Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakira Releford.

Hi Shakira, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

There was a time when my life felt completely unmanageable. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together—a wife, a mother, a nonprofit professional climbing the philanthropy ladder, but deep down I was sinking. My unprocessed trauma and undiagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) bled into every part of my life, creating a cycle of chaos I couldn’t seem to break.

I was short-tempered at home, constantly feeling like I was failing my family. At work, I overcompensated, pouring every ounce of energy into proving I was enough, even though I never felt like I measured up. I was the only Black woman at the organization and quickly got promoted to leadership, but I didn’t feel valued. In my marriage, I built walls instead of bridges, too afraid to admit how much I was struggling, which was hard for my husband to endure.

It felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, but the truth was, I didn’t even know how to put the load down. I was stuck—trapped by my own unresolved pain, bad habits, and the lies I had come to believe about myself.

Then one day, I hit my breaking point. I remember sitting in my car, tears streaming down my face, begging God for a way out of the mess I had created. It wasn’t an overnight turnaround, but that moment marked the beginning of a new chapter.

I realized that the life I wanted required me to confront the very things I had been suppressing. The life I wanted was a life of purpose, peace, and progress. It wasn’t just about healing my hurts; it was about finding my voice, reclaiming my identity, and learning how to lead myself.

I started by peeling back the layers, addressing the emotional wounds I had buried for years. It was messy and uncomfortable, but it was necessary. As I healed, I began to see how my experiences had shaped me into someone with something to offer the world.

That’s when it clicked: I wasn’t just meant to survive my struggles. I was meant to use them to help others. I became passionate about empowering leaders, especially those who felt stuck like I once did. I recognized the gift in going through the journey. I knew firsthand how unresolved trauma and unhealthy patterns could derail even the most determined person. I also knew that with the right tools, perspective, and faith, they could turn it all around.

Now, I pour my energy into helping leaders find their voice, heal their hurts, and move forward with clarity and confidence. I’m passionate about helping people break free from the cycles that hold them back, so they can show up fully in their careers, their businesses, and their personal lives.

I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you are. And when you lead from a place of wholeness, your impact is unstoppable.

My journey from unmanageable to unstoppable wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. If my story can help someone else find their strength, their purpose, and their voice, then every step of that messy process was worth it. That’s what drives me every single day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It’s safe to say the road has been anything but smooth. My journey was marked by some of the most challenging seasons of my life. Seasons where I felt completely overwhelmed by my circumstances and unqualified to lead in any capacity.

One of the biggest struggles was coming face-to-face with my own unprocessed trauma. For years, I thought I could compartmentalize the pain and keep moving forward, but that unresolved hurt showed up in every area of my life such as my work, my marriage, and my parenting. I was constantly battling feelings of inadequacy and shame, and I often let those feelings dictate my decisions.

There were days when I felt stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage, convinced that no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t enough. I overcommitted at work, thinking my worth was tied to my productivity. I avoided difficult conversations at home because I didn’t trust myself to handle conflict well. And I poured so much energy into keeping up appearances that I didn’t leave any for my own healing.

The turning point came when I realized I couldn’t fix everything on my own. I had to confront the root of my struggles—the pain, the habits, and the lies I had been carrying for years. That process was messy, yet humbling. It required me to ask for help, lean on my faith, and let go of the perfectionism that had been holding me hostage.

My struggles taught me resilience. They showed me how to lead from a place of authenticity and wholeness, and they gave me a deeper empathy for others who feel stuck in their own cycles of hurt and dysfunction.

It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the struggles along the way were the very things that shaped me into the leader I am today. They gave me the passion and purpose to help others navigate their own challenges and step into the fullness of who they’re called to be.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I wear many hats in multiple industries, but as a coach, I specialize in helping leaders and entrepreneurs break free from emotional blockages, heal their hurts, habits, and hangups, and step into their full potential. My work focuses on integrating faith, strategy, and emotional wellness to create transformational growth in careers, businesses, and personal lives.

I’m most known for is my ability to combine practical tools with a deep understanding of the human experience. Whether it’s guiding someone through a process of self-discovery or equipping them to lead with clarity and confidence, I focus on teaching people how to lead themselves first so they can lead others effectively.

I believe what sets me apart is my holistic approach. I don’t just focus on one aspect of leadership or personal development; I look at the entire person like their faith, mindset, emotions, and actions. My work is rooted in the belief that leadership is more than just a skill set; it’s an extension of who you are. By addressing the inner blocks that hold people back, I help them create sustainable change, not just temporary results.

Another thing that sets me apart is my transparency. I don’t shy away from sharing my own story because I know the power of vulnerability in connecting with others. People trust me because they know I’ve walked the same road, faced the same struggles, and come out stronger on the other side.

Ultimately, my passion is to see leaders thrive in every area of their lives. When people step into their God-given authority and lead with authenticity, they don’t just create success; they create lasting impact. That’s the kind of work I’m proud to do.

How do you think about luck?

I don’t believe in luck, but rather divine connection and purpose. Everything I’ve experienced has been orchestrated in a way that ultimately worked for my good, even when I couldn’t see it in the moment.

The struggles I’ve faced were opportunities for growth, for learning, and for deepening my faith. Those seasons taught me resilience and gave me the tools to help others who are struggling with similar challenges.

On the flip side, any success I’ve achieved isn’t the result of chance; it’s the result of obedience, hard work, and leaning into the doors God has opened for me. Divine connections have played a significant role in my journey; like crossing paths with mentors, clients, or even the right resources at the right time. These weren’t coincidences; they were divinely appointed moments that aligned with the purpose God placed on my life.

I’ve seen how God used those moments to prepare me for the next step and as long I surrender my understanding and be willing to receive blessings arms wide open, I believe there will be more and more opportunities for growth and divine connections.

Pricing:

• Free 5-Day Challenge (1:1)
• $29- Voice of Wellness anthology
• $29- Triumph in the Trenches Vol. 2 anthology

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shakirareleford.my.canva.site/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakira-releford/