Meet Dr. Shannon Burge | Executive Wellness Strategist & IFBB Pro | Founder of NoDefeat

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Shannon Burge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Shannon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk has always been less about recklessness and more about faith, vision, and trusting the work I’ve put in. I think about risk as an investment, not just of money, but of time, energy, and belief in myself.

This year has been especially defining — after 15 years in a secure Fortune 500 executive role, I chose to walk away and step fully into building my wellness brand and nonprofit. That leap was risky, but it was necessary to align with my purpose and create the impact I know I’m called to.

Every major turning point in my life has involved risk: leaving corporate leadership, stepping on stage to earn my IFBB Pro card when the odds were stacked against me, and launching a nonprofit to serve underserved youth with no blueprint in front of me.

Risk has been the catalyst for every level of growth. It’s taught me resilience, creativity, and how to move forward even when certainty isn’t promised. My entire NoDefeat movement is built on that principle: that pressure can either break you or shape you into something greater.

One of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 29:11, reminds me that God has a plan for my life, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. That truth is what allows me to step boldly into risks with faith instead of fear.

And at the end of the day, my motto says it all: We should know NoDefeat.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
NoDefeat is more than a fitness program; it’s a movement. I founded NoDefeat to help high-achieving women and professionals transform their bodies, habits, and mindset without having to sacrifice their careers or families. What sets us apart is our four-pillar approach: mindset, nutrition, movement, and community. This system gives people not just short-term wins, but lasting lifestyle changes.

I’m most proud of the lives we’ve already touched; over 500 women have transformed with NoDefeat, losing a combined 5,000+ pounds along the way. Through our nonprofit, NoDefeat Warrior, we are also creating impact for underserved youth by teaching wellness and financial literacy. Seeing both women and young people build confidence, discipline, and strength is the heart of what excites me every day.

The journey has not been easy. This year, I left a secure Fortune 500 executive leadership career after 15 years to go all in on this vision. Walking away from stability to pursue purpose was one of the hardest risks I have ever taken, but it has also been the most rewarding. I have faced obstacles such as self-doubt, the grind of building a brand from scratch, and the pressure of balancing faith, business, and personal life. I overcame those challenges by leaning on my faith, surrounding myself with people who believe in me, and reminding myself of Jeremiah 29:11; that God has a plan for my life, and it is good.

The lessons I have learned along the way are simple but powerful: discipline beats motivation; community creates momentum; and pressure can either break you or build you. If you choose to let it shape you, it will produce greatness.

Looking ahead, I am also leaning into corporate wellness and speaking, leveraging my executive leadership experience to penetrate organizations and empower women leaders in those spaces. This work excites me because it allows me to combine my business background with my passion for health and wellness to create impact at scale.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is this: NoDefeat is not about perfection, it is about resilience. It is about refusing to let setbacks define you and instead using them as fuel to rise stronger. Whether through my coaching programs, nonprofit initiatives, corporate partnerships, or speaking platforms, my mission is to remind people everywhere that we should know NoDefeat.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start with the gym because Dallas has some of the best training spots in the country. I’d take them to World Springs for recovery and relaxation, and of course, Absolute Recomp for a killer workout. My friends know the vibes: being active and prioritizing recovery is always part of the play before we head out to enjoy the city.

After that, it’s time to experience some of my favorite Dallas spots. One of my go-to dinner places is Drake’s, which always feels like a celebration. For happy hour, I would mix it up with places like The Henry, Sixty Vines, or Monarch because each has amazing energy, views, and menus that make it easy to unwind and connect.

We would also explore Dallas staples such as Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Museum of Art, and Deep Ellum for live music and culture. If they were here over the weekend, brunch would be a must: Bread Winners or XOXO Dining Room brings that signature Dallas brunch vibe.

The week would be a balance of wellness, food, and fun: training and recovery, great meals, quality time with friends, and experiencing the city’s culture. That is what Dallas is all about for me: working hard, taking care of yourself, and still enjoying life to the fullest.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I give all glory to God, my faith is the foundation that has carried me through every season of my life and career.

I also have to recognize my parents and siblings, who are truly my biggest cheerleaders. They pray for me, attend my events, love on me, and celebrate me fully in every step I take. Their unwavering support gives me the strength and courage to keep pursuing what God has called me to do.

My friends have also been a huge part of my journey. They’ve shown up for me in ways big and small, encouraging me when the weight of leadership feels heavy, reminding me to laugh and live in the moment, and believing in me even when I’ve doubted myself.

I also want to recognize the mentors, coaches, and community leaders who have poured into me along the way. From my years in corporate leadership to stepping on stage as an IFBB Pro athlete, I’ve been blessed with people who challenged me, sharpened me, and reminded me to keep going when things got tough.

And of course, I owe a huge shoutout to the women and youth I serve through NoDefeat and NoDefeat Warrior. Their transformations, resilience, and trust in me keep me pushing forward. They are the reason I do this work, and they remind me daily that we really should know NoDefeat.

Website: https://www.nodefeat.co

Instagram: shannon_burge

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonburge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.burge.3?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: Other Links:

www.nodefeatwarrior.com (nonprofit)

Instagram: no_defeat_her (nodefeat)

Image Credits
Instagram handles:

vowsontherun
maseophoto
dlacyphoto