Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayla Tumbling.
Shayla, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From a very young age, I had a desire for independence and a powerful joy which I now recognize as the concept of Bliss. All of this has been in the movement on my path of Liberation. I realized it was a matter of moving into liberation from all of the aspects of life that hold me, hold us hostage and trapped in repeated cycles that keep us limited and unable to achieve our goals & dreams. My journey of Empowerment & Liberation supports me and all those who will ever meet me.
ORIGINS: Let’s begin at the Beginning! 🙂 So I’m originally from the DEEP SOUTH…Created & Cultivated in a small town in Mississippi (MS). I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and became a mental health therapist. I have been in the field of mental health/psychology/counseling/behavioral health working with clients for over 14 years. I moved into completing my doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in Counseling Psychology right after completing my Master’s degree. Due to a series of “fortunate/unfortunate/fortunate” events I took a hiatus from that degree with only six credits (a dissertation & an internship) to complete.
THE SEX PIECE: While in my Master’s program I had a very impactful experience with a professor who had worked in the field of Sex Therapy for over 30 years with some of the noted founders of the field like Masters & Johnson this study with this professor deeply imprinted within me the DESIRE to add the topic of Sexuality to my life’s work.
THE TRAUMA PIECE: While in my Ph.D. program I had two other significant experiences which added another critical piece of what would come to be cornerstones of my work in the world. First, I was introduced to the concept of inter-generational trauma through the work of Dr. Joy Leary who wrote a book called Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. This book forever changed my life and if you haven’t read it…do so. Second, I met one of my first mentor’s (Dr. Ani Kalayjian) who was doing the work I desired to do traveling the world and helping people heal from inter-generational trauma. I began working & training with her becoming certified as a MeaningfulWorld Ambassador through her training program. I went on multiple trips to Haiti as a member of the team to engage in holistic trauma outreach training & prevention work for thousands of people.
THE SPIRITUAL PIECE: I grew up in a very strong Christian household. I knew about God from a young age and was always in church. I sang in the choir all my life, performed in all the plays, participated in all of the special events, went to VBS (Vacation Bible School) every summer! So I always knew there was a spiritual aspect of life. As I grew older and was exposed to more knowledge and experiences, my understanding of God expanded even more. I learned about chakras, energy healing, intuitive abilities, etc. etc. etc. I recognized that there was a spiritual/energetic part of our existence that could not be denied and played a very powerful role in all that we do.
THE PHYSICAL PIECE: When things began to “fall apart” and my series of “fortunate/unfortunate/fortunate” events unfolded I was introduced to one last “hail mary” (I’m not a sports fan lol yet I know those who know sports will get this reference). I have always received signs in different ways in my life…one very significant way is through the power of 3…so when something appears in my awareness three times I take heed. Initially, professional cuddling was my “hail mary” the business was born out of a need/desire to provide a mobile service that would benefit others & allow me the flexibility of being my own boss + finishing my doctorate (Ph.D.) training. This is what happened with the concept of Professional Cuddling. I had heard of the concept several years before in my doctorate program then I heard of it again towards the end of my series of “fortunate unfortunates” then one last time as I was faced with a big decision of how I would finish. The 3rd time I took it as I sign that I should look deeper into this healing & therapeutic modality of platonic touch…I did and the rest is history.
PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER: So some of these pieces happened individually some simultaneously all ended up coming together and creating the foundation of my work. I realized that comprehensive, sex-positive education is needed for the masses. There is a power that exists in the understanding of and development of healthy relationships (with ourselves & with others) with our emotions & sexuality. I realized that we all have some type of trauma or shame (inter-generational/cultural/historical) that we have been impacted by which has shaped our lives (our past which is impacting the present and will shape our futures). The spirituality/energy was the binding aspect of all these pieces with the different healing modalities that exist which can be integrated into the work of helping people move through, release, overcome those blocks (psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual, energetic) which have been stopping them from powerfully moving forward in their lives and accomplishing the goals they have for themselves.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different people & businesses in the sexuality field, psychological field, holistic/integrative healing field, and in the area of spirituality. I’ve witnessed and supported some amazing transformational life experiences for people who came forward seeking a powerful change in their life which would be the catalyst for major growth for them.
Some have said my biggest obstacle has been me…I do not necessarily disagree. It can be really easy to get caught in patterns of negativity and self-doubt, to be wrapped up in lots of psychological & emotional knots of ourselves which we may not recognize from the inside looking out. I believe that’s a major reason why I do the work that I do because I understand that there are so many generational/inter-generational aspects of our conditioning that exist on every level (psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual, energetic, sexual) of our lives and we have to ACTIVELY work at deconstructing them in order to create real, lasting change.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
LOL!! As smooth as pedicured feet on jagged concrete LOL!! Okay okay, perhaps that’s a BIT of an exaggeration!
My series of unfortunate/fortunate events which felt like HELL and a major CRUSHER to all the goals & dreams I had worked for so long & so hard for so many years.
These were a few of the struggles I faced.
Please tell us about Shayla Tumbling.
I co-create SACRED SPACE for Women to heal. I co-create SACRED SPACE for Men to heal. I co-create SACRED SPACE for all who resonate with my work to heal.
I am a Sexuality & Emotional Empowerment: Coach | Educator | Healing Facilitator. I am a Mental Health Therapist & I am a Professional Platonic Cuddler.
As a Mental Health Therapist: I provide individual & group therapy sessions for clients around a variety of topic areas. I work with successful professional women who need help improving their relationships (friendships, intimate, self). I have a new group for Black Women: Navigating Career & Emotional Health.
As a Sexuality & Emotional Empowerment: Coach | Educator | Healing Facilitator: I provide individual & group empowerment coaching sessions & packages. I create resources, online courses, events, workshops, and retreats for clients around the topics of Sexuality Empowerment, Emotional Health, Shame, Women’s Empowerment, Healthy relationships (self, others, friends), Cultural & Ancestral Trauma, and Black Women’s Sexuality.
I help women remember who they are. I help women who have always lived their lives for others begin living their lives for themselves.
I work with women who are:
1. Rediscovering themselves
2. Who [lost, numbed, hid] part of themselves because they were “taught” it was unacceptable.
3. Who have been walking through life [relationships, work, etc.] “numb.”
As a Professional Platonic Cuddler: I offer individual cuddling session packages to clients. I facilitate group cuddling events. I create & present workshops around the topic of platonic touch & the benefits for people engaging in cuddling.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have jumped first and asked questions later. I asked a lot of questions trying to figure out why & how. I would have taken more action.
Pricing:
- Individual Empowerment Coaching Session Packages begin at $497
- Group Empowerment Coaching Programs begin at $397
- Sensual Liberation EBook/MiniGuide $12
- Retreats begin at $597
- Empowerment Circles begin at $47
- Intensive Workshops begin at $197
- Individual Platonic Cuddling Session Packages begin at $397
Contact Info:
- Address: 264 Banberry Drive
Atlanta GA - Website: www.shayladtumbling.com
- Phone: 7702319060
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shayladtumbling
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBraveSpaceCoaching/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/blksexcatalyst
- Other: www.facebook.com/shayla.tumbling
Image Credit:
SDS/Sex Down South Conference
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
