Healing Begins Within – Exclusive Interview with Shannon Yeager
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 16
- 6 min read
Shannon Yeager is the founder and owner of Expand Beyond, an intuitive wellness coaching and practices. She is a certified wellness coach, yoga instructor (RYT-500), sound healer, and Usui Reiki practitioner with 10 years of experience in the wellness industry. Her mission is to help people learn the tools to regulate their nervous system, tune into their intuition, and find what lights them up to live a vibrant and fulfilling life.
Shannon Yeager, Owner, Founder, and Wellness Coach
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
My name is Shannon Yeager and I am the founder of Expand Beyond, intuitive wellness coaching and practices. My passion is to create a cocoon (safe space) for people to heal, grow and transform.
My offerings are inspired by my own wellness journey. Every life transition has brought with it important lessons, resilience and an opportunity to evolve. I fell in love with yoga during college and have continued to practice and learn about other modalities rooted in spirituality and holistic healing. Over the past decade, I have received certifications in coaching, yoga (RYT-500), sound healing and Usui Reiki.
As a new mom and business owner, I have had to learn how to reprioritize self-care. Mindfulness has been a crucial part of my postpartum recovery process and helps me and my family find a sense of calm in the chaos. Rolling out my yoga mat, going on nature walks and spending time with animals (including my two cats) are some of my favorite activities to stay grounded and joyful.
What inspired you to start Expand Beyond Coaching?
For many years, I balanced working full-time for a company and hosting wellness events for my community. When I became a mother, I realized there wasn’t enough time to show up fully in all of those areas. I had to be more intentional with each moment and focus on the work that lights me up and provides abundance.
I felt a deep calling to focus on my entrepreneurial journey and expand my business, but I didn’t know what this path would look like. The more my mind tried to figure it out, the more overwhelmed I became. So, I focused on calming my nervous system. I began meditating with my morning coffee and listening to sound baths while nursing my daughter. I started working with a coach to visualize new opportunities. As my thoughts slowed down, I was able to connect inward and receive the clarity I was searching for. I realized I could help others feel more centered, tune into their intuition, and live a vibrant and fulfilling life. The mindfulness and coaching techniques that were transformative in my journey are the same tools I use with my clients.
Who is your ideal client, and what challenges do they usually face?
My ideal client is any human looking to fill up their cup, deepen their intuitive connection, and explore new possibilities that align with their soul’s purpose.
With the constant stream of notifications on our phones and to-do lists that only seem to grow longer, it is easy for the nervous system to get overstimulated and our energy to become depleted. This can make it challenging to relax and connect with our purpose. Many of my clients have experienced anxiety or overwhelm. They feel ready to make a change, but may not be clear on what direction they should move toward.
That is why I begin every session with a tool to regulate the nervous system, such as box breathing or a body scan meditation. From this place of calm, I help my clients shift their mindset by cultivating gratitude and learning to see the gifts and lessons in each experience. With thoughtful questions and reflective prompts, we uncover new perspectives and envision the path forward.
I have worked with executives to reduce burnout, moms to launch businesses, coaches to identify their soul clients, teachers to pursue their dream roles, and more. I will hold space for you with curiosity and cheer you on every step of the way.
Can you share a breakthrough moment you’ve witnessed with a client?
Taking the leap from the corporate world into entrepreneurialism can feel unsettling and scary. I know because I have been there and I have had the honor of helping others take that leap as well.
One of my clients wanted to create her soul business — a venture that fully lights her up each day, instead of draining her energy. She was burned out from years of climbing the corporate ladder and felt disconnected from the work she had previously done.
We started by getting out of “fight or flight” mode. My client shared, “Shannon introduced me to a few new concepts, including yoga nidra, box breathing, and butterfly breathing, which enabled me to stay grounded, especially as a mother. She is an excellent mentor and coach.”
During our sessions, my client identified the skills, gifts and experiences she could leverage for this next step forward and the clients she felt excited to help. As each lightbulb was illuminated, it provided more energy and forward momentum. Soon, she built the confidence to lead her first event and has continued to expand her gifts ever since.
What does “expanding beyond” mean to you personally and professionally?
Growing up, I was encouraged to earn good grades, attend a university, and enter the working world as others in my family had done before me. I checked all the boxes and learned many valuable skills and lessons along the way. Yet I couldn’t escape the feeling that I was meant to expand beyond these expectations. I felt I had greater purpose and potential than could be reached between the hours of 9am and 5pm. I yearned to fully step into my gifts as a wellness coach and intuitive healer.
For a few years, I let the fear of uncertainty and the unknown hold me back. When I became a mother, I felt my body, heart and mind expand. I knew deep down I was ready to break free from the fear and realize more of my potential.
For me, “expanding beyond” is about releasing the perceived limitations formed by past experiences and other people. It is about stepping out of my comfort zone and into my power. It is about following my dreams and expanding beyond what I imagined was possible. It is also about helping others as they spread their wings and take flight on their own path of expansion.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
When I started college, I placed a lot of pressure on myself to perform at a high level. One morning, I woke up with a numb and tingly sensation in my hands. I went to the doctor and learned I was hyperventilating due to stress. This was the first time I realized that stress can manifest as physical symptoms in the body. It was here that my wellness journey began.
Rather than pushing myself to keep going and ignore the warning signs from my body, I decided to slow down. I started learning breathing techniques, meditating and going to yoga. Eventually, the blanket of anxiety lifted and I realized the power of mindfulness to live each day feeling more centered and calm. Now, when I feel anxiety creep in, I am equipped with the tools to regulate my nervous system.
Looking back, I am grateful for the version of me that was overwhelmed. This experience helped me connect to my body, learn mindfulness tools, and share them with others.
What makes your approach different from other coaching services?
I believe every coach has unique skills and strengths. It’s important to work with a coach who resonates with you.
My coaching approach incorporates nervous system regulation, energy healing and empowerment. I will guide you through a meditative practice to help you connect with your highest self and uncover the answers that live within.
While these qualities are the foundation of my coaching services, each session is unique based on each person’s unique journey. I do not use a “one-size-fits-all” approach or a “formula for success” in my sessions. I create a healing “cocoon” that includes a blend of modalities customized to help you overcome barriers and take action on your dreams.
Sessions can be virtual or in-person (for those located in San Diego). If you would like to explore wellness coaching or learn more about my approach, you can schedule a complimentary discovery call with me. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.
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