michele troughear

thinking partner, coach, listener

It’s the most human thing in the world to need to talk about the problems you’re experiencing. To have someone who will listen and understand what you’re going through and be able to see why it’s difficult for you. And to be able to help you find the place where new solutions for old problems exist.

I’ve spent decades helping people through difficult patches in their lives. I have a deep wealth of experience in meditation, mindfulness techniques, Buddhist principles and coaching. But the reason I believe people continue to come to see me is that I listen deeply and I understand deeply.

I don’t judge, instead I apply compassion and wisdom. You talk, I listen and together we will work it out.

Some key things I can help you with:
- turning difficult mind states into effective mindsets,
- finding perspective in your current situation,
- establishing ongoing habits that will be protective,
- clarifying what you want, and
- applying practical strategies that lead to the change you want

I work within organisations and privately with individuals. The next step is make a time with me and we can talk through what’s important for you.

Contact

Human intelligence: listening, coaching, meditation, mindfulness & breath work.

“I believe these tools and skills are crucial. I have been working with them for the last 25 years and see the relief and agency they can bring.”

Effective
Solutions for Human Needs

Much of the thinking we once did for ourselves can now be delegated to technology. AI can draft, summarise, analyse and answer questions in seconds. These are useful capabilities, but they raise an important question: how do we maintain our own capacity to concentrate and think things through when so much of modern life encourages us to do otherwise?

Book Focus Sessions

Attention is a capacity we can practise. Research by Wendy Suzuki and colleagues found that eight weeks of brief, daily meditation improved several measures in adults who were new to meditation¹.

  • Attention: improved performance on an attention task.

  • Working memory: improved ability to hold and use information.

  • Recognition memory: improved ability to recognise information encountered before.

  • Mood: reduced negative mood, anxiety and fatigue.

  • Response to stress: a reduced anxiety response during a stressful test.

These findings offer a compelling reason to take regular attention practice seriously.

Drawing on this research and more than 20 years of dedicated meditation practice and teaching, I've developed Focus Sessions: a guided, 25-minute practice designed to help you exercise your attention. Each session begins with 30 seconds of visual concentration, followed by 15 minutes of breath-focused meditation. You'll practise directing your attention, noticing when it wanders and bringing it back.

There are six sessions available each week, making it easier to build the practice into your life. Like physical fitness, attention benefits from being exercised regularly. The aim isn't a quick fix, but to make practising your focus part of your routine.

We exercise to maintain our physical fitness. Focus Sessions are a way to strengthen your capacity to concentrate and think deeply for yourself.

¹ Basso, J. C., McHale, A., Ende, V., Oberlin, D. J., & Suzuki, W. A. (2019). Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators. Behavioural Brain Research, 356, 208–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.023

Were you referred to me?

If someone has sent you to me, it’s likely because they know how this work can help when life feels more challenging than usual.

It matters that you have the chance to meet me and ask any questions you may have. If you’ve been referred by someone in my network, you’re welcome to get in touch using the first step button below. I keep a small number of priority places for referrals, so you won’t have to wait.

When you fill in the contact form, simply note that you were referred to me.

first step

  • “I've had the pleasure of working closely with Michele for several years now. During this time, I've witnessed substantial growth in both my professional and personal domains, allowing me to elevate myself. If you find yourself in a similar position, recognising that the methods that brought you to where you are may not be enough for further progress, then Michele is precisely the support you're seeking.”

    Tash Callewaert

  • “I am so grateful for Michele. Her compassion is tangible while she facilitated my healing on multiple levels. This has been more effective than any other therapy that I have had in the past, both physical and psychological. This is work of the heart creating lasting change. Thank you so much!”

    HM

  • “Michele's silent retreats are so restorative and give me strength, clarity and new insights about myself. While the thought of no talking might freak some people out, the time goes surprisingly quickly thanks to Michele's thoughtful program and guidance. As someone who enjoys keeping physically fit, silent retreats support me to stay mentally fit. I love them!”

    Melinda Jacobsen

  • “"I have been working with Michele for close to 5 years - she is my go to when I get 'stuck'.  Her work is very gentle, yet so powerful.  She meets me where I'm at, with empathy and a lack of judgement that is refreshing and rare.  In that time, she has facilitated so much growth in me, which has improved every aspect of my life.  I have developed a daily meditation practice, and addictions that have plagued me for decades have dropped away.”

    B.M.

  • "I came to Michele at a time of emotional pain and mental anguish, my mind was in a state of constant turmoil and my life was spinning out control. Through our meditation practice Michele has enabled me to calm my mind, shift negativity and to envisage and experience a future of love and purpose. Michele's compassion and care for my well being has provided me with the support I have needed to find a way to experience life at a more loving, rewarding and deeper level. Michele has been a balm for my soul."

    Ralph Ferguson

  • "Michele has been my coach for a number of years now after an episode of depression saw me land on her doorstep. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with her 1:1 and in the corporate sector. Her ability to hold space for an individual or large group is extraordinary. She has a beautiful way of seeing the greatness of who you are and then helps you to connect with it wholeheartedly. She listens without judgement and teaches the power of stillness, reflection, acceptance.  She does this through her own quiet and authentic power.  Whether you are seeking support through an emotional period, or wanting to learn meditation with a master you should reach out to her..”

    Elise Morris

  • "In my time of working with Michele I have been fortunate to experience a space of healing, encouragement, and support that is deeply grounded in integrity and compassion. Her patience, balanced perspective and extensive repertoire of practical tools have continued to support me in finding my own voice and pathways to addressing the many aspects of self and life. Michele's generous and caring approach reflects not only her genuine understanding of integrity-based work yet also the deep commitment she shows to embodying the principles and techniques she imparts."

    Samantha

  • "I first went to see Michele begrudgingly to appease my wife who thought it would help me with work related stress.  That was well over 2 years ago and as usual, my wife knew best ! Through a combination of coaching,  meditation and movement Michele has helped me better understand and nurture  myself to do more and be more at work and at home !  I look forward to my sessions every week and know that this time is an essential part of my  wellbeing both mentally and physically ! I recommend her to you."

    Peter

  • Michele can find and articulate the human/feeling in the ever increasing sea of slop. In a world where information generation is becoming easier but also more and more soulless, Michele brings the humanness back.

    Aulay Macaulay

  • I wholeheartedly endorse Michele's approach to mindfulness. One of the most powerful tools I’ve gained through our work together is mastering breathing techniques that have helped me manage stress, increase focus, and stay grounded during challenging moments. With Michele’s expert guidance and personalised approach, I’ve been able to cultivate greater calm, clarity, and resilience in both my personal and professional life. I highly recommend Michele to anyone seeking practical strategies, including effective breathing practices, to enhance overall well-being and achieve their goals.

    Jon

  • If you are hesitating about taking up Michele's coaching - she's the most magical person you'll ever ever meet.

    Aela Callan

People who developed a mindset geared to agency through coaching reported a 30% reduction in stress and anxiety, significantly improving their mental health.

A study by Harvard Business Review found that executive and mindset coaching improves overall performance by 53%, including goal achievement, decision-making, and problem-solving.

According to Stanford University research, mindfulness meditation activates the prefrontal cortex, improving emotional regulation and reducing stress by 38% among participants who practiced regularly.