Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R is the author of ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want.
Dr Maidenberg maintains a private practice in Harrison, NY. She is also the Founder of “Thru My Eyes”, a nonprofit that offers free clinically-guided videotaping to chronically medically ill individuals who want to leave video legacies for their children and loved ones. Dr Maidenberg is adjunct faculty at NYU, teaching a graduate course in Mindfulness Practice. She is the author of the book “Free Your Child From Overeating” 53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health” and her new book “Ace Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want.” She is a blogger for Psychology Today and recently did a TED Talk on “Circumventing Emotional Avoidance.”
This is her interview
What is your book about?
It’s common for us to feel trapped or stuck by our inner commentator, habitual patterns of behavior, and the lessons we’ve learned throughout our lives. We’re unable to break free from patterns and monotony, bogged down in the “stuckness.”
I’ve developed the ACE Method for behavior change to facilitate being our best selves and living the life we want based on the pillars of Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment. We’re responsible for our own growth and healing. It’s empowering to know that the magic is within each of us, and we don’t need to rely on other people or anything outside of ourselves to enhance us.
With openness, flexibility, and curiosity, we can unleash our self-belief, self-love, and self-compassion. ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want is my approach to creating a life and legacy of fulfillment and love for ourselves and others. I have worked hard to convey the strategies so that they’re relatable.
This approach to transformation is far-reaching. It could apply to people who are experiencing slight “stuckness” or who simply want personal growth and enhancement. It’s also highly effective for people whose “stuckness” is more profound because of a trauma, cumulative stress, or other significant challenges causing pain and distress. Individuals who want to enhance their life in a significant way and become their best self through the work and wisdom of personal growth will benefit.
When learning the ACE skills, readers will be able to use them in all areas that challenge them. There’s endless usage for this knowledge, and expansive opportunities for change, growth, and healing. The ACE Method applies to—and benefits—anyone’s life because it’s accessible and comprehensible. The ACE Method is effective at creating change because it’s individualized and unique to each person. Through acceptance, compassion, and empowerment, readers will find their strength, fortitude, and the life they are meant to live.
Why did you want to write this book?
Over the years I had blogged for Huffington Post, PsychCentral and Psychology Today. Embedded in all my writing, my clinical work, and the precepts I teach to my students are the pillars of Acceptance, Compassion and Empowerment. Ironically, when I made up my business cards years ago, I forgot that on the opposite side of the card that I created included a graphic with the word ACE and the precepts. It was in me all along!
I have personally and professionally witnessed how transformative this method is. It truly changed my life for the better and I see true healing and behavioral change in the individuals I work with. I also teach practitioners to use these skills with their clients. I feel honored and blessed to be able to share these precepts so people could move from stuckness to feeling personally proud because of the proactive steps they’re taking toward self-fulfillment. I wrote this book to help others. When I’m able to assist and guide others it truly brings me a sense of joy and contentment.
What do you hope other people will take away from reading your book?
ACE Your Life is divided into four parts: Our Thinking & Connecting to Our Values, Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment. Each section walks you through definitions, benefits, barriers, methods, and strategies to effectively cultivate and embody the skills. The end of each chapter includes curiosity-based questions and self-guided growth exercises to promote growth, healing, and a path toward personal fulfillment. At the end of each chapter, I’ve also included links to applicable guided meditations which I lead where a reader can log on and participate.
Whether someone is learning or refreshing the skills, or they are seeking a reminder, encouragement, and support, they can easily go in and out of chapters based on their needs. I hope that ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want provides readers with the necessary tools to embrace their self-belief, self-love, self-compassion, and self-empowerment. This can help them enhance and improve all aspects of life, whether it be their self-confidence, interpersonal relationships, and/or personal aspirations and goals.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, especially my four children and three dogs. I love mindfulness/meditation, art, skiing, traveling, and learning. I’m a nutrition and fitness buff and have been committed to exercise and healthful eating for over 30 years.
How can our readers get a copy of your book?
My new book Ace Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want is available at: Thriftbooks, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target and Amazon. Note that all paperbacks come with a free ebook.
What is the best way for our readers to connect with you?
My website: www.michellemaidenberg.com
My Psychology Today Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/michelle-p-maidenberg-phd-mph-lcsw-r-cgp.
My YouTube channel for talks and guided meditations: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrMichelleMaidenberg
