Meet Brittnei Schaeffler

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

Hi Brittnei , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I think work ethic might look different from one person to the next. And for me personally, I have learned that sustainable work ethic requires a delicate balance between “doing” and resting. This wasn’t something that I learned easily or that I have perfected. However, given how driven and motivated I am to apply myself to the things I am passionate about, I have also learned that to be good at any of them, I must take time off. Growing up, I was always energetic, empathetic, and felt like I could take on the world. These are traits that have not left me, but that have been rounded off with more wisdom and understanding of how the world operates. My work ethic comes from a drive to make a difference and to inspire others to feel like they can as well. I just think it is so incredible that we have been given this chance at life and what a shame it would be to not take full advantage of every opportunity that comes our way – and make some of our own. Taking the common route has never sat well with me. In fact, I have never been good at it. I have tried to tame my drive to do the uncommon or to continually challenge myself, but every time I do, I find myself feeling more defeated and disconnected. So, I have decided that I would rather apply myself to meaningful work – even if unconventional and more entrepreneurial – because this work is what makes me feel alive. There is a part of my brain that God designed to see things differently and I am thankful for this. As it allows me to see both the world and myself differently. Sometimes, this makes overcoming challenges hard, but it is ultimately what drives my work ethic. To know that I was created with a purpose, that God has planned good things for me to do during my time on Earth, and that when we live in faith, really cool things can happen for ourselves and others. That is what inspires my work ethic. The finding out of what is ahead. And the learning along the way. So, I think it is fair to say my work ethic is a God given gift. Other activities have helped to shape it, like my Spartan races, daily journaling, and public speaking roles, but these are all products of the work ethic God gave be from birth.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Currently, I am the CEO of a young nonprofit called, Frost Fund. Our mission is to provide hope and resources to animals and the people protecting them. To date, we have mentored seven interns, donated thousands to animal/environmental initiatives, and saved over 40 animals through our Red List Rescue program. These are animals that would otherwise be euthanized in local overcrowded shelters if not adopted in time. What makes Frost Fund special is its conception stemmed from the the tragic passing of a dog named, Frost. There is a five minute video on the homepage of our website that shares all about his story. However, my goal growing up was never to create a nonprofit, but to make a difference in the lives of people and animals. After having 8 years experience in the animal wellness/rescue field post graduating with my Masters in Conservation degree, I eventually found myself realizing that a nonprofit was the next best step to make a difference. I love that Frost Fund relies so much on the community and our Frost Fund family to save the animals and complete the work that we do. It truly is a team based nonprofit. And to join the team, it’s as simple as following us on Instagram and answering the call for help when it goes out! In addition to being a nonprofit CEO, I have also been a college professor and a personal trainer for the past many years. I love teaching, coaching and guiding others to find what moves and inspires them. Fitness is key in all areas of my life and I believe such an often underestimated teacher of mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional strength for us all. I hope that whether through leading, teaching, or coaching, that I inspire others to take care of themselves at all levels, so that they can also take care of others.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Say yes to what lights you up. Even if it doesn’t make sense right away, the connections and the progress will come naturally when you are doing things you love. This for me often means taking an “exploration” mindset. Nothing is permanent and there is always something to be learned, even in the times where we feel off track or exposed.
2. Compete in races and/or join a team. Choose one related to what you like. Could be running, swimming, crossfit, Spartan, golf, HYROX, hockey, anything. I have learned more about myself and built some of my strongest friendships by putting myself into uncomfortable situations. Pushing yourself in fitness and with a team will give you some of the best memories and self-growth. I promise!
3. Faith. My faith is everything. I spend daily time in my Bible and praying. It doesn’t look the same everyday, but staying in a growing relationship with Jesus has allowed me to make decisions and explore new areas of life that I might have been otherwise too scared to. Everyone’s faith journey is different, but what is important is to start where you are at. You can ask Jesus right now to come into your life and help you understand what it means to be loved by him and to love others. Faith changes everything.

For anyone early in their journey, I would say just keep your head up and try not to take things too seriously. Keep that “explorer” mindset and trust your instincts. Remember to have fun. If you are not having fun, you risk losing your passion, enthusiasm, and empathy for yourself and others. And through faith, God does most of the heavy lifting anyway. His burden is light. So although we go through hardships and trials here on earth, the outcome is always his. Keep your eyes on him and the rest will work itself out. Don’t try to please everyone and definitely don’t stay in a place where you are not valued or wanted. You cannot fix people, but you can be examples to them.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to partner with fellow athletes, influencers, personal trainers, and animal lovers to grow Frost Fund’s mission and our Sweat to Protect program. We are looking for enthusiastic, responsible, well-spoken, and kind people who want to apply their own strengths to provide hope and resources for both animals and people. We want to build a community of connected individuals who are looking to live life to the fullest, and spread hope not fear. We are early in our growing stages as a nonprofit, and open to exploring new ways to collaborate and inspire others! You can contact us via our Instagram: @frost_fund or website www.frostfund.org if this speaks to you at all!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frostfund.org
• Instagram: @frost_fund