Good Work Wellness for Homeschool Moms, with Shannon McCord
Summary:
In this episode of Show Me Homeschool, host Erin sits down with guest Shannon McCord to discuss Good Work Wellness. Shannon shares her passion for helping women build strength in body and soul through fitness and Biblical discipleship. They delve into the importance of incorporating fitness into busy lifestyles, finding joy in movement, and setting realistic health goals. Shannon also shares details about her classes, podcast, YouTube channel, and online workout options for women to join in her fitness and discipleship journey.
Resources & Links:
Good Work Wellness website, www.goodworkwellness.com
Shannon McCord on Facebook, @GoodWorkWellness
Good Work Wellness on YouTube, @GoodWorkWellness4211
Shannon’s podcast, Good Work Wellness: Heartwork
Shannon’s group fitness classes to build strength in body, soul, and spirit at 6:30pm at “The Porch,” Manna Fellowship Church, south of Lee’s Summit, MO. For more information, click here.
Connect with Erin and Joe at Show Me Homeschool:
Show Me Homeschool Website
On Instagram, @show.me.homeschool
On Pinterest, @showmehomeschool
Be sure to leave a rating and review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode! For questions or comments email us: info@showmehomeschool.com
Transcript:
Erin [00:00:04]:
Hello, and welcome back to the Show Me Homeschool podcast. Today, we're gonna talk about probably what's on everybody's mind at this time of the year, our mental, spiritual health, and fitness goals for the new year. So as we're coming off the busy, stressful, and sugar filled holiday season that's been happening over the past 6 ish or so weeks. I know many of us are wanting to get back into a better routine, a meal plan, and maybe we have some exercise or mental and spiritual health goals. So So today we're gonna jump right in and talk about all of this to hopefully encourage you, give you some ideas, and give you a great resource in our guest today. So you can pick up wherever you left off in your health journey. I'm really excited to introduce you to today's guest. She is my friend, Shannon.
Erin [00:00:53]:
We've been friends since our early days of homeschooling. Our boys became friends, we Became friends and then we're also part of the same field trip group and have done lots of activities together, homeschool enrichment program for the past Probably decade or so. And then, and so Shannon and her family have become probably one of the first and our best friendships that our family has made on our homeschool journey. So, one of the ways that I really got to know Shannon was through her dance fitness class where I got to see her heart for serving other women through fitness, but even more so drawing people, back To the Word Through the Closing Devotions and the Prayer Time. Shannon is an NASM certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and Revelation wellness instructor. She's the founder of GoodWork Wellness and has led a women's fitness ministry for over a decade. Her passion is to help women build strength in body and soul through fitness and biblical discipleship. So welcome, Shannon.
Shannon [00:01:58]:
Hi. So happy to be here and talk with you today.
Erin [00:02:01]:
Yes. I'm excited to talk about this subject with you because I know you personally, I know you're an expert in what you're doing, and I know that your heart is to serve and help other women. So do you wanna share a little bit more about yourself or your family?
Shannon [00:02:19]:
Yes. So you covered a lot of what I do with my ministry. So I founded the ministry Good Work Wellness. I've been teaching fitness for Close to 12 years and I've taught a variety of different formats and in different environments and, Things like that. My Monday night class is the one that you attend with me. So that's been going strong for quite a few years and we have a great group of ladies that Come join us each week, just to move our bodies and also get the spiritual peace and just have time to invest in our, in our health and our wellness.
Erin [00:02:56]:
I love it. Your classes have been so wonderful and there are of a wide variety of ladies that come. I know our podcast is, with homeschool families, and I know that you're a homeschool family and you've managed to fit fitness into your schedule and your lifestyle. Really, it seems organically, but then also you have a passion not just to how fitness in your own personal life, but to share that with other women. So do you wanna talk a little bit about how you got started in fitness and, how you've made that time in your, in your life.
Shannon [00:03:31]:
Yeah, sure. So I think my 2nd son, Was not even 1 year old. So I had a very active 3 year old toddler boy and a pretty small baby boy at the time. And a friend of mine wanted me to come to this Zumba class with her. And so I thought, oh gosh, like I'm gonna get me a spot in the back. I, I was so nervous, like this is gonna be funny. Like, what is this gonna be like? And it was kind of awkward. You know, the first time you do try something new, you're gonna feel self conscious and kind of nervous, but we kept going and it wasn't long.
