Episode 39: When stress attacks your central nervous system & shuts you down - Karen Shell (part 1)

Tammy Tuesday

Description: Karen Shell candidly shares her story of trauma from an abusive childhood leading to the self sabotage and stress that was created in the aftermath in her adult life. By living in a self induced state of stress Karen talks about how her body literally shut down from this post trauma because it had not been fully acknowledged in her life. You will hear about Karen’s path to awareness and healing not only her wounds, but her body. It is quite a journey…which is why this conversation is had in 2 parts. We hope you enjoy part 1 of this episode!

Bio: As an entrepreneur and leader in business and nonprofit realms, Karen’s story is one of resilience, vision, passion, and determination. For 35 years, Karen has been fervently serving kids in need while also succeeding in the world of advertising photography.

Karen’s lifelong pursuit to help kids in need began at a young age after emerging from a childhood where she experienced complex trauma. Over the past three and a-half decades, Karen has positively impacted the lives of several thousands of youth experiencing homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect. Built upon her first 20 years of serving youth and families, Karen founded a nonprofit focused on helping youth build resilience to overcome the challenges they face, which she built and ran for another 11 years.

Karen's ingenuity and commitment have earned her much recognition. Among her acknowledgments for her dedication to kids in need, Phoenix Home & Garden magazine named Karen one of “10 Western Women We Admire” and the BHHS Legacy Foundation awarded her the Super Star leadership award (one of only two given in the Foundation’s 25-year history). In the world of photography, Karen’s personal work has been exhibited internationally and her commercial work has won industry awards.