Meet Shaina Trumpf

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

Shaina, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I want to talk about where I get my resilience from—my mom. But to tell that story, I’d like to go back to the beginning, even before I was born.

My parents were two loving people. My father, who already had two little girls from a previous marriage, was eager to start a new life with my mom, who had actually worked for him years earlier. My mom always credits my dad for shaping her into the strong businesswoman she became later in life. She still tells that story, even now—35 years into their marriage.

All my mom ever wanted was to be a mother. She embraced my older sisters as her own, even including them in the wedding as she walked down the aisle to the Disney song Beauty and the Beast, at the St. Regis in Laguna Beach overlooking the ocean. She adored her new little family and moved into a very humble house—literally across the street from her mom’s. If you walked outside, you could see my grandma’s house just 50 feet away. It felt like something out of a 1950s movie, but 90s-style—our whole little family living in a cozy cul-de-sac under a spectacular sycamore tree.

My mom was happy, but she dreamed of expanding the family—and then I was born.

The house got crowded, and with both my parents working and my dad running a successful recruiting business, they decided it was time to relocate. My dad had always dreamed of living in a beautiful equestrian neighborhood known for its involvement in the Olympics during the 1970s—a quiet, old community that once had only one road in, which would flood during storms, trapping residents at home. But my dad believed in the potential of the area. It was peaceful, private, and perfect to raise our blended family.

The neighborhood’s name was Coto de Caza.

They found the perfect home completely by chance—it wasn’t even on the market yet. It sat on top of a hill, right next to a cul-de-sac, with no neighbors to the left, none in front, and a backyard that bordered a national forest. It was protected land, so nothing could ever be built behind us. Just rolling hills, lush trees, and sunflowers as tall as a person in the summer. It was breathtaking.

We moved when I was around five months old, and I grew up loving our nature walks and the quiet community. But that peace wouldn’t last forever.

A wealthy developer saw the potential of the area and started expanding it into one of Orange County’s most luxurious, master-planned communities. Coto de Caza became a haven for celebrities who wanted to escape the city and enjoy privacy. Over the years, it’s been home to people like Kobe Bryant, Madonna, Tiger Woods, Jesse McCartney, Kendra Wilkinson, Lance Bass, Colin Farrell, and more. So it’s no surprise that eventually, Hollywood came knocking.

In the early 2000s, a young, ambitious producer noticed the lifestyle, beautiful homes, and polished families settling into the area. The show’s working title was Behind the Gates—and my mom was right in the center of it.

5’8”, platinum blonde, ambitious, always put together—even after running meetings all day and rushing to the grocery store to cook for her family of five. She was the definition of the early 2000s working mom in Southern California. We used to see the producer often, and one day, he told my mom about his new reality show: The Real Housewives of Orange County. Intrigued but not interested, she kindly declined his offer to be part of the first season.

We had no idea how big that show would become. Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if she’d said yes. But I take comfort in knowing everything happens for a reason. If we had gone down that path, my resilience might never have formed the way it did—and some of the pain that shaped me could have been broadcast on national television. I don’t think my young ego could’ve handled that.

In 2008, the market crashed. I don’t remember all the details—I was very young—but I knew something big had happened. My parents were stressed. We lost a lot of savings and investments, and it hit my dad’s business hard. Thank God for my mom’s stable career in advertising. We made it through better than many, and we were grateful for that—but truthfully, we never fully recovered. Things started to spiral after that.

As technology advanced, my dad’s industry slowly became obsolete. Automation replaced the work he’d built his life around. I saw it break him—mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s hard to talk about. I grew up in a home with two loving, married parents, but during my teenage years, it felt like one of them was a ghost.

Don’t get me wrong—I know how lucky I am. A lot of people grow up without a father. But I can’t tell you how many times in high school, teachers and friends thought my mom was a single parent. That wasn’t an exaggeration.

She was a superhero. She worked full-time, brought in all the money, picked me up, dropped me off, made dinner, and took care of all of us. She became the image of what a modern, powerful woman could be. And the irony? She always said all she ever wanted was to be a stay-at-home mom. In a way, she was. Her office was at home, long before working remotely was popular. She ran her business like a boss while being fully present in our lives.

Watching her succeed, even when everything seemed stacked against her, gave me my foundation. My resilience. It was my own private version of The Real Housewives of Orange County—but realer than anything they ever showed on TV.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m so excited to talk about my book series Cyber Jungle—and even more thrilled to announce the release of the newest edition: The Artist Edition of the first book, A.B.C.s Cyber Jungle. Dedicated not only to my mom, but to mothers around the world and all they sacrifice for the future of their children.

A.B.C.s Cyber Jungle is the beginning of a series I’m creating that explores the blended worlds of physical reality and the cyber universe. This coloring book is the introduction—a vibrant, hands-on way to get familiar with the characters and themes.

