Welcome to UpSpiral.Life
UpSpiral.Life was born at the intersection of Taoism, manifestation & parts work.
Michael has been a licensed acupuncturist since the late ’90s, and for over 25 years, he shared Taoist wisdom with his patients—wisdom that aligns perfectly with the principles behind the Law of Attraction. After decades of one-on-one work, he began to see patterns. He realized it was time to bring these insights into a structured program.
In 2024, he launched the first live group, and midyear, his wife Leela— A Trauma informed Internal Family Systems Therapist and Teacher—joined as Clinical Director. Taoism and IFS both describe the mind as a system of parts organized around a higher self, so their collaboration felt organic and powerful.
In 2025, they launched UpSpiral.Life as a digital community and learning portal. The live group and video-based curriculum blend manifestation, Taoism, and IFS into a uniquely embodied path of transformation. They’re not just teaching mindset—they’re guiding a return to your truest self, from the inside out.
Disclaimer: UpSpiral.Life is an independent business and is not affiliated with the IFS Institute. We acknowledge and credit Dr. Richard Schwartz as the founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Meet the Team.
Michael Hunter
Founder & CEO
As the founder of this vibrant community, I'm all about nurturing energetic connections & embracing the power of manifestation. With 25 years of experience as an acupuncturist, I intuitively navigate the realms of Old Magic.
Leela Hunter
Clinical Director
Hi I’m Leela, I’m the Clinical Director at UpSpiral.life, where I help people release limiting beliefs and realign with their manifestations.
Meg LaFramboise
Chief of Operations
I ensure our UpSpiral.Life members and team are fully supported every step of the way. From streamlining operations to creating seamless experiences, my focus is on helping our community thrive.
Sarah Drake
Community and Programs
I help liaise with our community and collaborate to bring forward programming that supports growth, connection, and transformation. I began my journey with UpSpiral.Life as a member, and through the power of manifestation and taking aligned action, I have the privilege of working with this incredible company and this robust community.
Christina Shonkwiler
IFS Practitioner
Christina is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Practitioner (Level 2), a Family Constellations Facilitator, and a long-time performing artist and ritualist. She earned an MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Drama Therapy.
As a Reflections Group Leader with Upspiral.life, Christina supports the simple and profound IFS process of getting to know emerging inner parts from a space of compassion, curiosity and care. It is her honor and passion to walk with others as they make space to meet their parts in this way. Christina has found that seeing the systemic view of ourselves, our families, and our world helps us relax into our right place of belonging within them. Especially in a warm community; this can be an experience of healing and connection for the body and soul.
Website: creativehealingpower.com
Celia Clark
IFS Therapist
Hey there, I'm Celia! An IFS Therapist, Coach and Group Practitioner who supports others to heal their relationship with food and themselves. Drawing on Internal Family Systems and psychospiritual principles, it is my calling to guide others in exploring their inner world, meeting their protective parts with compassion and cultivating a sense of self leadership.
Through gentle, insightful facilitation, I support others to reconnect with their inherent wisdom and innate gifts, offering a pathway to deeper nourishment on every level: emotional, physical and spiritual. All parts are welcome!
Pronouns are she/her!
Website: www.celiaclark.online
Alexandra Bollag
IFS Practitioner
Alexandra is a Level II Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy practitioner, certified life coach, writer, and educator with three decades of experience helping clients improve the quality of their lives.
Alexandra works with clients one-on-one in her IFS-based coaching practice and also teaches workshops and courses where she blends IFS with powerful coaching tools to create transformative experiences. In addition to writing on Substack, she offers professional development for practitioners and coaches on trauma-informed practice, Polyvagal Theory, and Internal Family Systems Therapy.
Website: https://www.alexandrabollag.com/
Sophia
Efremova
Enrollment Advisor
As an Enrollment Advisor at UpSpiral, I help people overcome limiting beliefs and live authentically. After years fighting California wildfires, I now focus on personal development and parts work, guiding others toward transformation. I value intentional living: slow mornings, daily reading (The Way of Integrity, Atomic Habits, David Sedaris), handstands, and cooking traditional Russian recipes from my babushka.