A compelling account of survival and resilience in the Arizona desert, where a young family navigates off-grid living while learning essential skills to sustain their remote homestead in extreme conditions.
In Conversation
Michelle Leinaala McGough Huffman for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
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Michelle Leinaala McGough Huffman: Speaker: Michelle Leinaala McGough Huffman , Professional Chef, Humanitarian and EvE Platform Creator, EvE PlatformWhat does being an Influential Woman mean to you?Michelle Leinaala McGough Huffman : What does being an influential woman mean to me? Huge. You guys unlocked something in me that I didn't realize that I was. I knew I was, but I appreciate that, Being an influential woman means everywhere you go, everything you do, every move you make, everything you think, everything you are, is aloha. You cannot be like hypocritical, you have to let go of everything. You have to get, let go of fear, you have to let go of doubt, you have to let go of everything, and the only thing that you need is positivity. My father, my daddy. He He passed away in Habi, Hawaii, on the island of my birth, the big island of Hawaii. So my daddy, Connecticut born redhead freckles, he was. Pisces as well. My son is 4th generation Pisces. My grandfather was a Pisces, United States Air Force Lieutenant Berg Colonel Francis Patrick McGough, and my distant cousin. Major General General Edward Alexander McGough the 3rd. I come from a long line of powerful men. Well, Here I am. I am their ancestor. What does it mean to me to be an influential woman? Absolutely everything. As the creator of the EV platform, Everything for everyone. Everything I do is for aloha. I will not promote a business if they are not of aloha. If you are, but, so basically, as the platform, you come and you meet with me and I will decide whether or not I will promote you. Cause otherwise I won't, and you have to show me that you are worthy to be for all of our Ohana because we are all entwined. Every single one of us infinitely entwined. Being an influential woman, everywhere I go, everything I do. I influence my element. I represent wherever I go. I represent Hawaii. I represent everyone, everywhere I go, I show people how to be. I show people how to be aloha. What's aloha? The golden rule, All you need to know, it's all you need to know how to be influential and how to be. How to be the most influential person on earth. All right ladies, you do you. Do not let anybody tell you who you are cause you know who you are. You are exactly how God created you to be so. You be and do your God-created talents, and let's spread aloha worldwide. I will see you in Hawaii one of these days, yes, getting there. I love you all. Be good to each other, always. Aloha.What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?Michelle Leinaala McGough Huffman : What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams? Follow your dreams. Don't let anybody. Lead you astray, if you know 100% that's what you need to be doing, then you go. If you are being aloha, if you have respect, if you have nothing but the utmost of care for others with what you're building and doing. Do it. If it's unjust in any way, Tweak it, make it better, make it right. Everything you do needs to be based upon aloha. Basically the golden rule. Yeah, if I could have told younger me, well, you know, I have no regrets. I lived my life exactly the way I needed to. So that y'all could learn and be quicker and respond faster to what needs to go on for all of humanity. That's who I'm here to promote is everyone that's trying to do what they want to do as their God-given, created right. Your talent, what's your God-created talent? What did God put you upon this earth to do? And if you know it, do it. You do that. You don't let nobody tell you otherwise. I don't even understand. Yeah, I don't even wanna fathom The amount of things in every way that is trying to stop me from creating and doing and just being me. They tried to stop me, there ain't no stopping me now, so. Let's see what we can build together, all of us. Shine brightly. Just do not be afraid. The one thing that set me free was no longer having doubt or fear. There's nothing to fear. You're protected, divinely protected. To do what we were supposed to do, and it is time. Oh. My pieces of advice. Get him with aloha.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Leinaala was born on The Big Island of Hawai'i in 1977. Nearing 50, life seems to be leading her down a New Path. After nearly 17 years of Being a Hard-Core Professional Chef... The Universe has far more use for her brain then her body! Realizing this, Chef Michelle revisited a previous dream. Back in 2009, raising three young children with her High School Sweetheart 50 miles down somewhat bladed dirt roads in the Middle of No Where, Arizona...
Hold On, Let Us Rewind to 1992. How David first knew of Michelle's Existence is a Must Know... As a Freshman, Michelle decided to join the all-boys wrestling team at Blaine High School in Blaine, Washington. After volleyball season with no interest in continuing with basketball, she still needed to stay in shape for track. Becoming the Jello Wrestling Champion, the Referee was also the New Wrestling Coach. Never would she have thought to wrestle. Coach Craig Foster introduced himself. She will never forget that day! "Would you like to join the wrestling team?" At first, she wasn't quite sure what to think. Perfect way to stay in shape. Thankfully her parents agreed... Mom was not so easy to convince but Michelle had already decided. When she was little, her parents helped her find her niche. Hula? No... Ballet? No... Dancing? No... Gymnastics? YES!
