We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dearice Spencer- Shackleford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dearice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Allow me to share with you a story—not just of survival, but of thriving against all odds. It’s a story that began not in celebration, but in the shadow of unimaginable loss. Within a single month, I faced the earth-shattering pain of losing both my husband and my father. The impact of this double tragedy was nothing short of devastating, plunging me into a deep, spiraling depression. I found myself teetering on the edge of despair, questioning my will to continue, struggling to find the strength to raise my children as a single mother.
Each day was a battle to maintain composure, especially during the long hours I spent working at a psychiatric hospital. My coworkers, though supportive, couldn’t fully grasp the depth of my internal struggle. The nights were the hardest—hours spent alone, weeping uncontrollably, overwhelmed by panic attacks that left me gasping for air, desperate for relief.
It was during one of these dark nights, as I sat in my bathroom crying out to God, that everything changed. In that raw, vulnerable moment, I surrendered completely, whispering a plea for help: “God, I don’t know why I’m going through this. But if I am still here, it must be for a reason. If so, please help me. I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”
What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me as if a weight had been lifted from my soul. My breathing steadied, and I turned on the light—symbolically stepping out of the darkness that had enveloped me for so long. For the first time in months, I dared to look at myself in the mirror. As I gazed at my reflection, a thought emerged: this pain, this grief—it wasn’t just for me to bear. It was a gift, a tool that would allow me to guide others through their storms.
That night marked the beginning of my transformation, the moment I chose to turn my pain into purpose. I decided to become a spiritual transformation coach, specializing in healing from grief, trauma, and loss. But this wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling, a sacred mission to empower women to heal holistically and reclaim their lives.
This mission took form in my signature coaching program, which I call H.E.A.L.I.N.G. Each letter stands for a vital step in the journey toward wholeness:
– H – Harness Your Thoughts and Emotions: Healing begins with mastering our inner world. By taking control of our thoughts and emotions, we can shape our reality and transform pain into power.
– E – Evaluate Your Environment: Our surroundings influence our healing process. This step involves assessing the people, places, and situations in our lives to ensure they support our growth.
– A – Affirm Yourself with Positive Self-Talk: Words have the power to heal or harm. By affirming ourselves with love and positivity, we begin to rewrite the narratives that have held us captive.
– L – Learn from the Past and Re-Strategize: True healing comes from understanding our past, learning its lessons, and using that wisdom to create a new, more empowered path forward.
– I – Initiate a New Plan: With clarity and purpose, we set forth on a new journey, crafting a plan that aligns with our deepest desires and values.
– N – Navigate Through the Obstacles: Life’s challenges are inevitable, but they are also growth opportunities. This step focuses on resilience, helping us stay the course even when the road is rough.
– G – Gauge Your Progress: Healing is a dynamic process. By regularly checking in with ourselves, we celebrate our victories and make necessary adjustments to keep moving forward.
This seven-pillar framework is the cornerstone of my work, guiding women from all walks of life through the process of holistic healing. It is designed not just to mend the wounds of the past, but to empower each woman to step into her future with strength, confidence, and grace. Through this program, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary transformations—women reclaiming their power, expanding their businesses, and becoming mentors in their own right.
I know at *Canva Rebel*, they celebrate those who dare to push boundaries, who embrace their own power to create change in the world. My mission aligns with this ethos: to have a transformative impact on one billion women’s lives. I am committed to providing the tools and strategies they need to heal, succeed, and alter the trajectory of their families for generations to come.
The journey from darkness to light requires immense courage. It is a journey that asks us to take risks, to surrender what we know, and to trust in the process of transformation. But it is also a journey that reveals our deepest truths, our greatest strengths, and our highest purpose.
I now understand why I was chosen to endure such profound loss. It was so that I could stand here today, not just as a survivor, but as a beacon of hope for others. My story is a testament to the power of healing, the resilience of the human spirit, and the incredible potential that lies within each of us to rise above our circumstances and create a life of purpose, passion, and limitless possibility.
As you read this, know that your journey of healing and transformation is within reach. The risks you take today may very well be the keys that unlock your most extraordinary future.
