Words | Sierra Rainge Jones
Photography | Giano Currie
Creative Director | Dr. Cybil Bonhomme
Wardrobe Styling | Paulina
Hair & Makeup | Andrea Wolf
Cover Feature Model | Michelle Pooch
Back in the 2000s, when Miami nights were lit with stars and the air was thick with excitement, Michelle Pooch was the life of the party, the ultimate Nightlife Queen. Even though the glitter of those nights has evolved, Michelle’s sparkle hasn’t faded a bit. She’s left a mark on
Miami’s party history that’s as unforgettable as her vibrant energy.
Imagine this: the music’s pumping, the crowd’s waiting, and then, oops, no DJ. Who jumps in? Michelle, that’s who! With zero hesitation, she took over the decks and voilà, a new DJ star was born.
But Michelle’s talents don’t just spin records; they spin magic in the beauty world, too. Tackling her skin woes head-on, she launched BLASS Beauty, bringing a game-changing dark spot treatment to our doorsteps. Talk about a skincare revolution!
This dynamo doesn’t stop at nightclubs and beauty creams. Michelle’s resilience shines through every facet of her life, from braving the reality TV spotlight to being a supermom. She’s a true maverick, navigating life’s ups and downs with fierce grace.
And now, she’s set to share her wisdom in her upcoming book, "Rockstar Resilience." It's a straight-shooting guide to living boldly and bouncing back, packed with the thrilling highs and honest lows of her journey. We got to chat with Michelle about it all - her unfiltered life stories, the peace she’s finding now, and her exciting new projects. She's open, she's real, and she's got this infectious enthusiasm that makes you want to tackle life head-on, just like her. Get ready to be inspired!
Michelle, I got an exclusive sneak peek into your upcoming book; I love how you reiterate in the chapter “Dinner Table Deals: Another Day, Another Dollar and Another Deal” that you were widely known for hosting and curating the most sought-after social events, but what most people didn’t know was that you were also simultaneously brokering relationships that often resulted in six and seven figure strategic partnerships. You mastered the art of getting people together with shared interests and then creating an environment for them to explore synergetic business opportunities. What would you say was the catalyst for getting deals closed?
It's true, I've hosted many social events where attendees walked away with lucrative business deals and other high level collaborative endeavors. The secret to getting those deals done was simply bringing the right people together. While others might have been starstruck by celebrities, I was more interested in who they were beyond the spotlight. I focused on building genuine connections by understanding people at their core.
Once I knew what everyone valued and what they brought to the table, it was easy to connect the dots and make things happen. It's all about finding common ground and creating opportunities for collaboration.
Where did the inspiration for the title Rockstar Resilience come from?
The inspiration for the title "Rockstar Resilience" came from my experiences living the life of a Miami nightlife maverick, which often mirrored that of a rockstar. The lifestyle was filled with music-infused highs, celebrity encounters, all-night parties, and the glitz and glamour of the spotlight. However, amidst the excitement, there were also moments of struggle and adversity.
From navigating the highs and lows of the party scene to confronting personal challenges such as divorce and witnessing the detrimental effects of addiction, I realized that there were aspects of the lifestyle that were not so glamorous. It became important for me to share the truth about these experiences, while also highlighting the power of resilience and mental fortitude required to overcome them.
"Rockstar Resilience" serves as an ode to living a life that you love, embracing both the highs and the lows, and learning valuable lessons along the way. It embodies the idea of bouncing back from setbacks, finding strength in adversity, and shaping a brighter future.
In your self-defined “Rules of Resilience” you talk adamantly about what you call the 30 second rule. What is the 30 second rule and why do you consider it a rule of resilience?
The 30-second rule is a principle I firmly believe in and consider a crucial rule of resilience. It's the idea that when faced with setbacks, unexpected news, or disappointments, we allow ourselves 30 seconds to experience our initial emotional reaction – whether it's frustration, sadness, or anger. During this brief window, we're allowed to "lose our shit," so to speak – to scream, yell, or feel bad about ourselves.
However, after those 30 seconds elapse, we must pull ourselves back into the present moment and shift our focus to resolution. Instead of dwelling on the problem or wallowing in negativity, we redirect our energy towards identifying the next best decision or action to take. This doesn't mean we ignore or suppress our emotions; rather, we acknowledge them briefly before shifting our focus to finding solutions.
I consider the 30-second rule a rule of resilience because it allows us to effectively manage our emotional response to adversity. By limiting the time we spend dwelling on setbacks, we conserve our emotional currency – our time and energy – and invest it instead in finding solutions and moving forward. It empowers us to take control of our reactions and approach challenges with a proactive mindset.