Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Mitchell.
Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been athletic, but my passion for a disciplined, fulfilling, and healthy lifestyle started when my Dad got sick with cancer in 2006 when I was in middle school. I was not ok, and I was almost silent about it. You may not know me but let me tell you that was surprising. Chronic illness is something that has touched everyone’s life and sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it, and sometimes there IS. I watched as my stepmom at the time juice, make healthy meals and help my Dad change his fast food eating habits. I watched how quickly his sick body positively responded to nature and healthier options. Fortunately, he just celebrated his 61st birthday and I credit it to being intentional back at that critical time that both his stomach and cancer were removed.
When I was growing up I read all the time and one of my favorite book series was A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I felt I could relate to a lot of bad things happening back-to-back, sometimes that’s part of life, right? I loved how the oldest sister Claire Baudelaire would always tie her hair up and figure out a solution when the three Baudelaire siblings got into sticky situations. I’ve found in my own series of events, both fortunate and unfortunate, that if I do certain things, I can give myself the advantage. Specifically, being proactive about my health in all ways that I can and asking the right people the right questions.
Now for me, physical wellness is one of my passions that I share by helping people with dry skin glo from head to toe and fortify their immune systems on a daily basis. I do this through shealo glo, my handmade personal products company. The name comes from the 100% natural African shea butter and the organic aloe in the glo butter! We have glo kits that can be tailored to any travel and multi-usage needs. With our natural products, it’s about more than skin that you’ll love, it’s about your immune system being as strong as it can be for as long as it can be. Each kit features three multi-use products: a dark brown sugar scrub, an oil, and our glo butter! At shealo glo we believe that when we are intentional about our healthy habits, we are decreasing the likelihood of developing chronic illness and improving our daily wellness at the same time!
We can look ok, but in order to be healthy we have to really be ok. My Dad being sick put me in an interesting position because I did not know where my biological mother was at the time. If he passed away I didn’t know what that next step for me would look like, nor was I trying to find out! Throughout my life there have always been different key women who have mothered me along my journey. I always wanted to see them well taken care of and loved on; by themselves,in the family around them, and in life itself. In 2011, I was reconnected with my mom, Anita. It had been twelve years since I saw her, and in 2017 we would find out she was sick with cancer, unfortunately, she passed away in November 2019. Right before covid. I was not ok. I started to understand more deeply the importance of affording yourself options for flexibility, intergenerational communication, and how key consistent self-care is for sustainability.This time I wasn’t almost silent about it.I instead said yes to starting a podcast about women’s stories and dimensional wellness.
I now host Women Connected in Wisdom, a podcast and community, with my co-host Christine. The show is currently ranked in the top 10% in the world; and Christine, I, and 16 other authors recently published an Amazon bestseller in 2022 titled Women Connected in Wisdom: Stories and Resources rooted in the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. Our book speaks from different generations and races sharing our lives’ trials and triumphs in hopes that it will better your level of health on a daily basis. What are the 8 Dimensions of Wellness? I was surprised I had to ask and I have a degree in psychology! They are: Emotional and Mental Wellness, Environmental Wellness, Financial Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, Physical Wellness, Occupational Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, and Social Wellness. Every week Wednesday at 5 pm EST we go live and discuss a dimension, or all of them if we are wrapping up a season! Join us!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it smooth, but I would call it worth it! When Covid-19 shut down the Pappadeaux I was serving at in 2020, I knew I needed to do something because I didn’t have the next month’s rent and I needed to move immediately! The unemployment that did come, came late and stopped early. I started shealo glo with some of what I did get and by the beginning of 2022, shealo glo was getting opportunities to collaborate with organizations like Top Golf, Pappadeaux, SCAD, Bank of America, and The Gathering Spot to name a few. Now,you can come visit us in person on 228 Auburn Ave NE. Atlanta Ga 30303!
As for Women Connected in Wisdom every obstacle I have with another woman and as a woman encourages me to keep the list of resources and tools full and overflowing and excites my passion to see the world a healthier place for women of all walks of life. Every moment worth celebrating reminds me of how amazing women from all over the world are and why our voices are worth being heard.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve shared some highlights about my shea butter company, being an international podcaster, amazon best selling author, and publisher. What I’m most proud of is that the self-care that you experience with shealo glo, our glo kits, and gloing from head to toe is not painful like many of our current beauty practices. It is intentionally relaxing and rejuvenating, and I would say the same with Women Connected in Wisdom. Our podcast, community, and author cohorts are not the harsh environments some of us have grown accustomed to when working with women but rather helpful, collaborative environments and teams that make you better for yourself and your community.
What sets my shealo glo products apart from others is that it is esthetician tested and approved so it’s safe for sensitive skin. The formulation is made to help dry skin lock in moisture naturally. What sets Women Connected in Wisdom apart is that we don’t focus solely on ourselves as the leaders of the community but also invite other women to share their resources as experts to those who need the tailored attention in a specific dimension of wellness.In our recent volume we had 18 authors, 15 of which were first time authors, and 12 narrators, and we are currently writing volume ll!
How do you think about happiness?
When I think about happiness, I think about how fleeting it can be and how unrealistic it is to stay in that emotional space100% of the time. I instead focus on things I can control and let the rest go, and give it to God. There, I can be content in doing my best, happy that I showed up for myself, and have joy in trusting that what I can’t control will be well taken care of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shealoglo.com// www.womenconnectedinwisdom.com
- Instagram: @shealoglo//@womenconnectedinwisdompodcast
- Facebook: Shealo Glo // Women Connected In Wisdom Podcast
- Linkedin: Womenconnectedinwisdompodcast
- Youtube: @shealoglo// @womenconnectedinwisdompodcast
Image Credits
Native Pharaoh SSR SSR_Vision
