Today we’d like to introduce you to Sha’ Roehm.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sha’. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born in Orlando, Florida, my love of culture and travel began as a child while growing up with parents in the U.S. Air Force. Received a B.S. in Geography: Resource and Environmental Studies degree from Texas State University then immediately started a career in the cartographic industry. A few years after I ignited my passion for real estate, which was fun for an extensive period. Looking back, I can say the void filled moments were necessary steps to get me where I am today. I always knew something was missing from my core. My real estate career of 17 years and family life sent me into a whirlwind of not knowing who I was anymore. I tried going to several therapists. Then I moved on to high intensity and endurance sports. That helped for a while, but then that feeling of being lost within my own body and mind kept coming back. I was terrified of being in my own skin, lost my drive for being in the real estate industry and was clueless to the fact that I was experiencing anxiety. I was drinking heavily, lashing out at my friends and family almost regularly. I didn’t like the internal or external part of Sha’.
I knew it was time do something, time to get serious and find a way to alleviate the constant chatter. I hired a life coach, who helped me get super clear about what worked for me and what was just a story in my head. I’ll be honest, when I started meditating in the early 2000’s, I didn’t have the motivation to practice frequently. Meditation basically resided in my pocket for those severe anxiety attacks. Over the last five years, I honed-in on meditation modalities, committed to my practice and obtained a 300-hour meditation teacher certification. The changes came so subliminally that I wasn’t conscious of it until loved ones started to share how I morphed. Developing clarity and hope through meditation helped me differentiate what was in my head and what was in my heart. Ultimately, I decided it was time to share my experience and guide whomever chooses to receive it. Because of my own journey, I want to share all there is to gain from developing a personal meditation practice. There are oodles of research-backed evidence that share the multitude of benefits meditation provides. It’s not an easy feat but it can be done, through practice. My goal is to empower people to live their most optimal life through meditation so that they too want to share the power within.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Walking in alignment with my values and spirituality has always been a battle. My mother was and still is heavily involved in her church. Like most little black girl’s in our neighborhood, we went to church all day long on Sundays. If you can imagine I was not one to conform to religion. The first chance I had I ran like hell into the world. My basketball ball coach, Linda Sharp at Southwest Texas State had a heck of a job reigning me in after my mother moved to Panama my freshman year of college. If there was a party, you can believe I was there! Don’t get me wrong, I still like a party. The party looks a little differently now. Little did I know then, she had begun to instill the foundation of goal setting, focus, and determination within me. Today my values and spiritual walk are aligned with what matters most to my core. My mother respects the path I am on and I adore her wisdom. I guess you could say we compliment one another.
Learning to TRUST myself and my voice: I’m not really sure why I felt as if my voice didn’t matter or that I didn’t have a voice worthy enough of being heard. I battled with that big time when I first started guiding meditations. I used to type these long scripts and second guess everything I wanted to share in class. Leaning into the present moment and feeling the energy in the room has convinced me to trust myself. While going through this learning, I created better boundaries and softened my armor which allows me to speak with MY voice.
Even as I type these notes for this interview, I am recovering from a hysterectomy surgery, which was more painful than childbirth in my opinion. Yes – my husband and I have a radiant 8-year old daughter. Suppose I can use these upcoming weeks as a time to be still and trust the process of being supported by this planet and this body’s natural healing tendencies. Isn’t that what I ask others to contemplate? Today, I like myself, scars and all. Granted some days are much easier than others.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Meditations with Sha’ – what should we know?
As a certified 300 Hour Meditation Guide + Growth Coach, I like to utilize a mixture of meditative modalities, such as Mindfulness, Gentle Movement and Dzogchen to create safe spaces for practitioners. I specialize in guiding people into contemplation during meditation, unearthing one’s inner resources to feel equanimity. It is my belief that we must be patient and trust in our own creative and spiritual rhythms. My impact on the corporate level, workshops, retreats, and classes for adults and children leads many to their personal voice and power.
More information to work with me in Dallas a group, a corporation/organization or 1:1 can be found at www.meditationswithsha.com or through Culture Shift Agency which is currently based in Dallas, Atlanta, and New York www.cultureshiftagency.com.
Our mission at Culture Shift Agency is to empower Women of Color in the workplace by providing them with the tools, strategies, and personal transformation methodology to support them in fulfilling their goals and strengthen their capacity to lead. With over 80 years of combined experience, our team is uniquely equipped to support the holistic leadership development of women that catalyzes and supports strong organizational culture. We are your personal guides that offer you support to go deep, making lasting changes in your life.
A few of our offerings for women who like a little woo-woo mixed in with Type A productivity:
One Day Immersions: Seasonal full-day retreats that explore yoga, breathing exercises to detox what no longer serves, develop professional leadership skills and cultivate intimate connections in a supportive environment.
Corporate offerings: For women who want support in their careers while nourishing their heart and soul in the process. We share researched-based practices that support 21st Century professional leadership with greater skill and resilience.
Ignite Your Shift retreats: Personalized support to activate sustainable change through coaching, meditation sessions, yoga classes and rituals designed to integrate mind, body, and spirit. October date will be announced soon!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Ever so grateful for the love of my parents. Because of their journey I have fabulous step parents that have equipped me with a larger family than one could ever imagine. Love dwells deep!
Marla Teyolia – Life Coach – for helping excavate all the bull shit stories in my head that kept me playing small. Your formula works!
Chelsey Charbeneau – Meditation Teacher Training Instructor- for your expertise and willingness to bare your soul for your students. I continue to learn so much from you!
Linda Sharp – for offering me a chance of a lifetime to play women’s basketball at Texas State University, you are the catalyst between my adolescent to adult years.
Sally Christensen and Rhonda Helgerson – Del Rio, H.S. for believing in me and building an athlete
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meditationswithsha.com
- Phone: 214-564-7379
- Email: sha@meditationswithsha.com
Image Credit:
Leigh Ann Satterfield, Naomi McCoy
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