Meet Shannon Santerelli Freeman

We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Santerelli Freeman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My journey to working with women overcoming burnout holistically began with breaking myself. I suffered from burnout for most of my adult life, cycling through exhaustion, anxiety, and a deep sense of depletion. I sought help from multiple doctors, only to be misdiagnosed and prescribed a cocktail of medications that left me feeling worse. It wasn’t until I ended up in the hospital that I realized something had to change. On a whim, I tried an energetic healing session, and that single experience altered the course of my life. The shift I felt was undeniable, and I became obsessed with understanding why it worked. I dove headfirst into studying ancient healing practices, energy work, and the wisdom of our ancestors, slowly reclaiming my power and vitality.

For the longest time, I believed my burnout was solely the result of corporate stress, but as I deepened my healing, I discovered the true source: childhood trauma and the emotional toll of having a narcissistic parent. Over the last five years, I have unraveled the ways this early conditioning shaped my nervous system, my relationships, and my ability to hold my own energy. The realization that burnout wasn’t just about overwork—it was about deep, unhealed wounds—became my guiding light. This is where I found my purpose: helping women trace their burnout to its roots, whether in childhood, past relationships, or patterns of self-sacrifice. I now guide others to heal holistically, empowering them to break the cycle, reclaim their energy, and finally experience the peace and balance they deserve.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am deeply passionate about guiding women through the process of overcoming burnout and reclaiming their vitality. My work focuses on helping women understand their energetic bodies, identify the root causes of their exhaustion, and empower themselves with tools for lasting healing. Through my Balancing Brilliance program, a transformative nine-week journey, I help women—especially those in corporate roles or recovering from narcissistic relationships—gain a deeper understanding of how emotions manifest physically and how to realign their energy for lasting balance. Unlike traditional coaching or healing work, I don’t position myself as a healer. Instead, I guide women to recognize their own power and innate ability to heal. This work is not about quick fixes; it’s about learning how to listen to your body, clear emotional and energetic blockages, and create lasting change.

In addition to my 1:1 private sessions, I host in-person workshops for women in Middle Tennessee, creating safe spaces for deep healing and connection. These workshops explore topics like energetic clearing, womb healing, and reclaiming feminine power through ancient practices. I also offer immersive experiences, including my Awaken Your Womb Wisdom workshops, where women can reconnect with their inner wisdom, purpose, and power. My mission is to bridge the mystical with the practical, helping women integrate ancient healing traditions into their modern lives. Whether through private mentorship, group workshops, or immersive retreats, my focus remains the same: to empower women to understand their energy, heal from burnout, and step fully into their brilliance.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were trusting what was happening to me, learning to be authentic and find my voice, and understanding that healing is a lifelong process.

Trusting what was happening to me was one of the hardest but most important lessons. When I first stepped into energetic healing, it was completely outside of anything I had been taught growing up in a Italian Catholic household. It challenged everything I thought I knew about healing and wellness, yet the results were undeniable. Learning to trust the shifts happening within me—even when they didn’t make logical sense—was crucial in allowing myself to explore deeper. My advice for those early in their journey is to lean into curiosity rather than fear. Healing often doesn’t look like what we expect, and transformation rarely happens in ways that feel comfortable at first. The more you can surrender and trust the process, the more you will allow true healing to unfold.

Learning to be authentic and find my voice was another vital turning point. I had to learn to speak not only about the “alternative” healing path I was on but also about the realities of how childhood trauma and growing up with a narcissistic parent had shaped my nervous system, relationships, and sense of self. Speaking openly about these topics—especially ones that are often minimized or misunderstood—was terrifying at first. But I found that the more I shared my truth, the more I connected with others who needed to hear it. For those just starting, I encourage you to explore your voice. Write, speak, and express yourself in ways that feel real to you. The more you honor your truth, the more you will align with those who truly resonate with your path.

Finally, understanding that healing is a lifelong process changed everything for me. The healing I did in my mid-twenties was just as necessary as the healing I continue to do in my forties. There is no final destination—only deeper layers to uncover, integrate, and transform. If I had believed that healing was a one-time achievement, I would have felt like I was failing every time another layer of trauma resurfaced. Instead, I now recognize that healing is cyclical, and each phase of life brings new opportunities for growth. My advice to those starting is to release the idea of a finish line. Instead, focus on developing tools and practices that support you throughout your life. Healing is about learning to navigate the waves, not trying to reach the shore and never move again.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The most impactful influences on my journey to helping the feminine have been my mother, my daughter and the women I work with.

My mother and daughter drive me to go further—not just for myself, but for the generations before and after me. My mother’s experiences and struggles have given me a deep understanding of generational wounds, while my daughter inspires me to break those cycles and create a different legacy. Every time I heal a part of myself, I know I am also healing something for them. This motivation has been a powerful force behind my work, pushing me to continue growing, learning, and deepening my practice.

The women I work with have also been some of my greatest teachers. Each woman I guide through healing shows me something so divine, something unique that she carries—whether it’s resilience, wisdom, or an intuitive gift she may not even realize she possesses. I take those lessons and pass them forward, weaving them into the work I do with others. I truly believe that every door I help unlock for a client also unlocks something within me, expanding my own understanding of healing and transformation.

These influences have shaped the success of my business by keeping me grounded in both personal and collective healing. My work isn’t just about providing a service; it’s about being in a continuous exchange of energy, wisdom, and growth. Because of this, my approach is always evolving, always deepening. I don’t see myself as someone who heals others—I see myself as someone who holds space, facilitates, and empowers women to unlock their own power. And in doing so, I continue unlocking mine.

Volunteering has also played a huge role in shaping my journey. During my time in Arizona, I found a deep sense of connection and purpose through service, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Giving back to the community—whether through energy work, mentorship, or simply holding space for those in need—taught me so much about the power of human connection and the importance of showing up for others. It reinforced the idea that healing isn’t just personal; it’s communal.

Since moving to Nashville, I’ve been seeking that same sense of connection, looking for ways to integrate my work into the community here. I know that true healing happens not just in individual sessions or workshops, but in the ways we support and uplift each other in everyday life. I hope to find new opportunities to volunteer and create spaces where women—no matter where they are in their journey—can feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modernhippiesoul.com
• Instagram: @modernhippiesoul