We recently connected with Shelbi Drake and have shared our conversation below.
Shelbi, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Through Pain brings you purpose. In 2019 I was working at an insurance company, a 9-5 gig and was in an unhealthy marriage. Shortly after beginning this career, we divorced in 2020 and I took control over my life, I knew I was made for more. While I was processing the divorce and after everything had happened during those 3 years of being together, I started to notice there was much more going on within me than just surface level. I was needing answers, I knew I needed to get to the root cause of finding my self-worth.
After many challenges I picked myself up and hired a business/ life coach to dive deeper into what makes Shelbi. Through lots of inner work, shadow work and many nights of tears & self-reflection, I had found my passion to truly help other’s find their inner badass and create a life where they can disconnect from the outside world to dive deeper into themselves.
In 2021 I launched my business Direction By Drake, Mentor/life coach, sound practitioner & Yin yogi. I now help others with the power of sound and movement to disconnect from the outside world, drop deeper into themselves through a guided mediations using crystal sound bowls & other instruments. I also provide one on one coaching sessions with clients who want to dive a little further into the why’s of their life and create a pathway of self – awareness, intention and connection.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
When I was growing up, I would always look for self-worth in others instead of looking at myself. I was raised in a family where my father showed love with material things and my mother was always switching diet plans to drop weight. As a young girl, this started to develop my mindset on what self-worth looked like -what I interpreted what I needed to be as a woman. From this interpretation I thought men would love me or want me if I looked a certain way or had certain things, suppressing my worth deeper and deeper. This drove me into having an eating disorder when I was in my early teens Struggling to become the perfect image. Not only did I have an unhealthy relationship with food, I was in and out of toxic relationships. My self-worth depleted and my Self-love suffered.
In 2019 I dove into an unhealthy marriage and through lots of challenges my marriage didn’t even last a year, ending with Domestic Abuse, 2020. The moment I hit the tile floor I knew my Self-worth was way more than this. After the assault I filed for divorce, picked up my whole life and decided to restart my life. To find Shelbi again.
This wasn’t easy. As most humans, we tend to numb ourselves to ignore the pain of our internal being. I knew the struggles I had were deeper than surface level and needed to change. I hired my first Mentor, invested in myself to become a Self-Worth Coach, to help other’s find their Self-worth.
I created my Business Direction by Drake, built my program, became a sound practitioner at the beginning of 2021, did the internal work. I dug through my shadows to find my light, to embrace my self-love, and now know how worthy I am. I strive to bring this light to others. Shortly after launching my business, I Began working with wellness retreats in California and started to travel across the US to help others disconnect from the outside world to connect deeper with themselves.
In February of 2022 I picked up my business and expanded to Los Angeles, CA. I wanted to gain more knowledge for my passion, make bigger connections in the wellness world and to learn more about myself. In turn, along with my sound healing I am now a certified Yin yogi, and currently working on becoming a 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga instructor. I do private one on one Sound healing sessions with a mini-Yin yoga/ coaching session at client’s homes or work with local wellness studios.
When working with clients It feels so good as a guide, mentor, coach and friend to connect with my clients and help them relax. I personally love it when my clients fall asleep during sessions because they’re finally getting rest from their own personal challenges from day-to-day life. I take pride in creating a safe space for others to be vulnerable and let down their walls to help them heal.
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 on the past 3 years I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be the best version of yourself and to understand that only you have the power to change. First you have to be open to the idea of change, but it takes a defying moment to realize that you are made for more.
As humans we over think, take others’ opinions over our own and even fuel our own negative thoughts. We ignore our intuition, childlike nature and look for worth and/or put trust in others instead of looking inward.
Secondly You need to be open to criticism. Always be open for feedback & never talk about things you do not have knowledge on. This is by far the best trait I have learned to move forward in my personal life & brand. You don’t know what you don’t know so take every ounce of feedback as a learning opportunity. Other’s will respect you and want to help you grow faster.
Third, do not be afraid to try new things or take a risk on moving forward. I Started my business in 2021 still brand new and then picked up my business to move across the country to grow deeper in myself as well as learn new knowledge for my passion. In which had me rebuilding my platform in a new city and I’m loving it. Creating new connections in the wellness world just by starting a conversation fueled by my hunger for more.
My advice is to just do it. I promise you won’t regret it.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
y biggest area of growth from this past year is too not compare your growth with other’s. Comparison is the thief of joy. Moving to a new city, a huge city based on surface level image in fact, making new connection can be difficult at times, but I keep trying. Reaching out to new collectives & being open to anything that comes my way. The wellness industry is starting to break into the “perfect mold” that we as humans deal with daily. I take the risk in meeting people & learning new skills to help break through. Taking the risk on my gift every day, not only to improve my brand but for personal growth within me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Directionbydrake.com
- Instagram: @shelbidrake
Image Credits
Photography: Chase Yi @chaseyi_
