Meet Shanell Schipani

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

Hi Shanell, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This is a question I battle with daily. Life constantly wavers — one day you feel unstoppable, and the next you feel completely defeated. Whether it’s mental health struggles, financial hardships, or simply finding the courage to believe in yourself (even when no one else does), the decision to keep going or give up is never easy.

What helps me is remembering that circumstances are not fixed — they shift with our mindset and energy. Most hardships are actually opportunities to build character. The real question becomes: will you give up on becoming the best version of yourself, or will you lean into the discomfort and grow?

Growth rarely feels comfortable. But having faith during your hardest moments is a superpower. Each time you choose to continue, you strengthen your resilience and prepare yourself for the opportunities meant for you.

When I started my wellness business, I had just finished my first 200-hour yoga teacher training online. I was determined to make wellness and yoga part of my mission, even if I didn’t yet have the “stage.” I humbled myself as a student, stayed connected to yoga studios and mentors I admired, invested in further trainings, and used my personal struggles as tools to guide others who were also on the edge of giving up.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is this: surround yourself with people who see your potential. Step away from spaces that make you feel small or force you to prove yourself. Start with one task at a time, stay consistent, and root yourself in community. That commitment has fueled me to never give up — and it’s the reason I keep going.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a yoga instructor and wellness professional with a focus on creating authentic resources drawn directly from lived experience. What sets my work apart is my commitment to going deeper than surface-level wellness. Recently, I became certified as a trauma-informed yoga instructor and returned to school to pursue my Master’s in Yoga Sciences, specializing in Yoga Therapy. My goal is to use this training to address specific health challenges — mental, emotional, and physical — with practices that are both evidence-based and rooted in tradition.

What I am most proud of is that my journey has been built on consistency, faith, and community rather than shortcuts. I started practicing yoga as a teenager, and it helped me navigate depression, anxiety, and even asthma. Once I learned how to manage my own struggles through yoga, I felt called to share it with others. Even when I doubted myself, I kept showing up — investing in trainings, volunteering, and making yoga and wellness a top priority in my life. For me, this was never just about financial success; it was about spiritual exchange, building a legacy, and helping people leave my classes and sessions feeling just a little lighter in the world.

It was not easy. There were times I questioned whether people would trust me — or if I could even trust myself as a guide. I overcame these challenges by humbling myself as a student, saying yes to opportunities even when they didn’t pay, and honoring the process of growth instead of rushing it. I learned that self-doubt doesn’t mean you aren’t capable — it just means you’re on the edge of transformation.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are simple but powerful: discipline outlasts motivation, listening is just as valuable as teaching, and boundaries are essential to protect your energy and vision. I’ve also learned that growth often looks like discomfort, but that discomfort is the exact soil where transformation takes root.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that Stimulated Wellness is not about trends or aesthetics — it’s about real tools for transformation. My work is for people who want to go deeper, who want to heal sustainably, and who want to feel represented in wellness spaces that have not always been inclusive. My story is proof that wellness is not just for those who appear to “have it all together” — it’s for anyone willing to take a breath, show up, and choose healing over and over again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, I’d roll out the ultimate week-long itinerary — part wellness, part foodie adventure, part hidden gems, all fun.

Day 1 – Eat, Stretch, Repeat
We’d start at Café Gratitude for a feel-good, soul-nourishing breakfast — I’d order the I Am Grateful bowl (trust me, it’s life-changing). After that, we’d hit Veda Yoga to stretch, breathe, and set our intentions for the week. Insider tip: go early to snag a front-row mat and grab a smoothie after class — it’s like dessert disguised as wellness fuel.

Day 2 – Spa Day, But Make It Luxe
A day for pure reset: Korean spa vibes all the way. Insider tip: don’t miss the full body scrub massage — they scrub all the dead skin off, wash your hair, and finish with a nourishing seaweed mask, leaving you feeling polished and renewed. They give you flip-flops, so all you need to bring are your shower products to rinse and change afterward. Don’t forget the steam room, cold plunge, and hot tub — this is full-on self-care heaven.

