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Meet Trailblazer Beatrice Bruno

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatrice Bruno.

Beatrice, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is one of faith and of serving the Lord.

I served in the US Army for a period of 15 years. For two of those years, I served as a Drill Sergeant for Basic Training soldiers. In 2009, my Dad called me from New York to ask if I could go there for a brief time to help him after eye surgery. He was 78 years old at the time. Of course, I agreed, thinking I would be there three, maybe six months. I was there for 13.5 months. God had set me up so that He could shift my perspective about myself and put me on the path He had actually created me for and created for me.

When I returned to Denver in January 2011, I knew I would have to pursue my career as a motivational/ inspirational speaker. I then discovered that this was my true calling and God had named me, “The Drill Sergeant of Life.”

Since that time, I have pursued this career with all that I am so that I can be all God has called and created me to be on the Battlefield of Life.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road? Is there really such an animal? I believe that where there are smooth roads, many times we don’t learn anything on those roads.

I have not experienced a smooth road, per se, in any portion of my life. As a motivational/inspirational speaker, I learned that I would have to pay dues. Pay more dues? Didn’t I pay my dues while serving our country? It was not that simple. I had to pay my dues in speaking for the free events until I could make a name for myself and get paid to speak at the more reputable gigs. And it was fun!

When I started out on the speaking path, I met many people – some nice and decent, some not so. There were those who would use me for their own benefit but would not help me to get to the places and people I knew I would need to get to progress as a speaker.

When situations came up in which I was used and abused by others in the industry, I began to question myself in a not-so-nice way. I allowed the voices of detractors to pull me down the slippery slope of doubt and unbelief, creating fear and disappointment within myself because of their insecurities. Yes, insecurities. I met many people who were intimidated by me. Why? Because I still carry my military bearing. Because I walk and speak with authority!

There were those who told me I was going too fast, just like in the movie, ‘Secretariat.’ And what did I do? I slowed down to my own detriment. The entire time, I should have been listening to the voice of the Lord in my heart and I should have soared like the eagle I knew I was. Lesson learned!

So, what would I tell a young woman just starting their journey? “Know yourself. Believe in and have faith in God and in the gifts, He has placed inside of you. Don’t allow any voices, within or without, to deter you from the greatness that was already created inside of you. Don’t allow anyone to pull you back when you know that you are supposed to be going full-steam ahead! It’s all about you and God, Baby Girl! You were created to do what you are doing! Hang in there! The BEST is yet to come!”

Please tell us about The Drill Sergeant of Life – what should we know?
To quote and combine the titles of two of my books, both motivational and inspirational, I help those who are looking for a shift to occur in their lives to “Get Over Yourself, Get Out of Your Own Way, and Let Go of the PAST so you can Get What YOU Want Out of Life!”

I am a high-energy, dynamic Christian speaker who helps audiences move to action and leave the mediocrity that has become their lives. I am known for doing push-ups at the beginning of my presentation to show audiences that I am a for-real, authentic Drill Sergeant who is not afraid to get down in the muck and mire with the Troops.

I am a mentor and coach of integrity. I don’t sugarcoat anything. When people come to me, they come for the truth in much the same way brand new recruits came to me in Basic Training. They wanted to see their real self. Their real self showed up on day one of Basic Training. By the end of the eight weeks of Basic, they found themselves transformed into Soldiers, some of which are still serving in some form of Military Service. And I have not lost that philosophy for training Commanders on the Battlefield of Life. When new recruits come to me as The Drill Sergeant of Life, I show them their real self. But, I also show them who they can be, who they desire to be. They can reach that person if they are willing to put forth the effort.

As The Drill Sergeant of Life brand and organization, I am most proud of the fact that I did serve in the United States Army in several different positions that have shaped me into the human being I am now.

What sets me apart the most is my faith and trust in God. I am not afraid to let anyone know that I have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I accepted Jesus as my Savior on May 15, 1991, and I have not turned back since. I am not afraid to own this, no matter in what event in which I am speaking. I am real and transparent. Why? Because there are situations and circumstances I have experienced in my life that can help someone else. If that is the way God chooses to use me and those experiences, I am a willing vessel for their sake.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Who are you? Who do you desire to be? Where do you want to go with that desire? What will you do when you get there? Will you be able to help someone else to get there?

Those are all questions one should ask when seeking a mentor. Look at the person of your choosing and see if they are heading in the direction of who they are supposed to be. Does the person look like what and who you desire to become in your life? Does this person treat you with respect even though you are humbling yourself to this person in order to learn from him or her?

While you are learning from this person, do you see yourself helping someone else get to where they desire to be?

These questions are relevant as you seek to become a better you, a person you can look at in the mirror and smile and know that God is pleased with you…and that you are pleased with yourself.

Pricing:

  • Keynote Speaker – Starting at $5000 per presentation
  • Drill Sergeant of Life BootCamp – Starting at $899/2-day Camp
  • Drill Sergeant of Life Personal Mentoring – Starting at $1600/8 week program

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
AMS Creative Imaging – Ramona C. Koon

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