Kat on the Loose
Host: Kat Zammuto
Episode: HOW TO BECOME A PHOENIX AND RISE FROM ANY ADVERSITY
Date: September 18, 2024
Episode Overview
In this powerful solo episode, Kat Zammuto draws on her own extraordinary story of transformation and resilience to share a practical, actionable “game plan” for listeners seeking to overcome adversity and rebuild their lives. Centered around the potent myth of the Phoenix—rising renewed from tragedy—Kat lays out step-by-step principles, mindsets, and habits that empowered her to rise from personal and financial ruins into success and fulfillment. This episode is Kat at her realest: candid, motivating, and as vulnerable as she is tough. If you’re going through a difficult time or need a motivational push, Kat’s “Phoenix” philosophy may be exactly what you need.
Main Discussion Points & Key Insights
1. Introduction & Purpose
- Kat starts by welcoming listeners, especially newcomers, explaining that this is a rare solo episode responding to questions about her journey (05:05).
- The core of her message: “The Phoenix. The Phoenix. The Phoenix. …This is a game plan very, very doable. It’s not easy…I tell you, step by step by step, everything that I implemented and changed in my life to rebuild everything from scratch.” (06:15)
- She emphasizes: “Anyone can implement this plan and…get out of any bad situation and start your life over.” (07:12)
2. The Phoenix: Symbol and Personal Significance
- Kat explains the myth of the Phoenix and how it’s become her life motif—name of her company, her dog, and a tattoo. (09:53)
- Quote: “It’s because of the power of the Phoenix that I have been able to rise from the ashes…completely alone, without any support, without any help from anyone.” (10:30)
- The Phoenix represents hope, renewal, resilience, and the idea that endings are new beginnings (12:01).
3. Kat’s Raw Backstory: From Adversity to Reinvention
Timestamp: 15:00–28:50
- Born in Brazil to a dysfunctional family; faced abandonment, trauma, and rejection from her narcissistic father.
- Married a wealthy but abusive man (Anthony) in the U.S.; suffered through 14 years of control, manipulation, and emotional pain.
- After finally leaving the marriage, back-to-back deaths: her mother (2017) and husband (2018)—left her both emotionally and financially destitute.
- The ultimate betrayal: despite being the will’s beneficiary, courts didn’t enforce her husband’s will—she lost all assets, friends, support (“Every single person I knew, no exception…turned their back on me.” 25:13)
- Key moment: “That day, to me, was sink or swim…am I going to kill myself? I love life too much…. So I decided, I need to turn my life around. And then I remembered…the Phoenix image came in my head and I thought: I am the Phoenix.” (26:40)
- She got her first tattoo, marking the beginning of her new life.
4. How To Become a Phoenix: Step-By-Step Blueprint
Step 1: Radical Self-Belief
Timestamp: 35:00
- The foundational mindset: “You need to believe, with capital letters.”
- Practice daily affirmations: “I believe in myself. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. …I am my number one fan.”
- Quote: “Most human beings die…sad, unfulfilled, die in a dark place because they don’t believe in themselves.” (38:11)
- Action: look in the mirror and repeat affirmations with conviction, write them down daily.
Step 2: Drop the Victim Mentality
Timestamp: 42:00
- “You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get rid of the victim mentality.”
- She shares how no one cared about her struggles: “Everybody’s engulfed in their own tragedies, in their own problems…it’s a colossal waste of time. Remember why? Because nobody cares.” (45:33)
- Replace “victim” and “problem” with “survivor” and “obstacle.”
- New Mantra: “I am a survivor of anything that comes my way because I am a Phoenix. I have complete belief that I can overcome any obstacle my life throws at me.” (47:55)
Step 3: Focus on Solutions, Not Problems
Timestamp: 50:00
- Fixating on problems makes them grow; fixating on solutions creates positive momentum.
- Examples: for heartbreak, focus on self-care and see singlehood as opportunity. For finances, brainstorm skills and side gigs instead of panicking.
- Quote: “If you focus on problems, the problems are going to grow. If you focus on solutions, the solutions are going to grow.” (53:01)
- Action: Write your biggest obstacle and brainstorm solutions; repeat positive solution-focused affirmations.
Step 4: Prioritize Health—Body, Mind, & Soul
Timestamp: 58:00
- Without health, everything crumbles. “Your body is your temple. You need to worship it.”
- Treat exercise and nourishing meals as non-negotiable self-care, not punishment.
- She shares how she walks her dogs for exercise, avoids buying junk food, and does what makes her happy.
- Self-discipline = self-love: “Be brave. Act like the Phoenix you’re becoming…your body and mind will thank you.” (01:04:24)
Step 5: Stop Chasing—Start Attracting
Timestamp: 01:06:05
- “Never, ever chase people. Attract what is meant for you.”
