A Full Heart In Transition

With A Full Heart ~ I Am Overflowing With Gratitude.

Over the weekend, I returned to the studio to teach after being away with my son, Isaiah, for a few days to celebrate my 40th birthday.  I walked into the dark space before the sun had come up with an intention of grounding myself with a short solo practice before others arrived.

As I was lighting only the dim mood lights so that we can all fully witness the sunrise, I saw a beautiful basket overflowing with cards and cozy items and a vibrant vase filled with deep red, orange, and yellow flowers.

This took my breath away. I stood there, staring at the basket in the glowing light, trying to understand. I saw my name on the cards and still it took me a few moments to fully comprehend that this gift was for me. After standing there for what felt like far too long, I looked around and realized this was truly all for me. 

Once this settled in, I began to cry. The tears that come when a friend sees you, and you don't have to say a word, but they simply know exactly what's on your heart, and they give you the biggest, most comforting and fully connected hug. And you just cry. You cry until the tears slow down; until you're able to take deep, slow breaths again; until, you don't know exactly why, but suddenly you feel like a weight has been lifted and you can stand tall on your own two feet again.

I regained my composure and enjoyed a morning sharing my gifts of leading two nourishing practices and watching the sun rise with my Saturday morning yoga friends. And each time I glanced over at the basket, a tear would form.

The outpouring of love from this community, after a simple request from two of my kindest most supportive friends (& co-instructors), was incredible. And while the intention was to shower me with love for my birthday, none of you knew how your words would uplift my broken spirit during one of the most challenging times of my life. 

You Don't Always Know How Meaningful Your Words & Acts Kindness Are, Which Makes Your Heart Even More Beautiful.

Over the past few months, I haven't felt able to be fully transparent with you. And that in itself is a struggle for me, as I truly value the deep connection we have by sharing life together. But this particular struggle wasn't only mine. This struggle I've been navigating also effects Isaiah, his dad, and our loved ones.

And it's not something I knew how to navigate among community, especially as you have become family, too. I knew that I didn't have the capacity to process my emotions, receive support, and hold space for the emotions that arise from those who care about us, too. 

Over the summer, Ryan and I began the difficult discussion & process of divorcing. This was not a decision that came lightly. And, though not without resistance, it's something we both have quietly known in our hearts for a very long time. 

There is a lot of shame that comes with divorce. There is a lot of grief. A lot of feelings of failure. There is sadness, anger, stress, and an unbearable heaviness that you carry as you try to separate your lives. And for me, this is amplified in finding the most gentle way of uprooting the only life that our 6 year old son knows. But ultimately, I know this is the best path forward for our family.

There's also this community. You've known both of us for possibly the last 15 years that our lives have been intertwined. You know us from the early days as personal trainers from MVP. You know us now having my studio space and his training space physically side by side. You know us individually and you know us together. You know the challenges you supported us through over years within our families. You've watched Isaiah grow up since the moment my belly began showing. I want to acknowledge the deep sense of grief, sadness, anger, and insecurity this news may bring to you, too.

And while I feel that there is so much value in sharing our experiences in the most vulnerable moments, this experience had to be held close to my heart and within my closest inner circle until I could get my feet on the ground enough to have the strength to share. I needed to know that I had the capacity to both receive support and to hold you in the safety of knowing that I am not going anywhere. That this community is not going anywhere. And for a brief time, I myself had to step back to ensure I truly believe this and that it is possible. And now, I know it's more than possible ~ it is probable that we will not only remain ~ we have the fire within us to blaze!

Before telling Isaiah, I reached out to one of our members and a dear friend, who dedicates her life to improving the mental health of children. I asked her to help me navigate the conversation with Isaiah. Her insights were not only incredibly nurturing and supportive, but also empowering and encouraging. She reminded me to stick with what is concrete ~ what will change and what will stay the same. To remind him that he is loved always. And to hold space for whatever may come up for him. To let him feel and to be there, fully present for that.

She also encouraged me to lean into my community. To take care of myself and make space for what I need to nurture the parts of me that are hurting, too. And to express to those that love me what I need and how to support in upholding this community. Her words felt intentional and powerful and so supportive. And she acknowledged her own surprise and sadness. The complete picture that she was able to paint for me in just a few short minutes has held me over the last few weeks.

So here we are. And now it's time for me to lean in with you as we walk through this life together.  I'm going to use the same approach to help illustrate for you what this all looks like, in hopes this helps me hold space for you and offer you the encouragement and support you need to digest this news. You are my people and I cannot express how much I love sharing life with you, even ~ if not especially ~ in the challenging times.

This will remain the same: 

• The studio is not going anywhere. We are here to stay.
• Ryan and I are both still good people. We both still love and appreciate you and this community. And we both still want this community to love and support the other, too.
• Isaiah will still be part of all of our lives and with that, he will still show up in both spaces in full-on director mode. We are both great parents. That will not change. And you are great humans that he will be surrounded by and he will continue to be showered with love.

