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

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?

Having a great leader or mentor can be life-changing, and for me, Becca Brown has been that person. From day one, Becca has rooted for me in ways I never expected. She never doubted my potential or made me feel like I couldn’t achieve something, no matter how challenging the goal. Instead, she always worked with me to figure out how to overcome obstacles. Together, we would find a way, one way or another, to make things happen.

One of the key qualities that make Becca stand out as a leader is her ability to provide the right kind of affirmation at the right time. Whether it’s before or after a public speaking engagement or after finishing a tough project, her words have this unique way of bolstering my confidence. These affirmations have been instrumental in helping me follow my dreams. Every time I step off a stage or complete a difficult task, I can feel the impact of her belief in me, and I know that one day I will be on stage, empowering a packed room just by being myself.

Becca also sees more in me than just my strengths—she encourages me to embrace my weaknesses as well. One pivotal moment in my career stands out as an example of how her leadership transformed my outlook. I was doubting myself as a coach because my style was different from everyone else’s. I’d often tell people that I was the “weird coach” because I didn’t fit the traditional mold. Instead of letting me stay stuck in that mindset, Becca challenged me to reframe it. She urged me to stop calling myself weird and to start calling myself unique. That small shift changed everything.

From that moment forward, I leaned into my creativity and innovation, using my uniqueness to connect with others and help them reach their goals. Since then, I’ve facilitated workshops and have even grown my own small coaching business on the side—all because Becca believed in me when I doubted myself. Her leadership has empowered me to embrace who I am and use my gifts in ways I never imagined.

Becca Brown is more than just a supervisor. She’s a true believer in humans, and that’s why she’s made such a profound impact on my personal life and career.

Tiffany, 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’m Tiffany Naccarato, and first and foremost, I’m a human being navigating this world, just like you. I’ve spent 45 years on this earth, full of successes, heartbreaks, lessons, and plenty of everyday mistakes. What sets me apart is my lived experience combined with a relentless passion for helping others reclaim their lives and find balance, purpose, and joy.

I’m a woman in long-term recovery from substance misuse and mental health challenges. My recovery journey is central to who I am today, and it’s given me the ability to speak on issues that deeply affect not just me, but also those I love and serve. I’m driven by hearing people’s stories and supporting them as they work toward the life they desire—whether that’s rebuilding relationships with their kids, improving their financial health, balancing work and personal life, or finding their voice in the workplace. Whatever the goal, we set actionable steps together, and I bring in a network of other professionals to provide comprehensive support.

Today, I wear a few different hats. I’m the Community Impact Manager for USARA (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness), where I organize events, create partnerships, and develop programs for treatment courts, while also supporting our incredible team of leaders. I also work for a private family therapy business as a certified Family Peer Support Specialist, helping families work through challenges together.

In addition to that, I run my own growing business—Real Life Mentoring with Tiffany Naccarato. Through this, I offer monthly empowerment workshops and one-on-one sessions where people feel safe to talk about life’s challenges without fear of judgment. The spaces I create are based on trust, integrity, and a genuine desire to see others thrive.

What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve come from a place of hopelessness—years spent unhoused and without direction—to where I am today. I had mentors and professionals who believed in me, and I’ve taken that forward by supporting others in their journeys. Whether it’s emceeing events or presenting on topics that matter, I’m committed to being a voice and a resource for those who need it.

In my personal life, I strive for balance through my daily practice of the eight dimensions of wellness, and I always aim to show up authentically for my beautiful children. I’m a spiritual person, and my relationship with God is foundational to my strength and resilience. What I want people to know is that my journey, like everyone’s, is ongoing. I’m proud of who I was in the hardest moments, and I’m even more proud of who I’m becoming.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that someone else—especially a man—would save me or fill the gaps I felt inside. Growing up, I was conditioned to believe that a woman needed a man to feel complete, and that to achieve the things I wanted in life, marriage was a prerequisite.

For years, I carried this belief with me, thinking that my happiness and fulfillment depended on someone else. I placed unrealistic expectations on relationships, looking for someone to rescue me from my struggles and give me the life I envisioned. But what I eventually realized—through my own experiences and growth—is that no one can save me. I am the only person who can build the life I want, and that sense of wholeness and self-worth has to come from within.

This realization was freeing. It allowed me to take ownership of my life, stop waiting for external validation or rescue, and instead focus on my own goals, healing, and happiness. Now, I know that my strength, resilience, and potential have always been mine to claim, and it’s a lesson I continue to share with others.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I spent years battling addiction, which kept me away from the people who mattered most to me—my kids and family. For six years, I lived on the streets, feeling lonely, scared, and disconnected. During that time, I faced a lot of physical and mental abuse, not just from others but from myself, which was the hardest betrayal of all. I had abandoned my lifelong dream of being a mother, something that once defined me.

When I finally got into recovery, life didn’t magically become easy. There were many people, including myself, who didn’t trust me or believe I could change. I had to attend family activities where I wasn’t always welcome, and even my kids didn’t know if I would stick around or disappear again. The weight of shame was heavy, and there were nights I cried myself to sleep, unsure if I even wanted to keep going.

But slowly, my shame turned into guilt, and that guilt became a motivator to make small but meaningful changes. I worked on rebuilding my relationship with my children, step by step, and even though life is still a work in progress, today I have a sense of peace. My kids know I love them, and that love is a huge part of my motivation for continuing to grow and heal. It’s not perfect, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: IamTiffanyNaccarato
• Facebook: Tiffany Naccarato
• Other: I have appeared on many podcasts over the years that are available on apple, youtube and other platforms. You can search by name and city: Tiffany Naccarato, SLC, UT.

  Website is coming beginning of 2025

  Best form of contact is via email: [email protected] or social media messaging platforms

Image Credits

Photos; Faces and Voices, KSL Podcast. Alice M. Hall, Lanette Denton, Heidi Fulger, RA Productions, Declarative