Embark on a colorful journey through the Cyber Alphabet System with A.B.C.s Cyber Jungle!
In this innovative children’s coloring book, we meet twins Shira and Nathan, who invite you and your child to explore the enchanting world of the Cyber Jungle. The first book is filled with non-colored sketches, waiting for your artistic touch. From majestic lions to playful monkeys, each page represents a letter of the alphabet—offering kids a fun and interactive way to learn as they color.

But this isn’t just about filling in pictures.
As you bring each sketch to life, you become part of the story—stepping into a virtual jungle where your creativity helps shape the world. With Shira and Nathan as your guides, imagination knows no limits. This book is more than a coloring book—it’s a collaborative journey that sparks creativity and exploration between parent and child. Together, each page becomes a canvas for connection, storytelling, and play.

Creating this coloring book was such a beautiful experience that I couldn’t resist coloring one myself in the second book. It was exciting and playful—but also challenged me creatively, because I wanted every page to feel like a true artistic masterpiece. When I finished, I thought:
Why not share this version as well?
That’s how the Artist Edition came to life—an educational art book that teaches the ABCs not just through coloring, but by visually inspiring a deeper connection to learning.

I poured everything I had into this book—using all of my skills to create something that would subconsciously inspire innovation, creativity, and visual imagination. The way I colored it isn’t meant to be the “right way,” but just one way—a spark to inspire young minds to make it their own.

Let A.B.C.s Cyber Jungle be your gateway into a world where learning meets limitless imagination.

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?

Femininity. Strength. Perseverance to Pivot.

My mom has always been a guiding light in my life, inspiring me with her strength and grace. But I’ve also had the incredible honor of being surrounded by so many remarkable women—from my grandma, who played cards with me growing up, to the nannies who cared for me while my parents worked, to the women educators and leaders who shaped my schooling.

And then came the world of modeling, where I discovered the ever-evolving meaning of femininity and what it truly means to be beautiful—inside and out.

One of the greatest gifts I was ever given is my name. It comes from a rarely used language and translates directly to “beautiful.” There’s a funny story I’ll never forget: back in high school, I asked a guy friend if he thought I was “hot” or “pretty.” He replied, “Neither.” Confused and a little offended, I asked why. He said, “Because you’re beautiful—and that’s a category of its own. It comes from within and radiates outward.” That moment stuck with me, and it’s exactly how I feel about my website, www.shainaworld.com. I want my art and creations to make people of all genders feel that kind of beauty—not just aesthetically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Not everything I make is “pretty” or polished. It’s not supposed to be. My work is about creating something that makes people feel like they’re owning a true piece of art—something that reflects their soul and how they choose to express it.

Every creation I release is not just a reflection of my artistic vision—it’s a reflection of my life, my experiences, and the energy of the people who’ve come and gone in my story. Every encounter, big or small, shaped me. That’s why my art isn’t just me—it’s everyone. It’s a living, breathing extension of all who came before us, all who walk the Earth now, and all who will come after. That’s what I find truly beautiful.

My work is divinely inspired—by God, by the universe, by the light found even in our darkest, most hopeless moments. I believe that’s the ultimate strength: not pretending everything is perfect, but finding the power to adapt and keep moving when life doesn’t go according to plan.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.”
— A modern paraphrase of Charles Darwin’s theory, often attributed to business professor Leon C. Megginson.

This quote captures the essence of my journey—because before strength, there must be adaptability. That’s what I believe womanhood is about. That’s what motherhood is about. It’s what our survival depends on. That’s why I created my colored alphabet book—and why I dedicated it to mothers and women everywhere.

Instinctually, we carry the responsibility of nurturing young minds. Helping them grow, learn, and thrive isn’t just a task—it’s the foundation for a better world. That’s why education matters. That’s why creativity matters. And that’s why this matters.

One of the most defining metaphors for me comes from my years on the runway. Life is a lot like that.
When the lights hit you, your heart is pounding, and distractions surround you—it’s easy to lose focus, to feel like you can’t see the end of the path. But if you pivot slightly, take a deep breath, and stay on your toes, you’ll make it to your mark on the eternal stage.
If you panic, you may fall. If you freeze, you get left behind.
And the show keeps going.
That exact feeling is what taught me how to keep creating and innovating in this ever-changing world.

Just keep going—and pivot toward what’s next, toward the light that guides us all.

What defines me most as an artist in a field still dominated by men is knowing that my power comes from being a woman. It’s evolutionary. It’s instinctual. It’s emotional. It’s compassionate. It’s presence. Sometimes it’s messy and chaotic—but most of all, it’s unstoppable.

Thank you to every person—especially every woman—who has supported me and helped turn this book into a reality. To my mom, her mother, my godmother (who may not be related by blood but is absolutely chosen family), and to all the women who’ve walked this journey with me and my art: thank you.

In my opinion, being a woman isn’t always easy. But my biggest advice is this—embrace your womanhood and lift each other up.
We are stronger together than we are apart.
Let’s not feel threatened by one another’s beauty or let comparison dim our own light. Let’s support one another. That’s how we build a more beautiful world for the generations to come.

Thank you—for the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

From a very early age, it was obvious something was different. Even though I attended a boutique private school with extremely small class sizes never really larger than 10 per grade, I wasn’t picking up reading and writing as quickly as my peers. My mom noticed, and so did the school. Their solution? Private tutors.

