MEET HEALTH COACH SHAY

I grew up in a small town in Eastern Kentucky. My family life was pretty “normal.” My mom was my best friend, I idolized my older brothers, and my dad worked and supported us.  I always felt loved and special.  My mom was a stay at home mom and loved cooking healthy meals.  My brothers played sports, and my dad was very athletic.  This gave me a solid start when it came to understanding the value of nutrition and exercise. Then came school!  I was skinny, with curly/frizzy hair, glasses, and taller than most of my classmates.  This was not ideal! I was teased, particularly in grade school.  This led to issues with self-esteem and self-confidence.

Time went on and before you know it, I was a teenager.  I have many wonderful memories as well as sad memories of this time.  Mom continued to be my best friend however my dad did not know how to connect with me now that I was getting older and not his little girl anymore.  My brothers were both out of the house and attending college by the time I was 10.  This created a new family dynamic.  My parent’s relationship became strained and they divorced when I was 17 after 35 years of marriage. This was a very confusing time and once again greatly impacted my self-esteem.  Mom and I struggled financially for several years however she made sure I was able to go to college and earn my degree in Psychology. 

Through my adult life there have many ups and downs but the love and support of my mom, brothers, and some amazing girlfriends, has always given me strength.  One of my big UPS was when I discovered weightlifting in my mid-20’s!  I trained with Personal Trainer and Health Guru, Jim Laird.  My weightlifting practice has been instrumental in my overall wellness.  It makes me feel strong, both mentally and physically. When I was in my late 30’s I went through a divorce, loss of a job after 15 years, and therefore trying to re-invent myself.  I was on a new journey of self-discovery!  

In my 40’s, suddenly there was a shift.  I found the love of my life, began a new career in senior living, and I was entering perimenopause.  Everything was wonderful, other than perimenopause!  I struggled with hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, self-esteem, and mysterious weight gain. I did a lot of research and found a functional medicine doctor who was able to help me with hormone imbalances. I started hormone replacement therapy and this was a game changer!  There was so much more work to do however other than just HRT.  I spent time doing yoga, meditation, talking with mentors and trusted friends etc. Through this process, I discovered my calling to be a Health Coach. I knew without a doubt I wanted to help other women through this complex and delicate stage of life. 

Now, I am married to the love of my life and living in sunny Sarasota, FL along with my two crazy cats Romeo and Jett.  My mission is to empower women to become the best and most beautiful version of themselves while always knowing you are enough!