LIFE & HEALTH COACHING
With Shannon lea pickering O’CONNOR, M.S. Psychology
AKA The Autoimmune Foodie: Authenticity & Radical Health Restoration Coach, Speaker, Writer
The secret to a happy, balanced, and healthy life is to understand how your unique configuration of gifts contribute something to this world that no other person can contribute.
My STORY
My life has truly been a journey:
Coaching is my third and final profession, the magical career where my talents and passion collide. I bring 20 years of clinical and corporate experience to coaching from my two previous careers: first as practicing psychologist/career counselor/ adjunct professor of psychology and second as a sales professional/national trainer/manager at a Global Fortune 500 company.
I was very successful AND by the time I was 48, I had been diagnosed with systemic lupus, fibromyalgia, lyme disease, chronic EBV, endometriosis, asthma, narcolepsy, gastritis, gastroparesis, gastritis, rosacea, IBS, Restless Leg Syndrome, Periodic Movement Disorder, Autoimmune thyroiditis, Stage 3 Breast Cancer and more.
By 2014 I was disabled, lupus was impacting my heart and lungs and DNA and I was facing a lifetime of chemo and steroids (and heart/lung transplant) to stop its relentless progress. Not to mention the endless lists of medications I was taking and the multiple surgeries and hospitalizations I had endured. What I discovered the hard way is that if you don’t take care of your mind and body and soul, your body will shut you down for maintenance. And by 2014, my body was trying to shut me down permanently.
I accepted the call to pivot my life and dedicate it to healing, and I am happy to say that I am now free of autoimmune disease and cancer and living my purpose. I don’t even have autoimmune antibodies, which is truly a miracle. I’m proud to be featured as a success story in the newest edition of The Wahls Protocol® as well as in an upcoming book about Functional Medicine.
My passion and purpose is to now help others achieve holistic wellness so that they are free to pursue their passion and their purpose - because the world craves each of our unique contributions.
I believe bodies can and will heal given the right tools
The foundations of healing are not to be found in expensive gadgets, gizmos, pills or practices, but are found in resources that are largely free and readily available to everyone.
If you are interested in all things related to Authenticity and Wellbeing, you have come to the right place!
Go to my IG @AutoimmuneFoodie and Click Link In Bio for Podcast and Media Appearances
SHANNON LEA
I coach people to feel FIERCE, NOURISHED, and LIMITLESS.
Being FIERCE is about Determination. My motto is, "Obstacles Fear Me." I have faced divorce, job loss, and the diagnosis of a seriously ass-kicking autoimmune disease as well as stage three cancer. Being FIERCE isn't about how many times you've been knocked down - or even knocked out. It's about how many times you get up - even when you can't see a way - it's about being determined to find one!
Being NOURISHED is about Wellbeing. You know when you are on a plane with a child and the Flight Attendant tells you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first? That is the heart of wellbeing - you must take care of yourself in order to continue taking care of others. You must NOURISH your Mind, Body, and Soul. This is not selfish. This is mandatory. Service starts with self-care.
Being LIMITLESS is about fulfilling your purpose. We tell ourselves stories about why we can't "be all we can be"- we don't have the time, we don't have the money, we don't have the health - I know, I've been there. But, guess what? You have a purpose and it matters! Being LIMITLESS is about re-writing your story and making your life count - you CAN do it! It's time to write your next chapter - the one you have always dreamed about.
In a nutshell, I coach people to reach greater levels of performance and wellbeing in their critical work and life roles through improved self regulation, interdependent communication, and radical heath restoration.
So, how am I qualified to help you achieve all this? I have more than 25 years of clinical and corporate experience developing people and teams, as well as 5 current health and performance coaching certifications. My coaching and consulting practice is built upon two previous careers: On the clinical side, I have been a practicing psychologist, career counselor and adjunct professor of psychology at a university. On the corporate side I held roles in sales, national training, and management for a Global Fortune 500 company. I am now in my third and final career as a Performance and Wellbeing Coach, the magical career where my strengths and passion collide.
