We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Santerelli-Freeman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.
Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
What sets me apart in the holistic healing industry is my unique approach that combines elements of the corporate world with ancient wisdom. While many holistic practitioners embrace a more informal or mystical vibe, I’ve chosen to integrate professionalism and organization into my healing practice.
My focus is on supporting women who are experiencing burnout from the corporate world. Rather than dismissing their need for structure and professionalism, I provide a space where they can honor their emotions and experiences in a professional setting.
Clients seek me out not because they’re curious about the latest trend, but because they’re looking for a genuine transformation rooted in ancient wisdom. They have tried the traditional path that society told them would make them happy, and are still feeling lack. I strive to bridge the gap between the esoteric and the pragmatic, offering a balance of the “woo” and the practical.
For me, the healing journey isn’t a quick fix; it’s a deep and meaningful process that transcends lifetimes. Each session is approached with careful preparation, ensuring that I meet my clients exactly where they are in their journey. There’s a method to the madness, and it’s rooted in respect for the time and dedication these women invest in themselves.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower women to embrace their true selves and find healing that resonates on a profound level. By blending the best of both worlds – ancient wisdom and corporate professionalism – I offer a transformative experience that goes beyond the surface level.
When I embarked on my spiritual journey, I had the privilege of learning from many skilled healers. However, what I found was that a majority of them followed a routine pattern: they would conduct energetic or sound healing, inquire about my immediate sensations, advise me to drink water, and conclude with a card reading. While this approach certainly had its merits, it left me grappling with recurring negative experiences and feelings of fatigue without a clear understanding of their origins.
It took me considerable time to grasp the significance of aligning these experiences with specific energetic centers and then retracing my steps to uncover underlying childhood experiences that were causing these “blocks.” Initially, it felt like a scattergun approach – experiencing profound healing moments but lacking direction on how to navigate the subsequent emotional releases.
For instance, when addressing burnout, it’s imperative to delve into the root cause. Many of the women I work with who suffer from corporate burnout often exhibit traits of people-pleasing or struggle with setting boundaries, which directly correlates with imbalances in the Solar Plexus chakra. By focusing on this area and tracing back through their life experiences, we often unearth patterns stemming from upbringing, such as demands from narcissistic parents, where the pursuit of love and validation was tied to performance in academics or sports.
In this line of work, a bespoke approach is essential, akin to the personalized care one receives from a medical doctor. Each individual’s journey is unique, requiring a tailored plan to address their specific needs and facilitate lasting transformation.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Shannon, the founder of Modern Hippie Soul, where I blend ancient wisdom with modern strategies to guide spiritually minded women in the corporate world toward ending burnout and embracing their fullest potential.
My journey into holistic healing and spiritual empowerment began after a harrowing experience with prescribed medicine. As a successful single mother entrenched in a thriving corporate career, I chased the traditional markers of success society dictated would bring fulfillment. Yet, despite achieving these milestones, I found myself plagued by extreme burnout and a profound sense of emptiness.
It was during this pivotal moment that I received my first energetic treatment, sparking a profound spiritual awakening. As I delved deeper into the concept of energy and its interconnectedness, I embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Despite initial skepticism from my deeply Catholic upbringing and corporate peers, I embraced the science behind energy work and its profound impact on holistic healing.
Driven by my own experiences, I founded Modern Hippie Soul to offer a sanctuary for individuals like myself, seeking to integrate ancient wisdom with modern-day strategies. My signature program, Balancing Brilliance, is a personalized 90-day journey tailored for high-achieving women in the corporate world. Through a blend of shamanic and energetic coaching, participants learn to recognize burnout symptoms, break free from traditional success markers, and awaken their innate healing abilities.
What sets Modern Hippie Soul apart is my commitment to providing a bespoke experience that meets clients exactly where they are on their spiritual and corporate journey. From personalized energy and sound sessions to comprehensive guidance on chakra healing and proactive burnout prevention strategies, every aspect of my program is designed to empower individuals to reclaim their vitality and thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
In addition to my flagship program, I host workshops and retreats throughout Nashville and Sedona, Arizona, offering opportunities for women to immerse themselves in transformative experiences surrounded by nature’s beauty. For those seeking individualized support, I provide virtual and in-person sessions, ensuring each client receives the attention and care they deserve.
