Meet Meg Nocero | Former federal attorney, award winning author, inspirational speaker and empowerment coach.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meg Nocero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

While I am proud to be an American, I am equally proud of my Italian-American heritage. I am grateful that my great grandparents got on a boat and traveled across the ocean to claim their American Dream. I was taught well about the villages and regions my ancestors came from, the difficult conditions that forced them to leave, the serious prejudices and hardships they faced when they arrived in America, and the sacrifices they made to overcome illiteracy, poverty and prejudice.

I am the proud daughter of second-generation Italian Americans. Both grew up in New York City, that is where my great grandparents arrived when they left the poverty of Central and Southern Italy in the late 1880s for the United States. It was in New York that my family created a beautiful legacy for each member of my family to honor and emulate. There was an expectation of excellence and an ethos of perfection passed down for each child to accomplish great things and make the family proud. Politicians, lawyers, judges, doctors, teachers, educators—these were the traditional fields of study to choose from, requiring nothing less than a strong work ethic, each doing their part to serve. Both sides of my family were passionate, faith-filled and hard-working people who set out to make a difference in this world for their children and their communities. And, I still hold dear the strong Italian-American values my parents passed on to me and my sisters.

Over Sunday spaghetti family dinners, my mother became a master storyteller as she told us about her parents. My grandfather was a United States Congressman who represented New York in the 60s. He believed in social justice and championed the rights of the Italian Americans in New York during a time when Italians were unwelcome immigrants. My grandmother was the consummate volunteer. While raising her five children, she was always looking for ways to serve the underprivileged. My mother chose teaching as her profession and she educated and guided all of us well—my oldest sister is a doctor, I am an attorney and my youngest sister is also an attorney. My father shared stories about his parents. My grandfather was the kind of doctor who used to make house calls and truly cared for his patient’s well-being. My grandmother was a trailblazer. She eloped as a young woman and worked to put her husband through medical school. At not even five feet, she had a big personality and was a force to reckon with in the business world at a time when women did not work. My father followed in his dad’s footsteps becoming a cardiologist. He dedicated himself to his patient’s care in the same way as his father and made a name for himself reaching the highest level of expertise in his specialization.

Grateful that my parents passed on the value of higher education, I achieved a BA in Spanish with a minor concentration in Italian from Boston College, a MA in International Affairs from the University of Miami, a JD from St. Thomas University School of Law, and a Happiness Certificate with Harvard’s Tal Ben Shahar of the Happiness Studies Academy. I am also a Certified Federal Law Enforcement Instructor/Mentor and a Love Button Global Movement Ambassador. Following in the footsteps of my maternal grandfather, Congressman Alfred Santangelo, I chose public service and worked as a federal immigration attorney first with the Department of Justice, then with the Department of Homeland Security—both for a total of nearly twenty years. There, I trained and mentored both college and law students to rise to professional and personal success.

When in April of 2011 I lost my mother to breast cancer, I also lost my way. Perseverance and a never give up attitude is certainly something I learned from my Italian American upbringing as well as a love of writing, reading books and the arts. Navigating the grieving process, I turned to writing as a healing tool. I started simply. I would wake in the morning and read from a book that resonated with me. When a quote or a passage spoke to me, I grabbed my journal and channeled at least three pages of longhand about what I felt my mother would want to communicate to me about it. One day led to the next, and this routine led me to complete my first book, a self-help guide. My intention was to be of service and empower readers to step into the unknown and wake up to a universe packed with possibility, because that’s exactly what happened to me as I wrote it.

In addition to allowing me to feel connected to my mom, it helped me muster the courage to forge a new path and set out to discover where my passion met my purpose. In addition, after I was brought on stage in Miami with Oprah Winfrey in 2014, I was inspired to take a leap of faith and founded Butterflies & Bliss LLC and S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc., a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to young innovative leaders in her community. And, just like the courageous ones who embarked on an uncertain adventure, in 2017, I took a leap of faith and made a bold career change myself. Now, I am an inspirational speaker, a transformational coach, and the award-winning author of The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit & Inner Bliss and Sparkle & Shine: 108 M.A.N.T.R.A.s to Brighten Your Day and Lighten Your Way. In addition to being named Miz CEO Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, I appeared on CNN Español with Ismael Cala, appeared on a panel at Bookconline in 2020 with Bravo stars and host my own You Tube channel and a podcast called Manifesting with Meg: Conversations with Extraordinary People. And, of course, I am involved in organizations that empower Italian-Americans such as the National Organization of Italian American Women, NOIAW, and the National Italian American Foundation, NIAF.

