Introducing our PALETTE SHEROES

We have a little something at Palette we call a SHERO, which is a member or other community partner who is able to help out with the financial side of membership. If you’re reading this, you’re in exactly the right place to meet an amazing individual who is committed to helping others to learn and grow. We’re so pleased to introduce you to Manuel Astruc, MD!

Tell us who you are and what your business is. What is your business’s mission?

I’m Dr. Manuel Astruc, a psychiatrist and executive coach here in Saratoga Springs. At my practice, we work with people who are navigating challenges with their mental health — sometimes in ways that are loud and obvious, but often in ways that are quiet and deeply personal. I’ve been there myself. What I’ve learned is that when someone begins to feel like themselves again, the impact doesn’t stop there. It ripples out to their families, their work, and their communities. Our mission is to help people help more people. That’s at the heart of everything I do — through psychiatry, coaching, and in the pages of my book Happiness Rules. 

Why did you decide to become a Palette SHERO?

I believe in the power of community. Supporting someone through the SHERO fund is a way of saying “I believe in you, you’re not in this alone.” When someone is given the opportunity to grow in the right environment, it can change the course of their life. I’m honored to help make that possible. 

Why is giving back important to you?

There have been many times in my life where I could’ve given up — and the only reason I didn’t was because someone else believed in me. Giving back is how I honor those moments and those people. It’s how I say thank you, and how I try to pay it forward. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?


You can’t always control your environment, but you can control how you respond to it. That’s your superpower: you get to choose. That shift in perspective can be the beginning of everything — because it puts the power back in your hands. 

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

If you’re part of the Palette community, you’re already doing something brave. You’re building, you’re dreaming, and you’re saying yes to something new. But the thing about being brave is — you have to have courage. And courage doesn’t always feel good. It can feel like fear, uncertainty, or self-doubt. That’s why the power of community is everything. When you’re surrounded by people who see you, support you, and believe in what you’re building, it helps you keep going. Just remember: you’re not alone. And there’s real strength in reaching out when you need it.