Meg Nocero is a powerhouse of transformation, resilience, and inspiration. A former federal prosecutor turned motivational speaker, award-winning author, and advocate for joy, Meg has dedicated her life to helping others embrace their inner light and live with purpose. After two decades in law and the profound loss of her mother, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, walking the Camino de Santiago—a pilgrimage that led her to redefine success and fulfillment.
Today, she is a TEDx speaker, the creator of the Webby-honored podcast ‘Manifesting with Meg’, and the founder of S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc., a nonprofit committed to empowering individuals through connection and storytelling. With expertise in happiness studies and coaching, Meg continues to inspire countless people to step into their power, embrace change, and live with no regrets.
Meg holds a Master of Arts in Happiness Studies from Centenary University and is a Certified Happiness Trainer and Coach through the Happiness Studies Academy (HSA). HSA’s mission to lead a happiness revolution deeply resonates with her—it’s about creating personal, interpersonal, and communal well-being through whole-person growth, or what HSA calls whole being. As a graduate, she’s committed to being an agent of positive change in her own life and in the lives of those she serves.
Meg has had the privilege of attending happiness retreats around the world—in Lago di Como, Italy; Cartagena, Colombia; Mexico City, Mexico; and Ivalo, Finland. She has also served as a facilitator with WOHASU, the World Happiness Summit, and is a proud member of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), and Love Button Global Movement. She will be collaborating with Luisa Carter’s Powered by Kindness documentary and the Young Shero- Youth Empowerment Global Project this next year.
Inner Transformation
Meg began her career as a federal attorney first with the Department of Justice, then with the Department of Homeland Security, where she worked for nearly two decades. The role required sharp analytical skills, intense dedication, and a commitment to justice. But while she was doing meaningful work, she was also battling an inner sense that she wasn’t living her purpose. The turning point came after she lost her beloved mother to cancer. Her final words, “Stress will kill you. Have no regrets,” echoed in Meg’s soul and became a catalyst for transformation.
It was grief that cracked her open to the light. After her mother died, Meg realized she had been living on autopilot—checking boxes of success but not fully awake to joy. Her passing gave Meg the courage to ask the hard questions: Am I happy? Am I fulfilled? The answer was no. That realization became her wake-up call.
After her passing, Meg unwillingly embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage that culminated on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, desperate to find peace from the grief that weighed her down.
She was searching for a lighthouse she had seen in a vision during her mother’s final moments—what she didn’t realize was that she herself was the lighthouse. Along the Camino, Meg discovered that the light is within, and peace is found through mindfulness and staying in the present moment with each breath.
“That experience was life-altering and showed me how strong and resilient I am. I knew I had to pivot—not just for myself but for others who needed permission to do the same. The law taught me how to advocate for others. Now, I needed to advocate for people’s dreams,” recalls Meg.
This awakening led her to leave her government job and follow a deeper calling. Meg founded Butterflies & Bliss, LLC, became a TEDx speaker with her talk “Wake Up” in 2021, authored three inspirational books, and launched her podcast Manifesting with Meg: Conversations with Extraordinary People. Most recently, she was honored with a Bronze Telly Award in the Online Motivational Category for Episode 139: What Do You Want! Featuring the dynamic voices of The Feminist Uprising.
From Courtroom to Public Stages
As a litigator, Meg learned to construct compelling narratives and seek the truth. She brings that same rigor and integrity to her coaching and public speaking. She is adept at asking transformative questions, identifying limiting beliefs, and helping clients build evidence-based paths toward their goals.
Her background in immigration also made her even more empathetic—she saw firsthand the courage it takes to fight for a better life. Now, Meg channels that compassion into helping others break free from mental or emotional “border walls” they’ve unconsciously erected. It’s about liberation—from fear, self-doubt, and stagnation.
On a Conscious Mission
Butterflies & Bliss, LLC is rooted in the transformational journey of the butterfly—a symbol of awakening, hope, and limitless potential. Meg’s mission is to help individuals wake up to the beauty of their dreams and embrace a life of purpose and bliss, no matter their age or circumstances.
Through workshops, keynotes, retreats, books, and coaching, Butterflies & Bliss offers tools for personal growth, happiness, and spiritual renewal. Meg also leads a global conversation on joy and transformation through her podcast, which has now produced over 140 episodes and has been honored by the Webby Awards.
Looking ahead, she sees the company evolving into a global platform for conscious leaders, artists, changemakers, and seekers. She is hoping to begin a Ph.D. study in Happiness soon and wants to build on an idea to create The Awakening Academy ™, “where soul meets science, and purpose becomes power.” Having just graduated with a Master of Arts in Happiness Studies from Centenary University, Meg is ready to co-create and collaborate with her colleagues, focusing on how neuroscience and storytelling can help professionals live better lives.
Handling Challenges
For Meg, one of the biggest challenges in running Butterflies & Bliss LLC is standing out in a space filled with incredible voices and leaders in personal development. It’s also profoundly emotional—holding space for transformation daily requires deep energy, patience, and an unwavering commitment to purpose. A business rooted in personal growth demands constant reinvention, resilience, and the ability to maintain balance without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Meg navigates these challenges by fostering authentic connections and surrounding herself with visionary changemakers who inspire and challenge her. Collaboration is key—she believes in lifting others as she rises, and that synergy creates momentum. Investing in her own growth ensures she shows up fully for those she serves because transformation begins from within.
“And through it all, I stay grounded in my ‘why’—honoring my mother’s legacy, embodying joy, and guiding others to live without regrets. When I hold onto that purpose, the challenges become stepping stones rather than roadblocks,” says Meg.
