Naseem Rochette is a force of nature, seamlessly blending resilience, intellect, and compassion. As the bestselling, award-winning author of The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over, she has captivated audiences with her extraordinary story of survival and transformation. Currently, she excels as a Strategic Partnership Lead at Microsoft, having previously held a similar role at Google. Her motivational talks have inspired students and executives at prestigious institutions like Google, KPMG, Georgetown, and Rutgers.
Naseem’s thirst for self-improvement and knowledge is insatiable. She holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia University and an MBA from Rutgers, complemented by numerous certifications in leadership development, technology, and AI. Despite her demanding career, she is also a devoted mother to three children, four cats, and two dogs, and is cherished as an attentive and caring friend.
In May 2018, her journey took a dramatic turn when she was hit and run over by a car three times, resulting in life-altering changes, most notably a traumatic brain injury. This harrowing experience forced her to redefine her understanding of strength and resilience. Through her recovery, Naseem discovered a profound inner strength that has transformed her into an even more effective leader, colleague, and human being.
Naseem’s unique ability to turn adversity into opportunity sets her apart. She leads corporate presentations that weave together compelling narratives, leadership insights, and her powerful personal story, guiding teams towards authenticity, vulnerability, and a positive outlook on life and work. Her unparalleled journey and unwavering spirit make her a truly remarkable and inspiring figure.
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Your story of survival after being hit and run over by a car is truly inspiring. How did you find
the mental strength to not only survive but transform your life in the aftermath of such a
traumatic experience?
Naseem Rochette: Thank you, really appreciate the kind words -and I wish I had a profound response for you, but to be honest, the journey was complicated. Sometimes it felt like one step forward and then two steps backward – but luckily, I had this belief – this determination really – that I could emerge stronger. I think just believing in that possibility gave me strength to reframe. Then each small victory built my confidence that I could re-frame and transform my pain into motivation, into a happy story. Plus, I have always preferred joy and optimism – it takes much more energy to be pessimistic! and over the years I saw so many stories of resilience, examples that taught me we can shape our own stories – even in the toughest times. Now, I’m proud to be able to coach others and turn my negative experience
into something that inspires positivity and success in more people.
You’ve spoken about redefining your understanding of strength through your recovery. What
does “true strength” mean to you now, and how can others cultivate this kind of resilience in
their own lives?
Naseem Rochette: One of the most wonderful insights of the journey was finding this new dimension of strength – something I probably thought of as weakness in the past. I learned that strength is not just about showing up and being/looking “strong” – it is about the courage to let others in, to let others help. Strength lies in vulnerability and the courage to recognize that these tough moments don’t just happen to one person. The accident didn’t just happen to me – it happened to my family and friends. When we share, we let others help, we let them heal with us and we also give other people permission to share things they are going through – and that has made my relationships much stronger and more fulfilling.
As someone who has navigated both personal and professional challenges, how do you
balance the demands of being a mother, business leader, and life coach, while maintaining your own well-being?
Naseem Rochette: In the past, pre-accident, I tried to juggle and make it look easy – and although I have always multitasked – it was never easy, and I carried the burden with almost a false facade of ease. Now I am more honest about what I can and can’t do. Finding balance in life – no matter what you juggle (we are all wired to handle chaos differently) should be a deliberate effort that includes prioritizing self-care, self-kindness, and setting boundaries.
I think self-kindness is really important to highlight too. My ability to handle chaos changed after the accident – juggling 100 things isn’t easy for my post TBI brain -and accepting that was a really big step for me. What is wonderful though is I have become better at being present in whatever I am doing – and noticing, appreciating, the joy of small moments – and that has helped me stay grounded on what I really want to prioritize in my juggle.
Your journey from insecurity to leading a life you love is remarkable. What advice would you
give to individuals who feel like they’re stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity?
Naseem Rochette: That feeling of being stuck, insecure, full of self-doubt is definitely something I am familiar with, and I still have those moments and probably always will have them from time to time. The key is to remind yourself that YOU own your own story. Reframe it. Take small steps to change what you don’t like, be kind to yourself on the journey and celebrate each victory.
