We were lucky to catch up with Shannan Slevin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannan, 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?
My resilience comes from a consistent practice of doing things that are challenging, or things that I don’t want to do. This discipline aligns with the theory that resilience and willpower are like muscles that get stronger with regular exercise. Every day, I make it a point to face activities that push me out of my comfort zone, whether it’s tackling a difficult project at work, taking a risk, learning something new, or completing disciplines like running and meditating daily, even when I don’t “want” to. This approach has not only strengthened my resiliency but has also fostered a greater sense of mental and emotional fortitude. By embracing discomfort, I’ve found that I can withstand hard things, manage complex situations and adapt to various demands in both my professional and personal life.
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?
As a creative producer, speaker, teacher, and 5th generation Californian, my work is truly a reflection of my life. I grew up practicing yoga and athletic disciplines in the beauty around Lake Tahoe, CA and have spent most of my adult life in San Francisco, CA surrounded by family. This duality reflects in my daily life and work — time spent in awe of nature and in vibrant expression of culture. With certifications in Yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic Expansion System, Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching, Mindful Leadership, and Energy Work, I am deeply committed to practicing presence and mindfulness in how I move through the world. I have great grandparents who immigrated to San Francisco from both Ireland and Portugal and am investing my time and lifestyle getting to know these roots beyond California. I create programs based on my experiences in life. WellFests, was inspired from my time working in tech over a decade ago. Currently, having been exploring different cultures and living life from a suitcase, I’m in creation mode around new programs to deepen self awareness and well-being while traveling.
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?
Mindfulness, movement, meditation.
My advice for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop these skills is to just start, no matter where you’re at.
If meditation is new to you, start with just a few minutes a day (ideally in nature) focusing on your breath.
If exercise is new to you, start with taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
These intentional decisions, even when you don’t feel like doing them, builds the willpower muscle that strengths resiliency.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents challenged my siblings and I to try many things. We didn’t watch t.v. in my household growing up.
Instead, I was on skis at the age of 4 years old. I started playing piano in kindergarten. I took diving and swim classes early on. I played every sport. I sang in musicals, danced always, I cooked, did year-around homework. My mom led guided meditations and visualization exercises at bedtime. We’d carry firewood with my dad uphill on 5 acres of land. My first job was at 10 years old. I starting practicing yoga at 14. My first astrological reading was that same year. Most importantly, free time was always spent in nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: shannanslevin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannanslevin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannan-slevin/
