Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bronte Coluccio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Bronte, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I started Aerobic Gymnastics when I was 8 years old, I represented New Zealand for the first time at 11 years old. That’s when my eyes were opened to just what was possible. It ignited a fire within me and a passion so very strong. All I could dream about for the next 5 years was standing on that international podium with a gold medal around my neck. To get there, I had to change club and go to more experienced international coaches who could get me there. Who knew that would be one of the most impactful choices I was to ever make in my life. At the new club in Auckland, New Zealand, things started so well – I was challenged, I was pushed, I learnt so very much! At the age of 12 I competed 3 times internationally in the NSW State Championships, the ANAC International Championships in Los Angeles, and the Australian National Championships. The Australian events were the first time my team medalled internationally and the first time my coaches truly realised our potential. That year was our ‘honeymoon’ year and things soon changed after that. The abuse started slowly, with detrimental comments, with regular punishments in training, and being given the ‘cold shoulder’ in training. From the ages of 12 – 15.5 years old I experienced many things, a few in particular come into my mind immediately. One training I had Sesamoiditis in my foot and couldn’t jump to splits (granted I could do everything else in my routine), however because I couldn’t do this without extreme pain I would skip it in my routine. My coach was disgusted, they wouldn’t speak to me, they would write notes in a book and give it back to me without looking at me. I felt like I was performing to an unacceptable level, so I decided next routine I had to perform it so my coach would talk to me and give me feedback of my performance. So I did, and I hit my injured foot and cried silently in pain for the remaining duration of the routine. Seeing my tears, my coach’s attitude was unchanged, I was told to go ice my foot and sit outside the room for the remaining of training to not get in my teammates way. Another time before an intentional event I had been doing a 1-on-1 training with my coach. Now Aerobic Gymnastics is very high energy and demanding on fitness, I performed so many routines that day I had to run to the restroom to throw up. On returning to training, it was time for my team 1-on-1, I say hi to my team mates and nobody is talking to me. Confused as to why everyone is so silent, finally one of my team mates whispered under their breath ‘we’re not allowed to talk to you.’ When I asked why, the answer was ‘because you didn’t really get sick, you’re just attention seeking’ – well that is what they had been told by my coach.
It was a hard few years of psychological and emotional abuse, neglect, and physical abuse when we were injured. My resilience developed because I stuck through it, I maintained my composure as best I could at trainings, respected my coach, and screamed and cried into the pillow when I finally got home. I had a quote on my wall from Winston Churchill that said ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going.’ That and the Muhammed Ali quote, ‘I hated every minute of training, but I said ”Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’
Throughout all this my dream was unwavering, to be a champion with a gold medal around my neck. Unfortunately I never quite got the gold, achieving several silvers and bronzes internationally before my parents made me retire for my own safety. However I believe the resilience and maturity I had to quickly develop as a 12 year old has absolutely shaped my character and my resilience as an adult. It takes a lot to shake me or upset me now days! I now work in very high-stress and physically demanding situations as a stunt performer and I love it! I truly believe everything happens for a reason, though I wouldn’t wish those youthful experiences upon anyone, I know that they have aided me in becoming the person I am today!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am still working in the film industry as a stunt performer also developing my skills for stunt coordination. I have had the pleasure of working on some amazing jobs including as a stunt double on Avatar: Way of Water with James Cameron under the stunt coordination of Garrett Warren. https://www.brontecoluccio.com/
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm9047785?ref_=hm_prof_name
IG @brontecoluccio
Having been a gymnast my whole life, I had to transition to martial arts and learn fight skills to develop my career in stunts. While on this journey I realised that the flexibility I had was a major advantage. On the daily my training partners would be asking me for tips and tricks to develop their own flexibility. This inspired me to expand my coaching qualifications and achieve my personal training certification to specialise in flexibility. I now run my own company called Set Apart Stretching where I coach individuals through programs, 1-on-1 sessions, workshops, online and in person, how to develop their flexibility and mobility for their given sport.
https://setapartstretching.com/
IG @setapartstretching
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I was privileged to receive a very good education, I chose to homeschool for high school so I could dedicate more hours to training whilst still maintain good grades. It was during my homeschooling that I decided to get as many qualifications external to school as I could. Through Gymnastics New Zealand I attained every single coaching and judging qualification I could before I had turned 18. I honestly did not know these qualifications would still serve me 10-15 years later, I thought it was just useful for my part-time student job of coaching. I’ve learnt since that no education is every a waste of time. All knowledge and experience you gain throughout your life will come in use at some point, whether now or later.
After high school I went to the University of Auckland and got my Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Sociology and Criminology and went on to postgraduate, getting my Honours (first year Masters) in Criminology.
After my degrees I had a sharp change in my career path and chose to pursue stunts instead, I thought I had potentially lost a lot of money on student loans. However, I have been selected for multiple committees relating to gymnastics in the wake of Larry Nassar given my knowledge on psychology and crime.
My advice to others is simply to never stop learning. Always, always, always keep educating yourself. If you’re thinking about doing a course, certificate, or degree, just start it. Get it done. I put off getting my personal training certification for 2 years which held me back in my personal and business development.
If you’re passionate or curious about something, pursue it and learn more, you never know where education will lead you.
No education is ever a waste of time – and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The book that has been the most impactful to me has been the Bible. I don’t believe I would have been able to develop the resilience in life and achieve all I had if it was not for my faith in God. I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover several times over the years and there have been so many verses that have just stayed with me. One which I’ve had memorised since I was very young, 2 Timothy 1:7, ” For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but one of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” (some translations say fear instead of timidity, and self-control instead of self-discipline). To me this has been on of the most encouraging verses as it reminds me who I am in God. I’ve never wavered in my identity as it’s written in black and white – I am powerful, I am loving, and I am disciplined. The worlds your oyster when you believe what God says about you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brontecoluccio.com
www.setapartstretching.com - Instagram: @brontecoluccio @setapartstretching
- Facebook: /brontecoluccio /setapartstretching
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brontecoluccio/
www.youtube.com/@setapartstretching
