Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Shanks.
Hi Lily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
If you had told me in college that I would be coaching high-achieving professionals on their relationships and limiting beliefs today, I would have laughed! I had no clue how radically different – and beautiful – my life would be from what I envisioned then.
It took a while to get there, though.
A native Texan, I studied journalism at SMU, then earned my law degree at UT Austin. In 2006, I began practicing commercial litigation in the Dallas office of a large international law firm.
I loved my colleagues, worked on high-profile matters for sophisticated clients, and definitely enjoyed the ego boost I felt every time someone seemed impressed by my career.
And yet, I wanted MORE.
You see, until age 40, I continually overrode my intuition and natural inclinations, convinced that others – my parents, teachers, the cool kids – knew what was best for me. Today, I call myself a “recovering people-pleaser” and “recovering perfectionist,” but my younger self didn’t realize how detrimental seeking perfection and validation from others could be.
So I checked the boxes drawn by others: made good grades, stayed quiet, didn’t cause trouble, and didn’t ask for help, because seeking help would burden you and betray my “perfect” façade.
Also, I should mention that, as a shy teenager who desperately wanted to feel more comfortable in her own skin, I discovered the liberating effects of alcohol and began relying on booze to feel more confident and fun when socializing – a habit I strengthened into my late 30s.
Checking the boxes worked – until it didn’t. Imagine my surprise when, around age 30, I realized that my life – the one that others praised and admired – felt empty.
So I pivoted. Dramatically. I exited Big Law to earn my 500-hour yoga teacher certification, and I taught full-time for a year.
I loved teaching, yet I needed a more secure (ahem, profitable) job, so I mixed teaching yoga and practicing law over the next decade, still trying to hold up my quickly crumbling “perfect” façade.
In September 2018, I hit my rock bottom with alcohol and haven’t had a drink since, thanks to my incredible support network, including family, friends, and recovery community.
I’d never imagined how much freedom I would experience by surrendering in my perpetual struggle with alcohol. And the fulfillment I experienced helping other women in recovery reaffirmed my passion for personal, in-depth service work, leading to another big pivot.
In 2021, I finally stopped wrestling with the “shoulds” and fears that told me to stick it out as an attorney, and I started honoring and trusting my intuition.
If “you’ve got to surrender to win,” I won big time! In 2021, I formed my coaching company, My Internal Weather, earned my life coaching and relationship coaching certifications, and began living into my true purpose: helping others release and evolve their limiting beliefs and patterns, and empowering them to live as their best selves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My path has not been linear or always smooth, and while I didn’t appreciate them at the time, today I’m grateful for all the bumps, hurdles, and detours!
Like most of us, my mind presents the toughest obstacles, usually in the form of self-doubt (“you aren’t ___ enough”), comparison (“you should be doing ___ – like they are”), and pre-failing myself (“it won’t work out, so what’s the point in trying?”).
I’ve consistently gone deeper in my own self-development, guided by coaches, mentors, and teachers. And while I’ve cleared out a lot of my old, limiting beliefs and stories, they like to pop back up at times, sometimes bringing a friend!
Today, I know that these stories and thoughts aren’t true, and I can recognize and address them more quickly than before. And as a “recovering perfectionist,” I focus on progress and give myself lots of grace when the old stories get stirred up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about My Internal Weather?
You know how some people seem to have it all – the career, family, prestige, and good looks? And then you discover that they feel empty, even when they seemingly have it all?
I coach people like that on creating internal peace, love, and fulfillment – the intangibles that you can’t earn, buy, or borrow.
All of my clients arrive with internal turbulence. Some can pinpoint its source; others just know something feels “off.” All of them seek serenity.
Unlike some coaches who use the same rote approach session after session, client after client, I tailor each coaching engagement to the individual. Clients get a bespoke coaching experience as unique as they are.
My clients appreciate the deep understanding and compassion I bring to our meetings, which I attribute largely to my own journey. It’s reassuring to know your coach has walked a similar path when you’re sharing your struggles with setting boundaries, opening yourself to love, or seeking solace from ice cream.
I’m most proud of the “Yoga for Self-Love” series I began teaching in 2021, and started recording and sharing via YouTube in 2025. Combining self-love coaching with gentle yoga results in a uniquely transformative experience. It represents what I was seeking when I began practicing yoga and then decided to teach. It’s my joy to share a more loving mindset and yoga with others.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Personally, while I love meeting and getting to know new people, I cringe thinking about “networking,” solely for the sake of expanding my Rolodex (there’s a historic term for you!). Rather, I tend to meet my mentors and guides organically, usually through a class or shared interest.
In my experience, when I am truly present – actively listening to others and otherwise engaged in the now – I encounter the lessons, people, and signs I need at just the right time. Coincidence? I don’t think so! But regardless of the circumstances, I believe that anyone with a learner’s mindset will meet their teachers and guides as they continue growing.
Pricing:
- Because all coaching engagements are personalized, I invite anyone interested or curious to schedule a Clarity Call with me so we can discuss their needs, goals, and what would work best for them at https://www.myinternalweather.com/scheduleclaritycallquestions
- One-on-one yoga and meditation experiences start at $150 for 60 minutes. Pricing for small and large group sessions depends on several factors. I tailor each experience to the client, so anyone interested can schedule a quick consultation call at https://myinternalweatherschedule.as.me/introductorycallprivateyoga
- I also provide workshops, guest speaking, and corporate wellness consulting, and prices depend on several factors. Anyone interested can schedule a consultation at https://myinternalweatherschedule.as.me/eventconsultation
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.myinternalweather.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinternalweather/
- Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/myinternalweather
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilyshanks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lilyshanks
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-internal-weather/
