Mary-Theresa Tringale

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing an Editorial Mini Session with Mary-Theresa Tringale! Mary-Theresa is a certified life success coach and NLP practitioner. You can find MT on Instagram at @mary-theresa-tringale and her website www.marytheresatringale.com. Read on for an interview, and to see the portraits from our Mini Session!

Q: Please introduce yourself!

A: I'm a certified life success coach and NLP practitioner and I help high-achieving women own their power so they can make massive income and impact in the world. I'm originally from the Boston area, and after living in NYC, I have been in Maine for 10 years. www.marytheresatringale.com and on IG https://www.instagram.com/mary.theresa.tringale/

Q: What were you like as a child? Did any of your interests align with your current work? 

A: I was definitely always the one taking the lead in everything I did, especially when it came to directing my brothers in where they should go and what they should do. I was an athlete my whole life, and the captain of everything—so high-achiever was definitely something that I identify with. One thing I naturally always did, whether while hanging out with friends or as a bartender was give advice to people. I especially want to help the "younger kids" when it came to creating goals and going after them. I was "coaching" long before anyone was paying me for it. 

Q: How did you start your business?

A: I actually started as an events coach. My original career was in events and marketing and I spent 15 years in that industry, I always wanted to own my own business so I thought being an "events coach" helping others bring their visions of events to life was my future. Then in 2019 I found myself at my lowest point. My dad was home on hospice waiting for a brain infection to take over his life and nothing seemed to be working in my own life. I started doing a challenge which required me to do a handful of daily habits—no matter what—everyday, and I documented the entire journey on social media. It changed my life and people started to come out of the woodwork asking me how I could help them. I actually hated the idea of being a life coach, I thought it had a bad rep. But, I couldn't deny the calling, and once I stopped resisting my entire life changed. I became an "accountability coach" first in 2020 when I started my group coaching program The Aligned & Empowered Project and then published my book in March 2022, by April 2022 I was a certified life coach and practitioner of NLP and then I went all in on my business full-time officially June 1, 2022 and haven't looked back since. 

Q: What is your favorite part of running your business?

A: When my clients have big shifts and AHA moments on our calls, that is so incredible for me to witness. But also, when clients come back weeks or even years after we have worked together to say that they reached their goal, manifested their vision, or went through something big (like a death in the family) and were able to get through it in a powerful way thanks to the work we did together. Basically, when they set out to make magic happen, and they actually make it happen because of the work we did together, that is EVERYTHING! I also love it when someone I don't know tells me that they listen to my podcast or read the book and they liked both, that means so much too!

Q: Can you share a favorite story from running your business?

A: I have so many but I'll share that I had a client start with me when she got hired at a big-time tech company as a contingent worker. She had a lot of imposter syndrome feelings and knew that wouldn't be helpful for her in this role where excellence and confidence was a MUST. She really wanted to find full time employment at this company AND she really wanted to have the confidence that she would be a good mom and it was safe to get pregnant and be one. We worked through so much together through the years (we have been working together now for 2.5 years) and this included moving through burnout, perfectionism, overwhelm, and being afraid to use her voice when she was so over-qualified to do so. I'm so happy to report she is currently in her DREAM FULL-TIME JOB making more money than she thought possible AND she is due with her first child in the spring! We are still working together because she knows that new levels create new devils, and she wants to find a way to be a great mom AND a great employee because she loves the work she does so very much and hopes she'll be able to find a way to do and be both. 

Q: What is a typical day in your life like?

