Kathleen Shannon of 'Being Boss' Shares Her Favorite Self-Care Practices

Hi! My name is Kathleen Shannon. I am a co-founder and partner at Braid Creative, a marketing agency for creative entrepreneurs and purpose-driven organizations. I also co-host the Being Boss podcast (with over seven million downloads! Whoa!) and published my first book, Being Boss, with Running Press in April 2018. Now that my credentials are out of the way and I’ve thoroughly impressed you with my top-line achievements let me tell you more about myself.

I grew up in Oklahoma as the youngest child of three, went to middle school through the 90s wearing combat boots and flannel (Kurt Cobain was my #1 crush), played French Horn through high school, and graduated to go on to get a degree in Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma.

My personal growth story was really catalyzed when, almost 9 years ago, after working my way up to Senior Art Director at a growing and bustling advertising agency I quit to do my own thing. I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I had to rely on my own resources, confidence, and trust in myself like none other. This is when I started diving into growing into the person I want to be: a boss.

I spent years studying self-help and leadership development books, listening to hours of podcasts and attending trainings and conferences. But these days I’m putting down the books and getting a little more quiet and listening to my own intuition, and following my own curiosity – and I trust that it will take me exactly where I need to go.

Rapid-fire self-care with Kathleen Shannon //

I like to live my life by this motto: Do what you want. I’ve always thought of this as my youngest sibling rallying cry. When I was younger I considered it selfish in many ways, but now I’ve seen how that motto has allowed me to follow my curiosity, cultivate my creativity, travel the world, and follow my heart.

Biggest lesson I learned in my twenties: Don’t get married in your twenties. HAHA. I got married at 21 and divorced at 25. Did you know your brain isn’t even FULLY FORMED until you’re 25!?

This is still a challenge for me: Feeling “other” or like an outsider. I was always voted “most non-conformist” in school every year and while I was proud to be different I sometimes started to make it mean that I didn’t belong. Now I know EVERYONE belongs and most people feel like total weirdos.

My self-care toolkit includes: Working out, sitting in the sauna, reading a good book, essential oils, dry brushing, mushroom powders, watching the sun rise, drinking lots of water, and eating really well. It sounds like a lot but if you add one little thing at a time it’s easy to manage and pick and choose what you need and when.

The first five things I do when I wake up are: Cuddle my kiddo (he’s usually crawled in bed with us in the middle of the night), make warm lemon water with a pinch of sea salt, drink coffee, read a book, watch the sun rise. (I know this sounds like an Instagram joke – don’t worry, the kid wrangling, snack-making, and jumping into work happens too.)

My favorite way to unwind is: A really nice dinner and tasty cocktail with my husband.

My go-to dish to make (or buy) when I want to feel good is: I make this thing called “paleoats” everyday. It’s an apple sautéed in coconut oil, hemp seeds, flax seeds, almond butter, cinnamon, cardamom, raisins, and eggs.

My favorite workout involves: warming up with a walk and Turkish Get Ups with a kettlebell, heavy deadlifts, some heavy rows, and accessory work like TRX rows, single leg deadlifts, and ab work.

The one book that has changed my life: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. Not only because the book is amazing but after I reviewed it on my blog she hired me to overhaul her personal brand before appearing on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. I’ve been working with her and her team ever since!

The one podcast I’m always listening to: Armchair Expert by Dax Shepherd.

When I splurge, it’s on: Botox.

Most affordable, essential self-care product I can’t live without: water.

Craziest thing I do for self-care: I guess injecting my face with toxins is kind of crazy.

Best apps on my phone for enhancing my life: Clue App – so I don’t accidentally get pregnant. Podcast players – so I can listen to my shows! Google Keep for taking notes.

Favorite piece of advice given to me: My husband once told me that any decision I make will move me forward. Even if it’s not the RIGHT decision, any decision will create movement.

When I’m stressed out, this is my go-to: CBD oil.

Feel-good song that is always blasting in my car: Flawless by Beyoncé.

My advice to women struggling with self-love is: have more orgasms.