Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathryn Greenberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kathryn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I had been there for nine months. On my last day, I crossed the threshold into the sun, and I awoke. I began to choose life on life’s terms. I had no idea what that meant, but I knew I must choose to evolve so deeply that my life would transform completely. I made a decision to embrace it all, and work with what is, rather than what I wish were. A tall and necessary order.

It is incredibly challenging to heal in the place you were hurt. I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., which can be a frenetic, corporate, and political city. This environment did not serve my highly sensitive nature…
A move out of D.C. was paramount. When I found Sarasota, FL, my re-birth began. The sunlight, warmth and saltwater were so tremendously healing.
I found my tribe. Here were my people. And *that* can make all the difference.
I stayed true to my promise to evolve, to choose life, to choose love. I get up every day and do it. Even (and especially) on the days when I want to do it the least.
One of the bravest things we can do is stay alive when we want to die.
It had dawned on me that perhaps I did not want to die; I wanted to live-differently, softy, bravely.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Through my coaching and advocating, I am working to address what I would call a trauma epidemic. As a society, we tend to look at those who are struggling and treat their ineffective behavior(s) rather than looking at their core wound. We treat the symptom but don’t meet the need underneath. Thus, the cycle continues.
My privilege and duty is to meet an individual’s needs, and help them meet their own. They are often so tightly bound in shame they cannot see. I work to untwist their wounded and tender souls. Then they take the pen and write the next part of their story.
Every addiction begins and ends with pain. My role is to say, “tell me your story,” and truly listen. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space. I will show up. I will advocate. I will absolutely work as hard as they do, but not harder.
What a blessing to have healed so I can go out and help others do the same. Every day, my gratitude flourishes.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“You cannot save everyone.”

Wise words from a trusted mentor. The caveat: I did NOT believe him.
In the nascent years of my career, I truly believed that if I expended enough time, energy, compassion, empathy, love, knowledge…into “saving” the most vulnerable humans, I could. I could pull them out of their depths and nurture them into life.
That led to a prodigious amount of discouragement and heartbreak.
But I forged ahead, pouring myself into others without realizing that unless I put myself first, I could not fully show up for anyone else. A tough and crucial lesson.

In Hebrew, the phrase “Tikkun Olam” refers to forms of action intended to repair and improve the world. I began to weave that into my ethos.

I shifted and evolved. I now do my best-every day- to work to repair and improve the world, one human at a time.
I do not weigh the numbers, the statistics, the demography. I welcome all, and meet them where they are.

In that same way, the contrasting forces function like the complementarity of heartbeats: a beat, then a reverse flow. We celebrate the beats, of course, but both flows are essential to sustain life.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

While I greatly appreciate the formal training and education I have received, I would *not* be where I am without authentic connectedness, and the human experience. I have fallen down many, many times, but I chose not to stay down. That would have been much, much harder had I not had a family (blood and chosen) to assist in the rising.

This quote from my father’s book sums it up:

“In taking, the receiver offers an opportunity for the giver to give. The giver is a receiver, and the receiver a giver. I owe my life to that balance.”

-Sanford D. Greenberg

from his memoir “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend”

We are designed and wired to connect. It allows us to live, to thrive. Trauma, however, re-wires us to protect.

Healing requires a re-build.
Find a community of those who share your values, respect you when they do not, who inspire and embolden you, who love without an agenda, who are tender and messy. As you become who you are meant to be, your tribe will come to you.
Family-blood and chosen, friends, colleagues, and everyone who is sprinkled throughout.

I am sure I am “too much” for some people. Those are not my people. And that’s ok!

I am spirited, plucky, and passionate. I dance in public places. I sing often and off-key. I love sparkles, dogs, and dessert for dinner. I will love you hard and hug you hard, and I offer that fluently.
I forgive easily and often, but not when the pain has gone too deep. I have sturdy boundaries, protecting my spirit and body sacredly.
I also believe, and have seen in my clients, that having a spiritual connection is vital. Whomever or whatever your chief spiritual officer is, forging a divine fastening is soul-filling.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kathryngreenberg.com
• Instagram: @kat.greenberg
• Facebook: Kathryn Greenberg-Personal Coach
• Youtube: @kathryngreenberg9117

Image Credits
Tyler Smith-headshot