Susan Nefzger, author of "A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly."

Susan Nefzger finds meaning by helping others to live consciously

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For more than two decades, Susan Nefzger built a thriving career in public relations by managing communication strategies for state agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers and national business campaigns.

But, after turning 50, Susan sensed a deeper calling that invited her to move beyond press releases and media relations into something more personal.

“I had done everything I thought I wanted to do,” Susan said. “I had a successful career, traveled the world, worked with high-level executives and raised a son. But, something still felt incomplete.”

The turning point came when she received a curious email inviting her to a writing retreat in Glastonbury, England. It arrived at just the right time, and she took it as a sign to step into something new.

“I had always been involved in professional writing, but never personal writing,” Susan explained. “I did not even really know what that meant. But I felt called to go, and it changed my life.”

An awakening in Glastonbury

The retreat was held on the historic grounds of Glastonbury Abbey, a setting steeped in ancient spirituality and calm. The experience opened Susan to a new kind of writing that drew from her inner-self rather than external assignments.

“There were only 15 people there, and it was very focused,” she said. “During a guided meditation, I had what I call a download. The whole outline for my book came to me, including the title, table of contents and key points I wanted to write about.”

Susan began writing longhand in a journal she still keeps. Within six weeks, her first manuscript was complete. That book, “A Practical Guide to Awareness,” helps people develop self-awareness and understand the power of living in the present.

“Everything changed after that,” Susan said. “I got a divorce, moved to Atlanta and restructured my business. I started focusing on helping people to become more conscious in their everyday lives. I knew I had a mission, and there was no going back.”

Using professional experience in a new way

Susan never abandoned her communications background. Instead, she repurposed those skills to support others on their own transformational journeys. She began offering coaching services to corporate executives, nonprofit leaders and small business owners.

“Because of my work in PR, I had always dealt with the heads of organizations,” she said. “That made it easy for me to mentor people at that level. I could see the big picture when they could not.”

Susan found that many of her clients were successful on paper, but still felt like something was missing. They came to her looking for career advancement, but ended up discovering personal fulfillment.

“They would say, ‘I want to go from being a vice president to president,’ but when we talked, we would always land on a deeper question: Why?” Susan explained. “Why do you want this? What is the need you are trying to meet? Once we got to that, the real transformation began.”

She now calls herself a conscious living coach. Whether working one-on-one or with small groups, Susan helps people slow down, reconnect with their values and align their actions with their passions.

Practical tools for self-awareness

Susan’s coaching style blends strategic thinking with spiritual insight. She teaches clients to use breathwork, journaling and guided visualization to stay grounded and present. One of her favorite exercises is vision boarding, although she uses it differently than most people.

“Instead of cutting out pictures of goals, we focus on feelings,” she said. “What does freedom feel like? What does joy look like? Clients add images that evoke those sensations, and we analyze them together. It is always enlightening.”

Another simple technique Susan uses is called “present moment grounding.”

“When your mind is racing, describe your surroundings out loud,” she said. “Say, ‘I am looking at a green tree. I hear a bird. I feel my feet on the ground.’ That brings you back to now. It collapses the chaos around you and centers your energy.”

Susan encourages clients to build small routines of self-reflection, even if it is just 30 minutes a day.

“You might have a cup of coffee and write in your journal or sit quietly with your cat,” she said. “Whatever helps you feel connected to yourself. That stillness is where the answers come from.”

Turning pain into purpose

After her first book was published, Susan went on to write several more. Each one emerged from a different season of her life and offered tools for intentionally navigating change.

Her second book, “Putting Awareness into Practice,” is a workbook that helps readers apply the concepts introduced in her debut. Her third title, “A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly,” was written during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores how to move through uncertainty with grace.

“I wrote it while caring for my mother, who was nearing the end of her life,” Susan said. “Being with her during that time was one of the most beautiful and profound experiences of my life. It taught me that even in grief, there is beauty. That message became the epilogue of my book.”

Now in her early 60s, Susan is working on her fourth project, “A Practical Guide to Love and Relationships.” It is not just about romance, she said, but about all human connection through the ways we communicate, support and understand one another.

“I ran a poll and found that people are craving guidance on this topic,” she said. “There is so much stress in the world. If we can come from a place of love and awareness, our relationships will improve and so will our quality of life.”

Leading others to fulfillment

Susan finds the greatest meaning in seeing her clients and readers light up with new understanding. She described it as a light bulb moment when people suddenly realize who they are and what they want.

“It is indescribable how fulfilling that is,” she said. “I remember how it felt when it happened to me. To help others reach that place is a gift.”

Susan is now offering conscious writing retreats in the south of France. These small gatherings help people reconnect with their creative voice while immersed in beauty and tranquility.

“We focus on meditation, writing, reflection and exploring nearby villages,” she said. “It is about creating space for clarity to emerge.”

Through it all, Susan’s mission remains the same – to help people become aware of their passions, live in alignment with their values and to serve others in meaningful ways.

“When you live consciously, you begin to see beauty everywhere, whether in a sunrise, a conversation or even in a challenge,” she explained. “That awareness leads to gratitude, and gratitude leads to joy.”

No regrets, just conscious living

Asked if she would do anything differently, Susan was thoughtful.

“I try to live without regret,” she said. “That is another benefit of being present. When you act in alignment with your values, you make better decisions. You observe instead of react. That helps you stay true to yourself.”

Now firmly planted in this new chapter of her life, Susan is grateful for the twists and turns that brought her here. She believes everyone has a unique gift, and it is never too late to discover it as well as put it to use.

“We were not meant to just sit around watching the news,” she said. “There is much more to life. Everyone, regardless of their age, background or ability, can live consciously and contribute to the greater good.”

For more information

People can connect with Susan in several ways, including:

Susan’s books are available on Amazon and in other bookstores, including “A Practical Guide to Awareness,” “A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly” and “Putting Awareness into Practice.”

If you order one of Susan’s books from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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