Kathy Tuccaro

I attribute my success to my faith in God, resilience, determination, and the courage to rebuild my life from the ground up. At 40, after overcoming alcoholism, homelessness, and the long-lasting effects of trauma & abuse, I began a transformation through opportunities like Wellsprings, a faith-based long-term recovery program for women, and Women Building Futures, where I was selected as one of 16 women from 158 applicants and learned to operate heavy mining equipment. It was an experience that fundamentally changed how I saw my own potential bloom after decades of being brainwashed into how useless, ugly, and unable to achieve anything in life. That moment helped me unlearn years of limiting beliefs and replace them with confidence, discipline, and a growth mindset. From there, I built a new path forward as a multi-award-winning podcaster alongside the incredible Shelley Johnson with Women Road Warriors, an author of Dream Big (translated into multiple languages), the Dream Big Workbook to accomany the book, The Mystical Swordman of the Sugmad, my children's book and now Designer Miner Educational & Activity coloring book which educates children around the world on the wonderful world of mining. I am also the founder of a work boot recycling program that has supported tens of thousands in need with gently used work boots, hard hats, and PPE; I distribute cold water to the homeless on very hot days in every city I travel to, while also speaking at shelters and schools and continuing to educate women through my new platform, Designer Miner. My success comes from choosing courage over fear and believing that personal transformation creates a ripple effect that can uplift families, communities, and future generations. Find Your Shine is my personal motto, and I try to uplift anyone who is still suffering and who wishes to change their life.

This may seem ridiculous, but in mining, the saying is that you are only as good as your last five minutes. This advice has kept me focused on all that I undertake, whether it be in the mine or in every aspect of my life. Standing in my truth, owning responsibility, and holding myself accountable for my personal learning curve is the foundation I choose to grow with. Never stop learning, and having the confidence in your ability to adapt will keep you rock solid in your personal investment for all your tomorrows.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to trust your own voice, listen to your heart, and believe in your ability to succeed. You will encounter people who question your place in a male-dominated field, but your path is defined by your mindset, not by others’ expectations. Courage already exists within you; it simply needs to be nurtured and brought forward. Early in my own journey, I struggled with low self-esteem and past trauma, and even experienced moments where those memories resurfaced in overwhelming ways while I was on the job. In that moment, I made a conscious decision to reclaim my power and remind myself that my past does not define my future. I chose to focus on my strength, my progress, and my right to be there. From that point forward, I replaced negative thoughts with positive action and confidence, and it changed everything. My message to every woman is simple: claim your power, own your space, and never underestimate the strength you already carry within you.

This is a wild mix of maintaining razor-sharp focus when conditions are unpredictable and operating safely in extreme environments, coupled with personal growth through learning to have a voice in my own story called life. The opportunities lie in allowing myself to learn from my mistakes, focus on re-training my brain to rise up through difficulties, and continue to choose growth because that's where I gain my confidence and mastery in all that I do. Remaining authentic to myself and empowering others as I navigate the rocky road of life is one of the greatest gifts I could ever be blessed with.

My guiding compass has been integrity, honesty, authenticity, being true to myself through and through, resilience, determination, and a mega truckload of empathy. Being strong, real, and working with heart is embedded in my DNA, guiding every decision I make. Self-discipline, perseverance, and the courage to try new and challenging roles regardless of the fears and insecurities that sometimes threaten to overtake my inner core would be the greatest source of fulfillment. I can look back on all that I have done and be proud of the journey I have travelled.

My personal preferred saying is: "When sleeping women wake, mountains move." Now that I have woken up from a slumber that lasted over forty years, I can continue to move forward knowing that I have made a difference in this world simply by being me.