My greatest strengths include curiosity, creativity, innovation, resource creation, storytelling, perseverance, championing others and empathy. I am the Chief Empathy Officer (CEO) & Principle Storyteller of my company. My defining characteristic is perseverance. My motto has always been "obstacles fear me." I reached every goal I ever set my sights on attaining, achieving great success in the clinical and corporate worlds. And all the while managing 7 autoimmune diseases. But when I developed systemic lupus, it was the first obstacle I could not overcome with sheer determination. In fact, my health declined rapidly for several years until, in 2014, I became fearful of dying. So I left my corporate career and spent the last seven years learning how to claw my health back from the abyss. Using the foundations of health I am now cured of chronic illness. I spend my time spreading the news of hope that bodies can and will heal given the right tools through my 1:1 Coaching and Lead Yourself To Health™ programs. I am also a positive psychology, authenticity and interdependent communications coach.
I love the photo below because I knew I had overcome disability when I was again able to do a handstand. Are you ready to TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK??
Certifications:
Certified Bulletproof Coach
Certified Human Potential Coach
Certified Wahls Protocol Health Practitioner
Certified Irlen Method Screener
Certified Gallup Strengths Coach
Gallup Trained Entrepreneurial Coach
Certified Strengths Strategy, Inc. (People Acuity) Coach
“Working with Shannon as a coach has been life-changing for me. I finally am learning how to tap into my strengths, which is building more confidence and success in my life and business. Shannon is compassionate, intuitive and uplifting--plus she's a lot of fun to work with!”
-Realtor, Helping Buyers and Sellers Move to The Next Chapter Of Their Lives
ONLINE COACHING
My favorite part of every day is grabbing a cup of coffee and connecting with my clients. My expertise includes incorporating Positive Psychology and Strengths Coaching to help clients restore hope and health with the foundations of health and wellbeing, to help couples and business partners learn interdependent communication, to help individuals unleash their authenticity to contribute their purpose, and to help corporate employees attain outstanding work performance. I coach USA clients by PHONE and International clients by SKYPE.
COACHING PACKAGES
What do I want to be when I grow up? What is my true purpose in life? Why is my relationship troubled? How do I restore my hope and my health? If you find yourself asking one of these questions, Coaching is designed for you. I specialize in helping people with mid-career change, finding true meaning and purpose in their lives, unleashing their authenticity, developing healthy, interdependent relationships, and health restoration. Ideal for individuals, families, couples, and work partnerships.
No one has ever said to me, "I yearn to be average." We don't seek stagnation. Boredom and status quo are not the stuff of dreams. We crave learning and growth. We crave meaning, purpose, and contribution. Performance is what we seek. Coaching is designed to positively, dramatically impact performance in your work, life, and relationship roles. Ideal for individual, entrepreneurs, and corporate groups.
And I have yet to meet someone who is "accidentally healthy." Deciding to take the journey to improved wellbeing will be one of the smartest decisions you ever make. Health and wellbeing coaching includes lifestyle management consultation (grocery shopping, pantry stocking, home lighting, footwear, personal & cleaning products, cooking, recipe planning). Designed for men and women struggling with autoimmune conditions or stress-filled, unbalanced lives.
HOPE & HEALTH RESTORATION
Sessions $250
If Current AMR Client, Rate $199/Session
NEW! Wahls Protocol Coaching $199/Hour
Package of 10 Sessions $1990
Use your innate strengths to build the custom health and wellbeing plan that works for you. I am not a functional medicine doctor or nutritionist. I am a health coach who can help you with the foundations of health restoration including nutrition, movement, sleep hygiene, biohacking, mental/emotional/spiritual wellbeing, social wellbeing and interdependent communication, overcoming fears and barriers, mindfulness and meditation, stress management, the healing mentality, environmental detox, using the elements of the earth to heal, creativity, self-care, resilience, and finding the right career and life purpose. I am certified by both Wahls™ and Bulletproof™ and I have 20 years of experience with ketogenic diets.
UNLEASHING AUTHENTICITY
Sessions $250
If Current AMR Client, Rate $199/Session
NEW! Strengths Coaching $199/Hour
Package of 10 Sessions $1990
I have learned that there is something of a blindness in our society to the rich variety of human talents. I meet people every day who believe they have no special abilities or genius talents. Well, I am here to tell you, definitively, that you are unique among all people who have ever lived or ever will live. You have genius talents that are both easy to use and obvious to see if you only know where to look. You are, indeed, a very special snowflake. My passion and purpose is to help people unleash their authenticity so that they are free to pursue their passion and their purpose - because the world craves each of our unique contributions.
