Introducing...Off The Mat Coaching

Oh hey! Thanks for making it all the way to the OTMC Blog page. I'm Shannon, and I'll be the one attempting to use this space to capture for YOU what this place is all about.

I'm going to resist the Millennial urge to over-complicate this first post. I've written at least four or five different versions. How do you explain an idea that is still forming? Because that's what Off The Mat Coaching still is - a vision taking shape and realizing itself. The first seed of this work began three years ago, in early 2023. I had quit my career as a music teacher, cashed in my pension, found purpose in studying and practicing yoga, and had signed up for an intense life coach training program. I was married with two daughters, had close friends and family, I was active in my community, and I even found time to adopt a second dog.

And then I burned that shit to the GROUND. It's poetic that it was exactly 3 years ago today - July 2 - that I made the decision to start over (this soft launch on this date is 100% on purpose). It was spectacularly destructive - both what happened that summer and what was revealed over time. It would make a hell of a beach novel. I was the absolute worst version of myself, and I saw the worst revealed in those around me - people I had trusted with everything. But the version of myself that made that choice was also the bravest, most honest I had ever allowed myself to be (up until that point). I'm not going to go into any more detail than that. Maybe someday I'll tell more of my story...but for now I just want you to have the most basic context to understand why I am choosing to do this work.

OTMC is many things, and at it's core it is a place for those that have survived their worst moments, and want to rebuild. It's a place to be brave, honest, vulnerable, and find the best version of yourself. A community of solidarity. I will have so much more to say about EVERYTHING as this space develops, but for now...

Hi, I'm Shannon. I burned my life to the ground, rebuilt it, and I am betting all my cards that there are other people who could use help doing the same. I would be honored to hear from you, to help you, and to show you that everything you already need is already within you. Let's get started.

Take care and be well,

Shannon