Michaela Fissel is a Holding the Hope speaker for 2018 Webinar.Michaela I. Fissel has been actively involved in the behavioral health field since achieving recovery in 2007, at the age of 21. Since that time, Michaela has risen as an advocate who actively seeks to ensure that the opportunity of recovery is available to all young people within Connecticut. Over the past 10 years, Michaela conducted a series of research projects to explore recovery during the transition to adulthood through the perspective of young people. Identifying the relationship between recovery and the transition to adulthood as a highly subjective and internal process, marked by the gradual attainment of intrinsic qualities, Michaela has begun to explore the integration of mindfulness-based practices in supporting both processes. In conjunction with her research, Michaela shares her personal experiencing navigating the challenges of surviving personally devastating circumstances and evidence informed strategies that have supported her healing journey.