MICHELLE FERNG
Wherever you are is a great place to start.
Body-oriented coaching might be for you if...
... you've built a life that looks fine from the outside, but something feels off and you can't put a finger on it.
... you're thoughtful and self-aware, but you keep circling the same questions without settling into certainty.
... other people's expectations and opinions feel louder than your own knowing.
... you're at a turning point and you don't trust yourself to know which way to go.
... you're carrying something you haven't been able to say aloud yet.
How This Works
In our sessions, I follow your lead.
We operate with the belief that you have the answers within you.
Our task together is to separate the signal from the noise. We slow down, pay attention to what’s actually alive for you, and work with that directly. All your thoughts, emotions, impulses, sensations, and observations are clues that we might follow.
When we bring curiosity to all of you, exploring at a pace that you set yourself, that’s when real shifts begin to happen.
This approach is slower than advising, yet it tends to bring a deeper sense of inner clarity.
➞ Learn more about the process
What People Say
"I'm always running at a frequency of 1.5x and she's at like 0.5x. She's able to pull me back into this state of calmness."
—J.J., Senior Manager, USA
"She brings structure to chaotic thoughts, expresses messy feelings in a way I couldn’t yet articulate, and highlights angles I hadn’t considered."
—I. J., Program Manager, Belgium
"I always leave our conversations feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply understood."
—J.C., Pharmacist, Taiwan
Let's Chat
If something here resonates, the next step is a free 30-minute call to see if we're a good fit.→ Book your call
About Me
Hello, I'm Michelle.I've been curious about people for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to know what it's like to be someone else: how they see the world, what matters to them, what they carry with them, what makes them feel most alive.For a few years, I worked as a freelance photojournalist, drawn by the possibility of stepping into other people's realities and seeing the world through their eyes. I went on to spend 15 years working in global health across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Wherever I was, my attention kept returning to the people behind the work, and to the parts of their lives that weren't always visible on the surface.Over the years, friends and colleagues would come to me to talk through difficult decisions, interpersonal relationships, or the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Sometimes we'd start with a practical question and end up somewhere entirely different. We'd talk about what they wanted from life, what was getting in the way, and what they couldn't quite put their finger on. More than once, someone would say, “Wow, I don't know how I ended up telling you so much. I guess I just felt comfortable with you.”I loved these conversations. I loved getting to know someone beyond the version of themselves publicly displayed, and discovering the complexity of their inner landscape. I was fascinated by what happened when someone had the time and company to follow a thought a little further, notice something they'd overlooked, or find words for something they'd been carrying for a long time.Over the years, I began exploring practices centred on connection and attunement. Through somatic work, coaching, circling, and contact improvisation, I've come to appreciate what becomes possible when we pay close attention: to ourselves, to one another, and to the space between us. There's a particular pleasure in not knowing exactly where an exploration will lead, and discovering something together that neither of us could have planned.In coaching, I get to read a chapter from each person's book of life. I listen to the rhythm and prose, notice their personality shining through, and catch glimpses of their hopes and dreams, their fears and grief. For a little while, I get to walk alongside another human being, to match their pace, and perhaps to uncover new paths.Today, I work with people who care deeply about the world around them and are trying to figure out how they want to live in it. Together, we explore what matters to them and what moving forward might look like.If this sounds like someone you'd like to explore with, I'd love to hear from you.
I aim to create a space where:You can think out loud without being advised at, fixed, or rushed toward an answer.You’re held in the full complexity of your situation by someone who won't need you to simplify it or make it more palatable—someone who will help you find your own read on it, rather than handing you theirs.You receive honesty from someone who tells the truth about what they see, with kindness and care.
What Happens in Sessions
You bring whatever is alive for you: a decision you keep circling; a pattern you can't seem to get out of; something you haven't been able to say out loud yet. We start there.I listen closely, not just to what you say but how you say it. I'll reflect back what I'm seeing, ask questions that help you go deeper, and occasionally invite you to notice what's happening in your body as we talk.Our partnership is anchored by structure that balances flexibility and intentionality:1. I lead us in building a broad partnership agreement at the outset: the themes we're working with, what meaningful progress looks like, how to measure it, and how we'll work together.2. At the start of each session, I help you get clear on session objectives and what arriving there looks like.3. During the session, I listen closely, not just to what you say but how you say it. I'll reflect back what I hear, ask questions that help you go deeper, and occasionally invite you to notice what's happening in your body as we talk. I track your state continuously, check in, and offer what's useful from a range of interventions.4. At the end of each session, I facilitate integration of insights and define follow-up actions.5. Periodically, we check in on what's working, what to discard, and what new avenues to explore.Over time, this helps you see patterns you couldn't see alone, make decisions with more clarity and self-trust, and shift how you relate to yourself and others.
My Approach
My work is grounded in somatic coaching, which means we work with the body and nervous system as well as the mind. Rather than forcing clarity through more thinking, we pay attention to what your system is already communicating. This often leads to insights that feel more stable and easier to act on.I don't position myself as the expert on your life. I help you find the thread in what feels confusing, and stay with it long enough for something real to shift.
Format
1:1 sessions, online or in-person, 50 minutes.
Pricing
4-session package—a focused container to work through something specific.
EUR €260 / USD $300
8-session package—for deeper, ongoing work
EUR €500 / USD $600If this is a barrier, contact me and we'll figure something out.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Testimonials
“It’s so lovely to be in a space with Michelle. In the moment, you feel so held—by her, by her energy. I'm always running at a frequency of 1.5x and she’s at like 0.5x. She’s able to pull me back into this state of calmness. It’s so wonderful.”
