Using stress and trauma as fuel to build resilience
Bio for Marisol Solarte-Erlacher
Marisol Solarte-Erlacher is a trauma expert, resilience consultant, and licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping organizations build cultures where both people and performance thrive. She hosts the award-nominated podcast Resilience and Resistance, featuring successful Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who have overcome trauma to become resilient leaders.
Named one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Marisol currently specializes in helping organizations create psychologically safe workplaces that drive engagement and results. Her culturally responsive approach has made her a sought-after speaker and consultant for nonprofits, corporations, and public service organizations across the country.
Episode highlight
In this episode, Marisol shares her journey from her multicultural upbringing to becoming a leader in creating psychologically safe workplaces. With powerful insights that stem from her personal resilience path, she highlights the importance of storytelling, cultural identity, and finding joy amidst adversity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a leader, Marisol’s wisdom on healing and growth is a transformative guide for navigating challenges in both personal and professional realms.
Links
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-solarte-erlacher
- Website: https://www.marisolerlacher.com/
- Podcast: https://www.marisolerlacher.com/podcast
Takeaways
Childhood Memories
Growing up with young parents had a profound impact on Marisol, as they had to mature together. This dynamic led her to become a highly responsible child, often taking on more than was typical for someone her age. This sense of responsibility carried into adulthood, influencing how she navigated relationships and the world around her. Despite this, her parents made efforts to create moments where she could feel carefree and enjoy childhood, allowing her to experience joy and playfulness.
However, there were also many instances where she felt more like a little adult than a child. Having teenage parents meant that they were still figuring out life themselves, which shaped the way she was raised. Beyond her immediate family, Marisol also observed intergenerational trauma affecting both her household and extended relatives. Many of the adults around her had their own unresolved pain, which often manifested in unhealthy ways. She witnessed interpersonal violence as a common response to conflict, as many of her family members had not been taught how to build healthy relationships. Additionally, growing up in an environment where alcoholism was present further influenced her perspective on coping mechanisms and emotional expression.
All these experiences played a role in shaping Marisol’s identity, her understanding of relationships, and how she learned to navigate the challenges of life.
Marisol is a survivor of sexual assault, an experience that profoundly shaped her early adolescence at the age of 11. This event stands out in her memory, particularly in relation to her understanding of resilience. During this difficult time, she was enrolled in an advanced English class, where she received a reading list of recommended authors. One of the first books she picked up was I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
As she read, she discovered that Angelou had endured a similar experience and had still managed to overcome it, thrive, and achieve success. This realization was a turning point for Marisol, it gave her hope that she, too, could persevere and find strength on the other side of her trauma. This moment reinforced her belief in the power of words, stories, and narratives, showing her that they could be transformative and deeply meaningful. It became a defining experience in her adolescence, shaping her perspective on resilience and personal growth.
Cultural Influences
Marisol’s cultural identity is at the core of who she is, shaping many aspects of her life. Despite complex family dynamics, she learned the deep significance of family not just biological ties, but the chosen family that forms throughout different stages of life. This understanding instilled in her a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to the people who love and support her.
Work ethic is another defining influence from her family and cultural background. Both of her parents, along with her extended family, exemplified an intense dedication to hard work, a trait she associates with the immigrant mentality. While she now focuses on sustainability and reducing chronic stress in her work, she recognizes that her drive to support the people she loves stems from this cultural foundation.
Additionally, Marisol embraces the joy and celebration that are deeply embedded in her culture. A conversation with a friend reminded her of how, even in difficult times, her family and community found ways to celebrate life. This realization became even more profound when she visited Colombia at 16, where she fully experienced the cultural emphasis on joy and resilience.
Influential Groups
Marisol grew up Catholic but transitioned to evangelicalism during her teenage years, likely as a response to her trauma and a search for belonging and certainty. This shift eventually led her to seminary in Denver, Colorado, a move that proved to be transformative. Over time, she moved away from evangelicalism and found herself on a different spiritual path, emphasizing the importance of personal understanding and growth.
While in seminary, she became involved in the Circle of Latina Leadership, a program dedicated to developing young Latina leaders. This experience played a significant role in shaping her leadership skills and personal development. Though her spiritual journey has evolved, the search for belonging that initially guided her continues to influence her path and the work she engages in today.
Personality and Temperament
As a child, Marisol was very introspective, quiet, and deeply immersed in her own world. Being an only child for seven years, she often engaged in solitary activities like colouring and drawing. Growing up in a young family, she navigated a complex environment on her own, which significantly shaped her personality.
As the eldest daughter in a Latinx family, she naturally took on a parentified role, becoming highly responsible from a young age. This dynamic seamlessly led her into a profession where people turn to her for guidance in handling difficult issues. She values her reflective, soulful, and introspective nature, qualities she believes she was born with.
What Brings Out the Best in Marisol?
For Marisol, showing up authentically has been one of the most important and challenging aspects of her work as a therapist. She has worked hard to be fully herself in the therapy relationship, despite the inherent power dynamics that can make it difficult.
Navigating boundaries and managing clients’ varying expectations can be complex, but she finds that she thrives when she can bring her true self into her work. A key part of this authenticity is incorporating humour into everything she does, which helps her connect with others and create a more comfortable, genuine space in her practice.
Soapbox Moment:
Marisol invites us to check out her website to learn more about her work.
EXTRO:
Although Marisol was born into a complex family situation with a lot of intergenerational trauma, she managed to move forward in her life by taking charge of her personal healing journey and then extending that grace to others. As a psychotherapist, she helps others heal their emotional wounds and uses the insights gained from 20 years of experience to become a resilience consultant.
Here are some takeaways from her interview for me:
- When you face difficulties in your young life, look to people who have overcome them, as Marisol did by reading Maya Angelou.
- You are more than your traumas—build strengths from overcoming obstacles and use them in the service of others.
- If you feel you are missing some fun and laughter in your life, befriend someone from the Latino culture and you will upgrade your joy!