Michelle wrestled at 129 pounds, Max Bench 135 lbs. with Max Squat at 275 lbs. Having back and knee issues, 300 lbs. was so close to achieving. Her 24-inch vertical certainly helped playing volleyball, spiking was her favorite. Now, it took David over 30 years to tell Michelle his Love at First Sight. She noticed David would flinch a little every time she said her version of Their Love at First Sight. Finally, David told her how he went to be there to see his best friend. Mike Wrestled Varsity Heavy Weight. Michelle wrestled Junior Varsity at 129 lbs. Long Story Short... David saw Michelle, the Only Female Wrestler and Made Sure She Noticed Him at the Beginning of Track Season. That was Her Love at First Sight...
There he was... As she paced her J-Run from the pit to her starting point... She turned and there he was. The World Faded into a Blurry Background and All She Could See was Him. As though time was standing still for them in that moment.
Raising Their Family in The Middle of No Where, Arizona
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
That is a Very Long List, but Will Keep it Shortish... First and Foremost, My Parents. Raising me with Aloha, Life was Full of Beach Days and Ohana Time. My Dad was a Red Head born in Connecticut and My Mom born in Kauai. My McGough Ancestors have Many Military Achievements. For Example: My Grandfather, USAF Lt Bird Col Francis Patrick McGough. My Distant Cousin, USAF Major General Edward Alexandar McGough lll. I seemed to be born InSuboRdiNaTe and never pursued a military career let alone finishing high school.
To My Husband David for Never Giving Up on Me or Us on My Lifelong Search to Find Me.
I attribute my success to my genuine love for humanity. Caring about people inspires me to serve with compassion, build meaningful relationships, and approach every opportunity with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to making a positive difference.
Those who have attributed to My Success is a Very Long List. Every Person I have come across has changed me, helped me to see a different perspective than My Own.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I would say that the best career advice came from my father
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my father: always focus on the positive. He reminded me that there is already too much negativity in the world, and that choosing optimism, even during challenges, helps me stay resilient, make better decisions, and bring out the best in the people around me.
In My Life... The Advice has Been Across the Spectrum. Everything I Needed to Know to Remember... Me!
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Regardless of Industry, You Must Have Confidence in Yourself. Posture Yourself and Stand with Confidence. Believe in Yourself, Your Goals and Dreams! Embrace the opportunities in life that are there to make or break you. Analize the Situation. How did you react? Was there thought first our just reaction? What was the Lesson you were meant to Learn from this? Live Your Life with Self-Belief and Authenticity.
My advice to young women entering this industry is to have confidence in yourself. Trust your instincts and believe in your abilities, because the truth is already within you. When you lead with self-belief and authenticity, you'll be better equipped to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and make a meaningful impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Professional Chef for Nearly 17 Years with 50 Around the Corner... The Body is Tired and The Mind is Thirsty! One of My Biggest Challenges Would Be Changing My Career Direction.
One of the biggest challenges—and greatest opportunities—in my field right now is putting all the pieces in place to build a strong, sustainable platform. For me, that means creating the right foundation, aligning people around a shared vision, and developing systems that can support long-term growth. While building something meaningful takes patience and persistence, it also creates the opportunity to make a lasting impact through EVE.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The Golden Rule as Well as Being Aloha has Always been the Most Important Values for Me! Whether Personal or Professionally, Regardless of Situation...
The values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally, are rooted in the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. I strive to live the spirit of Aloha by leading with kindness, respect, compassion, and generosity. I believe that when we genuinely care for others and approach every interaction with empathy and integrity, we create stronger relationships, build trust, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Michelle
Everything for Everyone
A journey of resilience and self-reliance in the Arizona desert, where survival and love became our greatest teachers.
2009: The Beginning
Middle of Nowhere, Arizona... Completely Off-Grid, 50-Some Miles Down a Bladed Dirt Road... My High School Sweetheart Ensured Our Survival! Raising Our Young Keiki in the Wilds of the Arizona Desert Near Alamo Lake. The Mindset You Have Is... Survival for the Future, Together!
Our focus was on survival each day. My hubby would spend every day out in 100-degree-plus heat, making sure that everything was working. Generators, well pumps, swamp coolers, and plumbing always seemed to break during the hottest part of the day. He taught me how to fix and run everything that was necessary for us to continue living.
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