Michelle Klinedinst is the passionate founder of ViaMar Health, an innovative eating disorder treatment center based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her personal journey, cultural roots, and unwavering commitment to compassionate care have driven her to create a safe, nurturing space for individuals and families impacted by eating disorders. With a deep love for the ocean and a belief in holistic healing, Michelle has transformed ViaMar Health into a beacon of hope, blending evidence-based therapies with mindfulness practices to empower patients to embrace lasting recovery.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days are a balance of strategic planning, patient focus, and team engagement. I start with a quiet moment of mindfulness—often a few deep breaths or a walk by the ocean. It clears my mind and reminds me of our purpose. From there, I dive into team meetings, reviewing patient care plans, and connecting with families. Productivity comes from staying grounded in our mission. Every decision I make revolves around what’s best for our patients and how we can keep growing as a team.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I listen—to our patients, families, and team members. The best ideas often come from hearing what’s needed on the ground. Once an idea forms, I collaborate with our team to ensure it aligns with our mission. From there, we break it into actionable steps and pilot it in a controlled way. Feedback is crucial; if it works, we scale it. I’m a firm believer in adapting and refining until we get it right.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of mindfulness and mental health treatment excites me endlessly. Society is finally recognizing the power of mindfulness to transform lives, especially for those dealing with eating disorders. At ViaMar Health, we’ve incorporated mindfulness into our programs, and the results have been remarkable. Seeing patients reconnect with their bodies and emotions in a healthy way is incredibly rewarding.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Consistency in self-care. It might sound counterintuitive, but taking care of myself allows me to show up fully for my patients and team. Whether it’s a morning walk, journaling, or practicing gratitude, those habits keep me energized and focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your instincts. When I was younger, I often doubted my ability to lead or create something meaningful. I’d remind myself that intuition is a powerful tool and that courage is built one small step at a time. Also, don’t rush—everything unfolds as it’s meant to.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that the ocean holds healing powers. Some people see it as just a body of water, but for me—and many of our patients—it’s a metaphor for life and recovery. It’s unpredictable yet calming, turbulent yet full of wonder. Healing can feel the same, and I stand by the idea that nature can be a profound part of recovery.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Practice gratitude daily. I keep a gratitude journal and write down three things I’m thankful for each day. It shifts my perspective, especially during challenging times. Gratitude opens the door for growth and positivity, and I encourage everyone to give it a try.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I pause and breathe. Sometimes I’ll step outside to reconnect with nature. The ocean is my reset button—it reminds me of my purpose and clears my mind. If I can’t physically go outside, even a few deep breaths at my desk can help me find clarity.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Listening and adapting. Whether it’s feedback from patients, families, or our team, I’ve learned to listen closely and adapt quickly. Growth comes from understanding the needs of those you serve and finding innovative ways to meet those needs.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I underestimated the importance of family involvement in recovery. We initially focused solely on the patient, but I quickly realized we were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. We revamped our programs to include family therapy and education. It was humbling, but it taught me to stay flexible and open to learning.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a mindfulness app specifically for eating disorder recovery. It could include guided meditations, journaling prompts, and grounding exercises tailored to the unique challenges of recovery. Accessibility is key, and an app could make mindfulness tools available to more people.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Trello is a lifesaver for keeping our projects organized. We use it to track tasks, timelines, and goals for our patient care initiatives. It keeps everyone on the same page and ensures we’re meeting our deadlines while staying aligned with our mission.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. It’s a powerful reminder that embracing vulnerability and imperfection is key to growth. I’ve shared it with patients and team members because it resonates deeply with the journey of recovery and self-compassion.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched My Octopus Teacher. It’s a beautiful story about connection, resilience, and learning from nature. It reminded me of how much we can gain when we slow down, observe, and approach life with curiosity and respect.
Key learnings
- Mindfulness as a Foundation: Michelle Klinedinst incorporates mindfulness into her daily life and ViaMar Health’s programs, emphasizing its transformative power in recovery and personal productivity.
- Adaptability Leads to Growth: Michelle’s ability to listen, adapt, and implement feedback has been a cornerstone of her success in building a patient-centered organization.
- Family Involvement is Crucial: Through experience, Michelle learned the invaluable role families play in recovery, shaping ViaMar Health’s holistic approach to include family-based care.