Do you feel like you’re not where you’re supposed to be, off track or simply exhausted from trying so hard to make things work? Your “true self” has an easier plan–and is just aching to show you the way.
We chat to international speaker and empowerment coach Shannon Kaiser about her new book, Joy Seeker: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For. She speaks about what led her to write Joy Seeker, along with the challenges she faced, writing, and more.
Hi Shannon! Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m the bestselling author of five books on the psychology of happiness and fulfillment, including the #1 bestseller The Self-Love Experiment and Adventures for Your Soul and my new book, Joy Seeker. As an international life coach, speaker and retreat leader, I empower people to trust and believe in themselves so they can live their highest potential. I’ve been named one of the top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness by mindbodygreen and “your-go-to happiness booster” by Health magazine. When I am not traveling the world, I am at my home base, Portland, Oregon, with my best friend, my rescue dog from the China meat trade, Chance, playing with the world.
Your new book, Joy Seeker, publishes on October 29th. If you could only describe your book in five words, what would they be?
Guide for Authentic, Unapologetic Living
What can readers expect?
Joy Seeker is a beautiful journey that takes readers into the heart and reason for being. It will give you the tools to show up more fully, courageously and love filled. The term “joy seeker” sounds sweet and straightforward, but it is so much more. So much of what I dive into in the book is authenticity and how to be who we are meant to be in a world that often pushes fear, judgment, shame and blame. It is about coming together in your wholeness and being unapologetic about your gorgeous self.
What made you want to sit down and write Joy Seeker?
My personal experience led to writing the book. I suffered a devastating loss, losing my dog Tucker to old age. I fell into a mini depression and realized up until that point I had been leaning on him and things outside of myself to bring me happiness and joy. It was necessary and timely for me to learn how to find joy within myself without needing anything or anyone for fulfillment. The essence of this book is about going inward to empower yourself to be who you are meant to be while letting go of the things you are not.
Did you face any challenges while you were writing?
I tend to write about what I need to learn. So the entire journey I take readers through is the adventure I went on. The biggest challenges that came up were the barriers to joy and allowing it into my life, and I share in the book how I overcame this, because I too had to practice and do what I write about. The book is how to let go of what’s holding you back from joy so you can become who you were meant to be, so any challenges presented will also come with a solution for how to overcome them.
Do you think there’s a certain part/chapter where things begin to “click” for a reader?
I recently read through and recorded the book for the audio version, and realized how much of a journey we go on together. I take the reader through a journey of connecting to their true self. And in the last part, part eight, it really comes together, everything connects and pays off. It is one of the books that becomes an adventure within itself, and when you make it to the end of the book, you are rewarded with the truth, the magic and the real gift of it all.
What’s your writing process like?
For me I traveled the world full-time to live out the biggest dream in my heart. My writing process was one of joy and inspiration as I wrote the book from cafés all around the world.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
If you want to release shame and self-blame and feel more compassion for yourself, check out The Self-Love Experiment.
You can find Shannon on Instagram and Facebook, along with the Joy Seeker Facebook page.