Shannon [00:04:09]:
And I thought, you know, I, I really like this. I like how The movement is fun. It's not like getting on a treadmill and having to run and run, you know, things that we can dread in movement, but It just brought joy to me. It became that time each week. That was just for me. I could get out of the house and, And anytime you move your body, you're gonna get the mental health benefits and, and everything to go with it, that community in the class. So that was the start. I don't, Maybe 6 months later and I got certified as an instructor and then it kind of grew from there, but that's where I started and it's really, Stayed constant for almost 12 years now.
Shannon [00:04:53]:
I've had a regular weekly class and that's just my time to go and, and use this, this gift that God's given me and, and passion for, for other women.
Erin [00:05:04]:
So it, it sounds like You were looking for something in a time in your life where you were in the middle of a big change, having another baby. And how, how would you encourage Other women right now that are listening that maybe have had a big life experience and want to incorporate fitness Back into their life, in their busyness of homeschooling or working part time or full time, or, you know, whatever it is that they've got on their plate.
Shannon [00:05:34]:
Well, this is a time of year, you know, it's on the forefront of everyone's mind Because you see, you see all the ads, you see all the things in your newsfeed, right? About our health goals, our changes, our resolutions. So Any time of year is a great place to start. I don't think there's anything magical about January, but because It is on our minds. It's a great time to start, just set some new goals. But really the first thing, Identify your why and understand the big picture. Right. Don't listen to the voices that are, are telling you what you have to do or need to do, or need to look a certain way, but understand your own health goals and your needs. Right? So we pursue physical fitness To be able to fulfill our roles in life and our tasks that God has given us.
Shannon [00:06:30]:
Right. It's not to fit into the genes that we fit into a few years ago that are tight now. Right. Movement is for ability. It's not for vanity. Like we're not trying to look a certain way. It has to be the right heart motivation for what we want to do to be successful. We have to get that set first, I think, and pray about it.
Shannon [00:06:53]:
Honestly, like God designed and created you, Your body, your unique physiology. He knows what you enjoy. He knows your weaknesses, your tendencies, and really just seeking him, spending some time first, getting your motivations right. And getting your heart right. As you pursue health and wellness, it's really more of an inside out process when you're gonna make a big change because the, the short term goals and the motivations that are just a little bit off center, Those won't last. And I think we do that over and over and over again, and we just feel more and more defeated. When we, we set these goals, we don't really make them realistic. And, just those repeated Failures can really dishearten us, I think.
Erin [00:07:49]:
Mhmm. I love that you start with the spiritual and praying and and talking to God about your goals and your motivation, because that is so true. The times I know in my life where I've set goals, whether it's fitness related or not, If my motivation was a vain one or something that was really, Stick with it or whenever it got hard, it was really tough for me to keep going. So on a practical level, after we've prayed about it, we know that Fitness is important for so many things in our life, our mental health. I I know when I consistently get moving, I just feel like my Effective shifts and things are a little bit brighter. And how would you talk to someone who maybe approached you and said, hey, Shannon. I really wanna start doing this class. I just feel so overwhelmed with my my current schedule or what's going on currently in my life.
Erin [00:08:43]:
What would you say to someone who is in that situation?
Shannon [00:08:48]:
Well, I think you just have to start by finding some kind of movement or activity that you enjoy. And that you can see it fitting in to your life and your rhythms that you already have established because you won't stick with something you dread. You just won't. There are so many ways and options to be active, Whether you like to go for walks, whether you like to ride a bike, whether you do enjoy group classes, being able to go to the gym Or join other people. There's so much on the line. You can close yourself in a room in your house, you know, take 30 minutes, find something that you love to do. And just start there. Don't force yourself into somebody else's plan and what they like.
Shannon [00:09:36]:
You have to find something that you love, that brings you joy and brings you fulfillment in more ways than 1. So it can be part of your life And you can start small. You can start small, but not too small. So you want to do enough that you're encouraged when you start to see changes and results. You start to feel better. You're like, Hey, this is actually making a change in my life. Right. So whether it's a 20 minute walk a day, you know, a few days a week, or if you want to do something a little more intense, but you don't have as many days a week available.
Shannon [00:10:12]:
That's okay. Because it all adds up, but just keep going because the more
Erin [00:10:18]:
Days you start to skip, right? The less likely you're gonna stick with it. So those little steps, those little rewards will just encourage you along the way And keep going. I love that. I love that whole thing about just starting small and, and enjoying what you're doing and finding that thing because I think It's easy to see, especially with our social media, intake, how there are so many different ways to go about The same end goal, which is, you know, feeling healthy and making goals for working out and those kinds of things. So I like your advice. I think that's A lot more practical than a lot of times what we see as, you know, going in hard and making these big, big, huge goals. And then we just, When we plummet and then we hit hard and then we almost go even further down into, you know, where we were for, and maybe dig our heels in a little bit more with our, our poor eating choices. So, and when it comes to movement, how important is it to shift other things in your life, such as diet or sleep or those kinds of things.
