We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kate Shipp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep pull to visit Scotland. When I was in college at ASU, I applied to study abroad in Edinburgh. I wasn’t chosen for the program, and the alternative option was more expensive than completing my entire degree—so I said no. That decision lingered in my heart for years as a quiet regret.

Then, in November 2022, my world shifted. My dad was diagnosed with leukemia. Something in me knew—intuitively, deeply—that we didn’t have much time. That wake-up call reminded me how fleeting life can be and how important it is to actually live the dreams we hold in our hearts. I told my husband it was time. Time to finally go. Time to stop waiting.

We planned our trip to Scotland for the end of May 2023. My husband, our two teenagers, and I set off for a two-week adventure. As the plane descended over the Scottish coast, tears filled my eyes. It felt like a homecoming—something ancient, sacred, and soul-stirring. That journey changed me. It cracked me open in ways I hadn’t expected, especially while grieving the loss of my dad, who passed away in January from complications of chemotherapy.

When we returned home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to go back—not just for myself, but to bring others with me. I called one of my dearest friends, Margie Katzke, who shares my passion for travel and holistic wellness, and asked, “Do you want to co-lead an international retreat to Scotland with me?” Her response: “Heck yes!”

Within weeks, we had 45 people on a waitlist. When we opened early bird registration to that list, it sold out in 6 days. That was our sign: we were onto something powerful.

We facilitated our first retreat to Scotland in September 2024—a blend of personal development, trauma healing, soulful adventure, rest, and play. A true multi-dimensional experience for the heart, mind, body, and spirit. After that, Choose Happy Travels was born.

We’re now preparing to take another full group back to Scotland in May/June 2025, and our Tuscany retreat for June 2026 is nearly full. And we’re dreaming into 2027 already.

This venture was a risk—an entirely new business layered on top of my nearly 14-year career in holistic trauma recovery and authentic life strategy. But it was a heart-led risk. One rooted in grief, in longing, in legacy, and in the joy of helping others reclaim their happiness. And that kind of risk? It always leads to transformation.

Kate, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kate Shipp, and I’m the founder of The Window Within and co-founder of Choose Happy Travels. I’m an Authentic Life Strategist and holistic trauma recovery specialist with nearly 14 years of experience walking alongside others as they reclaim their lives, reconnect to their inner wisdom, and live in alignment with their truest selves.

My work blends trauma-informed somatic healing, breath therapy, energy medicine, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and spiritual direction—often rooted in Christ-centered values but always inclusive and grounded. I support women, men, and teens who have experienced complex trauma, chronic stress, or a deep sense of disconnection from themselves or life.

I got into this work because I lived it. For the first 36 years of my life, I carried the weight of childhood trauma and complex PTSD. I know firsthand what it’s like to wonder what’s wrong with me?, to feel lost in your own body and mind, and to crave peace you’re not even sure is possible. My own healing journey led me to explore everything from clinical therapy to yoga therapy to energy healing and integrative somatic practices. What began as personal survival evolved into a deep calling to serve others through a unique, embodied, and transformational approach to healing.

Through my private mentoring, immersive workshops, retreats, and courses, I help clients move beyond survival strategies, rewire their nervous systems, and embody their God-given identity and purpose. I offer private 1:1 sessions, longer-term mentorships, a membership community, high-impact intensives called Lightning Immersions, and now, international retreats through Choose Happy Travels—a company I co-founded to bring people into magical destinations like Scotland and Tuscany for adventure, healing, joy, and deep inner growth.

What sets my work apart is the multidimensional way I support transformation. I don’t believe healing is one-size-fits-all. I meet people where they are and help them remember who they are: whole, worthy, and free. My clients often tell me they feel more seen, safe, and supported with me than they ever have before—and that’s not something I take lightly. This work is sacred.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve used my own pain as a doorway into purpose. My healing became the catalyst for helping thousands of others heal, too. I’ve written an international bestselling book, been featured in an award-winning documentary, owned and operated a trauma-informed wellness center, and am now leading sold-out global retreats—all while raising a family and continuing to do my own inner work.

For anyone new to me or my work, I want you to know this:
You’re not broken.
Healing is possible.
And joy is for you.

Whether you’re navigating trauma, shifting careers, rebuilding your faith, or just wanting to live with more intention and authenticity—I’m here to walk with you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation has been built through consistency, integrity, and the depth of transformation my clients experience. I’ve spent nearly 14 years not just teaching or coaching, but walking with people through their most vulnerable moments—always with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering presence. I’ve never tried to be everything to everyone. Instead, I’ve focused on being deeply aligned with the work I’m called to do, and letting the results speak for themselves.

Most of my business has grown through word-of-mouth and referrals. When people feel truly seen, safe, and supported, they naturally share that experience with others. My clients trust me because I’ve lived the healing path myself. I don’t offer anything I haven’t embodied or worked through personally. That authenticity creates connection, and that connection builds lasting trust.

I’ve also built my reputation by showing up consistently—in my teachings, my writing, my social media presence, and the energy I bring to every session, retreat, or offering. I’m not afraid to speak truth, hold space for discomfort, or challenge someone to rise into who they were created to be. I think people can feel that. They know this isn’t just a business to me—it’s a mission.

And at the end of the day, I think what really sets me apart and helped build my reputation is this: I care deeply. About people. About the quality of what I offer. About doing what’s right, even when it’s hard. That care is woven into everything I do.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, the most essential ingredient for succeeding in my field is doing your own personal healing work. You can’t guide others where you haven’t gone yourself. This work requires you to be a clear, grounded, and compassionate presence—and that only comes from deep self-inquiry, nervous system regulation, and the willingness to continually evolve.

Integrity is everything. People feel your energy. If you’re saying one thing but living another, it creates dissonance. I’ve learned that alignment matters more than appearances. You have to live your truth, not just teach it.

Clear boundaries are also vital. This isn’t a field where you can afford to leak your energy or abandon yourself to please others. There will be times when you have to disappoint people—say no, walk away, or choose your path over their comfort. That can be painful, but it’s also powerful. Every time I’ve chosen integrity and inner alignment over approval, my work has expanded.

What also matters is being deeply human. Staying connected to your own emotions. Staying teachable. Staying humbled by the privilege it is to walk with others through their healing. Success isn’t just about followers or income—it’s about impact, resonance, and how honestly you’re living what you offer to the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kateshipp.com
• Instagram: @kateshipp333 and @choosehappytravels
• Facebook: facebook.com/kateshipp333 and facebook.com/choosehappytravels