Lighthouse Conversations with Chelley Canales

My Life Sentence with Carlyn Shaw

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It can be deeply challenging to find the silver lining among unexpected, life-altering experiences, but that’s exactly what Carlyn Shaw had to do in order to get by. 
 
An MS diagnosis and the death of two best friends in short succession sent Carlyn on a path of awakening that has spanned decades. 
 
Find out how challenging lows, like knocking out her two front teeth, led to astonishing highs, such as Brene Brown re-Tweeting her blog post about the experience, shaped the course of her life, leading her on a mission to turn strangers to friends via the power of discovery through storytelling. 
 

Based on her own transformation, from a 19-year old diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, who lost 2 best friends in separate car accidents, to becoming a fearless optimist who turns strangers into friends, Carlyn Shaw is a testament to the words, “Life doesn’t happen to you, but rather, for you.  

Fueled by her misfortunes, Carlyn shifted her perspective, choosing to plant her feet all over the planet! She’s ttekked Machu Picchu, backpacked Australia while working for a non-profit, and likes to say she’s, “eaten her way through Thailand”. After a freak bike accident in 2013 left her without two front teeth, Carlyn chose to “rock out with her teeth out,” inviting the power of perseverance and her smile to shine. Carlyn routinely receives emails from people around the world, as they see themselves in lessons learned from her journey.  
 
Early in her career, utilizing her Journalism Degree, insightful imagination and profound people skills, Carlyn tackled PR for a $60M hotel chain. She later served as a Senior Travel Nurse Recruiter, receiving the annual award, “Most Passionate Recruiter” by her peers. After a job loss in 2010, seeking a means to network, Carlyn created a “Connection Card,” giving herself the title, “Turning Strangers Into Friends”. This simple shift of leading with her authentic self, open the door to people, synchronicity and possibility. Recognizing it was the ‘stories’ connecting us all, Carlyn followed her intuition and founded an in-person community, Strangers To Friends, inviting men and women to share their unique stories, establishing real connections while building self confidence. 
 
An inspirational speaker and connection workshop facilitator, Carlyn shares her journey of self-healing, embracing adversity and gaining personal perspective. Additionally, Carlyn is a Transition Coach—supporting individuals to shift their inner dialogue, take action and become their own best friend. 
 
Carlyn is a published author in the book, “When I Rise, I Thrive” and has been featured in news outlets including The Denver Post, San Diego Tribune and an appearance on Anderson Cooper’s daytime talk show. She has been a presenter at “Ignite Denver”, a keynote speaker for the Prince of Wales Alaska Marathon and regular speaker at Multiple Sclerosis Society engagements. Carlyn challenges you to let go of what no longer serves you and to say YES to the life you not only want, but you deserve​.