Blog: Teens
Let's Hear it for Coco! Mom, Superhero, Inspiring Woman.
Submitted by softcup_mary on Thu, 01/06/2011 - 1:37pm
Many days, our accomplishments go unnoticed. Often the heroes among us are the moms, the sisters, the wives, and the friends who are our heroes every day. The definition of a hero may be subjective, but I do know one thing—we could sure use more of them. By simply expanding our own definition of a what qualities a hero embodies, we can in fact realize that there are more of them among us than we ever imagined. That brings us to our featured Inspiring Woman for today, Courtney (aka Coco). A mom, a professional, and a self-proclaimed superhero, she exemplifies the type of everyday hero we often take for granted. As I got to know Courtney I found myself being carried away by her stories.
My Name: Courtney Gerlach - my family calls me Coco.
Mary: Coco—I love that! Could you tell me a little more about who you are and what you do? Are you a mom, a volunteer, a professional, a superhero?
Coco: Who told you?....I AM a superhero!...to my girls. But seriously, I am a married working mom of 2 girls (ages 2 & 4). For work - I oversee Life & Investment Sales in a territory for a large insurance company. My passion is truly in investments (of which, I've worked in for 10+ years) though after the economy hit hard I was let go by one division of my company & re-hired more locally handling life insurance, as well. For 5 years, I have been married to my wonderful hubby, Pete - a girl friend introduced us & we both knew it was "right" early on. You mention volunteer - THAT is what I would do if I didn't really need to work full-time!
My favorite thing about myself is…that I truly love to inspire people to do/be their best. I am thrilled by others accomplishing & succeeding.
Mary: That's terrific. Could you give an example or story of how you inspired someone to be their best?
Coco: A recent example of this was at work. I was visiting an agent who was thinking about not renewing his investment licensing. I don't know this agent well & I'd even say our brief interactions have not been super positive though I wanted to help. When he told me he was thinking about not renewing—I remember thinking to myself, "Ok Courtney—be fair, non-partial & give him both sides...all the pros & cons." I was even slightly worried to even really encourage him to keep the licenses. He basically said, "Why would I want to pay the $$ to keep my licenses?" I then proceeded to tell him about all the ways he can help his customers better, help customers understand better what they are doing when they rollover $$, how he could really help parents set up a legacy for their kids & the opportunities he would miss to be a GREAT agent if he couldn't help him. I went so far as to offer to run some appointments with him...to which I didn't think he would take me up on. About a week later I got a voicemail from him telling me that my enthusiasm had convinced him to keep his licensing (at a cost of ~$600 for renewal). I was thrilled & grinning ear to hear when I heard it. It was only about 10 days after that I received an email from him that he needed me to set time aside in January to go with him on a joint appointment. This is how I like to inspire people & it inspires me to see them succeed & grow.
The advice I would give to my younger self is…Relax & Soak up the moments with others.
My favorite book from childhood is…Helen Keller books.
What I appreciate about my friends is…They are smart women who balance family/work well and they are interesting ladies.
The quality I most admire in others is…showing such strength in times when maybe they have none.
My idea of happiness is…relaxed time with family—good conversations & learning my parents' stories.
Mary: What's a good story you've learned from a parent?
Coco: My father has flown airplanes since he was 14 or 15 years old—as an adult it has always been his #1 hobby by far. Many of his flying adventures entertain me. When he was in college he had a friend running for student government. So all the buddies were sitting around trying to think of ideas on how to "pump up" the campaign & get the friend noticed so he can win the election. Next thing you know, my Dad was agreeing to fly over the campus to throw hundreds of pamphlets out the plane—literally "litter" the campus with campaign material. (We're talking mid-1950's & his college was in L.A., CA) Dad quickly admits he was then facing the problem of figuring out specific logistics. He had to figure out that day according to the direction & speed of the wind where to "fling from the plane". I don't think all the 'propaganda' made it on to campus, but it cracks me up that he would even do it, let alone you could get away with it.
If I could be one animal I’d be…a Dolphin because…they squeak loudly in joy, flip in the air & swim free—smart lil' flippers.
I am inspired by…Intelligent, honest people who are not shy to share their thoughts or think outside the box.
Someone I admire is…Someone who lives life robustly & proactively works on their Bucket List.
Mary: What's on your Bucket List?
Coco: In no particular order: Climb Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia, Travel to all 7 continents (need to visit Asia, Australia, Antarctica & South America), Learn to fly, Use a vacation to volunteer someplace in the world where I can make a difference, Serve food at a shelter with my kids, Relearn to play the piano, Take a country western dancing class with my hubby, Land or take off (or both) in a jet off a military carrier in the ocean.
One word I hate is…Hate.
One word I love is…Joy.
If someone wrote a book about my life, it would be called... "Release Your Inner Ninja"
If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I’d go to…Antarctica—to see what many don't. OR Tahiti, to relax in beauty.
My best woman-to-woman advice is…There are so many things people don't tell you & books don't discuss about pregnancy—ask me anything!
Mary: What's one piece of advice you'd give to women about pregnancy?
Coco: For one, don't listen to all those mom's who say c-section is "the best!!"....unless they have delivered vaginally, as well. I delivered both ways & I'll take a vaginal delivery ALL day long over c-sect. Also, do your Keigls! (sp?) A woman's bladder is NEVER the same after a birth....gosh forbid 2 or 3.
Right now I feel…like finding some more after holiday deals online—then I feel like snuggling in to bed to get rest for a GREAT day tomorrow.
It was such a pleasure getting to know Courtney. She is a woman who clearly inspires those around her on a daily basis. One of my favorite things about corresponding with Courtney was receiving her emails, to which a very poignant quote was always appended:
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own." -- Benjamin Disraeli
Very fitting.
View a complete list of the women we've profiled so far.
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