Meet Michaela Halvorson, career counselor at Legacy Retirement Communities (www.legacyretirement.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Legacy Retirement Communities is a family, locally owned and operated business. Our mission is to improve the way we age and how we perceive aging. We also work to enrich each and every person by valuing their potential and empowering them to find success.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Realizing that sometimes I can be the “idiot in the room”. This realization, however, has brought a great advantage. Although I might not understand at first, I can always ask someone to explain it in a different way. Odds are, others don’t understand either. Being the “idiot in the room” could end up being an act of service to others.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Discovering the word, “Ubuntu” which is Zulu for “’Humanity’ or ‘I am because we are’”. This word has encouraged me to understand and follow my values. Leading to extraordinary reflections and conversations with others.
Tell us a little about your family. – My husband Kevin and I will be married for four years this August. We love to travel and, in our free time, are music educators at Crossroads Percussion, a nonprofit competitive drumline out of Des Moines, IA.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Sit in the sunshine and read any book by Pam Jenoff. I also enjoy going for long, leisurely runs.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am a cymbal educator for the Iowa State University Cyclone Football ‘Varsity’ Marching Band—Go Cyclones!
Who inspires you? – History. It’s filled with examples of determination, perseverance, resilience, intellects, and heroes. Its stories share what was, what is, and what could be. History inspires us to learn, grow, accept, question, challenge each other, and ultimately be better people.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Find what you love and let it kill you” from the book by Charles Bukowski, Can you Remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Inspired.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Thank You for Being a Friend” by Andrew Gold.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Junior Achievement has been an excellent way to give back as a professional in the community by sharing expertise and strategy with the future workforce. From Kindergarten to high school, volunteering with JA is always an exceptional and fun adventure.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Emotional Agility by Susan David, PhD. This is a phenomenal book if you are looking for a way to really connect with not only your emotions to live a balanced life, but your values and how you want to leave an impactful imprint on earth.
What is your favorite movie? – Christopher Robin.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Elie Wiesel.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 417-7292; michaela.halvorson@legacyretirement.com; www.legacyretirement.com. You can also connected with me on LinkedIn!