Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Smarro
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been fascinated by what drives people and the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I was born to a teenage mother who struggled with addiction and grew up in a family where incarceration was common. But even at a young age, I knew that wasn’t the path I wanted to follow. Fueled by curiosity, resilience, and a deep belief in transformation, I pursued degrees in criminology and clinical social work.
I became a licensed therapist and spent 15 years running jail diversion programs for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Working at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice opened my eyes to the power of mindset, self-awareness, and resilience, not just for those I was helping but for myself as well.
Despite my success, I found myself feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and craving something more. That’s when I pivoted into coaching, shifting my “jail diversion” efforts to helping people break free from the prison of an unmanaged mind. I founded Jessica Smarro Coaching, where I help high achievers get unstuck, take action, and create the results they truly want in business, relationships, or life in general.
Today, I coach, speak, and train on mindset mastery, self-leadership, and personal freedom. I host the Unblocked Podcast, where I dive into conversations about overcoming fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt. I also lead the online community Do The Thing, where people get the support, tools, and accountability to stop overthinking and start taking action.
Ultimately, my mission is simple: I help people get free. Free from the mental and emotional blocks that keep them stuck, free from their harsh inner critic, free to create the life they truly want, and free to enjoy the process along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Growth and transformation rarely happen without challenges, and my journey has been no exception.
Coming from a family with a history of addiction and incarceration, I had to navigate my own path without a clear roadmap. There were times when I felt the weight of generational cycles and perceived judgment from the outside world, but I was determined to break free and create something different for myself. That resilience shaped who I am today.
Professionally, I spent nearly 2 decades in the world of behavioral health and criminal justice, leading jail diversion programs and working with individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. It was rewarding, but also emotionally taxing. Seeing the gaps in the system, the barriers people faced, and dealing with the bureaucracy of the various systems was draining and frustrating at times. I knew I was being called in a new direction, but stepping away from a stable career into the unknown world of self-employment was terrifying.
Building my business came with its own set of struggles – learning how to market myself, shifting from a service-based mindset to an entrepreneurial one, and dealing with imposter syndrome as I stepped into a new role. I had to rewire my own thoughts and beliefs, the same way I now help my clients do.
But the biggest challenge was learning to trust myself. There were moments of doubt, questioning whether I was doing the right thing, whether people would resonate with my work, and whether I could truly make an impact in this space. But every time I pushed through those fears, I came out stronger.
Now, I use those lessons to help others who feel stuck in their lives, their business, relationships, or their own self-doubt. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth it. And now I get to help others navigate their own paths to freedom, confidence, and success.
We’ve been impressed with Jessica Smarro Coaching, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Jessica Smarro Coaching, I help people understand the human operating system and learn how to direct their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors on purpose. I help high achievers and ambitious professionals break free from the mental and emotional blocks that keep them stuck. Whether it’s imposter syndrome, perfectionism, fear of failure, or simply feeling unfulfilled despite external success, I help my clients gain clarity, take action, and create the results they truly want in business, relationships, and life.
What I Do & Specialize In
I provide mindset and life coaching designed to help people stop overthinking, take decisive action, and fully own their potential. My work blends psychology, behavioral science, and coaching techniques to help clients develop unshakable confidence and lasting transformation.
I specialize in:
• Mindset Mastery: Helping people rewire limiting beliefs and step into confidence.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Shifting from self-doubt to self-trust.
• Taking Aligned Action: Helping clients move from stuck to unstoppable.
• Radical Self-Acceptance & Freedom: Breaking free from perfectionism and external validation.
• Bold Goal-Setting & Execution: Turning vision into reality without burnout.
What Sets Me Apart?
There are plenty of coaches out there, but here’s what makes my approach different:
1. I Walk the Walk: My background as a licensed therapist and my own personal journey give me a deep understanding of mindset work beyond surface-level motivation. I teach tools that are practical, proven, and actually work.
2. Causal Coaching: My coaching isn’t about toxic positivity or vague inspiration. It’s about real, actionable transformation that addresses the source of why you’re doing something you don’t want to be doing or not doing something you do want to be doing.. I help clients navigate the uncomfortable work of change while keeping it fun, energizing, and doable.
3. Freedom-First Philosophy: My coaching isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about helping people feel more free, alive, and at peace while doing it.
What I’m Most Proud of Brand-Wise
I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve created, not just through my 1:1 coaching, but through my Unblocked Podcast, where I share insights on personal growth, and my Do The Thing Community, a space for high achievers to support and challenge each other. Watching my clients step into their power, take big risks, and transform their lives is what fuels everything I do.
How You Can Work With Me
• 1:1 Coaching: A deep-dive, transformational experience to help you break through mental barriers and achieve the results you want.
• Workshops & Speaking Engagements: I teach mindset mastery, self-leadership, and high-performance strategies for organizations, businesses, and professional groups.
• Unblocked Podcast: Free, powerful content on overcoming fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt.
• Do The Thing Community: An online space for ambitious individuals to connect, grow, and take action together.
Ultimately, my mission is to help people get free. Free from overthinking, self-doubt, and limitations so they can build a life they love.
Want to learn more? Visit jessicasmarro.com or connect with me on social media @jessicasmarro!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
1. More Personalization & Evidence-Based Coaching
People are becoming more discerning about the quality of coaching they invest in. The industry is moving away from generic, one-size-fits-all approaches and toward science-backed, results-driven coaching that integrates psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral research. As someone with a background in clinical social work, I’m excited about this shift because it validates the depth and effectiveness of coaching as a profession.
2. The Rise of AI & Tech-Enhanced Coaching
With AI-driven tools and digital coaching platforms on the rise, access to coaching will expand. While automation can help scale programs and provide data-driven insights, human connection and deep transformation can’t be replaced by AI which is why I see high-touch, personalized coaching continuing to be in high demand. The most successful coaches will blend technology with deeply personal, intuitive, and strategic coaching.
3. Focus on Mental & Emotional Resilience
More people are realizing that mindset is everything. While goal-setting and productivity strategies are great, the real shift happens when people develop emotional resilience, self-leadership, and self-mastery. The next wave of coaching will focus on helping people navigate uncertainty, deal with imposter syndrome, and create sustainable success without burnout.
4. Coaching Will Become a Business Essential
Companies and organizations are recognizing that coaching isn’t just for executives. It’s a performance and well-being strategy for all levels. In the next decade, I imagine coaching will be as normal as having a gym membership. It will be seen as a must-have for leaders, employees, and entrepreneurs who want to perform at their best while maintaining mental and emotional wellness.
5. Community-Based Growth & Transformation
While 1:1 coaching will always be valuable, I see a massive shift toward community-driven coaching experiences. People want to grow alongside like-minded individuals, which is why mastermind groups, online coaching communities, and group-based programs will continue to expand. This is why I created the Do The Thing Community because growth happens faster when you’re surrounded by people who challenge and support you.
As the industry evolves, I’m committed to staying ahead of these trends offering high-impact, evidence-based coaching that prioritizes personalized transformation, emotional resilience, and actionable results. Whether through my 1:1 coaching, group programs, speaking engagements, or my Unblocked Podcast, my goal is to help people break free from self-doubt, overthinking, and limitations so they can create success on their own terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicasmarro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicasmarro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicapeckov/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smarro-lcsw-300191b0/
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unblocked/id1530697128
