Meet Sarah Shellenberger | Author/Speaker & Equine Sports Massage Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Shellenberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Ever since I unexpectedly lost my husband, I’ve been very inspired by people that have had to rebuild their lives through difficult circumstances. It has helped me so much to see others find happiness and joy after heartache. Watching people chase their dreams and change directions is definitely a huge inspiration to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career path continues to grow and evolve which is exciting and also a little nerve wracking.

I recently started my own business as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist and absolutely love spending my days with horses. I am excited to see how that business can grow and expand as I learn more and continue to build my client list.

My own personal story of losing my husband and conceiving our son through IVF after his passing, has gained quite a bit of attention. Sharing my story has sort of taken on a life of its own, and I’m currently finishing my first book and am booking speaking engagements around the country (and even out of the country- I actually am heading to the Bahamas next week to speak, which I’m so excited about!)

I have always loved writing and have really enjoyed connecting with other people at speaking events around grief, fertility struggles, finding happiness after loss, etc, and hope to be able to write more books and speak on a regular basis.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend with a great college friend of mine that lives in the Houston area.

She and I wanted to have a Ft Worth stockyards weekend, so we did it up! Many years ago when I was fresh out of college and working as a Kindergarten teacher in Lake Worth, I worked at the souvenir shop in the stockyards for a summer. I loved watching the cattle drive each day and chatting with the tourists, so it was my pleasure to relive some of those days in the stockyards.

We only had a short time together, but the highlight was the night we did a little shopping (Maverick Fine Western Wear is my favorite), ate dinner at Cattlemen’s and then saw Pat Green at Billy Bob’s. Nothing like a Ft. Worth Saturday night!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My son Hayes has been the medicine my heart has so badly needed and anything and everything I do is for him!

I also want to give a huge shoutout to Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue. Being a part of such an incredible organization has given me such purpose and pleasure and I’m so grateful to be able to play a small part in helping the amazing horses find their happy endings.

Website: thewesternmomma.com

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Image Credits
All images: Lulubird Creative