Erin [00:11:27]:
If we're trying to start small and be successful. What would you say to help, maybe a mom that's homeschooling her many kids and has co op to drop off and, or to participate in and all of these other things on her schedule. Where would you think, what would your advice be to Get that mom into a, a good routine that she could sustain.
Shannon [00:11:50]:
Well, you know that all the areas of our wellness and our health, they're all connected. We can't just separate out physical health and work on that or neglect that without other areas either hurting or improving. So you think of your mental health, your emotional health, your relational health, your spiritual health. All of them are connected. So when you're not getting enough sleep and know we've all been there, your emotions and your mood, your mental health are affected. So it's the same way with emotional stress or relational stress. Our bodies can feel it. We can get stomach aches.
Shannon [00:12:30]:
We can have trouble sleeping. So that, that neglect and strain is felt across the board in all these areas. Same thing. If your, your body, you're not taking care of it. When you skip breakfast and you get hangry. You're not going to be the nicest, most patient mother. Right? So, so your relationships will suffer. They're all connected.
Shannon [00:12:50]:
But the good part is what benefits 1 overflows and starts to benefit the others. And you'll notice that. So when you start to make good changes and implement some healthier habits in any of the areas, You'll see that affecting other parts of your life and hopefully really be encouraged and aware because it's health is holistic. Wellness is Holistic. And kind of how I like to think of wellness is it's an active pursuit of choices and a lifestyle that leads to that Holistic Health. And it's intentional. It will not happen on its own. Definitely.
Shannon [00:13:30]:
And so having a plan is good, but also being Flexible is good because especially homeschool moms, we're responsible for many things. We're constantly around People, whether our kids or activities we do, we don't have a whole lot of free time to ourselves to sit and Just decide what we wanna do that day. Others' needs generally take priority over hours in the flow of our day. So you have to be intentional and make that time and protect it. Physical health does unfortunately take a back seat For a lot of moms, we get the, the martyr syndrome where we, we feel like we have to come last. Right. And Homeschooling is a lifestyle for many years. So the patterns, the rhythms that we set up in our home, Those are generally going to continue for years years if we stay on the same path.
Shannon [00:14:27]:
Right. So it's important to get your whole family on board. I can't just be you all of a sudden wanting to make changes. Like you have to explain it to your kids. If this is a new thing You're gonna go after and pursue, like, explain why it's important to your kids. But it is important that you go first and you've got to model it and lead them. You can't not do it yourself, but still want to teach, you know, physical wellness to your kids. You gotta, you gotta go first as the leader of Them in Your Home and, and show that and take the time and how it's important to take care of yourself in that way.
Erin [00:15:06]:
That is so true. One of the things that we're talking about with, my high school boys this year is nutrition and we're taking a nutrition class. And In the book, it talks about how different foods and vitamins and minerals affect different systems in your body and in a good way or a bad way. And so one of my boys in particular is very much like, I don't wanna eat that. It has too much sugar or I don't wanna do this because this makes me feel like this. And so if he's even aware, as you can probably tell, sickness has gone through our home. We've been congested this week, that Christmas cold that's been going around. And, that was one of the things he was saying is I don't really want hot chocolate right now because I don't want sugar because I know that that doesn't help my immune system and that's something that we're learning.
Erin [00:15:50]:
So You really hit the nail on the head, I think, when you were talking about moms having to take that lead, in in the home and, You know, as the person who does the primary amount of grocery shopping or cooking, I mean, it is our job to Feed and give those nutrient nutrients to our children. And I think, like you said, bringing them into it, especially in a way that is educational as, as we're homeschooling and making that part of our lifestyle is so important. Yeah.
Shannon [00:16:20]:
Yeah. And Let me say I do. I did have my fair share of Christmas cookies. Like I it doesn't mean you can't ever have treats and you have to work out hard every day. So there's definitely room for enjoying food and enjoying breaks and time with your family. Cause it's really, it's the habits and rhythms that you establish most of the time. Right. 80, 90% of the time.
