimer. Regarding Reimer, Mras recalled, “He helped me realize my natural talent for singing. He recruited me into the choir. Through his guidance, I learned how to listen to the tonalities of people around me and to hear the shifts. I use this technique with my executive speaking clients.”

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After graduating from Bellevue West in 1986, Mras attended the University of Nebraska-Omaha, majoring in Industrial Engineering. However, she married and moved to Tacoma, Washington before completing her degree. She eventually enrolled in remote courses with Bellevue University and earned her BS in Marketing Management in 2005. She also has a Master’s Degree in Quality Systems Management (2007) from The National Graduate School and a Ph.D. in Entreprenology (2022) from the International University of Entreprenology.

Mras now spends her days as a Global Keynote Speaker, Executive Speaking Coach, Published Author, Actress, and Podcast Host. She is a survivor of multiple life challenges, including traumatic brain injury from a 2014 car accident and her current battle with cancer. She talks to her clients about living what she calls an “Unapologetic Life,” embracing who they are without apologizing for who they are not.

Mras has directly addressed thousands of people in person while also being simulcast to millions. The main focus of many of her talks is resiliency and self-leadership. She averages two conferences a month around the world while also working in around four mini-group engagements and trainings. She has even been on stage with New York Times best-selling author John C. Maxwell, considered by most the top authority on leadership.

Mras published her first book in 2016, called Eat, Drink, & Be Mary – A Glimpse into a Life Well Lived. “It is based on my TEDx Talk, where my idea worth sharing was based on advice I received from my mother-in-law, who happened to be a high school teacher I met while living in the Philippines. Her advice was: 1) Have a goal, but be flexible on how you reach it, 2) Eat dessert first. Life is too short to wait for special occasions, and 3) The differences between a rut and a grave are the dimension.”

Titles of some of her other books include Hold My Crown, It’s Not Luck, Overcoming You, and Keep Smiling: Shift Happens. You can check out these titles and more on Amazon. (https://bit.ly/michelle-mras)

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As if she weren’t busy enough Mras also has two podcasts, a Livestream TV program, and has speaking parts in several independent Sci-Fi movies (consult her IMDB page here for a list of her performances).

One podcast, Denim and Pearls, is described as ‘business casual with pearls of wisdom from the porch.’ The other podcast, Ampifluence, deals with ‘amplifying your influence.’ Both podcasts are readily available online on Facebook, YouTube, and most podcast platforms.

Her Livestream program is called Mental Shift and it streams around the world. It originates out of The New Channel, Philippines, and across Asia. It also streams out of ZondraTV, a Dallas station with a reach of over 29 million. “The show helps you be the best version of you, unapologetically,” Mras said.

We have included a link below to one of the more recent episodes of Mental Shift.

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Some of the many awards and recognitions that Dr. Mras has received include:

• Culture Award – Positive Attitude, John Maxwell Team, 2018
• Inspirational Woman of Excellence, Women Economic Forum (WEF), 2018
• Woman Achievers, FUZIA, 2020
• Influential Woman of Denver, Denver Luxury Magazine, 2021
• Service Hero Award, e360TV, 2021
• Harvest the Nurturer, HETS, 2021
• 1st Place, Ultimate Speaker Competition, 2021
• Unapologetic Award, USC, 2021
• The New Channel (TNC) – Rock Star Host, 2022
• Survivor Award, Network of Outstanding Women (NOW), 2022