Shakti & Striking
My name is Shannon, and for a long time I lived in a world that seemed predictable and secure. I had a corporate career I had worked tirelessly to build. On paper, I had what many people considered “success.” But in 2023, I realized that success—at least the kind promised by the corporate grind—didn’t feel authentic anymore. I was checking boxes and following rules that weren’t mine. So I made the decision to leave that life behind, stepping away from everything I knew into a wide-open unknown.
I had already begun to explore a different side of myself by then. As a ritual guide, sound healer, and Kundalini instructor, I believed I was strong, spiritually evolving, and well along the path to healing. It took time and humility to recognize that healing isn’t a finish line you cross; it’s a constant, living process. I discovered that the trauma and limiting beliefs I thought I had left behind were still lingering—deep in my muscles, my joints, my very cells. My body had become an afterthought as I focused on spiritual growth, and I knew I needed a more integrated approach.
That’s when I turned to physical challenge. First I tried boxing, and then I committed to Muay Thai. Initially, I just wanted to move my body, get stronger, and reconnect with the physical world that I had placed on the back burner. What I didn’t anticipate were the profound lessons Muay Thai would teach me about myself.
Crossing the threshold from the Soluna Studio to The Team Underground gym was a leap of faith, every bit as intimidating as leaving my corporate job. The training was rigorous. Conditioning my body felt brutal at times. I grappled with doubt, fear, and old narratives that told me I was too weak, too old, or too set in my ways. Yet, through every punch, kick, and clinch, I discovered new reservoirs of strength, endurance, and confidence. The sweat, the tears, and the small victories all became part of my journey. As I worked through the pain and discipline of training, something remarkable happened: I began to shed weight—physically, yes, but also emotionally. Layers of old trauma, limiting beliefs, and anxiety started to fall away.
Kundalini yoga was my anchor in this process. When my body screamed from exertion, Kundalini brought calm. When my mind raced with self-doubt, Kundalini breathing slowed it down. When I felt lost or overwhelmed, my Kundalini practice reminded me that I was not just my body, and not just my mind—I was a whole being capable of integrating strength and softness, spirit and sweat, discipline and compassion.
The more I practiced Muay Thai, the more I understood that my spiritual journey and my physical journey weren’t separate at all. They informed each other, balanced each other. The confidence I found in training bled into my spiritual life, and the centeredness of my spiritual practices gave me the resilience to push through tough workouts. I realized that healing is truly holistic.
After three months of training I had my first fight, and now a year later, I’ve now competed in seven fights—sometimes winning, sometimes losing, and occasionally drawing even. It taught me that life, like the fight, isn’t about a perfect record. Yes, I have a few wins to my name, but what I’ve gained matters more: humility, courage, and a deeper understanding of my limits and how to push beyond them. It’s a reminder that every struggle, every triumph, and every setback helps shape who we are.
Along this path, I’ve come to appreciate Shakti—this vital, creative life force that flows through all of us. It’s the energy that fuels both personal transformation and collective growth, bridging the gap between our inner and outer worlds. When we tap into Shakti, we harness the power to evolve continuously, to merge strength and vulnerability, and to create the life we truly desire.
Today, I stand in a place where the boundaries between my inner world and outer world have softened. I’m stronger than I ever imagined—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and that strength was forged through a combination of stillness and movement, intention and impact, Kundalini and Muay Thai. My journey is still ongoing. Healing, growth, and discovery never stop. But I’m no longer just surviving in a world that doesn’t fit me. I’m thriving in one that I’m creating for myself, one breath and one strike at a time.
I want to share this with my community because I believe we’re all capable of this kind of transformation. Through integrated practices that honor both spirit and body, we can face our fears, challenge our old stories, and learn to trust our own resilience. I invite you to join me in discovering what’s possible when we embrace the fullness of who we are—inside the ring and beyond.
