ACCIDENT ON PURPOSE WHEN FATE MAKES YOU A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
Interview with Michelle Francis This interview originally aired on the Landscape Ontario podcast and has been edited for length and clarity.
O ne rainy fall afternoon, Michelle Francis’ life changed in the blink of an eye, forcing her to reevaluate her priorities. Francis has led a busy life as a CEO, HR law professional, social justice champion and mother, to name just a few. She is a nature enthusiast with extensive outdoor education training, and is also a graduate of Landscape Ontario’s GROW program. Through her connection with nature, she’s found healing and purpose — something she’s eager to share with others. Francis now educates people about the value of community gardens, and mentors youth to help build, install and maintain them for clients. In the colder months, Francis returns her attention to HR law consulting and advocacy efforts. Francis joined the Landscape Ontario Podcast to share her story about embracing life’s challenges with an open heart. She acknowledges that accidents have purpose, and the healing she experienced while spending time in gardens and nature compelled her to create opportunities for others to discover the transformative power of plants.
After decades of building a fast-paced corporate career, what brought you back to nature? A pivotal moment was a very eye-opening motor vehicle accident. I was sitting in a vehicle in traffic. I heard screeching from somewhere, and I looked up in the rearview mirror to see someone barreling at my vehicle. I had major issues at the top and bottom of my spine. There was no relief. And that started the journey of me reconciling with a whole lot of things. As someone who’s naturally active, not being able to do much was frustrating. But one thing I remember distinctly was the daily ritual in the garden. It became me versus my lack of mobility . Gardening gave me a sense of control. That year, I grew a really large garden, trying every seed I could get my hands on. It was about seeing potential — in the plants and in myself as I recovered. With my mobility impacted, I had to be mindful of where I went, how far I walked and what I wore. But in the garden,
This interview was adapted from an episode of the Landscape Ontario podcast, published on Dec. 2, 2024. To hear the whole interview, visit landscapeontario.com/podcast, or search for it on your favourite podcast app
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