About Shanna
Hello, dear one.
My name is Shanna. There must be a reason you landed here today, whether you are just curious or looking for support and change.
Thank you for arriving and showing up for yourself today. When you work with me, you will understand how your life experiences have shaped who you are today.
I was raised in a large faith-based family in Utah, in a very loving home. My parents were beautiful examples of service to others and their community. Mom showed her love through acts of service in church, school and community. Dad showed his love through church callings, his school teaching, coaching and one-on-one interviews with his children. I always knew I wanted to help others. It was the example I grew up with.
Being the third oldest of 10 children, it was expected early on that I would help with the younger kids. It became second nature for me to step in and help. Living in a big family, I had to work extra hard to be seen and heard. As an identical twin, I also had to work hard to find my own identity. Needless to say, I struggled with finding who I REALLY was.
I developed codependency along the way, making sure others were okay before myself.
I looked to others for validation. I used sports to propel me through life. Playing college ball and then on to world softball qualifiers, I felt I was at the top of my game. I found my purpose. I was going to become a teacher and coach and help others get to where I was and feeling fulfilled.
Then, at the age of 26 while I was finishing my college degree, my mother was tragically killed in a school bus accident. I felt my world come to a complete halt. The rock of our home was gone. One of my biggest sports supporters. Without time to grieve, I became her replacement and felt the need to take care of the three siblings still at home. The twin girls, only 13 at the time and my youngest brother, 16. I didn’t want them to feel they were forgotten, not loved or cared for. I took it on myself to take care take them. I took my younger sisters to college classes and activities with me, traveling to softball games and having sleepovers, while brother was at home with dad.
As time progressed, I finished my degree and began work as a high school teacher and coach. I wasn’t sure how to communicate my burnout to anyone, so I left the U.S. and traveled to Korea to teach English. Here I discovered I wanted something deeper than school teaching and coaching. I tried on the hat of wilderness therapy and residential treatment staff member, and I loved it. I ended up jumping around from job to job trying to find myself and my purpose in life. I had multiple relationships and a failed marriage, where I always felt there was something deeper. Then I made the decision to make the changes myself and found my inner child through The Adult Chair model.
My intense emotional pain and rejection left me questioning who I was as a person, my beliefs and my truths. Who was I? Where was I going?
My lack of emotional maturity kept me stuck. I felt unseen and unheard, had low self-worth and struggled to communicate with others. Not understanding my true self kept me in my unhealthy patterns. I felt YUCK! It was time for change!
So, I made the decision to show up for myself… NO matter what!
What else did I have to lose at this point?
I began my own journey toward self-acceptance, self-love and self-worth so that I could live unapologetically happy. I used The Adult Chair® podcast to start my journey towards my emotionally healthiest me and discovered my little one inside myself. I now know she has needs that were never met, impactful phrases she needed to hear. I have overcome personal painful challenges and transformed my life through this journey. It has been incredibly freeing!
Today, I have a beautiful healthy relationship with myself. I'm a master certified life coach. I travel teaching and educating women to become their healthiest adult self while presenting to corporate events. I know my self-worth. I am a better communicator, and I now dedicate my life to helping others live as their healthiest selves.
My practical tools and experiential approach will help you discover your wounds and limiting beliefs, uncover your true self and create new beliefs so you can live as a happy healthy adult, which will lead you to deeper connections with others, healthier relationships, reduced stress and true happiness that comes from within YOU.
I’m right here with you.
These are the techniques and tools I use every day.
This is transforming – I promise you. I look forward to connecting with you!
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Being afraid won’t kill me…. Listening to that fear surely will.