Episode 234: Heart Surgery, Healing, and Heroines: How Megan Michelle Turned Recovery Into the SEAL Saga That’s Redefining Strength
What if the moment that nearly broke you became the one that set you free? In episode 234 of Joy Found Here, author Megan Michelle shares how life-saving open-heart surgery became the spark for her debut novel Skylark. What began as weeks of darkness turned into a flood of inspiration—a story that would change her life and redefine her purpose. Through heartbreak, healing, and courage, Megan found her voice and a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to go.
Megan Michelle is the author of Skylark and Born in Blood, the first two novels in The Seal Saga—a blend of romance, action, and emotional depth. With a background in clinical psychology, she draws on her studies of grief and trauma, her family’s military roots, and her recovery from open-heart surgery to craft stories rooted in resilience and empowerment. Her work champions strong female leads and advocates for mental health, women’s strength, and creative freedom within the military community.
In this episode, Megan reveals how Skylark was born during her recovery—typed out on her phone in the dark after surgery when she couldn’t even look at a screen. What started as a spontaneous download became the story of Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL fighting global patriarchy. The experience transformed Megan’s life, leading her to leave her marriage and corporate career to follow her true calling as a writer. Through her series, she channels psychology, spirituality, and storytelling into one purpose: turning pain into power and inspiring others to listen when the universe nudges them toward change.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
From heart surgery to storytelling (02:59)
The “dark room download” that sparked Skylark (03:56)
A spiritual shift from fear to faith (08:12)
Losing a marriage, finding herself (12:34)
Writing as healing and purpose (16:40)
Meet Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL (17:07)
When psychology meets storytelling (22:52)
Turning fiction into advocacy (24:28)
Editing, community, and creative growth (32:47)
Trusting divine detours (38:13)