Meet Sean Hatchett

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sean Hatchett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sean below.

Sean, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, comes from the smallest, most ordinary acts of survival. At my lowest point—battling Long COVID and feeling like every breath was a fight—I discovered that resilience wasn’t about big victories but about showing up every single day. I found strength in routines, like my twice-daily dance with the Symbicort Turbuhaler (aka my superhero cape). Humor also became my lifeline; if I could laugh through the gasps, I could breathe through the pain. Most importantly, my community—friends, family, and Toastmasters—showed me the power of connection. Resilience is built not in isolation but through the shared stories, struggles, and support of others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a storyteller and a Toastmaster, with 6.5 years of experience crafting and sharing stories that inspire, entertain, and connect. Storytelling is my way of turning pain into purpose. My recent speech, “Mirrored Breathing,” encapsulates my fight against Long COVID—a journey filled with humor, perseverance, and ultimately, hope.

What’s exciting about storytelling is its ability to heal, both for the teller and the audience. Through words, I found a way to process my struggles and invite others to reflect on their own battles. Toastmasters has been the foundation of my journey, providing a platform to grow my voice and connect with others seeking to live boldly.

Currently, I’m focused on empowering others to find and share their own comeback stories. Whether it’s through speeches, workshops, or one-on-one coaching, I aim to show people that their struggles can become their greatest source of strength.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Persistence: When I was gasping for air in that ER, I promised myself I’d survive and thrive again. Persistence kept me going through 46 tests, 16 doctors, and countless disappointments. It’s the refusal to give up—even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Humor: Long COVID could have easily swallowed me in despair, but humor gave me a way to reclaim control. Calling my shrimp allergy selfie a “villain origin story” or nicknaming my inhaler the Symbicort Turbuhaler turned moments of fear into fuel for laughter—and laughter, into resilience.

Community: I learned that showing up—even when it’s the last thing you want to do—makes all the difference. Toastmasters became my oxygen, a space where I could connect, share, and feel seen. Community reminds you that you’re never truly alone, even in your darkest hours.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been reclaiming control over my health and rediscovering the power of intentional living. Long COVID forced me to confront my limits—physically, emotionally, and mentally—and pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. I learned to advocate for myself when doctors couldn’t provide answers, to experiment with new solutions, and to embrace patience in a process that felt endlessly uncertain.

Beyond the physical recovery, I’ve grown emotionally by leaning into vulnerability. Sharing my journey through storytelling—like in my speech “Mirrored Breathing”—has been transformative. It taught me that opening up about struggles isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a bridge to connection and healing. Most importantly, I’ve learned to breathe not just to survive, but to live—deeply, fully, and with purpose. This mindset shift has been life-changing, reminding me that every moment, even the tough ones, holds value and potential for growth.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanhatchett

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