Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anne-Marie Zanzal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anne-Marie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
I returned to school at forty-two to become a minister. My first class was the Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace in Hartford, Connecticut. It was led by an amazing nun named Miriam Terese Winter or MT. Miriam Therese Winter MMS is a Roman Catholic Medical Mission Sister, theologian, writer and songwriter.
It was in one of those moments when I was struggling and didn’t feel like I was doing enough or keeping up. I was, but i also was so hard on myself. I told this to MT. She looked at me with her clear blue eyes and said: “Anne-Marie you are a mom of four kids between the ages of 2-14 and you have returned to schools for a masters degree. You are amazing!” She made me believe that I could do it.
I graduate from Yale Divinity School three years later with a Master of Divinity. I know help other people believe that they are amazing and they can create the life they want.
Anne-Marie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I came out as a lesbian at 52 years old after a 27 year marriage and four children. I worked as a pastor and hospice chaplain. My own coming out was very difficult and I wanted to help others who were on the same journey. Using my experience as a grief counselor I began to host mutual support groups. After a while I turned to individual and group coaching and created a safe place for women questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity. I help people work through their trauma, internalized homophobia, shame and guilt, divorce and grief.
Over the last year I have pivoted my business to also include other queer people who are at a personal and/or professional crossroads to gain clarity on who they are and what their next step is in life. I help people find authentic joy.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My reputation was built over the last four years as consistently showing up as a presence in my later in life community. I have offered free options for people including several Facebook groups. I have answered many of the same questions over and over again with a mixture of compassion and straight talk – pun intended. I have been told that I am a person who speaks truth and I am honest about this journey. I am also honest about what we need to do to create a life that is aligned with who we are. This includes engaging our past trauma and taking an honest look at ourselves through the lens of deep self compassion.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Yes, I would. I learned the skills as a chaplain in a professional training program called Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE for short. I did both an internship and residency in the Yale Healthcare System. This program required an action-reflection model of learning. This is where I learned to truly listen and to reflect back what others were saying. It has served me very well in the coaching practice I have built from scratch to a six figure business. I am a minister still, but just in a different way.
Contact Info:
- Website: annemariezanzal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annemariezanzal
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-zanzal-m-div-a46622116/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1uq9yA_EAWfq22swZp89w
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/revzanzal
Image Credits
Tonda McKay Photography