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Meet Kathy Simmons

What does Empowering Women mean to you?


Empowering women, to me, means embodying strength, leadership, and serving as a role model for other women in the industry and manufacturing world. It encompasses having a strong work ethic, leading through change, and setting an example of how to handle adversity, collaborate with others, and foster a dynamic and positive work environment. By being a beacon of change and a source of light for others, we can teach, mentor, and listen. This empowerment is something that is cultivated over time and inspired by the women who have paved the way before us.


How did you get started working in your field?


I began my career in customer service at the age of 22, right after graduating from Millikin University. I wasn't actively seeking a job at the time, but as fate would have it, the head of Customer Service at Mueller Water Products reached out to my university looking for someone to fill a role they had open. They were provided with a copy of my resume, I went for the interview, and I got the job.


Starting out as a customer service representative, I quickly realized how much I loved the role. The opportunity to help others and achieve satisfaction from a job well done was incredibly fulfilling. I embraced every challenge and learning opportunity that came my way. I was determined to master all aspects of my job, so I would take our large catalog of products home each night, study it diligently, take notes, and ensure I followed up on everything I did.


This proactive approach and dedication to learning allowed me to grow and excel in my role. The experience has shaped me into the professional I am today, and I am grateful for the journey that brought me here.


What do you love most about your job? / What are you most proud of?


What I love most about my work is the opportunity to help people realize that their story is not over. Watching someone move from a place of hopelessness to a place of healing, confidence, and purpose is one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable.


Many of the people I work with come in feeling broken, ashamed, or convinced that they have ruined their lives beyond repair. Being able to walk beside them as they begin to rebuild their self-worth, face their past, and start believing in themselves again is incredibly meaningful to me. There is nothing more powerful than seeing someone rediscover their strength and realize they are capable of a completely different life.


One of the things I am most proud of is the work I have done to create resources that help people on that journey. Over the past several years, I have written multiple books and workbooks focused on recovery, trauma healing, personal growth, and rebuilding self-esteem. Writing allows me to take the lessons I learned the hard way and turn them into tools that others can use in their own healing process.


I am also deeply proud of the community I have helped build through The Other Side of Rock Bottom. What started as a small effort to support others has grown into a space where people can come together daily for encouragement, connection, and hope.


At the end of the day, the greatest reward is knowing that my past struggles were not wasted. They became the foundation for helping others heal, grow, and discover that there truly is life on the other side of rock bottom.


What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work?


My biggest piece of advice for someone considering this line of work is to remember that this work is about service first.


Helping others heal, grow, and rebuild their lives is incredibly rewarding, but it also requires patience, compassion, and a genuine desire to walk beside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Many of the individuals you will work with are carrying deep pain, trauma, and fear. They don’t need someone who has all the answers—they need someone who will listen, understand, and remind them that change is possible.


I would also encourage anyone entering this field to do their own healing work. The more honest you are about your own growth, struggles, and lessons, the more authentic and effective you will be when helping others. People can sense when someone is real, and authenticity builds trust.


Another important lesson is to practice healthy boundaries. When you care deeply about helping others, it can be easy to give too much of yourself. Learning how to support people without carrying their burdens is essential for long-term sustainability in this work.


Finally, never underestimate the power of your story. The experiences that once felt like your greatest failures may become the very things that allow you to connect with and inspire someone else. When people see someone who has walked through darkness and found a way forward, it gives them hope that they can do the same.


This work is not always easy, but it is deeply meaningful. When you see someone begin to believe in themselves again, you realize just how powerful compassion and connection can be.


Anything else you would like to add?


Recovery did more than help me overcome addiction—it gave me the opportunity to completely rebuild my life with purpose.


Since becoming sober on October 18, 2014, I have dedicated my life to helping others discover that change and healing are truly possible. What began as volunteering has grown into a full mission of service. Today I host multiple recovery meetings each week and support people from all walks of life who are seeking encouragement, accountability, and hope.


One of the things I am most grateful for is the creation of The Other Side of Rock Bottom, a recovery community that provides daily online meetings, resources, and connection for people who may not otherwise have access to support. It has become a place where individuals can share openly, learn from one another, and be reminded that they are not alone in their struggles.


In addition to coaching and community leadership, I have also written several books and workbooks focused on recovery, trauma healing, personal growth, and rebuilding self-worth. Writing has allowed me to take the lessons I learned through hardship and turn them into tools that others can use in their own healing journey.


I also run a memorial and recovery jewelry business where I design meaningful pieces that represent faith, remembrance, and strength. Many of the pieces I create carry symbols of recovery and hope, reminding people that even the most difficult chapters of life can lead to something beautiful.


Looking back, I never could have imagined the life I have today. My greatest hope is that my story—and the work I continue to do—reminds others that no matter how far someone has fallen, there is always another side of rock bottom. www.TheOtherSideOfRockBottom.org



Facebook (Personal): facebook.com/Kathysimmonsinct


Facebook Group – The Other Side of Rock Bottom: www.facebook.com/groups/theothersideofrockbottom



Instagram: @TheOtherSideOfRockBottom


 
 
 
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