Day 3 – Yoga & The Grove
We’d swing by Walk Good Yard for yoga and meditation — it’s addicting, and you’ll want to take three classes while you’re there. Insider tip: join them on Sundays for a run, hike, or yoga in the park; it’s a community vibe you can’t miss. Then, we’d take it outside for a little walk and shop around the Grove. Maybe dinner at Bacari!

Day 4 – Artsy Adventures
Dive into the creative energy of the city: hunt for treasures at vinyl stores in the Arts District (I have a secret spot for rare pressings) and soak up murals for the perfect photo ops. Depending on the night, we’d hit an event at Design Center or Soho House, experiencing the city’s creative and cultural community firsthand. Insider tip: RSVP early or bring a friend in the know — some events are invite-only and totally worth it.

Day 5 – Culinary Indulgence
Fancy vibes: Bestia in DTLA. The branzino is a must — perfectly crisp and flavorful, a true standout. Insider tip: try to snag a corner table for the best view of the open kitchen and atmosphere — it’s an experience, not just dinner.

Day 6 – Beach, Chill, & Tea
A private beach day for sun, waves, and maybe a little meditation on the sand. Later, we’d stop by Shiloh for tea — they have daytime and late-night hours, plus really unique events you can stumble into.

Day 7 – Wrap It Up Mindfully
Yoga, meditation in the park, and a wellness-inspired brunch to celebrate a week of movement, food, culture, and connection. Insider tip: take a few moments to journal reflections or set intentions for home — it’s the perfect way to carry the energy forward.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to the teachers, mentors, and community members who have poured wisdom, encouragement, and love into my journey. When I began my wellness path, I had just finished my first yoga teacher training and was unsure of where I fit in. I carried both excitement and doubt, but what kept me grounded were the people and teachings who reminded me of my own potential when I couldn’t see it for myself.

First, I want to honor the teachers at Veda Yoga who not only guided my practice but modeled what it means to hold space with grace and humility. They reminded me that yoga is not just movement but a way of life — a discipline of resilience, compassion, and self-discovery. I also owe deep gratitude to my career coach, who gave me the most real and raw advice. Sometimes what we need most isn’t encouragement, but honesty — and those truths helped me face my fears and take bold steps when I was tempted to play small.

My dad deserves a special acknowledgment for always talking me back into my power. In moments of doubt, he reminded me who I am, what I’ve overcome, and that my strength doesn’t come from avoiding challenges but from walking through them with courage. My friends and my Buddhist community (Soka Gakkai) also held me up in times when I couldn’t be the strong person I wanted to be. They showed me the power of shared faith, chanting, and collective encouragement — and how leaning on others doesn’t make you weaker, but in fact makes you braver.

Books and spiritual teachings have been like companions on my path. Nichiren Daishonin’s Gosho and Daisaku Ikeda’s Creating Happiness and Peace Vol. 1 taught me that no struggle is wasted — each hardship is fuel for building wisdom and happiness. The Bhagavad Gita gave me a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and reminded me of the sacredness of walking your dharma even when it feels impossible. And through Joe Dispenza’s teachings, especially his videos on rewiring the brain, I’ve been reminded again and again that transformation is always available — that by shifting your thoughts and emotions, you can change your reality and unlock a new version of yourself.

But above all, my biggest shoutout goes to the communities I serve and represent: the Black community, the creative community, and the wellness community. We are all linked by something profound — the determination to turn trauma into transformation, to rewrite not only our own stories but to inspire others to do the same. These communities embody resilience, innovation, and healing in action. They remind me that my work is not just about personal success, but about being part of a larger movement of people who believe in making the world more loving and joyful.

My journey is not mine alone — it is a reflection of every teacher, mentor, friend, family member, and community who believed in me, challenged me, and walked beside me. I carry all of them with me, and their influence is the reason I continue to do this work with faith, gratitude, and determination.

Website: https://www.stimulatedwellness.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanellyoga

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanellschipani/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stimulated-wellness-los-angeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shanellschipani

Image Credits
Beach Yoga and Prayer with yellow Pillow – Justin Childress
Green top with Soundbowls – Heaven Leigh @heavenleighfilms