Meet Shanell Hunt

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

Hi Shanell, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my children. They are my biggest motivation, especially with everything we’ve been through. Being a single mom of four, with one child who has had a liver transplant, has forced me to be strong even on the days I feel like I have nothing left to give. I had to drop out of work and school to be a full-time parent, and while that’s been incredibly hard, I know I’m doing what’s best for my kids.

I’ve also had to rebuild myself after experiencing physical, mental, and emotional abuse. That kind of pain doesn’t just go away, but I refuse to let it define me. Every day, I’m working on healing, finding myself again, and creating a better future for my children. My strength comes from survival—from knowing that no matter how many times life has tried to break me, I’m still here, still fighting, and still pushing forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My world has revolved around caregiving, especially for my child who underwent a liver transplant. Being a mother is my greatest passion, but it’s been a journey of sacrifice, resilience, and rediscovery.

Now, I’m learning to pour into myself again—to heal from the mental, emotional, and physical wounds of my past. I’m finding my confidence, my beauty, and my niche. Drawing has always been my escape, a form of therapy that calms me and allows me to express emotions I can’t always put into words. Cooking, too, is something I love—creating meals that nourish both the body and soul.

This chapter of my life is about balance—embracing motherhood while also stepping into the version of me that I’ve yet to fully meet. I’m excited to grow, to add value to myself, and to explore new opportunities that align with my passions. Whether it’s through my art, my creativity in the kitchen, or simply sharing my story, I hope to inspire others who may be on their own journey of healing and self-discovery.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and self-compassion.
Resilience has been my foundation—navigating life’s challenges, from being a full-time caregiver and mother. But I’ve learned that no matter how many times life knocks me down, I have the strength to get back up. For anyone just starting their journey, know that resilience isn’t about never breaking; it’s about choosing to rebuild every time you do.
Adaptability has been essential. I had to put my business and education on hold to become a full-time caregiver, which was never in my plans. But life doesn’t always go as expected, and the ability to adjust, pivot, and find joy in new circumstances is key. My advice? Stay open to change and trust that detours can lead to beautiful destinations.

Self-compassion is something I’m still working on, but it’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned. I used to feel guilty for wanting time for myself, for needing rest, or for struggling. Now, I’m learning that taking care of myself makes me a better mother and a better version of me. To those early in their journey, be kind to yourself. Healing and growth take time, and you deserve patience and grace just as much as anyone else.

I’m still on this journey of self-discovery, learning to love myself again, finding my confidence, and embracing all the things that make me me. And that’s something I hope others will allow themselves to do as well.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been **learning to let go—both of things I cannot control and of the weight I’ve been carrying for too long**. So much of my life has been about holding everything together, but I’ve realized that not everything is mine to fix or carry. Letting go has been freeing—it’s allowed me to focus on what truly matters, to find peace in uncertainty, and to make space for my own healing and growth. It’s an ongoing process, but every day, I’m learning to release the guilt, the fear, and the need to control every outcome, trusting that what’s meant for me will find its way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gofund.me/8b1f393e
• Instagram: shanell_lux
• Facebook: Sha Nell

Image Credits

Flashes of Hope