Empowering Growth Through Nature and Self
Shirlene Shears
In 2026, people I know described me as a “plainspoken, honest, nurturing, intelligent, witty, strong, loving, driven, happy, generous, energetic, kind, beautiful warrior.” Personally, I think their description is quite generous, but I’m not mad about it.
Since they forgot a few important details, I’ll add them myself: I love nature, animals (especially cats, because they combine affection with healthy disrespect), DIY projects, great food, and traveling I have been to over 20 countries, 50 large US cities, and I also enjoy cussing. Not cursing—cussing. There’s a difference. One is offensive by wishing ill will on someone; the other is a highly effective communication strategy and stress reliever.
A Student of Life and leadership
My life résumé includes public speaking, leadership, managing multimillion dollar budgets, discrimination (unwanted but educational), interviewing, gaslighting (which I’m told never happened), betrayal (great character development), imposter syndrome, (hate being fake), divorce (after 16 years I do became I’m free), poverty (excellent budgeting training), cancer at 38 (a very aggressive life strategist), poverty (excellent budgeting training), supervision, social isolation, sexism, racism, famicism (family hate, yes I created that word), codependency, jealousy, scape goating, abuse, neglect, bullying, and a long list of spiritual awakenings I didn’t exactly apply for, but am now grateful for the experiences.
Did I take some “L’s?” Of course! L stands for Leveling up. Make no mistake, I may be the black sheep, but I’m not a victim, I am a student of life!
In other words, I’ve had a well-rounded education in being human—and now I continue to help others navigate their pathway, hopefully quicker than mine. As a military leader, soldiers technically belong to their supervisor 24 hours a day. That means when a soldier doesn’t stay in shape, “forgets” to pay their rent, or makes spectacularly bad life choices at 2:00 a.m., it somehow becomes the leader’s problem. Nothing builds character like being responsible for another adult’s push-ups, finances, and decision-making skills.
It is called 100% accountability—also known as professional adult babysitting with a uniform and a rank. Incidentally, I went from Private to Major—which basically means the Army slowly increased the number of people I was responsible for while simultaneously increasing the number of things that became my fault. It’s an impressive career path: start out taking orders, and eventually be responsible for everyone else not following them.
Yes, life for me has been a series of beautiful traumas that provided me opportunities to rapidly grasp problems ,while still accomplishing personal and professional goals for me and other crisis management enthusiasts. I would be delighted to work with you, and for you, to obtain your goals!
Career summary
For the academic snobs, résumé inspectors, and credential collectors searching for the flim‑flam to the flew‑flaw, here’s a few official receipts so you can relax. Personally, I’ve met plenty of GED holders who are waaaaay smarter, wiser, and significantly more useful in real life than I am. In fact, I firmly believe anyone who survives four years of poverty deserves at least an Associate’s Degree in Social Science—no classroom required, just fieldwork in sociology, stress, and creative budgeting.
Because sometimes life hands you a textbook, and sometimes it hands you a $100 bill with a $20 savings account. Both are educational experiences.
Education & Leadership
MBA-University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
MSN -University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
BSN – Hampton, University, Hampton, VA
Military Leadership Courses: Command and General Staff Coursem Officer Advanced Course,, Officer Basic Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, and Army Future Leaders Courses.
Yes, there are degrees, Courses and certificates I have earned. But my REAL education and experience came from life itself. I spent 20 honorable years in the army, serving in a wide range of leadership positions, alongside some of the best, brightest, most dedicated people I’ve ever met as well as few, shall we say, spectacularly trifling.
All of them taught me something. Like you, I’ve experienced plenty of situations that definitely were not included in the “life on Earth” brochure.” Some taught me through wisdom. Others preferred the more expensive method, experience.
And through it all, I learned that education is much bigger than a classroom. So yes, check degrees. Review the courses. Inspect the certificates. They’re all legitimate.
But if you really want to understand my education, look at the life I’ve lived, the people I’ve led, the challenges I’ve survived, the mistakes I’ve learned from and the person I became along the way. Because the classroom gave me credentials.
Life gave me an education.
My Experience
I’ve held a wonderfully eclectic collection of positions, from the glamorous world of grass cutting, trash collecting, and sandbag filling to senior leadership roles as a mid-level officer instructor, recruiter, contracting officer representative, reserve company commander, and director of various clinical and clinical operations programs. In other words, I’ve done everything from pushing a lawnmower to pushing organizational strategy, and I’ve learned something from every stop along the way.
Thank you for your support!
I graduated in the top 10% in high school in Texas and I’m also deeply grateful that all degrees and stipends were generously funded by the hardworking U.S. taxpayers, by winning national competitive scholarships.
Don’t worry though… you definitely got your money back in service. Yes, with interest, overtime, a few glasses of wine, conversation with merciful mentors, and trustworthy friends. Thank you for your support and let me continue to support you!