Greetings! I am no longer offering coaching as I am now doing Web Design, SEO & AI for nonprofits.

New website: qtWebExpert.com.

For more information, you can email me at mj@qtWebExpert.com.

Hi, I’m Michelle Johnston
My pronouns are them/they & you can call me MJ

ABOUT YOUR COACH

I’m a queer, non-binary, chaplain, spiritual director, ordained priest in the Christian tradition, and life coach. My journey here hasn’t been straight, but every twist has brought me closer to who I truly am.

 I didn’t grow up in church. My dad’s garage was his sanctuary, and mine was wherever I could explore my curiosity. When I was invited to church in high school, it felt like finding a place I didn’t know I needed. The community was a balm during hard times—especially when my mom passed away.

College brought me to Campus Crusade for Christ, where I learned community could also be conditional. When the message turned toxic, I walked away from God, faith, and anything that resembled it. For twenty years, I focused on a career in IT, got married, divorced, and finally came out. Discovering my queer identity filled in the missing piece of me—it was like opening a door I didn’t know existed.

Years later, a friend invited me to a Christmas Eve service at a progressive Episcopal church. I wasn’t expecting much, but when the pastor spoke about LGBTQ+ people with love, not condemnation, it reignited something in me. That unexpected moment led me back to faith—not the kind that judges or excludes, but one that embraces mystery, love, and the beauty of our interconnectedness.

I’ve walked many paths since then: as a monk, a jail chaplain, a spiritual director, and now as a life coach. Every step has been about deep listening, holding space, and helping others find what’s getting in the way of living fully. My heart is with those navigating the complexities of faith and identity, especially queer, questioning, and trans Christians who feel torn between who they are and who they’re told they should be.

Your Journey, Your Path

You’re at a crossroads. Do you stay where you are, or take a step toward more peace, freedom, and joy?

Whether you're questioning your gender identity, struggling with religious dogma, or simply seeking a deeper sense of belonging, I’m here to walk with you, offering support, tough love when needed, and a belief in the divine beauty within you.

I’ve navigated the tension between sacred texts and personal truth. I’ve felt the isolation of the closet. You don’t have to do this alone.

My Mission

To bring more beauty, compassion & love into the world.

Values

Compassion

Compassion is my passion. I am deeply invested in reaching those who are struggling and helping them get to a better place. I acknowledge that I have not walked in your shoes and I do not know your entire backstory. What I offer is my skill and expertise in a way that helps you connect with the wisdom that comes from your lived experience so, together, we can bring more beauty, love & compassion into your life.

Freedom

Fairness and freedom are two of my top values. In a just and fair world, everyone would have the freedom to be who they want to be and live how they want to live. There is only exception - when your right to be and do as you please denies me of my right to be and do as I please, then it’s a no go. It’s basically The Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If we all respect that, they we all get to live and love freely.

Joy

I think of joy as a state of being. It’s something that can be cultivated, but that comes from the soul, not external circumstances. It’s even possible to experience joy in difficult times, when we are experiencing grief or uncertainty. Joy is important to a life well-lived and I believe we can tap into our joy through gratitude, laughter, creativity, connection, and awe. This is why we will lean into joy in our coaching or spiritual direction.

Pillars of Life & Coaching

  • Connection

    We live in a universe of connection. You and I are connected and we live in relationships with individuals and communities that impact each other to varying degrees. So, the quality of our lives is directly impacted by the quality of our connections – to ourselves, the people we love, the communities we belong to, and to something bigger (however you define that).

  • Acceptance

    We can feel accepted by our family, friends, or society. However, transformation comes with self-acceptance. Self-acceptance may involve changing the beliefs you have about yourself, but it doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't make change. It’s the starting point of change. Our work together will help you accept your worth as a human, as well as the people you struggle with.

  • Respect

    Queer people often experience disrespect because of who we are, even though we are as deserving of respect as anyone else. When we disagree, we can and should still treat each other with respect and compassion. It is possible to disagree with someone’s beliefs without canceling or dehumanizing them. We cannot heal unless we can see each other with respect and dignity.

  • Growth

    I believe we all came here to learn something. The possibilities are endless, even in just our little corner of the cosmos. No matter how much we grow mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, there will always be opportunities to keep evolving. Coaching and/or spiritual direction can help you take full advantage of the life you’ve been given and go all in on the journey! Let’s go all in together!

Training & Experience

Certified Professional Life Coach (Frameworks: The SHIFT Method, a CBT model, IFS)
Certified Facilitator, The Compassion Practice (Center for Engaged Compassion)
BA - Gender & Feminist Studies (Pitzer College)
Lay Counseling (All Saints Church, Pasadena)
One Unit Clinical Pastoral Education (Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles)
Spiritual Director (Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality)
Spent 3.5 years as an Episcopal Benedictine Monk & Jail Chaplain in a women’s jail in Los Angeles
Certified Art4Healing Facilitator (Art & Creativity for Healing)

MJ in Action

Panel on Gender

Understanding Gender: Medical and personal perspectives on Identity, Expression, & Transitioning

Click the image to the left or here to watch the panel discussion.

Interview with Sam Torode

Interview with Sam Torode

Interview with Elizabeth Sherman

Interview with Gretchen Hernandez