Exploring Life & Business with Michele Paul of Let’s Get Social Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Paul

Hi Michele, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Michele Paul, and I’m an optimist. I see the cup as half empty—because that just means there’s room to add something extraordinary. As a creative, I don’t worry about what’s already in the cup; I know that whatever I pour into it will transform everything for the better.

I’m a retired Marine, honored to have served alongside some of the bravest men and women for 20 years. As a combat veteran and participant in a humanitarian mission to GTMO, Cuba, I carry those experiences with pride.

I’m also a mom and “GiGi.” Every part of my life fills me with immense gratitude.

Nature is my grounding force—so much so that my sons call me the Lorax because, yes, I hug trees. One of my most cherished memories is standing before the majestic General Sherman, a moment so moving it brought me to tears. Born on Leap Year, I like to say I’m still a teenager at heart, always embracing curiosity, play, and wonder.

I’m also a poet, passionate about the power of words to give life and create meaning. I truly believe that conversations which foster understanding have the ability to dismantle much of the world’s ugliness. Single and fiercely dedicated to self-love, I’m on a journey to love myself from the inside out, with all the passion and joy that comes from fully embracing who I am.

In 2018, I moved to Charlotte because my oldest son is a Panthers fan. Not long after we moved, the team started to struggle—so to all the Panther fans out there, I apologize if we had anything to do with it! In 2022, I made the move to Raleigh, and out of all my transitions, this one was the hardest. For the first time, I felt lost, like I couldn’t adapt. I cried for weeks, and my life grew so dark that I had to talk myself into saving it. I knew something had to change, so I gave myself 30 days to shift my attitude. One day, I went on a hike and then had brunch. The next, I logged onto Facebook, created a group called Let’s Get Social Raleigh, and prayed I’d find people who wanted to hike and have brunch with me.

That’s how this new chapter of my life began—by reaching out, taking a chance, and finding community.

From that small spark, Let’s Get Social Raleigh was born. What started as a simple hope to find people to connect with over hikes and brunches has turned into a vibrant community of adults who, like me, needed a space to find their tribe, unwind, have fun, and just be. I realized that I wasn’t the only one struggling with the challenges of adapting to new environments, feeling isolated, or carrying the weight of adulting. So many people out there were yearning for the same thing: connection, joy, and a break from the daily grind.

What makes Let’s Get Social Raleigh special is that it’s a space for people to rediscover themselves through play and community. It’s about giving adults permission to step away from their responsibilities for a moment and reconnect with who they were before the pressures of life took over. Whether it’s through hiking, mixers, or our flagship event, the Adult Recess Festival, everything we do is centered around helping people tap into joy, creativity, and self-care.

For me, this journey has been deeply personal. Creating this community quite literally saved my life, and now my mission is to create that same space for others—to remind them that they are not alone, and that it’s okay to hit the reset button and just enjoy life. I’m passionate about mental health, well-being, and making sure no one feels like they have to go through life’s challenges by themselves.

Let’s Get Social Raleigh has grown beyond anything I could have imagined, and now it’s not just about me anymore—it’s about all of us. Together, we’re creating a community that uplifts, supports, and celebrates the joy of living authentically. And as I continue on this journey, I’m constantly inspired by the people I meet, the stories I hear, and the connections we build. We’re here to grow, play, and thrive together.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This transition felt different, and for reasons I still don’t fully understand, I just couldn’t adjust. Moving wasn’t new to me—I’d spent my entire adult life on the move, so it should have felt familiar. But this time was harder, and I struggled in a way I hadn’t before. I suppose the optimist in me would say I needed to go through this tough moment. Those feelings of isolation and struggle allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level. People saw themselves in my story, and I saw myself in theirs. We understood each other and were there for one another.

If it had been easy, Let’s Get Social Raleigh might never have been formed because the need wouldn’t have been there. It was through that shared experience of hardship that this community was born—filling a void for so many of us who needed connection, joy, and a break from the weight of everyday life.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Let’s Get Social Raleigh?
Let’s Get Social Raleigh (LGSR) is a community-driven organization rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—”I am because we are”—and designed to help adults rediscover joy, connection, and well-being through shared experiences. Our unique value lies in our holistic approach: we combine the healing power of play, nature, connections, and community with intentional events that allow adults to take a break from the pressures of everyday life and reconnect with their true selves.

Our events, like hiking, book clubs, mixers, Adult Recess, and the Let’s Talk About It Town Hall, are crafted to create spaces for open dialogue, personal growth, and fun. Whether it’s through physical activities in nature, deep discussions on social issues, or lighthearted moments of play, every event is an opportunity to foster real, lasting connections. And because we are a 100% volunteer-run organization, the heart of LGSR comes from the people themselves—those who believe in creating a supportive, uplifting community.

What sets us apart is our commitment to helping adults escape feelings of isolation, exhaustion, and stress through the transformative power of play and connection. LGSR’s approach to well-being goes beyond traditional self-care by creating environments where people can reset, rediscover their inner child, and engage in activities that promote mental, physical, and emotional health. At LGSR, we’re not just offering events—we’re building a culture that empowers adults to reclaim their joy, their community, and reimagine their well-being.

When you come to an LGSR event, you’re not just attending—you’re joining a community that’s dedicated to living authentically, supporting each other, and transforming how we think about self-care. Together, we’re redefining what it means to prioritize our mental and physical health, one connection at a time.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
A tomboy! I laughed this weekend while playing with my granddaughter. I think this was the first time I ever played with Barbie dolls. Life wasn’t easy. But I’m very thankful for the examples that had in my life. I had a cousin who graduated from college, an uncle who served in the Air Force, and a grandfather who loved me unconditionally. My environment was not good but I kept my eye on what I wanted to be like. I graduated from college like my cousin, retired from my first career like my uncle, and I love like my grandpa.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.letsgetsocialraleigh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgetsocialraleigh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgetsocialraleigh
• Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lets-get-social-raleigh-51158297753#events