Shannon has been dealing with infertility for the entire length of her marriage due to endometriosis, hypothyroidism, PCOS and a pelvic spasm condition. She's believing God for her promised miracle children! Shannon is the founder of Embrace Bravery, a support ministry for women with infertility, a blogger, author and speaker. In Embrace Bravery, women bravely embrace the difficult journey of infertility in a safe place by learning how to trust God while growing deeper in relationship with Him. She is passionate for women to break free from the brokenness of infertility and experience Jesus in a whole new way.

Q: What's your background, and what are you working on?

I’m the founder of Embrace Bravery, a faith-based infertility support ministry for women. Along with that I’m a blogger, author of the book Embrace Bravery: Embracing Your Infertility Story with Bravery & Strength, speaker & previously ran in-person support groups before the pandemic and ran an Embrace Bravery shop with apparel & accessories. I’m currently working on launching a digital membership this summer for Embrace Bravery which will include my book, a course where we’ll walk through the book and other materials, monthly virtual support group meetings, resources, teachings & encouragement.

Q: What motivated you to get started with Embrace Bravery?

I had been battling my infertility journey alone. No one I knew had dealt with infertility, let alone someone dealing with the pelvic condition I had had. I had been severely depressed. And, my husband made a way for me to attend a faith-based infertility retreat in Tennessee. The retreat was amazing. I was finally surrounded by other women who got it, understood what I was going through, and supported me. It was here that I felt the nudge to launch a support group, which turned into a ministry. I knew I didn’t want any other woman to feel the way I did, to ever feel isolated and alone. I wanted them to know there were other women out there that got it. I’ve often heard other women say that no one ever wants anyone else to ever have to deal with infertility, because you wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy, but at the same time you appreciate and receive comfort from the fact that there are others out there that get it. In fact, when I launched the first in-person support group, one of the women that came to that group is now one of my closest friends. She’s been that person that I’ve called or texted when something significant has happened on this journey and vice versa. I want that for other women, for them to experience that kind of support and make those kinds of relationships.

Q: What are your goals for the future?

My goals are to continue to support women on this infertility journey, right now it will look like it’s in the form of a digital membership. But I’m open to wherever it may lead from there.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you've faced so far?

My biggest challenges have been the finances for the things I’ve wanted to do for this business & ministry, plus, I became a foster parent about a year ago right around the time the pandemic hit, which drastically changed my ability at the time to do anything else outside of parenting and taking care of my family. Thankfully, I have since found my rhythm and I am able to come back with a fresh look at the way I can support this community.

Q: What's your advice for female founders who are just starting out?

Do the dang thang. Don’t let fear hold you back. If you have a dream, do it. If you have an idea, go with it. If you have a goal, take action. Don’t let fear hold you back. In the beginning I did just that. I let fear hold me back and didn’t move forward right away. But once I made the decision to do it, all these doors started being opened to me (a friend that designed my logo and website for free, a friend that designed all my materials for free, my church that allowed me to advertise and launch the support group there and more). You never know what will happen if you just do it. Believe in yourself, believe in your dream, believe in your idea. You can do more than you think you can. Women are powerful forces to be reckoned with. You got this, girl.