Meet Suzanne Brocato

We recently connected with Suzanne Brocato and have shared our conversation below.

Suzanne , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

After landing in a Japanese blizzard, 13 flight hours (some of which were on a C130-Turbo Prop.- an Air Force cargo plane), we were instructed to wrap a rope around our waists to tether us to our group of 12. As we walked tethered from the aircraft to the airport, only seeing a couple of feet in front of us due to the swirling snow, I lived in the moment, paying attention to my steps and holding tightly to my rope. I was six and traveling with my father and mother to our new home in Misawa.
There are many things I contribute to my resilience. Even for people not exposed to encouraging parents, born with a positive personality, having faith in God, or maintaining a sense of humor, there are some keys to becoming and staying resilient. The first is having faith you will come out victorious in the end. Even when situations are challenging, embarrassing, hurtful, etc., you can learn from them and become stronger. Second, focusing on each step helps to narrow your view, which can narrow your emotions so as not to be overwhelmed. Victory over each step leads to victory, breaking the problem into manageable pieces. Third, practice builds confidence, strength, and coping skills. The more challenging situations you face, the more you practice handling them with grace and know-how, and the more resilient you become. Fourth (I believe these two are intertwined), remember everyone is hurting somehow, and a sense of humor is a funnel to get you through. You might be the target of someone’s hurtful words or actions. Instead of being offended or negatively reacting, know they are hurting somehow. Whether it was you or not that hurt them, you can build high emotional intelligence by humbling yourself, showing compassion, and adding humor when appropriate. That being said, there is a difference between using humor as a beneficial skill and being in a bad habit of belittling others or self-defeating by belittling yourself. Landing in Misawa in a blizzard taught me to focus on each step as I did from the plane to the airport. I had faith that we would make it to the airport without trouble. If you have been in a storm, you know it can humble you quickly. My demeanor was open to instruction, and I was thankful I had a rope tethering me to others (We were all in it together.). At an early age, I learned to approach anything life throws at me with gratitude and curiosity.

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?

As a master-certified personal development coach and certified grief coach, I am honored to accompany others in a one-on-one session or a workshop on their journey to live their best lives. Our collective goal as humans should be to “keep moving forward.”
Growing up with Alabama roots and within a military family, I developed a strong sense of community and compassion. My life experiences, especially as a mother, have enriched my coaching practice, where I emphasize patience, empathy, and deep connection. Transitioning from customer service and executive assistant to becoming a personal development and grief coach reflects my dedication to personal growth and empowering others. As an Air Force kid, moving every 2-4 years until college, I gained cross-cultural experience and a quick learning curve for life’s lessons. My work with nonprofits has shown me the transformative power of guiding individuals from grief to hope. As my own family began experiencing the death of many loved ones, I knew I needed more tools to help us all through the grief. Therefore, I became a certified grief coach. Part of my professional history involves working with seniors. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are increasing rapidly, especially in the United States. Recently, my focus has been on coaching families with a loved one who has dementia and the loss that is felt from grief, especially when the loved one is still physically living. Any loss feels grief; if not dealt with, it can cause havoc in a person’s life. I have partnered with Colleen Gianatiempo of Gianatiempo Fine Art to host grief workshops where attendees can heal through art. Life is hard enough, so when a person gets “stuck” and cannot find the next step, I hope they have a safe and confidential support system to help them move forward. Life coaches are for those who may not have a safe & confidential support system available. A good coach will support the client in realizing the “how” to get to the next step. It is with compassion that I offer my services as a coach. I invite anyone to a complimentary 30-minute session to decide if coaching is right for them.

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?

Compassion, curiosity, and continued self-growth are three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey of life and coaching. Life is not meant to live alone. We need each other to be strong. Coaches provide a service to partner with clients on their journey to wellness and success. Coaching is all about the client, not the coach, so staying curious helps a coach to keep the coaching session about the client and keep the session in the present. A therapist, counselor, and psychologist deal with the past and the “why.” A coach deals with the present and future and the “how.” Compassion for others and self helps a coach stay open, kind, and non-judgmental. If you are supporting others in their growth, then it makes sense for you to continue your self-growth. The journey is not over until death is your part.
Coaching is a rewarding career. My success lies in doing my part to empower and positively strengthen individuals so that they can strengthen their circle and so on. Everyone has their answer inside them. Sometimes, we need a partner to create a safe space so we may access it.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My family has been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills and qualities I need to be successful. My uncle once picked up a hitchhiker (in the early 1980s) and asked him where his final destination was. The passenger answered it was in another state 8-10 hours away. My uncle’s compassion for another led him to drive the passenger to his final destination. Then, my uncle had to drive home. This act of compassion greatly influenced my life. The sacrifice it took to help an individual arrive safely to their destination was valiant. I may not physically pick up a person and drive them to another state, but as a coach, I can support them and be on the journey with them as they drive their thoughts and arrive at their conclusion safely and successfully. My father helped me to overcome the fear of future events. As I rushed through the door one night in a panic over a car accident that “could have” happened, I was diffused by my father, who asked, “Why are you so upset? You are still alive, aren’t you? The car is not damaged, right?” I stood there and thought, right, why am I upset? Nothing happened. I often remind myself nothing has happened, so why am I giving all of these future upsetting thoughts my energy? My mother helped me develop communication skills and helped me to see the value of volunteering. Obtaining a B.A. in Communications was easy because I already had the basics from the practice my mother made me do. Her words, as well, ring in my head, “Always look up!” Finally, my husband and children have always challenged me to be my best self. The volunteer work I have done has increased my compassion and given me insight into people in crisis. People are hurting, and we need all our hands on deck. I like to say, “Let the water fountain flow.” Life is organic and flows like water. Coaches help keep the filter from clogging up.

Contact Info:

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