Episode 8 - Make Your Passion a Priority with Dana Shamas

By Jessica Garrison

Our guest this week is Dana Shamas, an experienced life coach who offers coaching from an individual standpoint to group retreats in Costa Rica! She has so much passion for life, and her joy is infectious as you listen to her speak.

Self-care has been an evolution for Dana, just as it is for most of us. She recalls how she was exposed to meditation at a young age and asks questions that can help shape the way we think about self-care.

Dana has made her passion a priority and advises others to do the same—this can be a huge help when it comes to setting boundaries. It’s important to make room in your schedule for things you want to do, otherwise you’re saying yes to what everyone else wants to do, which in turn will make you miserable. This segment of Dana’s episode is a gold mine, and there’s something for everyone to learn from her as she speaks about her boundaries journey.

Breathwork has been monumental to Dana as she keeps up with her physical and mental health. The link between the two became clear with her breathwork, and it helped her understand where her anxiety might be stemming from. She describes emotions as waves, which has been one of the best explanations I’ve heard; I’m grateful Dana was able to share it with us.

Supporting other women in living unapologetically “starts with you living unapologetically.” Dana shares how she used to diminish her own light and power, but she has since turned this attitude around. I absolutely loved hearing Dana talk about how she’s found herself and how passionate she is about everyone finding their purpose in life.

Dana’s why is essential to her and guides her in everything she does. Her values help her in making the right decisions for herself as well as others, and that’s all you can really ask for. “Life is designed to be abundant and beautiful,” Dana says, which she showcases in her life brilliantly.

Living out of her own expectations versus others’ is one of the most difficult parts of Dana’s journey. The idea of success is different for everyone, so listening to someone else’s version of success and happiness can muddle your own ideas. However, hearing Dana describe her journey with expectations is encouraging and inspiring.

Accepting the layered aspects of yourself isn’t an easy feat, but Dana shows us the exciting parts of discovering yourself. She says that we’re able to experience so much in life, and being curious rather than afraid can be quite impactful.

I love the end of the episode when Dana is discussing cultivating healthy relationships through F.E.E.L. One thing she says is that allowing herself to feel and express her emotions allows her to show grace for others in her life.

Dana has been an incredible guest for the podcast, and I appreciate all of the knowledge she had to share. You can learn more about Dana on the Embracing Layers website, check out her resources page, and if you’d like to work with Dana, visit her website for more information.

Ways to Engage: As Dana mentions in this episode, everyone has their own idea of what success is. What does success mean to you? Have other people’s ideas of success altered the way you think of it? Think about what you want out of life, what would make you happy, and begin your journey towards success.