You’ve turned adversity into an opportunity for personal and professional growth. How can
others learn to reframe their own challenges into strengths rather than obstacles?
Naseem Rochette: Seeing challenges as opportunities starts with believing that we own our story. If you talk about yourself -and think about yourself only with doubt, you will stay in the rut. Recognizing and challenging negative self-talk is so important for me even now – but building self-compassion, setting realistic goals, and celebrating small achievements can make a huge difference. . .and whenever possible, surround yourself with positive influences and remember that growth takes time. It’s about progress, not perfection…and as I say in my book, “The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over” – breaking does not mean you are broken. We all break sometimes, and we can still all be unbreakable.
After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, what practices or habits did you incorporate into
your daily life to help you heal both physically and mentally?
Naseem Rochette: I think the most important thing I did happened about a year after the accident. I realized – and accepted – that I couldn’t think my way out of everything. I gave myself the grace to take a breath, let a rough moment pass, and recognize that I can have both a strong, determined mind and an autonomic nervous system that gets triggered sometimes. Both things are true – and I needed to accept that it wasn’t a flaw or weakness. Once I did that, I could build the tools – like breathing, self-regulation – that helped me get out of those tough moments.
Your story highlights the power of vulnerability in leadership. How do you encourage leaders
and teams to embrace vulnerability, and what role does it play in fostering a healthy, resilient
workplace culture?
Naseem Rochette: This is something I try to be deliberate about. In fact, I even do corporate talks/workshops on this topic. As leaders we need to set examples, and that often means we need to share first, be vulnerable with our teams and show a different lived experience. This is not something most executives are inherently comfortable with, so I will do 1:1 coaching and small group workshops where I help people identify their personal victories and the hidden cracks that made them stronger – and then align those insights to help them strengthen their own goals -or their team goals. When they connect those dots, it is easier to see the value in celebrating what makes us unbreakable.
If leaders can share their struggles and successes – celebrate milestones and small victories – they are better equipped to build collaboration and a team culture that breaks down barriers and builds resilience. I think it’s the most important change leaders can make-right now – especially in the age of AI, where I know many people are scared about their job security and what the world will look like in a few years. I have found firsthand – over and over again – that showing that vulnerability really does foster trust and connection – and can accelerate the ability of teams integrating and successfully working together on complex problems and driving innovation.
In your experience, what are the most common barriers people face when trying to build
mental resilience, and how can they break through these barriers to achieve true growth?
Naseem Rochette: I think it is a lack of self-compassion. Being kind to yourself is not a muscle that most of us have cultivated. Building resilience is a gradual process, requiring patience and persistence. I think that this is also why coaching has become so integral for many people. I so often see that people just need the presence of a sounding board and the guidance/support to be kind to themselves one step at a time.
May 21 marks “Unbreakable Day” for you, a celebration of your strength and recovery. How
can people create their own “Unbreakable Day” as a way to reflect on and celebrate their own
personal triumphs?
Naseem Rochette: Well, most of us have been through some tough moments yet we often sweep those memories under the rug and don’t take the time to recognize the strength we needed to navigate those journeys. Unbreakable Day is about acknowledging and celebrating what we have been through and how we have grown from the experience.
Whether on May 21 or another day -it’s about taking time to reflect on that progress, what you have learned from those moments and expressing gratitude for your support systems. It is about honoring your own resilience and looking forward with hope and pride for what you have already accomplished.
With your background in sales leadership, life coaching, and storytelling, what are some
key takeaways you hope to impart to others on how they can leverage their own narratives to
improve their mental wellness and overall life satisfaction?
Naseem Rochette: I have a whole section in my book called “The Sermon” – so lots of lessons I have learned and hope to share. The one key takeaway though is what I have been saying, we own our story, we can reframe – it takes effort, yet it is possible! We just need to be deliberate, and we need to remember when we share our stories – our struggles and triumphs – we give other people permission to share theirs – and that is often a powerful tool for human connection, personal growth and ultimately joy.
Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Naseem Rochette for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
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