Meet Tierney Shirrell

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tierney Shirrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tierney, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
The experience of severe postpartum depression to the point of suicidal thoughts and a diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder has become a catalyst to helping others own their stories and to creating authentic community. Some of the biggest challenges related to mental health issues are shame and isolation. I’ve overcome these by sharing my story of healing with bold vulnerability.

Ten years ago, I found myself at a breaking point after nearly two decades of deep depression, massive mood swings, and suicidal ideation that started in my early college years. A cycle of self-diagnosis, self-medicating, and self-destructive behaviors, which followed me into adulthood, into my marriage, and into motherhood culminated in this moment where I stood sobbing in the shower and mentally composing letters to each of my three children to make sure they’d be ok without me. The thought that I could leave my babies behind scared me enough to finally seek professional help. At that first appointment when asked why I waited so long to get help, I truthfully answered, “I don’t know.” As we began to unpack all the symptoms I’d experienced, I realized it was because I had a deep need for control and a belief that I had to manage these symptoms myself. I had internalized it as a failure to ask for help. In that very first session, I received the diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder, and suddenly I felt both this enormous sense of relief and massive burden at the same time! All the ups and downs, the rollercoaster of emotions, the ability to successfully function in six-figure career and then as a full-time mom while having this secret darkness I often hid inside – it all finally made sense! Simultaneously I felt a huge weight of carrying what I believed to be a lifelong condition. Fortunately, my past self-diagnosis cycle had prepared me to be my own advocate in the treatment process. I did my research and knew that typically after being diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder, an individual would be prescribed an initial medication, and if that didn’t stabilize symptoms, a second medication would be added. If that combination didn’t provide the desired results, a third drug was usually prescribed, and another after that, the process continuing on until you’re taking a cocktail on average of five to six medications. I read countless stories of people who felt worse on all these pharmaceuticals than they did with completely untreated symptoms. I refused to be on multiple prescriptions, and thus embarked on one of the most difficult seasons of my life. That first medication made me angry, and not just slightly triggered, but full-on rage and complete emotional instability. Although the recommendation was to add another medication, I insisted on weaning off the first one before beginning a second option. We repeated this process, and along with intense therapy, it took a full year to finally reach a point where I felt emotionally stable. During this year, parts of me that had been dormant – my entrepreneurial spirit, strong faith, and desire for connected community – started to wake up again. I realized that I could use my pain for a purpose to help others. I started to share what I’d been through, and I received so many messages thanking me for being so raw and real about how I felt in the darkest moments, and how my vulnerability gave others permission to share their experience too.

So many view their mental health issues with such shame and take on a diagnosis as their identity. When you share your experience openly, shame loses its power, and you allow healing to happen. The mental health crisis has increased exponentially in recent years, and I realized that I have a natural tendency to isolate when facing difficulty or mental health struggles, and so many stay stuck there. I felt called to create community, to unite women around the common desire to boldly live into their own unique callings and transform their pain into a purpose that helps others heal and grow. I started overcoming the tendency to isolate myself by intentionally pouring into other women who were suffering in isolation. I started putting myself in rooms where I was encouraged to be fully me and began to publicly share my story to give others the courage to release the shame and share their stories too. I started gathering women together talking openly about my own perceived limitations and began to give them permission to be vulnerable. I had a vision to create a safe space for connection that would eventually grow into what the Live BOLD Movement is now.

You are not a diagnosis. You are not defined by your pain. Your identity is not in the struggle. Whether or not from mental health issues, we all have a story of overcoming challenges. I once heard that your pain is the key to someone else’s prison. You unlock it by releasing shame around your story and sharing it boldly! That first step has lead to me becoming a best-selling author, podcaster, speaker, community leader, event host, personal growth mentor, and bold vision coach helping women own their stories, step into their callings, and take action on their big dreams!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a multi-passionate creative, purpose-driven entrepreneur, and Bold Vision Coach. I’m the Founder of the Live BOLD Movement – podcast, YouTube channel, coaching community, and annual conference that activates women to boldly step into their God-sized visions through prayer-powered personal growth. I’m a two-time #1 international best-selling author of The Joy-Full Entrepreneur, volumes 2 and 3, and I’ve been a featured speaker at several events and platforms including The AWAKE Conference, FounderCon Faith & Business Conference, FaithTalk Radio, and several podcasts including Real Faith Stories, She Can Share, Joyful Business, and Next Level Faith.

I serve on the Board of Directors of Moment 2 Moment Ministries for special needs caregivers and families. I’m also a Certified Mentally Strong Coach and advocate for body, soul, spirit wholeness, representing Green Compass plant-based wellness and Amare – The Mental Wellness Company (TM). I’m passionate about missionary work and love to travel, especially exploring Arizona where I live with my husband and our three kids.

I’m the host of the annual Live BOLD Retreat, a Christian women’s prayer-powered personal growth and development experience, and the vision is expanding! First, I’m partnering as the Co-founder of Bold Faith & Freedom Sisters (BFFS) leading masterminds and hosting retreats to guide women toward clarity and confidence in calling, freedom in Christ, and Kingdom impact as they live out God’s destiny for their lives in true sisterhood. Second, I’m announcing the formation of the Give BOLD Foundation, 508c1A faith-based nonprofit organization, which will be supporting causes including pro-life, anti-human trafficking, and mental health. Both these visions are launching off the second annual Live BOLD Retreat taking place on February 15-16, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Faith, vulnerability, and connection have been the most impactful in my journey from mental wellness, marriage and motherhood, to career, entrepreneurship and leadership. I had to rely on my faith to get me through the darkest times, to heal, and to redefine my identity as NOT based on any diagnosis, struggle, or pain. I previously viewed vulnerability as a weakness, which kept me stuck in shame and isolation. I think like a lot of women, I had hesitation around community for fear of judgement, competition, and comparison, as well as tendencies toward self-reliance and control, which kept me from the growth and fulfillment that comes from connection.

My advice for each of these areas:
Have faith that every challenge can be used for purpose and to help others. Shift your perspective of vulnerability not as a weakness, but your biggest strength, and unleash the power of sharing your story.
Get out of your comfort zone and into community – breakthrough, exponential growth, transformation, and momentum happen in authentic community, so intentionally create genuine connections with others who not only see greatness in you that you didn’t see in yourself, but encourage you to boldly step into it!

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is a big dreamer who has God-sized visions to launch a business or platform and to radiate true freedom in their identity in Christ surrounded by authentic, supportive sisterhood.

* Supportive Community: She highly values genuine, faith-filled relationships and supportive, uplifting communities where women champion one another without competition or comparison.
* Freedom in Christ: She wants to severe any labels and attitudes that have contributed to her operating in untruths.
* Clarity & Confidence: She wants to confidently step into her calling, knowing she is following God’s plan.
* Tangible Action Steps: She desires a clear path with specific, actionable steps to launch and grow her business or platform.
* Boldness: She wants to operate from a place of boldness, not fear, trusting that God has equipped her for the work.
* Faith-Based Encouragement: She loves being surrounded by people who speak life into her and encourage her faith.
* Bold, Visionary Thinking: She rallies around boldness, big dreams, and women who are unafraid to pursue God’s plan.
* Authenticity & Realness: She loves when people show up as they are, with no pretenses, and speak truth with grace.
* Kingdom Impact: She is driven by her desire to create impact through her business or platform, using her gifts to honor God by serving others.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Sariah Harvey Photography Yasmin Carmen Photography Lily Photography by Dusty Marina Kaufman Photo

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