The heart and soul of THRIVE are our Community Managers — ringleaders and ringmasters rolled into one. They are here to rock your world, simplify your life, restore your faith in humanity, and basically make your THRIVE experience a bowl of cherries. Minus the pits. Take a moment to meet Mikaela, who’s taking the reins of our new location in Bozeman, MT.
What’s your hometown?
I grew up in Billings, MT, just two hours east of Bozeman. A Montana girl through and through.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, 100 percent. I’m the girl at the party you’ll find socializing with the dogs just as much as I’m socializing with the humans (if not more).
Cake or pie or cookies?
One of each? And add ice cream?
Most used app on your phone?
Instagram … but I have a one-hour limit, so I think that’s saying something, right?
Sunrise or sunset?
If you know Montana, you know both are to die for. But I would have to say a sunrise is far superior — it feels elite because few people are awake yet to experience it!
What’s your musical jam?
Country, folk, a little rock, a little rap, really just depends on my mood.
What song do you want everyone to know?
John Mayer’s Stop This Train.
Have you ever gotten someone’s autograph?
Sadly, no. I’ve had opportunity but I always feel so bad bugging people when they’re just trying to live their lives.
Whom do people say you look like?
I actually grew up with my doppelganger. Her name is McKenna and she’s a year older than me. People would confuse us ALL the time. We both got to the point that when we would get called each other’s name, we’d just pretend we were the other person.
What’s your favorite neighborhood shop/restaurant?
Blackbird … life changing. Fancy pizza is so my jam.
What’s your favorite comedy film?
The Other Guys. Extremely quotable!
Do you have a nickname?
Most people just call me Mik.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Late night Taco Bell. Very specifically, a Crunchwrap Supreme.
Where’s your happy place?
The mountains (classic Montanan answer). But really, fresh air and a lack of cell service are the best cure for most things.
Most prized possession?
My camera! Photography is my creative outlet and I love to create art that captures life in both the big and the small moments so that I can look back and remember just exactly what it felt like during a given season.
What’s your motto or favorite saying?
“Keep your goals in concrete but your plans in the sand.” It’s such a beautiful reminder to keep an open mind on the path to where we’re trying to go. If we’re so stuck in our ways, we can miss the cues to learn and grow along the way.
What absolutely excites you right now?
Is it too cliché to say life in general? I’ve had a lot of really cool opportunities this year and as I’ve opened myself up to just taking whatever life has to offer, I’ve gotten to experience some amazing things. I’m loving this stage of life.
What skill do you think it takes to be a great CM?
Flexibility and an open mind. As a customer service-based job, our people are our priority, so it really doesn’t matter what we “have” to do, but how we can adapt to serve our members well.
What’s the least obvious skill do you think it takes to be a great CM?
I’m not sure yet! I’m excited to get further into the job to figure this out.
You wouldn’t know it to look at me, but …
When I was 2 years old, I fell and fully bit through my tongue. I had to get stitches for it to heal, otherwise I would have had a forked tongue like a snake!
I am not afraid to …
Bust a move! If there’s a good song on, best believe I’ll be dancing.