So, like any dedicated mother with the means to help, she got me extra support. I studied hard to catch up—but it still wasn’t enough. Eventually, we were referred for specialized testing to figure out what was really going on. I remember being ten years old, spending hours doing testing that felt overwhelming and confusing.

But after all that, something unexpected came back: my IQ was around 138.

That placed me in the “very superior” or “gifted” range—higher than 99% of kids my age. For context, genius-level IQ typically starts around 140, and Einstein is estimated to have had an IQ in the 160s. So while I’m obviously no Einstein (haha), that number helped reveal something important: I wasn’t struggling because I was slow. I was struggling because of how my brain processed information.

The testing also uncovered that I had an auditory processing disability, meaning I process language—especially written or spoken instructions—differently than most people. I also showed signs of dyslexia, which explained why letters flipped, words blurred together, and reading felt like decoding a foreign language.

Having a learning disability comes with a lot of stigma. People assume you’re stupid, lazy, or incapable. But in truth, many people with learning differences actually have exceptional intelligence in very unedspected ways. In my case, I’m a highly visual thinker, and that’s what makes me an artist. But knowing that didn’t stop the bullying, the isolation, or the shame I felt when I transitioned into public school and got placed in a high-functioning special education program. It’s something I still rarely talk about publicly because, to be honest, it still embarrasses me. Even writing this—with the help of AI—is difficult.

It deeply impacted me and led to a lifelong pattern of overcompensating for my reading and writing challenges. No matter how much I accomplished—whether modeling for Vogue Italia, working with brands like L’Oréal and Ulta Beauty, or launching my own jewelry and candle line in over 10 stores by the time I was 19—it never felt like enough.

When I tried to pursue college and study business and fashion, I hit a wall. The kind of specialized support I needed wasn’t there. Ironically, around that same time, I had just booked an Apple commercial that aired during the Grammys and Super Bowl. I had signed with a boutique modeling agency and moved to LA. On paper, things looked amazing—but behind the scenes, I was still struggling.

Emails, texts, casting schedules, production notes—they were a nightmare for me. I couldn’t fully express myself until I was in person, on set, where my presence could speak for me. Modeling became my visual voice—the way I communicated when the written word failed me.

And yet, my biggest dream was always to be an author. I’ve been writing since I was five. But I never believed I could actually publish a book. My writing was messy, filled with flipped letters and misspellings that felt more like babble than literature. Even the idea of hiring a ghostwriter felt daunting and a little embarrassing. What if they couldn’t understand what I meant?

It’s a painful thing to know you’re smart, but feel like everyone else has a secret superpower when it comes to reading and writing. And unfortunately, that does affect how people see you, how they treat you, and how they judge your capability—especially professionally. I remember going on a job interview for a spa receptionist role. They asked me what my greatest accomplishment was. I said, “I had a billboard with my face on it that I designed for a company I co-founded at 21. It was up on Santa Monica blvd and Westwood.” They smiled and replied, “That’s cool, but how does that help you send emails and schedule clients?”

That moment humbled me. But it also sparked something.

I realized: if the world wasn’t going to offer me opportunity because of my disability, I would have to create my own.

That’s how Cyber Jungle was born.

This book series is deeply personal to me. It comes from a place of passion and pain—a desire to help kids like me who are visual learners, who feel overlooked, who may be struggling with reading but are filled with brilliance just waiting to be seen.

The first book in the series, A.B.C.s Cyber Jungle, blends letters with animal art sketches designed for them to color while learning, created to help children engage with the alphabet visually and interactively. Research shows the best way to learn is by doing. That’s what this book invites kids to do—learn through creativity.

Because let’s be honest: learning your ABCs isn’t just about school—it’s about survival. Literacy is the difference between independence and dependence. Between being able to afford food, shelter, and health care—or not. That’s why this project matters so much to me.

My dream is to keep blending visual art, written word, and technology to make education more accessible. I never imagined that technology would evolve fast enough to give me a tool like AI—a tool that finally allows me to share my voice without shame or limitation. No, I’m not writing a 600-page novel (yet), but my little alphabet books are filled with vibrant visuals and powerful simplicity. They connect three worlds—visual, written, and digital—and maybe even a fourth: shared human experience.

These books may look like fun coloring books at first glance—but they are so much more.
They’re for the kids who’ve been told they’re “too much” or “not enough.”
They’re for the misunderstood learners.
They’re for the visual thinkers.
They’re for the next generation of creators.

And they’re from someone who has lived on both sides of literacy—the fluent and the struggling.
That’s what gives me a unique perspective on the power of reading.
And when you give Cyber Jungle a chance, I promise you’ll feel that in every page.

This is just the beginning. There’s so much more to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shainaworld.com
• Instagram: @shainatrumpf
• Youtube: @shainaworldforever
• Other:
  tiktok @shainaworldforever

  Book Instagram @cyberjunglebook

  Coloring book

  Artist’s Edition