COUPLES
INTERDEPENDENT
COMMUNICATION
$2999 (Now On Sale for $2500!)
Perfect for couples, business partners or families (custom quotes for family coaching). Build effective interdependent communication to enrich your relationships and reduce communication frustrations. Stop the cycle of blame, disconnection, and criticism of self and others. 10 pre-paid sessions.
CORPORATE STRENGTHS & WELLBEING COACHING
CUSTOM QUOTES
Looking for a Coach to provide your employees with Strengths Coaching and Workshops, workshops on Interdependent Communication, creating a Culture of Engagement, maximizing Employee Performance and Wellbeing? Contact me for a goal discussion session and custom quote.
Testimonials
“Shannon's application of the StrengthFinder's program not only helped me uncover my strengths but it also became the source and foundation where I built up my confidence. I started working with Shannon because I was at a crossroad in my career, and despite the fact that I was a bit skeptical at first, our work together has had a tremendous impact on all aspects of my life. I was particularly impressed with Shannon's ability to listen deeply, her ability to help me make connections and above all else how much she truly cares about her clients. The fact that we had to conduct our sessions over Skype (we don't live in the same city), did not affect the quality of our conversations -- Shannon's enthusiasm and energy positively radiated through the screen. I would highly recommend Shannon if you are looking to make an investment in yourself.”
-Consulting Strategy and Operations Manager
“I highly recommend Shannon as a coach, not only because she is thoroughly educated, but because she is compassionate about her clients' wellbeing, using her talents to bring out the best out of people. I landed my dream job and I am getting my confidence back thanks to her. She guided me through her coaching to utilize my tools and talents to attain my goals in my career, relationships and life. I urge anyone going through changes to contact Shannon Pickering, as her professionalism, experience and calming sessions unearthed a lot of knowledge I would not have discovered without her help.”
- Eyewear sales specialist
“After participating in coaching with Shannon I have seen some amazing changes and gained a better understanding of myself and my interactions with others. Shannon's coaching has helped me find ways to be more effective at all of these things. I have become more aware of where my creativity comes from and how to channel it, more capable of dealing with clients on commissioned jobs and more capable of delivering what the client wants. In my sales position I am able to read my clients better so I am ultimately able to provide them with a better solution for their needs, making them feel more secure about their purchase and ultimately increasing my sales by over 20% over previous years. As an educator I can read my students better, answer questions before they ask them and increase their confidence. My personal relationships have also grown in ways I didn't know were possible. I am closer to my loved ones and am able to connect with them on another level than before. I am also a recovering alcoholic, and the work Shannon and I have done in regards to my sobriety has been invaluable. She has helped me to realize that I am not a bad person, and that what I thought were weaknesses (and gave me excuses to drink), were actually strengths, that when used the right way, could be used to make myself a better artist, salesman, educator and overall person. I am incredibly grateful for the work we have done, and the changes Shannon has helped me make have been incredible!”
- Artist, salesman, educator
“Shannon is a truly wonderful coach. I am a coach myself so I obviously believe in coaching and ever since I became a coach 10 years ago I have had coaches myself, often several at a time. So I have worked with dozens of coaches by now, some were not for me and some were amazing. Shannon definitely belongs to the latter group. What makes her special? Her warmth and compassion. Having your back. Looking out for you when you forget to do so yourself. Gently. Her wisdom comes from experience, not from books, she has lived it and done it and come out stronger, wiser and compassionate. I came to her for inspiration for cooking - and I got plenty of that- but I got so much more. Thank you Shannon, blessed to have found you!”
-Stefanie, European Health Coaching Client
“I found Shannon Pickering when I was in a very very "dark place" after receiving a vaccine that caused immune mediated small fiber neuropathy in my entire body. Physicians unfortunately gave me little to no hope of ever healing. I am a former critical care nurse and a busy mom of three. I was left devastated and unsure how to even begin to move forward. During my first session with Shannon I immediately realized that her background in psychology coupled with her extensive knowledge in autoimmune disease was my "ticket." Not only did she shift my mind to a positive place, but she empowered me and gave me the confidence that I could heal with the correct nutrition under her guidance. I am extremely blessed to have had the privilege to work with her. To say that she is a wonderful human being would be an understatement. Thank you Shannon for being my light through an unbelievably difficult time.”
