We were lucky to catch up with Taryn Shaffer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Taryn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I fell in love with life on the trails. If you had asked me years ago if I would be outdoors with my camera, camping in my car, and chasing sunsets left and right I would’ve laughed at you. This is coming from the girl who ran out of a park in a neighborhood one time because I heard a squirrel in the woods! The exact moment I fell in love with the outdoors is a little unknown to me, but one day it clicked. I felt more alive out in nature, grounding, seeing views most never see. My heart exploded, I had an eye for the mountains, and it felt like I had finally found my fit. It was in that moment that I realized I wanted this to be MY thing. I’m not someone who fits in, and I’ve spent 30 years trying to fit in only to be frustrated later on. This last year I have solo traveled cross country more times than I can count. What I love most though is that I get to show women how to do this as well without hesitation. What I love most in being a creative is that it allows me to embrace my full authentic self. My passion for enabling women to find their voice, confidence, and empower them molds perfectly with this path. I realized when I fell in love with the trails, that I had found a way to use my health/fitness background to capture views while leading women on a journey of self discovery to be boldly brave in their own lives. To live fearlessly, authentically, and freely in whatever lights them up. I have never felt more at peace or joy than I have this last year, and that is how I know this profession is for me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I have about 12 years of experience as a fitness trainer. After battling an eating disorder, I wanted to go into the fitness space to show women how to live life and not diet to feel good in their own skin. What came about my approach and story sharing though was a way to now pivot to life coaching. Showing women how to own who they are, live life on all avenues as they see fit, and really chase after their goals with confidence. I am most proud of betting on myself, building trust within myself, and not shying away from who I am to fit the norm society has shaped.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

For some what I do and how I am makes no sense. I joke that I am logically illogical. Everyone is used to the day to day grind, and I personally want nothing of it. For me it isn’t about making millions, big houses, or anything materialistic. I crave simplicity, I love car camping, I love the grime of being engulfed in my surroundings. & I am proof that less can really be more. There’s a light to me that came from a lot of dark days, but most don’t understand why I am choosing this. & my hope is that those that do resonate with me are led to chase after their visions without judgement or worries.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to impact as many people as possible with my voice. I want to lead, serve, impact, and guide women to be brave. I want to turn my love of coaching, and outdoor photography into a full collaboration with companies to keep showing how you can balance confidence, health, and. mental health without burnout.

Contact Info:

• Website: thebravenomad.com/blog
• Instagram: Taryn_annette

Image Credits
I took them myself.