In this episode of Wake the F*** Up, Alix Long sits down with grief coach, writer, and founder of New Moon Mira—Mira Simone—for a raw and soul-deep conversation about what it means to navigate profound loss while continuing to show up for life. Mira shares the story of her partner Brian's shocking and sudden death just seven weeks after his cancer diagnosis, and how that experience unraveled everything she thought she understood—even as a trained mental health occupational therapist.
Mira unpacks the widespread misunderstanding around grief, including the myth that healing happens in a straight line. Instead, she insists, grief and joy aren’t opposites but companions, both expanding with us as we move forward. Parenting through grief, she says, is one of the most brutal, sacred paths—one where perfection is impossible, and self-compassion becomes a lifeline. Mira and Alix bond over the impossibly hard decisions they've had to make for their children in the wake of death, and the messy, real love that carries them through.
Mira shares how she eventually came back to her body through somatic work, after initially resisting it for years. Her cold plunge breakthrough at the family cottage was a turning point, reawakening her nervous system and her ability to feel again. That healing inspired her to create a somatic grief course for others, addressing a massive gap in grief-literate practitioners who also understand the body’s role in trauma healing.
What started as grief writing on Instagram has evolved into a full-scale business offering group support, retreats, and now the ICU Sister Community—an intimate platform for widows featuring live calls, workshops, and somatic video resources. Mira discusses how she continues to integrate Brian’s energy into daily life with her daughter, holding space for both mom and dad roles while focusing on pleasure, presence, and the simple joy of being alive.
Follow Mira on Instagram and Facebook at @newmoonmira, and learn more about her grief offerings, including the ICU Sister Community and upcoming retreats.