Dearice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry, what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients, and what sets you apart from others?**
My name is Dearice Spencer-Shackleford, and I am a certified master life coach specializing in spiritual transformation. I am originally from Brooklyn, NY, but I now live in Texas, where I have raised my three children. Moving from the bustling streets of Brooklyn to the more laid-back environment of Texas was a cultural shock for my family and me—though my youngest daughter, who is just entering junior high school, has adapted quite well.
I am a first-time entrepreneur, and my journey into this industry began from a deep personal experience of loss, healing, and a desire to help others overcome their own struggles. As a widow of a United States Marine veteran and a mother of three—one son and two daughters—I have walked a path of profound transformation that has shaped my mission to empower other women, particularly single mothers and single women.
I coach and guide these women on a holistic healing journey, helping them to transform their lives, achieve greater success, and change the trajectory of their families’ lives for generations to come. My work is rooted in the belief that true healing and transformation start from within, and I provide tools, strategies, and support to help my clients unlock their full potential.
What I want potential clients to understand is that healing is like soup—it takes multiple ingredients, and you season to taste. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all; it requires patience, resilience, and it is a continuous journey. I embarked on my healing journey as a survivor, but I was determined to become an overcomer, driven by a passion to help others heal and overcome as well.
One of the things that sets me apart is my unique approach, which is encapsulated in my signature program, Give Yourself Grace (GYG tm). This program is curated with the seven-pillar framework of H.E.A.L.I.N.G., designed to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—ensuring that the transformation is deep, lasting, and impactful.
In addition to coaching, I am also an author. My first book, “The ReUp Devotional”, shares my personal experience of pivoting after the pandemic and witnessing the visual manifestation of God. My second book, “Deeper Women Teach Stories and Strategies for Life, Love, and Leadership from Women Who Lead”, offers insights and strategies from women who have overcome challenges to lead successful lives. These books are just the beginning of my literary journey, where I aim to share my story of triumph and healing with the world.
What I am most proud of is the transformative impact I’ve been able to have on the lives of the women I coach. My mission is to reach and transform one billion women’s lives, equipping them with the tools and strategies they need to heal, succeed, and change the trajectory of their families’ lives.
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my work is driven by a deep passion for seeing women rise above their circumstances and achieve their fullest potential. My brand is not just about coaching; it’s about creating a movement of empowered, healed, and successful women who can transform not just their own lives, but also the lives of their children and future generations.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the pandemic, I faced multiple losses, including the devastating slump of my business. I was overwhelmed and felt completely out of alignment with God’s plan for my life. I didn’t know how to stay focused on my business while also grieving the loss of family members. In that season, I constantly prayed and sought God’s direction, trying to navigate through a period of spiritual transformation.
I realized that I was in the midst of an upgrade—a profound spiritual shift that required me to be fortified so that I could eventually help others more effectively. My business was a reflection of my own spiritual journey, and it became clear that I needed to sharpen my own tools to better serve those I would come into contact with, including potential clients.
As the world experienced a collective shift, I gained a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, along with an unbelievable drive and resilience to fulfill my mission. This transformative experience ultimately led to the creation of my first book, The ReUp Devotional, where I share my story of healing and resilience.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One crucial lesson I had to unlearn about myself is that nothing just happens—our thoughts shape our reality. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, I was a young girl with big dreams, believing that the world was my oyster. However, I struggled to understand how to make it yield the life I desired.
It wasn’t until I encountered transformative books like As a Man Thinketh and Think and Grow Rich that I realized the power of my thoughts. I had grown up with a religious background, where my reading was limited to school books and the Bible. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it restricted my perspective and understanding of how I could influence my world.
Reading these books as an adult opened my eyes to how my thoughts and beliefs impact my environment. I learned that I had the ability to manifest the life of my dreams through my mindset. This revelation required me to unlearn the negative belief that I had no control over my physical world or my daily thoughts.
Knowledge truly is power. By deepening my understanding of the Bible verses “As a man thinketh, so is he” and “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” I discovered that these principles were not just spiritual teachings but practical tools for creating change. These verses have become my mantra and tagline in my business, propelling me forward and fueling my passion to pursue my dreams and ambitions in both my professional and personal life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/DeariceSpeaksLifeLLC
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearicespeakslifellc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeariceSpeakslifeLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearicespencershackleford
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@DeariceSpeaksLifeLLC
Image Credits
Emma Burcusel