Special Guest: Shannon Smith

1) Share info about you, where you are from originally and where you are now, and what you do. 

I was born and raised in Union Lake, a quiet suburb outside of Detroit—though it’s now called Commerce Township, which is kind of ironic given how much I’ve changed since then. My parents, Bert and Lanay, were teen parents, and I was their firstborn. They didn’t have much, but they worked hard and gave me everything they could, especially when it came to material things—family vacations, birthday parties, the things that make childhood fun. I played sports, did well in school (except for that occasional note about talking too much in class), and on the surface, everything seemed perfect. But as a young child, I always felt like something was missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at the time, but it was the void of self-love, a lack of embracing my true self without feeling the weight of others’ expectations. 

Fast forward to my high school years, and I met the father of my children when I was just 15. We were married right after I graduated, and we spent 17 years together, sharing more than 20 years of our lives. After our divorce, I found myself spiraling. I lost over 125 pounds, changed my appearance, but in the process, I began to party, drink, and use drugs in an attempt to numb the pain of my failed marriage and a deep-seated belief that I could never meet the standards

others had set for me. It was a time of chaos, but it ultimately led me to a point where I knew I had to change. I didn’t want my children to see me like this. 

Today, I’m living a life I’m truly proud of. I’m the CEO of a coaching and consulting firm that helps new nonprofits and future business owners create lasting impact. I’m also in a leadership role at the agency that once helped me when I was homeless, providing me with resources, food, and support when I had nothing. I’ve rebuilt my life from the ground up. I have a beautiful relationship with my sons, and I’m a proud “Gigi” to my three grandchildren. Every part of my journey has shaped who I am today—someone who’s found healing, self-love, and a deep commitment to empowering others, especially women, to rise above their struggles and create a life they love. 

2) What have you overcome? Share a little about your topic. 

I’ve overcome addiction, deep feelings of inadequacy, a painful divorce, and homelessness. My journey was long and difficult, but I’ve learned to embrace my authentic self. For years, I struggled with self-love and with living up to others’ expectations. It wasn’t until I learned to fully love and accept myself, just as I am, that everything started to shift. I now live a life grounded in self-worth and a deep commitment to helping other women see their own power and potential. 

3) How did you know you needed to change? 

I knew it was time to change when I realized that I was no longer the woman I wanted to be. The choices I was making weren’t aligned with the life I envisioned, and the most powerful wake-up call came when I received a message from my stepdaughter. She told me that her mother had passed away and asked me to please get myself together. That message hit me hard. I didn’t want my children to experience the same pain she was going through, and I loved my kids more than anything. That was when I knew I had to stop running from my pain and start facing it head-on. I had to heal, not only for myself but for my children, who deserved a mother who was whole and present. That was the moment I made the decision to change—for them and for me. 

4) What steps did you take to implement change? 

The first step was asking my mother to care for my children while I took the time I needed to heal. Some people said I was selfish for making that decision, but what they didn’t understand was that it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t want my children to see me in the broken state I was in, and I knew I needed to focus on healing myself so I could be the mother

they deserved. So, if being “selfish” means protecting my children from that pain, then I will live with that. It gave me the space to get sober and rebuild my life. I worked on my education, earning both my Associate’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work. I sought therapy and support, and I eventually found my way into a leadership role at the very agency that had helped me during my darkest times. I dedicated myself to becoming the best version of myself, and through it all, I found strength, resilience, and an unwavering belief in my ability to create the life I deserve. 

5) What encouraging words can you leave for the readers. 

I want you to know, sunshine, that you are worthy—right now, just as you are. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You are enough. Embrace your imperfections, your story, and the beautiful, powerful woman you are becoming. Your journey may not look how you once imagined, but trust that it’s unfolding perfectly, just as it’s meant to. The power to change and heal is within you. Believe in it, and know that no matter what obstacles you face, you have the strength to overcome them. 

6) What is your favorite quote? 

One of my favorite quotes is by Martha Graham: “You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” It reminds me to embrace my flaws, because they are part of what makes me whole. My imperfections are not something to hide—they are the very things that connect me to my truth. 

7) Provide the best ways to contact you. 

I would love to connect with you! You can reach me through my coaching and consulting email shannon@bleuskyescoachingandconsulting.org. I also invite you to follow me on social media shann_nspires where I share inspiration, resources, and messages of empowerment to help women step into their fullest potential.

Victorious Living Culture hopes you enjoyed learning about our guest Shannon Smith. If you would like to nominate someone to be a special guest, contact noreen@victoriouslivingculture.com