Jayme Shiarla’s journey is a powerful reminder that even the most painful chapters can be transformed into purpose. A coach, author, and leader who has walked through deep personal adversity, Jayme has rebuilt her life with resilience, compassion, and faith. Her story resonates deeply with the Humans of Fuzia community as it reflects courage, healing, and the strength to rise—not just for oneself, but for others. Through her work, Jayme continues to inspire women and men across the world to lead lives rooted in balance, authenticity, and impact.
What inspired you to begin your journey as a coach? Was there a person, moment, or challenge that shaped this path?
I truly believe we can only connect the dots looking backward. I’ve had a very diverse personal and professional journey, filled with a lot of wrong decisions and personal adversity. I grew up in a broken home, surrounded by anger and alcohol, and experienced a lot of loss—through murder, suicide, overdose, cancer, and more. I was also in an abusive relationship and struggled with addiction, eating disorders, and even an unhealthy relationship with fitness and work.
Despite all of this, coaching was always part of my life. I worked with grieving children, coached cheerleading, including for adults with special needs, and naturally stepped into leadership roles. Around 2016 or 2017, the opportunity to get certified in NLP and formally become a coach presented itself—and that’s when everything truly began to align.
What challenges did you face while establishing yourself, especially in marketing and branding?
I’ve worked for myself since I was 18, so learning how to market, brand, and sell myself came through a lot of trial and error. I lived in an area with limited access to digital tools, and at that time, personal branding wasn’t as accessible or common as it is today.
What helped me persevere was my willingness to keep going. I believe the brain is like a muscle—you have to train it to become stronger and more resilient. I kept my focus on the bigger picture and reminded myself that this journey wasn’t just about me, but about helping others too.
What has been your proudest milestone so far?
That’s a hard one because there have been many meaningful moments. But one that stands out is publishing my book. I used to send out daily motivational quotes early in the morning, without realizing the impact they were having—even on myself. Those words genuinely saved my life during some of my darkest moments.
One day, I received a message from a client who found my book sitting on a park bench outside an AA meeting. I have no idea how it got there or who placed it, but knowing that a piece of my healing journey might have reached someone exactly when they needed it is incredibly powerful. I’ll probably never know the full impact—and that’s what makes it so special.
Do you work solo, or do you have a support system around you?
I strongly believe in being a product of my own product. If I tell others they need support, I need to practice that too. I run a networking organization, partner with others, and have mentors, coaches, and people who support me with marketing. Having the right people around helps ensure my voice is shared authentically and effectively.
How have your clients and their challenges evolved over time?
Life keeps changing, and so do people’s struggles. While my skills have grown, the challenges my clients face have also evolved—especially around grief, work-life balance, purpose, and resilience. My own mindset has become stronger over time, which allows me to better support others as they navigate constant change.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership and empowerment today?
Women are leaders—in their homes, families, and communities. Leadership isn’t about gender; it’s about how you show up with kindness and integrity while leading from the front. Sometimes we overcomplicate empowerment movements, when in reality, leading your life well matters just as much as leading a business. It all matters.
What message would you share with aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
We need water to survive, but water can also kill us. Too much of anything—even something good—can become a problem. If you obsess over growing your business, other areas of life may suffer. If you rest too much and don’t put in the work, you may not reach your goals. Balance is everything, and staying in that neutral zone is a lifelong practice.
What does success mean to you, personally and professionally?
My faith is central to my life. Without God, I wouldn’t be here. Success for me is doing my best to represent love, kindness, and purpose—imperfectly, but sincerely—and helping others understand how deeply valued they are.
“Even good things, in excess, can become harmful—true growth lies in balance, resilience, and choosing to live a life rooted in purpose.”
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