We recently had the chance to connect with Megan Brehman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Megan, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I feel called to step into a bigger version of myself—one that serves someone greater than just me. Becoming a new mom has brought this calling into sharp focus. I’m learning to show up more boldly, live more intentionally, and be more productive in all areas of my life. It’s about embracing courage, owning my power, and doing the work to be the best version of myself—for my son, my clients, and my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Megan Brehman, a certified life and career coach and founder of emerge life design, which I started in 2009. For more than a decade, I’ve helped women create lives and careers they truly love. My philosophy is simple yet powerful: true happiness, engagement, and productivity happen when our actions and goals are fully aligned with who we are at our core.
Over the years, I’ve worked with individuals and groups through 1:1 coaching, small group programs, workshops, and retreats—guiding clients to uncover clarity, break through limiting beliefs, and step confidently into their purpose. One of my favorite offerings is hosting retreats in Joshua Tree, where the land is still, potent, and deeply inspiring.
What makes my work unique is my blend of deep listening, asking the hard but necessary questions, and empowering people to see that everything they need to succeed is already within them. My mission is to help women push past fear, claim their potential, and design a life and career that’s not just successful, but deeply fulfilling.
On a personal note, I’m a proud mom to Oliver—my 7-month-old rainbow baby—whom I welcomed at 44 after a long IVF journey. I live in SoCal with my fiancé, Anthony, and our lovable Great Pyrenees, Penelope. I’m also the oldest of five children, the only girl, and a true Virgo to my core.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a bubbly, smart, and confident little girl who believed the world was my oyster. Growing up in downtown Chicago, I spent countless hours with my childhood best friend dreaming up creative ventures—running lemonade stands with custom friendship bracelets, dressing up in her mother’s glamorous dresses and charging neighbors to take Polaroid photos with us, and even starting a babysitters club in sixth grade. I was imaginative, entrepreneurial, and full of joy. It wasn’t until high school that my confidence began to fade, but those early years remain a reminder of the fearless, creative spirit that still lives inside me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—there was a time I almost gave up, though from the outside, no one would have known. Throughout my 20s, I lived with an eating disorder, feeling like I had two lives: the one everyone saw—driven, successful, climbing the corporate ladder—and the one I lived on the inside, silently battling myself and my body.
The summer before I turned 30, I realized I could no longer keep living that way. I had always told myself I wasn’t “sick enough” to get help, but it became clear that the disorder was controlling my life. I checked myself into the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado, expecting to be there for two weeks. I stayed for two months. That experience changed everything—it completely transformed my relationship with myself and with food. I’ve been free from an eating disorder ever since, and that freedom has given me the clarity, compassion, and resilience I bring into my work today.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that what matters most to me can be summed up in my five core values: beauty, growth, connect, create and spark.
Beauty – I find beauty in the everyday. I love fresh flowers, visually inspiring spaces, and wandering through boutiques just to window shop.
Growth – I’m always learning, expanding, and working on my mindset—whether it’s taking a class, reading, or finding new ways to be the best version of myself for both me and my clients.
Connect – Deep human connection is at my core. My friends are like chosen family, and I also cherish the bonds I share with animals.
Create – I’m always creating—whether it’s designing a beautiful space, working on a project I love, or even cooking something delicious. Creativity is how I express myself.
Spark – This is the magic I feel when I’m working with a client and see them light up—when they experience a breakthrough or a big shift in their life.
These values shape everything I do, in my work and in my personal life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is my willingness to be fully seen. For me, that looks like dancing like no one is watching, speaking on stage, sharing my story, writing my story—and most of all, truly believing that my story is unique and powerful. For years, I held back, convinced that what I had to say wasn’t important enough. But I’m learning that our stories are what connect us, inspire others, and remind us we’re not alone. Letting that light shine is still a work in progress, but it’s one I’m deeply committed to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emergelifedesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergelifedesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbrehman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meadrat
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/emerge-life-design-los-angeles-2
Image Credits
Bridget Farhat
Jessie Magaña
