Meet Michelle Miltenberger | Co-Owner & Breathwork Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Miltenberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is everything. I would not be where I am in life without taking huge risks. Every moment of fear, every emotional breakdown, every challenge I would relive again to be living the life that I am living right now, and doing all of the things that I am doing.

The issue with taking risks is that not only was it hard for me, a deep internal battle between immense fear and the beautiful light of possibility, but it was hard for those around me. Before this chapter of my life, I was working and living in NYC and had an 8 year career at one of the top financial technology companies in the world. When I began discussing leaving this career to get a Masters degree and become a therapist, so many people in my life were incredibly resistant. People dissected my decision, telling me in all ways that I was wrong, that there is no money in being a therapist, that I was throwing away 8 years of dedication and investment. Their fear and doubts projecting on to me was enormous and so heavy. It made me doubt myself so deeply. But at the time I was so unhappy, crying every day before work, feeling drained, feeling stuck and lost, that I knew even failure in something new would be better than trying to maintain this life that I felt was not mine.

Three years after I left my career, left my relationship, moved cities, began Graduate school and a new life, I found the need to make a change again. At this point I had become a certified personal trainer, CrossFit coach, olympic lifting coach, and breathwork facilitator. I deeply enjoyed working as a therapist in addictions treatment and coaching CrossFit, however in my own life I saw that I needed something more. That I was meant to bring wellness to more than just a single client, treatment center, or gym. I needed to expand my reach. At this same time, I was encountering deep personal challenges, with heartbreak and figuring out who I authentically am in the world. I spent so much time seeking out different healers and alternative wellness modalities to help guide me on my path, driving to Miami multiple times a week, finding online programs, whatever I could get my hands on. I began to include things like breathwork with my existing clients, and realized that this need for deeper alternative wellness practices was nearly universal. I also began to notice challenges with my clients in finding community. People had their families, a handful of friends, their coworkers, but so many did not feel like they belonged to anything bigger than themselves, and did not feel they had a place to connect with people on a personal level.

The idea for The Space came to me as I was driving to work one morning, and I met this idea with dread. I had just finally settled from my last big career move 3 years earlier, I now had $150k in student loan debt, hundreds of clinical hours, and I knew that by running with this idea I’d have to let go of everything I had just built, and start all over again. I felt so much fear, and received resistance by some important people around me. Most of the questions were around the investment I had just made, that sunk-cost-fallacy fear.

But I jumped. I invested every penny I had, left my position as a therapist, left my position as a CrossFit coach, and dedicated every piece of myself into this new business idea. And I would do it all again. This road has been so tough, facing some of my biggest fears, challenging my limits of discipline, dedication, and self worth. AND. It has been the most rewarding, most transcending, energizing, exciting endeavor. The business is still growing, and the possibilities are limitless.

Without taking huge risks I never would have found myself here. I never would have experienced the power of watching people transform during a guided breathwork journey, or be filled with a new sense of self confidence or relief from chronic pain following a cold plunge. Or see the joy in faces when they connect with someone in the community and feel seen and appreciated. It’s amazing what people can experience in one session at The Space.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our business is the first of it’s kind and we truly are so excited to be bringing it to the South Florida wellness community! We offer guided breathwork classes daily, cold plunge, sauna, and special events like sound healing and acro yoga. We emphasize community, connecting with each other, and having fun! This is a space that people can come to energize, connect with others, and do something amazing for their bodies and their minds.

The whole process of incepting this idea and bringing it to life has been beautiful. Yes, it has been challenging mentally and physically in so many ways, but it really has been a rewarding process. The most challenging part for me has been learning as I go. I have never owned a business before, however my business partners have, so that’s been amazing to tap in to their knowledge and expertise and grow with them. We have the mindset that change is beautiful, and we adapt and change as needed, which has been extremely helpful for this process.

For me personally, this has been an amazing journey of learning what I am capable of, how incredibly supported I am by my community, and how this “thing” that I knew would help so many people is actually being received and celebrated by so many! Every day people tell us how much this practice of breathwork or cold exposure has changed their lives, and it’s an honor to witness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There’s so many great spots in Fort Lauderdale! CrossFit Fort Lauderdale would be the first stop – amazing community, coaches, and workouts. For coffee, Charlie Street Coffee & Flowers is amazing and always has delicious pastries and the most beautiful flowers. For breakfast or lunch I recommend Gratefuel Cafe on Commercial Blvd. Their breakfast burrito is my favorite, but all of their food is fresh, delicious, and clean. They don’t use any seed oils in their cooking, so it’s the best you can get.

Aqui Bar & Kitchen is new and is amazing for drinks or dinner. They’re right downtown and the vibe is perfect. If there’s no event happening at The Space, I always look for shows at Revolution Live or the Broward Center. Live music and entertainment is the best.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people to shout out! First, Socratis Christoforou for being my business partner, friend, and amazing accomplice in creating The Space and bringing it to life! Joseph Dominguez for joining Soc and I on this journey of The Space, with his amazing energy and efforts to build something beautiful. Shout out to my incredible friends have been with me for so long, have seen so many iterations of myself and continue to love me and support me regardless. Last but not least, my family. They have been such amazing supports my whole life and continue to be my biggest fans. I love you all so much!!

Website: www.thespaceftl.com

Instagram: thespaceftl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespaceftl

Image Credits
Photos by Erik Duijsens Media