Shannon [00:16:46]:
And have your treats, have your special days, do different things some of the time, but when that day is done, Prepare yourself to get, get right back in your, in your habits the next day. Don't just stay there and give up. And that can be hard because I am An all or nothing person I'm either totally 100% on the plan and rocking it. And, or I'm not and Like sickness or my routine is disrupted or travel, you know, can derail me. And then it is really hard to get going again. But that's when you come back to your values and what's important to you in life. And you just have to sit and think, you know, I'm someone who wants to Feel My Body Well. I want to nourish it.
Shannon [00:17:31]:
I know when I have weighed too much sugar for days days, I start to feel bad. My joints ache kind of lethargic, kind of grumpy. Like I don't, I don't wanna be that person and live that way. So I'll enjoy the treat and then I'll come back to what I know is best for me and get back into those habits.
Erin [00:17:50]:
Yes. We definitely need to be gentle with ourselves. I think we do tend to go all in, you know, I think There's a common thread amongst homeschool families and moms that I've seen where, you know, we're researchers. We wanna learn as much as we can about a subject so that we can impart that knowledge to our children and we can tend, or at least I know I've done this in the past where I get so all in on some idea or activity that the relationship suffers and that can be a temptation to where it's like, we're all focused on eating this specific way or cutting these specific foods or working out these many days. And I think that's such a great reminder as we're looking at our goals and going into the new year that, you know, like you said, movement is good and it's fuel, when we eat the right foods for a body that's gonna make us feel better. And it is a whole approach to living, not just go hard for the month of January, burn yourself about getting an injury on
Shannon [00:18:49]:
your knee or something Yeah.
Erin [00:18:50]:
Because you haven't worked out in 10 years. You know, just starting with walking, that's that's fantastic. What other advice do you have, before we switch gears and talk a little bit more about Revelation Wellness? Would you like to share with our
Shannon [00:19:04]:
listeners? Well, I just want to encourage any woman out there who is unhappy with her body or just frustrated. Maybe you are just not as able as you used to be to be active. Maybe you would like to lose some weight and you're frustrated with your appearance. I just want to encourage you to pay attention and lead with kindness to yourself, kindness and care, because realistic and achievable goals Always have to be out of kindness and care for your body, not punishment for it because it doesn't look a certain way. Right. Are you going to start a new plan or make a new year's resolution? Because your pants are fitting tight and Maybe you are a little disgusted with yourself. Like we don't want to lead with that. Like we can't approach our changes in our habits out of disgust and disappointment with ourselves.
Shannon [00:20:07]:
Because yes, we're gonna, we're gonna disappoint ourselves sometimes. Everyone disappoints others and ourselves at some point in life, but we have to get our heart right. We have to ask ourselves, am I wanting to make these changes out of kindness? Because I wanna care for my body. So it's able to function to the best of its ability. Right. Or am I really just punishing it because it doesn't look like I want it to. Right. We want our heart and our blood vessels to be strong and healthy.
Shannon [00:20:40]:
We want our muscles to be strong and capable so we can go out and play with our kids and run around or take them to the park. Right. Let's examine your motivation before you make any big change or plan. That's just my encouragement to you in that area. Your sound went away. Erin. I can't hear you. Is it back?
Erin [00:21:14]:
Yeah. Okay. Sorry.
Shannon [00:21:15]:
But I quit talking and I couldn't hear you. Okay.
Erin [00:21:18]:
Okay. Thank you for sharing that. That's really encouraging to me as I'm not feeling the best this week and, you know, coming off of the holidays and I've got a lot of goals. Just that gentle reminder that, you know, whatever day you start is the, is a good day to start. You know, it doesn't have to be January 1st. I know that's a goal for a lot of people. So let's shift gears a little bit. I would love to let everybody know what kind of resources that you offer, through Revelation Wellness and your Good Work Wellness page and YouTube channel, you've got your own podcast.
Erin [00:21:55]:
I would love to connect our audience to what you have and how you approach fitness. Yes. Thank you.
Shannon [00:22:02]:
So my heart in it is it's fitness and discipleship for body and soul, because I don't believe you can separate it. Like anything that we pursue for health and wellness, Like as a believer, like I have to invite the Lord into. And so that's part of my life and part of my, my health journey. And I want that to be The same for the women who just desire the same thing. And so I am kind of in the process of a fresh launch this year. So I'm working on, a brand new website. It's not quite ready yet, but, Monday night classes will continue. If you are local, I would love for you to come, just drop in a Monday night class it's at 6:30, and just come try it out.