-USA Health Coach Client
“I had the great experience of having Shannon as both a leader and a mentor during my tenure at a Global Fortune 500 company. It was a great pleasure seeing a highly talented manager of senior representatives display her mission of “success for all” by leading others with both inspiration and purpose. Shannon always communicates with a vision in mind. One of her biggest assets is her ability to recognize and remove hurdles and obstacles, in order for a person to experience positive outcomes on their path to success. And, then in turn, to be able to master the process yourself. Shannon is the best coach I ever had. She always made you feel as though she was invested in your success, and always reinforced positivity by building and maintaining trust. Shannon builds trust with consistent and thoughtful actions. She is always accessible, open and transparent in her communication and responsive to your issues and needs. She is a fantastic listener, and always brings an unprecedented sense of understanding to the conversation. It is this innate ability by Shannon that allows unmanageable problems to become manageable, and issues without solutions to suddenly have solutions. I have been in the business a very long time. In an age when "we" have seen and heard it all, it is truly refreshing to have an individual such as Shannon in your world to provide a higher level of connectivity to both individuals and ideas. There is no doubt in my mind that I learned a great deal about leadership and relationship from this engaging and inspirational professional, and her commitment to make others better in all aspects of their lives.”
- Senior Sales Specialist, Global Fortune 500 Company
"Shannon was my initial inspiration for taking control of my health. I struggled for years with autoimmune thyroid disease, weight gain, fatigue, and other mystery symptoms. I saw multiple doctors and was left feeling hopeless and out of control of my health. And then I learned about Shannon's story through social media and it was the first time I felt it might be possible to heal myself. I learned about her personal journey to wellness and started following the Wahl's Protocol along with an elimination diet. After two years on the protocol, all of my symptoms had gone into remission, I had stabilized at a healthy weight, and my thyroid antibodies had normalized! When I started reintroducing some healthy foods I had cut out during the elimination phase of my diet, I was terrified that my symptoms would return. I sought out health coaching from Shannon to help me work through my fears about food reintroduction. After several sessions working with Shannon, I am incredibly happy to share that I no longer have fears about reintroducing foods and have successfully reintroduced several healthy foods back into my diet. I feel better than ever and have more confidence in my body's ability to heal! Shannon truly cares about her clients and strives to help others be their best selves. I am so grateful to have worked with Shannon and continue to be inspired by her true passion for wellness and maximizing human potential. Thank you Shannon!!"
-HS, California Health Coaching Client
“I was diagnosed with Lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Sjogren’s syndrome about 23 years ago. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been determined to find a way to overcome my symptoms and fight my way back to optimal health. But the road was a much longer and rockier one than I could have ever anticipated. After years of trying one diet and supplement plan after another, several medications and procedures, and continuing to experience flares and/or annoying, often painful symptoms, I felt like I was going nowhere. Finally, after barely pulling through yet another lupus flare, I felt all but completely dejected. I decided the only way to really heal would be to find somebody else who healed from the same or similar illnesses and do exactly what they did. That’s when I began a search for a coach with first hand experience. Since I was studying Dr Terri Wahls’ diet plan at the time, I decided to see who she might recommend by searching her website. Shannon Pickering’s bio jumped out at me right away. She healed herself from not only lupus, but a myriad of other illnesses. She also had a solid background in psychology. I was impressed. And, after the initial call, I knew she was the right person to help me. I felt comfortable right away. I could hardly wait to get started. On the outset, I’d already decided that I would just do what she did and I would get better. But Shannon helped me understand that there is much more to healing than just going through the motions of good nutrition. Shannon showed me how healing also requires understanding myself a little better. She helped me shift my focus to aspects of health that are frequently neglected but equally as important as nutrition and exercise. Shannon showed me that like so many things, healing is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. With her help, I now understand that my health is multifaceted with many layers that are unique to me.
I still have some ground to cover before I get to where I want to be. But I’m definitely on my way, more so than ever before. I absolutely owe my success in understanding my health in a deeper way to Shannon and her positive, patient and insightful approach to coaching. Her gentle guidance and help with reframing my approach has been paramount to the progress I’ve made.”