Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Tracey A. Chapman is a Resilience & Certified High-Performance Coach. She is one of the few Resilience and Certified High-Performance coaches in the world who has walked the painful grief journey and now specializes in helping executive men and women find new passion, purpose, and meaning and rebuild their lives after a devastating loss.
Can you tell us about your background and how you started your business?
I am an energetic and Internationally Certified High-Performance Coach, mentor, trainer, and author who is deeply passionate about making a positive, impactful difference in people’s lives and the world for those who have been impacted by the devastating loss of a loved one. I am fortunate to call the stunning city of Perth, Western Australia, my home. For more than twenty-five years, I dedicated myself to the corporate world as an Executive Manager. During this time, I had the privilege of being the driving force behind the growth and success of various start-up companies, transforming them into flourishing multi-figure enterprises. In a single, life-altering moment, my entire world was shattered. A phone call that changed everything. My beloved son, at the young age of 32, had gone missing. It was completely out of character for him. And then came the devastating news: he had taken his own life. In the blink of an eye, I went from an accomplished, driven, high achiever, to someone who could barely get out of bed. I was determined to honour my son and ensure that his passing would not be in vain. Thus, a new journey began, one that aimed to overcome life´s toughest challenge. And so, I embarked on a treacherous journey of self-rediscovery—an arduous path of healing and transformation that led me beyond the confines of conventional approaches.
I have studied with some of the industry’s biggest names, such as Tony Robbins, Brendon Burchard, Dean Graziosi, Benjamin J Harvey, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jay Shetty, and many more. I am here to support individuals in their journey to overcome grief and thrive once again. Through my unique coaching approach, I empower individuals to rebuild their confidence, reignite their motivation, and uncover a renewed sense of inspiration. Together, we will navigate the path toward discovering a new purpose, finding meaning in life, and embracing the value that each day holds. Dealing with loss and hitting rock bottom can be an incredibly challenging process. After the loss of a loved one, even the simplest of tasks can feel like herculean challenges. I know what it’s like to wake up each morning haunted by memories and overwhelmed by grief.
I know the struggle of our mind and body shutting down unable to focus on work, to fulfill obligations, when your heart feels shattered into a million irreparable pieces. I remember losing the dreams, the plans, and the vision of a future that once burned bright within me. I remember questioning my worth, my strength, and my ability to find happiness again. I refused to stay at rock bottom; it was not a place I wanted to dwell. After my son´s tragic passing, I embarked on a transformative journey of healing. Along the way, I discovered resilience, strength, and purpose - powerful tools that helped me navigate the depths of grief with determination and a renewed sense of meaning.
How did these experiences shape your perspective and your ability to guide others through similar challenges?
Grief is not something you simply move on from; it is something you learn to live with while still experiencing the pain. It’d be unrealistic to think you can go back to “normal.” Losing someone dear to you, whether it´s a parent, child, friend, or even a romantic partner, can be an incredibly painful experience. The grief you feel may seem overwhelming and undoubtedly shake your life to its core. The depth of your pain is a reflection of the depth of your love for the one you have lost. When it comes to death by suicide, it is undeniably one of the toughest challenges for a parent to face. It takes grief to the next level, pushing us to our limits. I have personally walked this painful journey, and I can attest that it nearly destroyed me.
However, it´s important to remember that in the face of adversity, we have the power to rise above our fears and anxieties. This difficult journey of healing can ultimately lead us toward personal growth and a deeper connection to who we are and the life we live. That is when having a grief and loss coach, especially one who has walked the journey, can reliably help you get unstuck in your grief, your story, and your loss, and move forward.
You´ve mentioned studying under influential figures like Tony Robbins, Brendon Burchard, and others. How have these experiences shaped your coaching approach and the techniques you use to help your clients navigate?
Having personally been coached by Brendon Burchard´s top Certified High-Performance coaches, I experienced a tremendous transformation when I was searching for ways to heal my own life. From my experience, I was aware of the profound impact his coaching style would have on individuals navigating the path of grief. It was precisely for this reason that I underwent Brendon’s training to become a Certified High-Performance coach. As a high performer, when you feel like you´ve lost your performance edge and the power to perform, Certified High-Performance coaching offers a distinct approach compared to Life Coaching.
In your coaching, you aim to help individuals live a "Power Life". Could you define what you mean by a "Power Life" and provide an example of a client you´ve worked with who was able to achieve this transformation through your guidance?
In the depths of grief, it can feel as though life has stripped us of our power and ability to perform. The weight of sadness can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling lost and incapable of reaching any level of success or fulfillment. However, it is in these moments of despair that we have the opportunity to discover our true strength. It is through the process of healing and growth that we can rise above our pain and reclaim our power. Remember, even in the darkest times, there is a flicker of light within you waiting to be ignited. Embrace your journey through grief with courage and resilience, for it is through this transformative process that you will emerge stronger than ever before. I like to refer to this as living your "Power Life".
One of my clients was going through significant changes, a journey filled with emotional ups and downs, in her life described her transformation and my coaching as:
"What I found incredible about Tracey, is that she lives and breathes a High-Performance lifestyle with every inch. She is a true role model, and a coach to look up to. I do believe, that when you are embarking on a big change, you need people close to you, that are inspiring you, challenging you, and role model the behaviour and the lifestyle you are after. With her own life experience and how she handled her very own challenges so gracefully, she is a coach you only can look up to and aspire to become one day. She was able to see what I am capable of, in situations where I couldn’t and was helping me to get there with empathy, yet steadfast guidance. Tracey is a very strong coach and perfect for anyone looking to make a change or going through a serious transition of any sort. She is the person you want to have on your side. Self-doubt and limiting beliefs are easy to overcome with her guidance."
Looking ahead, how do you see your coaching style evolving?
Life is an ever-evolving journey of self-improvement, where we continuously strive to become the best versions of ourselves. I have personally embraced this philosophy throughout my life. I focus on supporting my clients in their journey towards healing and growth, rather than directly addressing the trauma of their loss. If I sense that they are not making progress in overcoming their trauma, I kindly refer them to a therapist who can provide specialized assistance. I aspire to be recognized as a true authority in my field. I am committed to constant research and improvement, always seeking new techniques to enhance my coaching skills. My goal is to empower my clients so that together, we can conquer any challenges that life presents. Remember, life is an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that shape us into stronger individuals. I will leave you with my slogan:
“Pain is not a place to live; lighting our soul up and living is!”
contact her here. Tracey´s website – traceyachapman.com – is currently under development and available end of September.
