The Mama's
This is my favorite part about what we do! Here we highlight a different mama every month who is out there doing amazing things and is serving as an inspiration to our community. They will teach us, help us, heal us, inspire us and show us that us mama's are forces of nature!
Meet Shannon:
This month we are featuring Shannon. Shannon is a published author and a life coach who focuses on the grief and healing process of a miscarriage. She has helped over 2,000 people! I had the honor of interviewing Shannon and she shared not only her own story of her multiple miscarriages but how she recognized her grief and created a way to heal. You can find the video at the bottom of this interview.
Please tell us a bit about yourself:
I grew up in the Bay Area and after attending college in Colorado and spending some time in San Diego, I moved back up to the Bay Area. I received my degree in Psychology and was a special ed teacher for 11 years. During my time as a teacher, my husband and I experienced 6 miscarriages. After that, I decided to quit my teaching job and devote my life to helping other women heal after a miscarriage.
Let's get to know your family:
When my husband and I married, I gained a stepdaughter. We then had a son, Jackson, who is 10 and another son, Colin, who is 8.
How long have you been doing what you do? What inspired you to enter this career?
I have been a coach specializing in grief and miscarriage for 3 years. In between having our two sons, we experienced 4 early miscarriages. After our second son was born, I had another miscarriage at 10 weeks that resulted in a D&C and then another early miscarriage. After so much loss, I kept asking myself why I was supposed to go through this pain and what I could learn from it. It was shocking to me how little miscarriages were discussed and how little support there was for someone going through such grief. I wanted to create a space for women to come together to grieve, heal and support each other.
What are some tips and advice you could share with us that you’ve learned in your profession?
People want to be seen and heard and this helps start their healing. There are no perfect words to take away the pain, just let them talk and give them a safe place to grieve. I have also learned how important healing is in order to help you find a connection to yourself and your loved ones again.
What is the best mom advice you’ve heard?
Figure out what is important to you and your family (your values) and stick to them. Other parents may do things differently or may try to influence you and how you parent, but if you know what is important to you it will help you remain grounded.
What is one thing about motherhood that took you by surprise the most? Good, bad, or ugly.
Motherhood can seem pretty judgy at times but when you really talk to moms and get to know them, everyone has similar struggles and just want what is best for their children and family.
What is something that you do that you have found helps set you up for success each day?
I have played around with this a lot. A lot of it comes down to the night before and getting enough sleep. This can obviously be difficult when you have children but I try my best. I also try to start each morning with some journaling (which I used to hate, but now love), a workout to lift my energy and gratitude. All of these actions help keep my energy level up as well as set up my day with positivity.
Fun and random question: If you were a superhero, what would your superhero power be and why?
I used to think that I would love to be invisible but I have changed my mind. I really don’t think I’d want to hear what others are saying about me, it’s none of my business. I think I’d rather have the superpower of flying! Flying would be so much fun and sounds so freeing!
What are some goals you have for yourself in 1, 3 and 5 years?
My main goal is to change how we talk about miscarriage and healing. I want women to understand the importance of healing after a miscarriage and I believe this starts in the doctor’s office. My goal is to work with doctors to help them provide a more compassionate and supportive environment so that women understand what will happen when they leave the office and know that there are resources for them. I don’t want any woman to feel like they are alone in this process.
Lastly, I’d like to end with a piece of kindness. Either a quote you enjoy, something you’d like to say to the readers, etc. The Mama & Me is all about promoting kindness and compassion.
When you have gone through something that is difficult, turn around and help the woman behind you. We are a community and should be supporting each other. Obviously, you don’t need to create a whole career around it or start an app, but when you see a mom struggling with something that you have been through, give her a helping hand.
Connect with Shannon:
www.elevatedcoaching.coach
https://www.facebook.com/shannon.buranpassalacqua
instagram.com/miscarriage.warrior/
Meet Stephanie:
We are so excited to introduce you to our first featured mama, Stephanie! She is a personal trainer, incredibly accomplished and still has so much she wants to achieve. She has graciously put together an amazing free yoga workout video for us. It is featured at the bottom of this interview and is also available on our YouTube page. She has put together a meal prep menu for us too which you can find at the bottom of the interview as well. So without further ado, let's get to know this inspiring mama!
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Oregon but raised in New Mexico. I have 5 siblings, 4 of which now live in California. I was raised by parents who owned and ran a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, and thrift store as well as 15 apartments. My dad is a medical director/nurse practitioner and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She was also the grant writer and ran the thrift store with the 3 other families.