Turning Transformation into a Business Model
Meg doesn’t just teach happiness—she embodies it. Happiness isn’t a quick fix or a catchy phrase; it’s a deep practice rooted in both science and soul. As a certified Happiness Studies practitioner, she merges evidence-based strategies with intuitive coaching, spiritual wisdom, and the art of storytelling to create a lasting impact.
Her business thrives on transformation through three key pillars:
– Content (books, podcasts, keynotes) that inspire change
– Community (coaching and events) that foster connection
– Curriculum (courses and future programs) that provide actionable tools
Everything Meg builds is designed to help individuals shift their mindset, recognize their strengths, and step boldly into their bliss. Transformation isn’t just an offering—it’s the foundation of everything she does.
Inspiring from a Global Stage
Delivering her TEDx talk “Wake Up” was a transformational milestone for Meg. It gave her a global stage to share her message and challenge others to pursue a life of no regrets. The process taught her how to distill her story into a powerful idea worth spreading—and how to use her voice to inspire others and ignite change.
“The core message of ‘Wake Up’ is this: Don’t wait for a tragedy to start living your truth. You are here for a reason, and every moment is a chance to choose joy, love, and fulfillment. My mother’s final days were my awakening, but I want others to wake up before the crisis.”
Preparing for the talk required discipline and heart. Meg wrote, revised, and rehearsed extensively—walking miles while speaking it aloud, visualizing the audience she wanted to move, and getting feedback from trusted coaches and friends.
That talk opened doors for Meg to speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and collaborations. More importantly, it affirmed her identity as a storyteller, teacher, and trailblazer. It helped her wake up fully—and gave others permission to do the same.
Meg also introduced a framework she calls the Storyteller’s BAG—a set of tools she believes every person needs to carry with them on the journey of awakening and sharing their truth:
- Believe in yourself
- Align with a mentor or guide in your village
- Gratitude—honor the sacredness of your story
At the end of the talk, she invited the audience to make a Storyteller’s Pledge—to wake up, share their voice, and be awesome in their own unique way.
Another key technique that Meg uses, in TEDx and every presentation, to feel empowered is called “Allyspotting.” Before she speaks—whether in person or on Zoom—she introduces herself to someone in the audience and asks what they hope to learn from her talk. That person becomes her ally. As she speaks, she looks for them, shares a smile, and lets their presence center and uplift her as she does her best to address what they ask for. That single connection becomes a bridge to the whole room, spreading positive energy and reinforcing the message that storytelling is a shared experience, not a solo performance.
Growth and Storytelling
Storytelling is everything, believes Meg. Our stories carry the power to heal, to connect, and to inspire. They remind us we’re not alone. When Meg tells her story—of grief, awakening, and courage—she’s not just sharing her journey, she’s inviting others into theirs.
One of the most transformative stories she shares is her walk along the Camino de Santiago, which became both a literal and spiritual journey. Meg walked over 100 kilometers with the weight of grief, searching for answers. What she found was this: we all carry a lighthouse inside us, and when we pause to breathe, we can access deep peace and divine clarity. That story has inspired many to look within rather than chase healing outside themselves.
“Stories bypass the intellect and go straight to the heart. They’re mirrors, doorways, and roadmaps. In every keynote, podcast, or book, I use storytelling as the bridge between pain and possibility. As I always say: When you find your voice, you find your freedom,” shares Meg
Debunking Myths about the Industry
Meg often comes across people who believe coaching is just cheerleading or that motivational speaking is surface-level hype. In truth, both are deeply transformative when done with authenticity and skill. She challenges the notion that joy is naive or that happiness is frivolous. It’s not—it’s revolutionary.
She also debunks the myth that one has to be “fixed” before one can inspire others.
“Your mess is your message. Vulnerability is strength. And coaching isn’t about giving answers—it’s about helping others find their own,” she insists.
In a few years, Meg sees the industry becoming more evidence-based, inclusive, and global. People are hungry for real tools, not just inspiration. She believes coaching will merge more deeply with science—positive psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral change.
She also believes storytelling and the arts will play a bigger role in transformation. Hybrid models—like podcasts, theatrical productions (she’s developing a musical based on her memoir Butterfly Awakens), and immersive retreats—will rise. The future is soulful, intersectional, and experiential.
Aspirations Ahead
Over the next five years, Meg sees Butterflies & Bliss evolving into a global brand and educational platform that uplifts individuals and communities through the science and art of transformation. Her goals include:
- Recording Audiobooks for her books, The Magical Guide to Bliss, Sparkle & Shine, and Butterfly Awakens.
- Publishing The Magical Journal to Bliss, a companion to her bestselling book.
- Completing her Ph.D. and deepening her academic expertise.
- Touring with her Butterfly Awakens musical and speaking on international stages.
- Growing her Manifesting with Meg platform to reach 1M+ listeners globally.
- Most importantly, founding The Awakening Academy™—a learning space grounded in positive psychology, creativity, and soul—to teach the principles of eudaemonia in both virtual and institutional settings.
The world is facing a crisis of meaning, burnout, and disconnection. High performers are hitting emotional walls, and institutions are searching for deeper, values-driven leadership. The Awakening Academy™ provides an antidote—through a strategy of joy and flow, we guide individuals and organizations to reconnect with what truly matters. This academy will not just be about personal development—it’s about igniting purpose, cultivating emotional intelligence, and creating a ripple effect of conscious transformation in families, workplaces, and communities.
“I envision teaching flourishing not just through coaching and speaking, but also within academic environments—partnering with universities or launching certificate programs to train future leaders, educators, and changemakers. The future is rooted in joy, purpose, and collaborative growth,” concludes Meg.
