How I Became Athlete at 40 | Michelle Boyd
From ICU to Finish Lines: Redefining Strength with Michelle Boyd What happens when life forces you to stop—and you choose to come back stronger? In this powerful episode of Human Side Up, host Natasha Nuytten sits down with Michelle Boyd—Director of Health Careers & Workforce Development at Atrium Health and National Board President of Tri It For Life—for a conversation that’s as real as it is inspiring. Michelle shares her journey from a corporate mom pushing through pregnancy in high heels to landing in the ICU with a life-threatening heart scare. That moment became her wake-up call: to prioritize health, embrace resilience, and redefine what it means to be strong. From there, Michelle not only claimed the title of Fit Mom and Athlete—despite laughter and doubt—but also became a triathlete, mentor, and leader helping women cross finish lines both on and off the race course. Her work at Atrium Health focuses on building a diverse healthcare workforce that reflects the communities it serves, while her leadership at Tri It For Life empowers women to try, to fail, to cry, and to succeed in spaces they never imagined themselves in. Together, Natasha and Michelle dig into what real integration (not “balance”) looks like, the power of releasing perfection, and why mentorship and representation matter so deeply in both work and life. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever pushed too hard, been told they don’t belong, or wondered what might be possible if they simply gave themselves permission to try. Highlights & Takeaways 💡 How a health scare transformed Michelle’s priorities and identity 💡 Why she proudly calls herself Fit Mom and Athlete after years of resistance 💡 The unique challenges women face in triathlon—and how Tri It For Life changes the story 💡 Why harmony, not “balance,” is the healthier way to lead life and work 💡 The role of mentorship in shaping inclusive, resilient leaders Learn more about Michelle Boyd: 🔗 LinkedIn
Human Side Up What happens when we stop following the playbook and start writing our own? Hosted by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, Human Side Up cuts through the noise to reveal how real leaders create workplaces—and lives—where people can thrive. Connect with Natasha: 🔗 LinkedIn 🎧 Listen on Spotify 📺 YouTube Connect with CLARA: 🔗 LinkedIn 🌐 Website 📺 YouTube
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