- Chasing anyone—romantically or professionally—erodes self-esteem and gives away your power.
- Action step: delete contacts, block or unfollow people you’ve been chasing, and repeat: “I don’t chase, I attract. Whoever is meant to be in my life will be. I am the energy that attracts.”
- Quote: “Chasing someone who doesn’t want to be with you is not only a waste of time, but it’s also a devastating blow to your self-esteem.” (01:07:30)
Step 6: Upgrade, Don’t Downgrade
Timestamp: 01:12:20
- Kat challenges conventional wisdom about cutting expenses when times are tough: “Instead of downgrading your entire life, you need to be focusing on pursuing your dreams and believing you can achieve them.”
- Visualization: Make mood boards of the life you desire. Don’t move to a “shittier neighborhood”—figure out how to reach for more.
- “The more you cut back, the more you are downgrading your life. And this downgrading mindset becomes a habit, leading you to believe that this diminished reality is the life you deserve.” (01:13:12)
- Action: Identify what “upgrade” means to you and design your life/actions towards that vision.
Step 7: Ruthless Focus & Consistency
Timestamp: 01:23:25
- Nothing worthwhile comes for free or “easy”—beware of anyone claiming quick or easy success.
- Quote: “A Phoenix doesn’t succeed by looking for shortcuts. A Phoenix overcomes obstacles and achieves everything through hard work, discipline, consistency and ethics.” (01:25:45)
- Celebrate small wins; show up for yourself every day: “Give your absolute best self every single day, and all of a sudden, you’re going to start seeing different results.” (01:31:40)
- Mantra: “I know the best things in life are not easy, but I know I can reach them by showing up for myself every single day.”
5. Culminating Message & Final Pep Talk
Timestamp: 01:34:10
- “Before I let you go, no matter what, never ever, ever, ever give up. You need to be your biggest fan.”
- Celebrate every win, no matter how small.
- “Be your biggest fan. Go get it.”
- Kat offers direct contact and support resources: “If you want to reach out to me and my team directly, we have 24/7 open lines of communication because this platform is for you.” (01:38:12)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On adversity and resilience:
“Anyone can implement this plan and…get out of any bad situation and start your life over.” (07:12) -
On self-worth:
“Most human beings die…sad, unfulfilled, die in a dark place because they don’t believe in themselves.” (38:11) -
On friends disappearing:
“Every single person I knew, no exception…turned their back on me.” (25:13) -
On transformation:
“Every time I hear a no, every part that I don’t get for an acting job because I don’t look Latin enough, everything that happens to me, it’s fuel to my fire to keep going, to give voice to other women out there that you too can be a business owner, you can be an actor, you can be a writer, you can be anything you want.” (01:27:30) -
On self-belief:
“You need to believe, with capital letters.” (35:00) -
On upgrading your life:
“The more you cut back, the more you are downgrading your life. And this downgrading mindset becomes a habit, leading you to believe that this diminished reality is the life you deserve.” (01:13:12) -
On embracing challenge:
“A Phoenix overcomes obstacles and achieves everything through hard work, discipline, consistency and ethics.” (01:25:45) -
On never giving up:
"Never ever, ever, ever give up. You need to be your biggest fan." (01:34:10)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 05:05 — Episode introduction: why Kat is recording solo
- 09:53 — The Phoenix as a powerful personal and cultural symbol
- 15:00 — Kat’s family background and early adversity
- 25:13 — Isolation after loss: “Every single person turned their back on me”
- 26:40 — The Phoenix moment: choosing to rise
- 35:00 — Step 1: Radical Self-Belief
- 42:00 — Step 2: Stop Being the Victim
- 50:00 — Step 3: Focus on Solutions
- 58:00 — Step 4: Prioritize Health
- 01:06:05 — Step 5: Stop Chasing, Start Attracting
- 01:12:20 — Step 6: Upgrade, Don’t Downgrade
- 01:23:25 — Step 7: Consistency & Showing Up
- 01:34:10 — Final pep talk & resources
Closing Message
Kat Zammuto’s “Phoenix” episode is a battle cry for anyone facing adversity and ready, or in desperate need, to begin again. The show is packed with concrete mantras, practical mindset shifts, and unvarnished truth. Whether you’re in heartbreak, financial distress, or just needing a new chapter, this blueprint gives listeners not just hope, but a strategy. In Kat’s own words:
“Go be the best phoenix you can, rise from the ashes. I know you can do it. I love you so much. Go get it.” (01:39:38)
Contact/Support:
- Website: catonthelose.com
- WhatsApp: +1 305-332-0338
- Email: contact@catontheloose.com