Michelle Burleigh is the author of The Road to Courageous Living: Learning Audacious Self-Love and the Skills to Harness Personal Success. We asked her about the moment that started it all, and what she hopes readers will do next.
Editor’s note: Answers are drawn from the author’s own published statements about the book, lightly edited for length and clarity.
The NorthstarWhat led you to write The Road to Courageous Living?
MB:In the days leading up to my thirty-seventh birthday, I received a diagnosis that showed me how fragile life can be. I had spent years feeling like I never quite fit the mould. That moment made me realise that if I was given a second chance, I would live on my own terms.
The NorthstarWho is the book for?
MB:Anyone who feels stuck, is starting over, or simply wants to live more authentically. This book is about giving people the courage to choose themselves.
The NorthstarIs it a memoir or a guide?
MB:Both. It combines my own story with practical tools for building self-belief, setting meaningful goals and creating a future that feels right for you.
The NorthstarWhat does “audacious self-love” mean to you?
MB:It’s about learning to love who you are, even when it’s hard, and having the tools to turn your dreams into real progress. You have more power than you think, and it starts with how you see yourself.
The NorthstarWhat would you say to a reader who is afraid to begin?
MB:That it is never too late to choose a life you love. Real courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision to move forward anyway.
The Road to Courageous Living is available on Amazon in Kindle and other formats.
