Meet Shannon Turgeon | Nutritional Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Turgeon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Balance, and how to find it, are not only why I decided to start Camaraderie Health, but also one of the most important aspects of what I work alongside my clients on.

For years, the balance I felt I needed was simply having both a professional and personal life. I thought I had it all figured out; work hard, play hard, and you’ve got it all. Unfortunately, the professional responsibilities began to outweigh the ability to put any focus on the personal, and I was burning out working in an industry that promoted a very (im)balanced, balance.

This is where my big “aha moment” came; I needed to find a way to reprioritize by focusing on a new lifestyle that gave me more time for my full self. That is my partner, my health, my interests, my friends, and especially – my own needs.

It wasn’t easy, I found that because the (im)balance was already set up, it was difficult to unlearn, and even more difficult for my employers and coworkers not to expect. But as I like to remind those working with me, change is possible, after a fair amount of determination, a new career path was forged, and my own personal balance was found.

I’ve discovered that just like health, finding balance is a life-long relationship filled with ups and downs; but it should always return to being true to your  needs. Sometimes you will choose to put more focus into your career, your friends, or your responsibilities, but you should always be able to find time for yourself, because that is where the true balance lies.

What should our readers know about your business?
Camaraderie Health is a one-on-one relationship between a client and myself to discuss all things digestion, stress, how they are related, and how to lessen the impact on their life.

The business is truly an extension of my beliefs and experiences. It focuses on offering the kind of help I wish I could have received, along with gaining all the insight and knowledge obtained from my own issues (which have evolved into genuine interests) with both digestion and stress.

It all comes from a collaborative concept; I prefer thinking of us as a team working together to find the right steps toward their goals. We never move in a direction that isn’t welcomed. I don’t feel that kind of help is helpful, real change takes place when someone is ready and wants to make it happen for themselves. At times, it can be difficult because it is real work, but it’s also rewarding, and we have fun in the process.

What’s fulfilling for me is being able to help someone get to a place that’s better than where they started. I spent years feeling lost and alone with my health struggles, and preventing someone else from feeling that way, while also improving their day to day, is what Camaraderie Health was founded upon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would give them a full-day neighborhood adventure on foot because I think it’s one of the things that most people don’t realize this city has to offer.

We would take the metro downtown and start the day with our (free) reservations at The Broad and MOCA. Then, over to Angels Flight Railway for a short and iconic $1 ride down the hill, followed by a late lunch from a few of the vendors at Grand Central Market to rest and refuel.

After that, we would pop into The Bradbury Building lobby to take in the incredible iron work and natural lighting. Then, make our way to Broadway to see all the amazing historic theater marquees, art deco facades, and vintage murals. As a recent ex-New Yorker, I’m not afraid to say that this part of downtown LA has more of a true city feeling than most parts of Manhattan have had in years!

Next up would be a quick walk past City Hall, then over to Little Tokyo, where we’d stop in Japanese Village Plaza for all its charm and kitsch. There might be an impromptu snack or drink at this point, which is part of the fun of being on foot – you can choose your adventure as you go. And who knows where we would end up after that? There are so many options, and sometimes the best plan is not to have one.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel really fortunate to have had a few people close to me that could identify that I needed a change before I could even recognize it. Somehow, they also knew the career direction I belonged in, and just how much it would suit me as a whole.

They were (and still are) my Husband, and two close friends who have been instrumental in giving me the courage, support, and unbiased feedback that got me to where I am today.

All three are creatives who started their own businesses because they knew they wanted to offer something they believed in, while giving themselves the ability to shape their schedules to complement their chosen lifestyles. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to help me launch Camaraderie Health, and for this I’m forever grateful. You know who you are!

Website: www.camaraderie.health

Instagram: www.instagram.com/camaraderie.health

Image Credits
@camaraderie.health