Michelle Obama is prioritizing her mental health as she enters a new phase of life.
In a candid conversation on On Purpose with Jay Shetty, where she appeared alongside her brother and fellow The Light Podcast co-host Craig Robinson, the former First Lady revealed that she’s currently undergoing therapy as a way to “tune up” emotionally and mentally.
“At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning,” Obama shared.
She reflected on the challenges she’s faced over the years, including the responsibility of keeping her family grounded while in the national spotlight. With her husband, former President Barack Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha at the center of public attention for nearly two decades, she now finds herself in a season of self-discovery.
“I’m an empty nester — my girls have been launched,” she explained. “For the first time, every decision I make is entirely mine.”
Obama added that she no longer leans on obligations as a wife, mother, or public figure to define her choices. “I don’t have the excuse of, ‘My kids need this,’ or ‘My husband needs that,’ or even ‘The country needs that,’” she said. “So how do I think about this next phase? I need help with that.”
She described her therapy sessions as a space to unpack long-held patterns and emotional burdens. “Let me unwind some old habits. Let me sort through some guilt I’ve carried for years. Let me explore how my relationship with my mother shaped my worldview,” she said.
The former First Lady is also coping with the recent loss of her mother, Marian Robinson, who passed away in May at the age of 86.
“This is a whole new chapter in life for me,” she continued. “I see therapy as coaching. I’m a big advocate for it.”