A: It all depends really, part of being your own boss means you get to make your own schedule. But mostly I wake up and try and move my body whether thats a walk or Peloton (which I'm trying out right now) and then I'll do some catching up on social media or with messages (I just love starting my day with love notes from and to my clients). Then I'll do some reading (reading books has been my greatest education, and that includes college!) then I'll usually head over to my office which is built on the top of a little barn in my backyard where I will start my day with calls or recording a podcast or getting into social media content creation. At night, I enjoy cooking for my mom (I'm living with her now by the beach, I'm so grateful I am able to do that and keep an eye on her!) and I love watching the Great British Baking Show with her or a rerun of The Closer. I'm usually trying to start getting ready for bed around 9 so that I can wind down and be asleep by 10. I'm loving reading a non-fiction book before bed to just calm my mind - or I'll listen to a sleep hypnosis to get my mind to calm down!

Q: What are your hopes and dreams for your business?

A: I want to get it to a multi-7 figure business. I want to reach women all over the world. I want to empower women to not worry about being labeled "too much" and go after what they want and make so much money they can solve all their problems and the problems of those they care about.

I want women to love their careers and what they are creating for the world. I want them to create the most powerful, unapologetic, impactful ripple effect that reaches far beyond they even know.

I want to empower women who want to be moms to know they can be whatever version of that they want to be. I want to empower women who don't want to be moms to know that they are still being an inspiration for those around them that they love and care about.

I want women to stop hiding, to stop playing small, to own their leadership, to own their bossy, to STAND IN THEIR POWER and truly go for it without fear or worry of what others will think, and I want to do all of that from a big big stage. 

Q: Are there any other businesses or people who inspire you with your work?

A: Sara Blakely of Spanx and Sneex is someone I've always turned to for inspiration especially when it comes to failing forward, I love Lisa Nichols who is an incredible inspiration for not letting circumstances dictate what is possible, I love the way Amanda Frances and Rachel Rodgers talk about and teach money mindset, and I'm always listening to what Mel Robbins has to say!

Q: Are there are any words of wisdom that you live by in your work?

A: The solution is always on the way. I'm willing to see it another way. This or something better. Action is always the answer. Why not me? The stories of my ancestors that worked for them and kept them safe don't apply to me, so I'm going to create new stories that propel me towards my dreams and goals. Anything is possible.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: I want women to know it's OK to want MORE. To be so grateful for all you already have, and also, desire MORE. You can have both. You don't have to live by the rules and "shoulds" of yesterday, you get to do it and think about it different. 

About Editorial Mini Sessions

Editorial Mini Sessions are 15 minute portrait sessions based on the backdrops and lighting styles Diana uses when photographing magazine assignments.

If you’re interested in signing up for an Editorial Mini Session, please email dianalevinephotographer@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list, where you’ll receive all the upcoming dates and details! Each Editorial Mini, Diana chooses a different backdrop and lighting that she uses when photographing magazine covers and features, and books 15 minute photo sessions so that anyone can join for beautiful, creative, magazine-style portraits! You can learn more at dianalevine.com/editorialminisessions

Diana’s Editorial Mini Sessions take place at various studio spaces in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area. These Mini Session days are convenient for people who live in the Greater Boston or MetroWest Boston area, including: Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Westwood, Weston, Wayland, Sherborn, Dover, Medfield, Sudbury, Waltham, Ashland, Southborough, Concord, and Lexington.

At Diana’s Headshots Mini Sessions and Editorial Mini Sessions, she regularly photographs executives, attorneys, medical professionals, psychologists, realtors, business, marketing and communications specialists, journalists, authors, wellness and fitness instructors, designers, dancers, stylists, creatives, and professionals of all backgrounds in the Boston area. She uses the same studio lighting she uses for magazine editorial portraits, and retouching is included with all final selected photos.

About Diana

Diana Levine is a Boston based editorial photographer, specializing in portraits for magazines, headshots, branding portraits, families and children. Her clients include Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Magazine, BC Law Magazine, Simmons Magazine and more. She has photographed notable personalities such as Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Usher, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, among many other musicians, actors, politicians, athletes and more. You can find her full portfolio at dianalevine.com

Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes from my Editorial Mini Session with Mary-Theresa Tringale! The photo shoot took place at Dawn Ellis Groups in Newton, MA.