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

Hi Erin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a woman growing up I received messages from societal standards that “I shouldn’t be emotional or express my needs”, I needed to “stay small”, “put others before myself”, and “not take up space”. As I grew older I started to understand how those messages were more harmful to myself and would keep me stuck, small, and never prioritizing myself.

As I started going against those messages in my healing journey, I needed a place to feel safe to express myself in ways that were true to me. Releasing emotions physically is so important to me. I’ve had the idea for ShatterStress for over a decade, and I knew I wanted it to be focused on healing and self-love, not just a rage room. I saw how many double standards there are for women. For example, men can break plates and be seen as angry and having a bad day. If a woman breaks a plate she’s seen as crazy and emotional. I aim to help break those standards and provide space and support for people to express their emotions how they need, in alignment with their authentic self.

The key behind ShatterStress in intention. It’s not just throwing a plate to break it as an emotional response. It is the intention of connecting to yourself, being vulnerable and honest with yourself, expressing yourself and your truth, intentionally letting go by writing on plates, shattering them in ceremony, and integrating the experience to move you forward on your journey.

ShatterStress is not just a business, it’s me. ShatterStress offers a nonjudgmental space for people to express themselves and their emotions authentically, through somatic forms of release. ShatterStress hosts intentional letting-go ceremonies through breaking plates and Reiki-infused breathwork to release stored emotion and trauma out through your body and shatter what you want to let go of so you may become more aligned with your authentic self. All in a safe and trusted environment. We shatter parts of ourselves that no longer serve us by being vulnerable with ourselves, so we may feel empowered and break forward on a path of healing.

    

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my formal education and training. I have a Masters degree in Counseling, am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Career Counselor (CCC), a certified breathwork facilitator, and certified Reiki practitioner. I’m trauma informed, and held to a standard code of ethics through the American Counseling Association (ACA). The work I do is therapeutic and I use tools and techniques from my education and training to work with people in meaningful ways to help them understand themselves deeper.

The biggest challenge with my business has been putting my business out there, and putting myself out there. I’m not just selling a product, and the healing modalities I offer are not common (breaking things is kind of taboo!) I’m offering healing space for people to be vulnerable and do deep personal work. In order to connect with my clients I have to show my vulnerability and healing journey too. I’ve been navigating through the obstacles I help clients with, which helps me create and hold space for them. I’m a recovering people pleaser, recovering perfectionist, and working to set boundaries and put myself first. Showing up and being vulnerable on social media is uncomfortable for me (even doing this interview is hard!) As a recovering people pleaser I worry about how I will be perceived. I thought my business had to be for everyone and that I had to please everyone that crossed my path. No ma’am! Part of my healing journey has been working to set boundaries on who I do and do not work with and be clear with my offerings so my work is most beneficial for my clients and myself.

The work I’m doing on my healing journey to set boundaries, express myself, and become more in line with my authentic self, is exactly the space I hold for others to do that work. I’m doing my own healing work, so I can best serve those that feel called to intentionally let go through somatic release.

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’d do a mix of city and mountains! I’d take them up to Idaho Springs for one of my favorite hikes, Chicago Lakes Trail. After working up an appetite we’d get some delicious food in Idaho Springs, then end the day with hot springs to relax. We’d head back to the city, get brunch (I can’t pick just one spot!), go to RiNo to see all the art murals, or check out Spectra Art Space. Go to City Park to relax. Then we’d hit up Linger and completely indulge ourselves. See some live music or dance. We’d definitely attend an event at Sakala as well!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had tremendous support along this journey. A big shoutout to my besties who have listened to me as I’ve navigated having a business, and pushed me in all the ways I needed to grow and be where I am today.
Thank you to my family for their endless support and love.
Thank you to everyone who has donated plates.
Thank you to all of the amazing practitioners I have collaborated on events with.
Thank you to all my clients for trusting me and taking this step in your healing journey.
And a very special Shoutout to Meghan, the owner of Sakala Community, who has given ShatterStress a physical space to do work out of, and a beautiful community to be a part of.

Website: www.shatterstress.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shatterstress/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shatterstress

Image Credits
Bailey Ashlynn Kelly Shroads

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