J. J.
Senior Manager for Strategy and Planning, USA
"Michelle has a calming presence that instantly grounds me. Her ability to listen deeply and uncover hidden details is remarkable. She organizes my chaotic thoughts and reflects them back in a way that brings sudden clarity and relief. The pacing of our conversations is always comfortable, offering insights without any pressure. I always leave our conversations feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply understood."
J.C.
Pharmacist, Taiwan
“During our coaching sessions, I often begin with the sense that my challenges aren’t ‘big enough’, that others face far more serious issues. Michelle consistently creates a space where any topic is valid. She never dismisses or rushes past what I bring; everything is acknowledged and treated as relevant for growth.“She brings structure to chaotic thoughts, expresses messy feelings in a way I couldn’t yet articulate, and highlights angles I hadn’t considered. Talking to her always leaves me in a good mood. Through well-timed repetition and gentle reframing, she has softened some of my harsher internal narratives.”
I. J.
Program Manager in Offshore Wind, Belgium
“Michelle is naturally an incredibly intuitive, receptive, creative and sincerely authentic person. She came into the session with such a grace and openness. The session brought me such a sense of clarity and groundedness during an incredibly difficult and unprecedented time in my life. She listens deeply, reflects back to you what she hears through the lens of her own wisdom and brings guided insight. Cannot recommend Michelle’s services enough.”
M. H.
Public Health Research Scientist, United States
“Working with Michelle helped me soften out of my busy mind and return home to my body. The warmth in her voice and her gentle questions guided me inward, allowing me to feel what was asking for attention. Her nurturing presence creates a safe space where your whole nervous system can fully relax."It is a beautiful gift to yourself to simply begin listening to your body. And in those moments when it feels more difficult to connect, Michelle’s guidance becomes a true support. A gift for your own beautiful being.”
J. D.
Women’s Hormonal Health Coach, Netherlands
Contact Me
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is life coaching? What is somatic coaching?Life coaching is a collaborative process focused on the present and future. Unlike therapy, it doesn't diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, it helps you get clearer on what you want, understand what's getting in the way, and move forward with more intention and self-trust.Somatic coaching takes this a step further by working with the body as well as the mind. "Somatic" simply means relating to the body. Most of us are trained to think our way through problems—to analyze, plan, and push harder. Somatic coaching pays attention to what your body is already communicating: sensations, tension, impulses, the felt sense of something being right or wrong. This often leads to insights that feel more integrated and easier to act on than those reached through thinking alone.
2. How does coaching differ from therapy?Therapy typically focuses on healing, i.e. understanding and processing past experiences, trauma, mental health conditions, and emotional wounds. It is conducted by licensed mental health professionals and can involve diagnosis and clinical treatment.Coaching focuses on the present and future. We start from where you are now and work toward where you want to go. It is not a substitute for therapy, and I am not a therapist. If you are in an acute mental health crisis or dealing with significant unprocessed trauma, I would encourage you to work with a licensed therapist, and I am happy to support that process alongside it where appropriate.
3. What happens in a session with you?You bring whatever is alive for you—a decision you're wrestling with, a pattern you keep noticing, something you can't quite put into words. We start there.Generally, the first full session is about clarifying expectations, preferences, and desires around the partnership. Some refer to this as contracting. We cover things like accommodations, the desire for “work” between sessions, expectations around interruptions, etc. We also clarify the distinctions between coaching and adjacent fields (e.g., therapy, mentoring, advising) and how they might intersect.Clients bring a diverse range of needs and preferences. That said, what is guaranteed for every partnership:- I lead us in building a broad partnership agreement at the outset: the themes we're working with, what meaningful progress looks like, how to measure it, and how we'll work together.- At the start of each session, I help you get clear on session objectives and what arriving there looks like.- During the session, I listen closely, not just to what you say but how you say it. I'll reflect back what I hear, ask questions that help you go deeper, and occasionally invite you to notice what's happening in your body as we talk. I track your state continuously, check in, and offer what's useful from a range of interventions.- At the end of each session, I facilitate integration of insights and define follow-up actions.- Periodically, we check in on what's working, what to discard, and what new avenues to explore.
4. Do you offer in-person coaching?Yes. I offer both online and in-person sessions. In-person sessions are available in Taipei, Taiwan. Online sessions are available worldwide via video call.
5. How many sessions would I need?This varies depending on what you're working on and how you engage with the process. Some people come for a focused 4-session container to work through something specific. Others prefer ongoing work over several months.If you're unsure, the free 30-minute discovery call is a good place to start. We can talk about what you're hoping to work on and figure out what makes sense together.
6. What is your background and training?I hold a Masters of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Global Public Health from the University of Virginia.I received coaching training from the Somatic School, which is the world's first somatic coaching training program to receive the Level 2 Accreditation by the International Coaching Federation).Prior to that, I spent 15 years working as a manager, technical advisor, and consultant on health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. My former employers include the World Bank Group, the Global Financing Facility, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, ThinkWell Global, and Jhpiego. I also freelanced as a photojournalist, covering human rights and social justice issues in places like Peru and Brazil.
7. When are you typically available?I am based in Taipei, Taiwan (GMT+8) and I work most days from 9am to 8pm.To view my availability in your local time zone, please go to my booking calendar.
8. How do I book a session?You can book a free 30-minute discovery call directly through my booking calendar. If you'd prefer to ask questions first, you're welcome to reach out via the contact form.