Meet Shannon Jungerman | Special needs and Family Master Certified Life Coach

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

Hi Shannon, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
As a parent of a teen with special needs, I realized that there was really nobody to be there for me when she was initially diagnosed in 2012. Throughout the years, my husband and I have navigated the unknown world of therapies, State waivers, Medicaid as well as parenting a child that there is no instruction book for. What I have discovered is there are birth and end of life doulas. What is not available, is anything in between.
As a Life Coach that focuses on parents with special needs children, my hope is to bring some calm into the chaos. So often parents lose themselves when their number one person they are caring for is their child. A special needs parent also has to advocate, take time for therapists, appointments, etc. for their child (or children).
My wish for my clients is to offer a safe place to come to. A place to find themselves again. To be able to find balance in this crazy life.

What should our readers know about your business?
Last fall, I had more than one person tell me I would make a great life coach. I honestly had no idea what that even was! I started looking into different programs, and decided to go through the Integrative Wellness Academy online program. Getting up at 5AM to do my classwork before the house woke up and starting my day was definitely the most challenging. This time eventually became something I really enjoyed; time for myself. With a cup of coffee in one hand, ear buds in, and learning how to help others alongside learning about myself. I was able to finish my coursework, including my final exam and practicum in six months. I learned so much about myself going through the course, that I knew I had found my calling. When it was time to find my niche, I talked to my own therapist, she asked me what I could teach a master class on? The obvious answer to me was parenting a special needs child. I have lived this life for sixteen years. I know what works and most definitely what doesn’t work when trying to be the best version of myself.
Not only am I a special needs parent but also a three year Breast Cancer survivor. I find talking about my journey through parenting, but also about what Cancer treatment looks like through a pandemic to be very healing. Who better to sit and talk and listen with, but someone who 100 percent understands this life.
When working with me in a coach to client relationship, the expectations are that you are truthful with yourself. What do you find out of balance? We work together finding ways that you can work on to bring the best out of yourself by releasing limiting beliefs and developing strategies for overcoming roadblocks.
Something that I like to remind my clients when working with them, is that I take a holistic approach while coaching. I look at more than the physical body, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual systems that reside within you. We do this together because I want to look for the root cause you may be experiencing such as blockages that may need releasing.
I will never be able to change the diagnosis of your child, but I can offer a safe place for you to come to the find your inner child. Your inner curiosities, the person that you used to be that so often gets lost in the parenting journey.
I am trained in Emotional Clearing Methods (ECM), visualization meditations, mind mapping, and breathing exercises.
I offer 1:1 sessions both in person and virtually, group sessions as well as local meet ups that are listed on my website.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a Colorado native that is a hard question! My favorite location is Breckenridge in the Summer. So let’s build an itinerary.
After checking in, we will walk to Main Street in town. We will walk the shops and grab some gelato or my favorite, an affogato at I Scream Gelato. We can spend hours looking at every detailed product at Marigold’s Farmhouse funk and Junk. They have everything from graphic tees, jewelry, funky accessories and home goods.
From there we are heading to Breckenridge Brewery for a late lunch/ early dinner. Throughout the weekend we will do a short hike to the the Isak Hearstone Troll wooden sculpture, head up the gondola for breathtaking views and ride the Alpine Slide and play a round of mini golf. Lunch at Downstairs at Erics for pizza, sandwiches and arcade games. If you have time, make a reservation at the Breckenridge Stables for horseback riding, they are fully accessible. For a night out, head over to Cecilia’s for live music and a cocktail.
Breakfast at Blue Moose is a must. It gets crowded, so order a drink and wait until your table is ready. Don’t forget to ask about the pancake of the day!

While in Denver with my daughter with autism and sensory needs, I am always looking for the most accommodating places. We enjoy visiting Meow wolf, dining at Avanti. The Denver Zoo, Butterfly pavilion, Museum of Nature and Science allow caregivers to enter for free! Hiking around Garden of The Gods and visiting the Cheyenne Mountain zoo are on my top list of favorites as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shoutout to Aly Spencer, owner of Song of the Soul yoga. Aly came into my life at the perfect time. I was looking for friends, which is not easy when you are older. She opened her heart to me and took me in just as I am. There is no competition, resentment, weird expectations. she holds a listening ear and saves a safe space to be myself. Aly also owns her own yoga practice that allows women to come and connect in the most loving environment. Her voice is calm, allowing you to feel held during a flow or restorative yoga class.
Thank you Aly for being you!

Website: withgracelifecoaching.godaddysites.com

Instagram: withgracelifecoaching

Facebook: With Grace life Coach

Image Credits
Tehila Hatheway Photography