I went to college in New Mexico, where I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Hospitality and 2 Master’s degrees in Education. Then I moved to Chicago where I attended Le Cordon Bleu. I graduated with an Associate’s in Baking and Patisserie. From there I moved to Texas, New York, New Mexico, and finally California to teach at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco. 6 years ago I decided to become a personal trainer in my spare time of being an Executive Pastry Chef and Restaurant Director. I currently own my own company and am a personal trainer, yoga instructor, and health coach.
Let’s get to know your family.
I have one son, who is 11 months old! It is crazy how time flies.
How long have you been doing what you do? What inspired you to enter this career?
I have been a personal trainer for 6 years. I was actually encouraged to become a trainer by 2 of my brothers. I loved fitness and also taught nutrition as a chef. Everyone thinks it is strange to be a pastry chef than a personal trainer but I was always teaching nutrition and it just made sense.
I realized that I wasn’t making a difference in the world as a pastry chef. As a trainer, I am helping people each day. Whether it is helping them overcome an injury, teaching someone how to meal prep, or being a yoga instructor, it makes a difference. Cupcakes don’t change anyone’s life…
I realized after being a chef for so many years that the hours and the pay just wasn’t worth it anymore. As a trainer, I can command more money and make my own schedule. I have 10 certifications as a trainer/fitness nutrition/yoga/health coach and am always pushing myself to be better.
What are some tips and advice you could share with us that you’ve learned in your profession?
It is a lifestyle and people need to remember that it takes time. It takes at least 21 days to make or break a habit. Don’t get discouraged and know that you are doing better every day.
What is the best mom advice you’ve heard?
You are the best mom to your son. Don’t take anyone else’s advice - you know what works for you and go with that. That doesn’t mean to not ask for advice or tips. It just means that no one else’s opinion matters except yours.
What is one thing about motherhood that took you by surprise the most? Good, bad, or ugly.
It is so important to take care of yourself. If you don’t, you can’t be the best mom to your child. Self-care needs to happen every week. I am terrible at this but am getting better. Even if it is 20 minutes when they nap to workout or sit outside and have a glass of wine.
What is something that you do that you have found helps set you up for success each day?
I check my calendar the night before so I can mentally prepare myself for the day. I am crazy when it comes to my schedule for work so I make sure to get up 45 minutes before my first client. That gives me time to get ready, pump, have my coffee, then get signed into the computer. I have found that if I rush, I feel rushed all day.
Another thing is to make sure my office is cleaned up at the end of the day and my clothes are set out.
Fun and random question: Would you rather get an extra hour of sleep or an extra hour of uninterrupted me time?
An hour of me time. I can’t remember the last time I had that. I have MAD mom guilt and think I have to do everything. I don’t ask for help and when I do, I feel like I shouldn’t.
What are some goals you have for yourself in 1, 3 and 5 years?
I would like to continue to grow my business, teach more classes as a Pastry Instructor, and hopefully have baby #2. I would also like to potentially start my Ph.D. but that is WAY down the line, maybe once I am teaching more and training less. I really love what I do.
I also want to travel again. I would love to move to Italy for 3 months, work and explore the area.
Lastly, I’d like to end with a piece of kindness. Either a quote you enjoy, something you’d like to say to our readers, etc. The Mama & Me is all about promoting kindness and compassion.
Love yourself 1st. As a mom, we are so focused on everyone else that we forget about ourselves. If we can’t love ourselves, we can’t be our best self. I need to remember this every day because I become overwhelmed with everything, trying to do it all. Be kind to yourself. It’s okay if the laundry piles up and the dishes are still in the dishwasher. Your child is going to remember that you played with them. You will remember that you were there to see him/her walk for the first time instead of worrying that you need to clean the house.
Ask for help. Whether it is from a fellow mom or getting a housecleaner once a month. I found that having someone help me clean the house a few times a month was a game changer.
Connect with Stephanie:
Instagram: @trainerstephlenhardt @cheflenhardt Email: stephanieclenhardt@gmail.com
Stephanie's Impressive Certifications:
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
PTA Global Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
PTA Global Certified Behavior Science in Exercise
USA Weightlifting Certified Sports Performance Coach
ISSA Certified Yoga Instructor
Yoga Alliance 200 hr RYT
AFPA Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist
AFPA Certified Health and Wellness Coach
CPR/AED Certified