After surviving a violent childhood, Michelle Renee became a runaway at age 15.By the time she was 35 she was an Assistant Vice President/Executive Banker. She had beat the odds with resiliency and determination. But life dealt Michelle another devastating blow when three masked gunmen broke the door to her home down, held her and her daughter hostage for 14 hours, taped explosives to their bodies and forced Michelle to rob the bank she managed to save their lives. This single mother and daughter were severely traumatized and the 13 year career Michelle loved was over. With nothing to lose they fled to Alaska for healing and discovered that it was in those 14 hours held hostage, as she was preparing to die, that Michelle knew that if she survived, it was time to heal her life...all of it. Today Michelle Renee is an award-winning author, international speaker, respected activist, radio show host, and success/breakthrough coach/expert. Michelle is the Owner of Common Unity PR and the Founder/Director of Rock To Stop Violence. Her 2nd annual Rock To Stop Violence event was held in 2010 at the world famous House of Blues and featured classic rock icons such as Chris Slade of AC/DC and Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group. Rock to Stop Violence events will expand to Chicago and other cities in 2011.
Michelle has been seen on Good Morning America, CBS 48 Hours, Fuji TV (Japan), W Network(Canada), Lifetime, A & E, BIO, Fox, CBS, NBC, KPBS, and numberous other television and radio shows. She is a recent contributor for NY Times, Washington Post, is a featured Huffington Post blogger, More Magazine contributing writer, and 2010 Women Changing the World Award finalist. She resides in Southern California with her daughter Breea and dogs Gypsy and Spike.
HELD HOSTAGE DVD RELEASE
Based on the debut true crime/memoir by Michelle Renee, Image Entertainment will release "Held Hostage" starring Julie Benz to DVD on September 14, 2010.
JULIE BENZ (From the hit show DEXTER) STARS IN HELD HOSTAGE DVD RELEASE September 14, 2010
Lifetime Network Official Held Hostage world premier movie trailer
"Held Hostage" Now ON DEMAND!
Check your local Lifetime listings for upcoming scheduled air dates
http://www.rocktostop.org
Join the Rock N' Roll Movement Against Violence and Abuse
Standing United Against Bullying | Rape | Domestic Violence | Gang Violence | Human Trafficking | Child Abuse
“Michelle is a fabulous woman that brings great knowledge to the table. She has experienced in the real world what she is speaking of and it shows her big heart. She is a highly motivated speaker that passes her inspiration out to her audience in full force. Her books are education as well as an incentive to drive you to your fullest potential. I highly recommend her as a speaker and an author.”
"We often wonder why bad things happen to good people. Perhaps it is because good people take those experiences and use them to reach out to others who are in pain. Michelle Renee has done exactly that with her remarkable book, "Held Hostage". She didn't sit back, victimized, and wait for things to change. She took her bad experience and she used it to initiate changes that benefit women everywhere. She became stronger because someone tried to break her. She spoke out when others tried to silence her. Her bad experience happened to one of the most gifted, most generous people on the planet. All of us are better off because of the way in which Michelle Renee chose to deal with events that would have shattered most of us. If that isn't inspiration, I don't know what is." - Esther Luttrell
“Michelle is a powerful and heartfelt speaker. She touches everyone who hears her speak. She is a motivational speaker who never fails to motivate and inspire."
Bobbi Frank, Manager of Special Events, The hollywood Reporter
Phyllis with Michelle and daughter, Breea on the movie set of Held Hostage
2010 Workshop, Keynote, and Seminar Topics
EMPOWERMENT | INSPIRATION | HEALING
Radical Reinvention: Stepping Into a Powerful New Identity to Achieve Success From the Inside Out
The Power of Choice: How to Heal & Live with a No Regrets-Take Charge-Love Yourself Attitude
PTSD is REAL: The Reality of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Survivors of Community Violence, Domestic Violence & Child Abuse(includes post trauma art presentation)
PERSONAL SAFETY | PARENTING
NEW: Naturally Empowered Woman-Personal Safety and Empowerment for Women & Girls
Parenting & Post Trauma:How to Choose Positive Recovery for You and Your Kids in the Aftermath of Violence & Abuse
She Is Not Me: Nurturing Individuality in the Mother/Daughter Relationship
CORPORATIONS & SMALL BUSINESS
Employee Protection: Personal Safety & Empowerment for Executives
Bank Robbery 2010: Best Practices & Positive Healing in the Aftermath
Breaking Through the Three "R"oadblocks to Success: Regret, Resistance, Resentment
Corporate Ladder to Life Ladder: What a Business Plan and Your Life Have in Common-Tips to Success From the Inside Out
CONSULTING & SPOKESPERSON SERVICES
Personal Safety & Home Security: Available as Product or PSA Spokesperson
Television/Film Scripts & Projects: Post Trauma Mental Health Issues & Home Invasion/Kidnapping/Hostage/Bank Robbery
Bank Robbery Training: Development of New Policies/Procedures for Employee Protection, Training and Aftermath Response
"In the aftermath of surviving violence, abuse and trauma, I had a choice to make. Allow it to cripple me and my daughter or choose to become empowered by it." ~Michelle Renee