This will change:

• Ryan and I are no longer married. And we are friends and life will look a lot different for each of us and our family. And we are at peace & hopeful for an even better future.
• Live Unprocessed will become a sustainable business. Truth be told, Ryan has financially held us up since the inception of the physical studio space. And for 2025, we are going to support ourselves.
• And this business will become my main source of income, as well ~ meaning my gifts, dreams, and purpose that have been smoldering in the background, will now fully ignite. Plan to see more of me (initially in your inbox as I gently transition my life) and new offerings as I regain my footing.
• I have temporarily relocated to downtown Grand Haven for the winter with Isaiah until we find a more permanent residence in the spring. We will commute into GR throughout the week. There is so much healing that will come with us being near the lakeshore. I do have a very close 20+ year friend nearby and I know how important it is for me to stay connected to this community.
• There may be challenges that arise with me being further away, depending on winter weather, but we are prepared to tackle these. We have an incredible team of instructors who live close to our physical space. And I am always only a phone call or a text away. I also now have reliable wifi so I can connect to you, even if I get snowed in. (I will be upgrading my personal radiation protection, but that's another story...)

How can you offer support through this transition?

This community is successful because we are based in authentic human connection. When anyone in this community expresses personal wins and struggles, you have time and again naturally opened your hearts and we celebrate and lean on each other. You ~ the humans ~ in this community are the reason this space is so incredibly beautiful and a huge part of each of our hearts. 

It has always been my mission and my dream to cultivate a thriving community, both with a physical location to come together in real life, and one that connects well beyond our doors ~ whether you're across the country or you simply desire connection to support your commitment to live with your highest good and the good of your community in the forefront.

Everyday I am blessed to hear how this community has touched your life. We are succeeding in our mission and we have barely even scratched the surface of the sharing the deep passions, knowledge, experience, and skill sets of those leading the drive here at Live Unprocessed.

I will not let this dream go. I will not let this community end. And I will prove that you can be a homeschooling mom, business owner, and entrepreneur with your fair share of life's successes and failures and cultivate every part of your dreams into reality. I will take every day of life's lessons and prove that kindness, compassion, vulnerability, integrity, and courage are exactly what's needed to excel personally while building a community that spreads the equal amount of goodness into the world.

And I can do all of this because I am not alone. You are here with me. And we have an incredible team of leaders, collaborators, and community members that all hold the same passion to not only help this business survive, but for this mission to expand beyond our wildest dreams.

Here is how you can help:

• Show up! Come to workshops, classes, events, virtual programs. ALL of it. We need you physically here at the studio or signing in virtually so we can expand the collective energy that keeps us alive and inspired. 
• Sign Up! If you've been considering a membership or wanting to meet with an instructor for a private session or a small group training, now is the time! Set up consistent sessions and allow yourself to deepen your practice, strengthen your body, grow in your confidence, and ground through mindfulness or by letting us hold space for you.
• Share! Bring a friend. Tell your loved ones what you appreciate about this community. Tag us on your socials. Spread the word. And let's bring more liked minded people into this community because you believe in what we have here and you know others. Use code: FIRSTFREE to get them in the door  or purchase a 5 or 10 class package
• Connect! Stay active with communication. Make sure you're reading our emails and staying active with our texting service. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram and make sure you interact by commenting and sharing the parts of us you genuinely appreciate. We want to use every opportunity to know you on a deep level. Let us know when you need something or if you have an idea or request. Connect with other community members. Share your hearts. Uplift each other. And let's continue to thrive.
• Celebrate!  Let us know what this community means to you. Share your wins via email, text, or social media. Let us know how you are continuing to upgrade your life through our connection. Let us know if you have a creative idea on getting together with your fellow Live Unprocessed members or to bring your loved ones into our community ~ maybe that's scheduling a private event or practice customized for you. 
• Commit! Commit not only to this community, but to yourself. Live unprocessed is more than a weekly yoga class. We are your opportunity and support system to upgrade your health through food, movement, and mindfulness. By committing to LIVE this lifestyle, through one small step every day, you are fueling our mission and purpose. You are igniting and inspiring the same in others. And together we are creating a wave of energy that will overcome all obstacles. (You can also join our FullScript dispensary & I'll help you with your supplement orders)

Over the next few weeks, you'll receive opportunities to order apparel, join virtual programs, commit to holiday workshops, and apply for intimate coaching programs. Look for this! And participate. And if you're already doing all the things ~ THANK YOU!  And if you're not sure what you can add, simply keep connecting with us. Send love and stay active in the Live Unprocessed mission.

Thank you for receiving this message with compassion, understanding, and grace. I appreciate you more than you know. 

Sending Love from a full & tender heart, 
💗 Shannon