At Modern Hippie Soul, my mission is to empower every individual to connect with their inner healer, sustain their results, and live a life aligned with their deepest desires. Whether you’re embarking on your spiritual journey or seeking respite from the demands of corporate life, I’m here to guide you toward holistic healing, empowerment, and lasting transformation.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Upon relocating to Nashville, I found myself navigating a tumultuous period marked by a demanding career and toxic family dynamics. Amidst the backdrop of the Covid pandemic, I inadvertently sidelined my spiritual practices in an attempt to juggle the demands of work and reconcile with estranged relatives.
Inevitably, this neglect took its toll. Within a matter of months, I felt the weight of fatigue, worthlessness, and a pervasive sense of lack creeping into my life. Physical symptoms manifested, culminating in a debilitating back injury that revealed an undiagnosed fracture from high school. Surgery became an unwelcome necessity, compounding the challenges I faced.
Yet, amidst adversity, the universe intervened with a precision that left me humbled. Forced to pause, I embraced stillness and introspection, returning to the basics of breathwork and self-awareness. I embarked on a journey of inner exploration, identifying recurring external influences that impacted my internal landscape.
In that pivotal moment, I made a conscious choice to prioritize self-care and shed energies and environments that no longer served my growth. While it wasn’t feasible to eliminate certain stressors immediately, I focused on controlling what I could and fostering a nurturing environment for my well-being to flourish.
Reconnecting with my spiritual practices and embracing radical self-love became the cornerstone of my healing journey. Through this process, I witnessed the transformative power of honoring myself and setting boundaries. It was a profound realization that the contrast between life with and without spiritual and energetic practices underscored the indispensable role they played in my resilience and well-being.
This journey of self-discovery and resilience laid the foundation for Modern Hippie Soul to thrive. It illuminated the profound impact of integrating ancient wisdom with modern strategies, not just for myself but for the countless women seeking solace and transformation in their own lives.
In essence, my journey epitomizes the resilience born from adversity and the profound transformation that arises when we prioritize self-care, authenticity, and spiritual alignment and most importantly, why this work is so important to share with others.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I’ve had to unlearn revolves around the notion that my business, Modern Hippie Soul, couldn’t thrive outside of traditional business models. For years, I carried the belief that it would remain a passion project or, at best, a side hustle – a pursuit separate from financial success. This mindset stemmed from deeply ingrained perceptions surrounding money and entrepreneurship, influenced by toxic behaviors exhibited by close family members.
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of associating money and business with negativity. These experiences left me with a skewed perspective, fostering a belief that financial success and pursuing one’s passions were mutually exclusive. It wasn’t until I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey over the past decade that I began to challenge these ingrained beliefs.
Through years of introspection and self-discovery, I realized that I am worthy of running a profitable, minority-owned business that aligns with my values and passions. I refuse to let past experiences dictate my relationship with money or hinder my entrepreneurial endeavors. Instead, I’ve actively worked to dismantle these negative associations and cultivate a positive mindset towards business and financial success.
Recognizing and unlearning these limiting beliefs has been a liberating journey, allowing me to embrace the possibility of abundance and success in all aspects of my life, including my business. Modern Hippie Soul is not just a passion project – it’s a testament to my resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of aligning purpose with profit.
Moving forward, I am committed to nurturing a healthy relationship with money and entrepreneurship, free from the shadows of past influences. I refuse to let fear or doubt impede my growth or hinder the success of my business. Instead, I choose to step boldly into the realm of possibility, confident in my ability to create a thriving, purpose-driven enterprise while staying true to my values and vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.modernhippiesoul.com
- Instagram: @modernhippiesoul
- Other: Complimentary Discovery Call with Shannon – For those looking to go deeper and join the 90 day Balancing Brilliance Program – https://modernhippiesoulsf.as.me/?appointmentType=57466519
Bespoke & VIP Events – https://modernhippiesoulsf.as.me/?appointmentType=57469211
Distance – Reiki & Sound Distance – https://modernhippiesoulsf.as.me/?appointmentType=57467605
Image Credits
Headshot Courtesy of By Pneuma