Shannon [00:22:46]:
It's a fun way to move. Just a wonderful community of women. Like we have teenagers up through women in their seventies, like all ages, all abilities. It's a lot of fun. We use drumsticks and some dance fitness, some kickboxing. The end of the class is really a time of stretching And we spend about 10 minutes with some biblical meditation. So we'll have a verse or a, a point or a, just a teaching idea from scripture that we want to really work into our hearts. So it's a time just for you to come Move your body, get that energy and then rest and let the Lord just speak to your heart in that time.
Shannon [00:23:28]:
So it's really something special. And I just always pray women feel welcome and at home to come in and enjoy that time. So that's the main thing I do. You did mention I, My podcast. So the intentions and messages that I share in class, I'm going to be putting them out on a podcast format. So anyone can listen, be encouraged, take that time, focus on scripture. I'll probably have some health and wellness topics too, going into this next year. But, I do have YouTube channel.
Shannon [00:24:03]:
If you want just an idea of what my style is like, you can find it there. I'll be having some full length online workout options available too, when my new website launches. So that's fun. So no matter where you are, you can work out with me and be encouraged in that way. Also leading a group of ladies through A Bible study. This is the first one like that starting in January. So we're going to study through John's gospel together, just a chapter a week and Really be able to dig in and apply, from that book in our lives. So really excited just to build community with them.
Shannon [00:24:40]:
And anyone can join that too, because it's all online. So lots of good stuff, lots of irons in the fire this year, but I'm really excited. The Lord's really growing this ministry and just bringing women who are hungry for wellness and ready to be just free from, from burdens and diet and fitness culture and all of that. And really just Coming to him in, in freedom and in health. And it's really, really awesome to get a front row seat to his work and their lives. So.
Erin [00:25:14]:
Yes. I love it. I've I've Off and on through the years participated in some level in your classes and big secret of mine. I actually was an instructor With Shannon and one of the, the fitness platforms for a very short time. I was not nearly as good as Shannon. She's awesome though. And she is a great mentor. So not only just in leading her classes and Bible studies and all these things, but one of the things that I absolutely love about Shannon is that You always encourage women to just follow the Lord's leading, and you're there to walk and listen.
Erin [00:25:49]:
And If if you're doing something, you're always bringing women into that, and I love that about you, as a friend and as a A fitness, instructor as well and someone who understands nutrition and has that background in training. You're a great resource for for women to come and and say, Hey, I'm I'm needing help in this area. And I know that you're always welcome to answering questions or walking alongside, women not just leading them through the the physical activities, but also through devotions and through the questions after class. And And for the woman that wants to have all these different goals, you're always walking alongside. So I appreciate that you on a personal level. And What is the name of your YouTube and your, podcast? We'll have all of this information in the show notes so that you can find and follow along and, maybe participate in some of Shannon's classes online.
Shannon [00:26:46]:
Yeah. So you can find it just by looking up Good Work Wellness. So my podcast, I believe it's listed as Good Work Wellness, colon, Heart Work. And then on YouTube, I'm Good Work Wellness. If If you wanna search Facebook, I'm GoodWork Wellness. Mygoodworkwellness.com is not quite active yet, but it will be up Probably in the next couple of weeks, ready for the new year or so. You guys can find me there.
Erin [00:27:13]:
Yes. And your in person class that you lead on Monday night starts.
Shannon [00:27:19]:
January 8th. Yes. Okay. And that's because new years is a Monday. Yeah. That's at the porch. So just south of Lake Winnebago, like just a little ways down on 291. So right there at the intersection of 291 South and 58 west.
Shannon [00:27:35]:
I believe you'll see that big sign for the porch. We're there every Monday night, having fun.
Erin [00:27:41]:
Yes. And if you are local to KC, I would love to meet you. I'd love to work out with you. And, I know Shannon would love to meet you as well. So Thank you so much for coming on, Shannon. I really know that having me of fun. Of fun. Yeah.
Erin [00:27:55]:
I I think there's gonna be a lot Women that are encouraged and maybe who are feeling a little stressed going into the year, as we're picking back up in our our routines with co ops and homeschooling, that there's a plan that they can actively, work towards in a, in a way that's sustainable for their life. So thank you so
Shannon [00:28:14]:
much.
Erin [00:28:14]:
Yes. Yeah. And, for all our listeners, we will have the email sent out with our transcripts. So if you are a Follower of our newsletter or you are not yet, you can go to show me homeschool.com to find that information and sign up our newsletter, and we appreciate you listening, and we will see you next time.