Healing is the New Hustle: Mindset, Growth, and Modern Transformation
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
By Naseem Rochette
For most of my life, I believed that hustling is the key to success, and I don’t mean the card shark, duping side of hustling. I mean the relentless, fast-paced, “success is the only option" kind of hustling! In fact, my life was a well-oiled machine of juggling a demanding career in tech, a busy family, and a robust social life. I was a master of managing chaos, priding myself on my self-sufficiency and my ability to make everything look easy. I was a proud hustler!
Then May 21, 2018 happened. I was hit by a car and then I was run over three times (yes, 3 times!). As you can imagine, it was a collision that affected every part of my life - physical, mental, emotional, family, friends, work - everything! The person I knew—the one who could solve complex problems and effortlessly multitask—was gone. In her place was someone who struggled to get out of bed or even fill out a simple camp form for her children. The hustle was no longer possible. My life’s momentum ground to a painful halt, and it forced me to confront a reality where my previous definition of power and success was completely irrelevant.
It was in this space of pain and brokenness that I was introduced to a new, almost radical type of hustle: the inner work of healing. Ouch. This was nothing like the hustle I was accustomed to or comfortable with. I was in a crisis though, and my trauma therapist, Linda, shared the idea - the art of Kintsugi; a philosophy that sees cracks not as flaws to be hidden but as beautiful parts of a story to be highlighted with gold. This idea became my new mantra - the guiding principle of my recovery. The accident was a very real and traumatic moment in my life, but I was not a victim. I decided to learn to redefine my own cracks—my injuries, my limitations—as elements of a unique and beautiful journey. This was not a passive process; it was an active, day-to-day effort to change my mindset. I had to consciously choose to see my journey not as a tragedy, but as a path to transformation - as a happy story that could - and would - drive positive energy.
This inner work unlocked what I consider to be a new dimension of strength. The vulnerability I once saw as a weakness became my superpower. By sharing my struggles, I discovered a more personal connection with others, forging deeper relationships and creating an environment where people felt safe to be imperfect. I realized that my most significant impact was no longer in solving a hundred projects at once but in connecting with people and fostering a culture of trust and shared growth. Success was no longer about a relentless external grind; it was about the incremental, often quiet, progress of inner healing for myself and even those around me.
Today, the most important "hustle" I know is the work of self-compassion. It’s the effort to celebrate small milestones, to be kind to myself, and sometimes that might also mean finding joy in a slower pace of life. I know being kind to ourselves is often not easy - I certainly struggled with it. However, the most rewarding transformations don’t come from just powering through pain, but from learning from it. Maybe letting it reshape you, forging a new version of life, is still a version of hustling for success, a more personal one. One that allows us to embrace the gold in our cracks, and hopefully, even help others do the same.
About the Author
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 Account Executive at Databricks, having previously held similar roles at Google and Microsoft. 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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