In September of 2021, I will publish my memoir originally called La Bella Farfalla—Italian for Beautiful Butterfly. The name has been changed to Butterfly Awakens and it depicts the story of my transformation as I moved through unimaginable grief and sadness watching my beloved mother lose her battle to breast cancer. This tumultuous life experience shifted my world, causing me to question my life choices and opening me up to my soul’s calling. I bring readers along on my journey through a dark night of the soul as I dealt with the grieving process, a toxic work environment, and intense stress that results in depression, anxiety, and an acquired somatic nervous disorder called tinnitus. Through it all, I never gave up, instead looking for the help I needed to start to heal and find my light. I believe that my wherewithal to not only survive but thrive is a testament to those Italian American values that were instilled in me as a child—especially my faith. And upon the shoulders of my Italian American ancestors, I still strive to make a difference sharing the vulnerability of my story as I wrote my way out of darkness to rediscover my inner light.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I am an Inspirational Speaker, Transformational Coach, Mentor and Counselor at Law who also runs a non profit called S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc. In addition to a demonstrated history of working in the federal government, I am an award-winning author of The Magical Guide to Bliss and my second book Sparkle & Shine was published in October 2020. My memoir Butterfly Awakens: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief will be published by She Writes Press on September 7, 2021. I am skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Writing, Publishing, Government, Team Building, and Public Speaking. I am a strong professional with a JD, MA in International Affairs, BA in Spanish & Italian, Certified Professional Coach, CPC ELI-MP, ACC/ICF.

In addition to consulting, I have a “Transform to Bliss” 1:1 Signature Program – 3 months “Fast Track to Bliss” or 6 months “Sustained Bliss” packages, corporate leadership packages, and tailored workshops. When I followed the wisdom in The Magical Guide to Bliss urged on by my mother’s last message to me- stress will kill you and have no regrets in life, my journey to bliss began. My dream is to share my expertise that gets results. I am ready to inspire others frustrated creatives align with purpose, realize dreams & get results.

SPEAKING PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
*Want to be Happier in 2021?- Learn How to Simplify!
• 5 part Follow Your Bliss – Realize Your Dream workshops helping to guide others to identify visuals that get them excited and match their passions.
• How to Identify Life Purpose
• How To be Happier in Challenging Times
• How to Manage Stress and Live a Happier Life.
• How to Find a Work-Life Balance.
• How to Navigate the Professional World Staying True to the Authentic Self.
• How to Keep Your Priorities in Your B.A.G. (Belief, Align and Gratitude)
• How to Live a Conscious Life.
* How Being a Person of Service Elevates Happiness.
*Mentoring 101
For inquiries email megnocero@mac.com; Connect on social media @MegNocero

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Such an interesting question in that we have had to modify life a bit due to the pandemic. I would still recommend that my guests go anywhere near the ocean-my favorite place in the world. The beaches in Miami are beautiful. Hotels like the Fountainbleau have such a rich history and offer incredible amenities. The Ritz Carlton and Loews are sure bets if you are looking for luxury darlings! My family loves to stroll on Lincoln Road-called the American Riviera as it does remind me a lot of Nice and the French Riviera. But, I must give a shout out to the smaller boutique hotels on the other side of 5th Street—specifically the Bentley. The rooms are perfect and you are near every great restaurant within walking distance-Joe’s Stone Crabs and Prime 51.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, Dr. Michael A. Nocero Jr. and my late mother Mary Jo Nocero. My sisters Aimee Nocero, Esq. and Dr. Mary Scanlon. My husband – also an Italian American- Frank Simone, Esq. and my kids who are my teachers- Ava and Michael. My entire extended family who have taught me how wonderful it is to be of Italian descent. Also, my teachers from elementary school at Park Maitland Elementary School, high school at Trinity Preparatory School, college at Boston College, my graduate school at the University of Miami, and law school at St. Thomas University School of Law. Specifically, thank you to the late Mrs. Carol Denicole, the late Mrs. Roberta Turner, Fr. Ronald Brokaw, and Mike Spatola. There are so many people who play a profound part in my personal and professional success-too many to name here. I am lucky to have so many good friends as well who I call my “Bellas.” You have given me love and support over the years and I will forever be grateful.

Website: www.megnocero.com

Instagram: @megnocero

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-nocero-esq-686b8715/

Twitter: @megnocero

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meggiebliss

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCati3jiHnBi5ym6z8Pcu5iQ

Image Credits
Michelle Citrin