About
Hi again!
What a delight that you are here. I’m Shannon Speaks.
Holder of safe & compassionate spaces
Companion to the caregiver who is ready to pour back into their own cup
Encourager of insights transformed into meaningful action
Student of the mindful path
Dear Kindred,
I am honored and humbled that you might be curious “About Shannon”. It’s important that we pause for a moment on this path so I can highlight some truths.
The “About” section of this website invites me to share things about myself so you might “know” me better. This section is actually full of accomplishment-sound-bites! While it is true that my life has been nourished by my accomplishments, my life has also been nourished by challenges, mis-steps and struggles. I don’t have a section with those details on this website!
Another truth is that I am halfway through this human path ya’ll! That means I have PLENTY of path behind me and hopefully PLENTY of path before me as well. Nourishing opportunities abound!
I invite you to notice what qualities (personal style, accomplishments, lived experiences etc.) are important to YOU in a coaching partnership. It’s so important you find a good fit.
My own path includes; the earth, holistic growth, dance parties, music, art, fitness, community, family, friends, broadway, social justice, dogs and LOTS of walking! What’s on YOUR path these days? Perhaps our two paths may cross.
Warmly,
~shannon
I’ve been a caregiver as long as I can remember – in my personal life and in my professional life.
Since the start of my career in healthcare in 1995, I have partnered with people and their families in a variety of settings. I’ve had the privilege of working with older adults in nursing homes as they adjust to major life transitions. I’ve worked in hospice care as individuals prepare for the end of life. It was a true joy to also teach and support students at Kent State University in human development & family studies for 15 years. For five+ years I had the honor of supporting people living with cancer and their families in an outpatient cancer treatment setting.
That’s nearly 30 years of learning from everyday folks faced with significant challenges. At the end of the day, it was the everyday challenges that often posed the most difficulties; how to ask for help; what to say to a family member who doesn’t understand; giving yourself permission to take a nap.
These valuable human connections have become a part of me. I bring the lessons learned into my current roles as a Social Worker, Certified Mindfulness Teacher and ICF Certified Life Coach.
Today I get to support remarkable helping professionals in a variety of settings through mindfulness teachings and practices. In my private coaching practice at Nourish C&C, LLC I get to partner with caregivers of all kinds who are ready to rediscover peace, balance and fulfillment.
Caregivers come in many forms – health care workers; adult children caring for parents; spouses; parents; dedicated friends/neighbors.
Many times the caregiver is also the person in need of care. Oftentimes we are several of these roles at the same time.
It’s so easy to lose track of our own needs while walking the caregiver path. As I mentioned already,
I too am a caregiver. I know this life. I too lost my way – lost myself. Taking a deeper dive into mindfulness and getting trained as a Holistic Life Coach generated meaningful personal growth in my life. I learned valuable ways to nourish myself – my whole-self. It took time. I learned a new way to BE with others – to BE with myself. I call it this new way of BEing The Nourish Approach and I’d love to share it with you!
You too have dreams, hopes, goals and a life beyond the roles you play. I’m here holding a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate space for you to explore and find whole-person nourishment.
On a less official but equally important note, I describe myself as:
Finder of FUN
Wife & Mama
Advocate for social justice
Podcast fanatic
Fitness enthusiast
Walker of trails
Life-long student
Lover of dogs
My favorite movie is The Color Purple.
I’m a proud member of the Gryffindor House.
Enneagram #2 (The Caregiver – no surprise)
How are you BEing these days?
Might you benefit from
The Nourish Approach?
Here’s how you can start taking The Nourish Approach RIGHT NOW:
1. Get monthly nourishment via email by subscribing to Nourishing Notes.
2. Discover what fills your cup with this free meditation and whole-person nourishing guide.
3. Explore how 1:1 Coaching might boost your efforts with a complimentary connection call.
4. Check out some of my other offerings and see how The Nourish Approach might support you as a whole and complete person!