Forty and Faithful - Shannon’s Birthday Episode
Yesterday, I turned 40 years old and officially headed into a new decade of life and when I was thinking about what I wanted to talk about for this episode, the word that kept coming to me was faithful. When I think of faithful, there’s no one I think of more than my college roommate Jill who actually turns 40 the day after me. Before I kick off this episode, though, I need to give a word of warning. If you are someone who is uncomfortable with God or faith-based talk, then this is not the episode for you. Stop listening now and listen to a replay instead. I know that my show is a money show and I’ll return to that next week, but since it’s my birthday and my podcast, I wanted to give this gift of a beautiful conversation with my friend about faithfulness and trust to myself. I loved this conversation with Jill and I’m so thankful to have a friend like her for over 22 years now. I hope you enjoy our reflection on 40 and our years leading up to it.
What are we drinking?
Jill — Kahlua Peppermint Mocha Coffee (non-alcoholic)
Shannon — Coffee
Podcast Notes
Shannon and Jill met at college and became fast friends. They talk about their college dorm room and illegal coffee maker.
Shannon and Jill took a vacation to celebrate their 30th birthdays, and they talk about the seven-mile hike they took in the Catskills.
Shannon’s birthday is April 19, and Jill’s is April 20.
Jill says she feels better turning forty than when she turned thirty. She has a different perspective then when she was younger. She wants to be forty, faithful, and fabulous. Being faithful, loyal, and persevering is something you have to do as you get older.
Forty and faithful is what Shannon thinks of when she looks at the next decade. The path of faithfulness was solidified in her thirties. In her twenties, she had a lot of insecurities. Heading into thirty, she felt like she had it all figured out - husband, child, house, career. In her thirties, she learned what she needed to live a life true to herself. She read a book about happiness and realized that she wanted to help other people.
Shannon wondered why God put her through the journey of building the Gym and she realized that she asked for this when she read the Happiness book.
God responds in three different ways: Yes, no, or maybe. Sometimes it is yes and then some. It is sometimes in a totally different way than you expect.
Malachi 3: God is like a refiner who hold the silver over the hottest part of the fire until the silver is complete.
When things get really hard, remember, God wants you to be like the image of Christ. It’s not about you, it’s about your character.
When Shannon had no money in her personal account or the Gym’s account, she had no words to pray, but had 100 percent faith that God was going to provide. Two days later, she had $65,000 in the bank.
Tears are the expression when there are no words - Recovering from Losses in Life, by H. Norman Wright
That wasn’t the last time she was being refined. In January, Shannon was doing her own numbers and realized she needed to sell her house. She realized she was holding onto it, because she didn’t want to tell Will and she didn’t want to feel shame. She had to trust in God to let go and know it will work out. Shannon recently found a rental in the same school district and received an offer on her house for list price, shortly after listing it.
Hope International specialized in micro loans in other countries. When meeting with their clients they utilize the five W’s: Welcome, worship, word, work, wrap up.
Shannon’s divorce was another faith journey. She prayed a lot before making that decision. She and Bill now co-parent like rockstars.
For any big, scary life decisions, remember that God is the net. If you are on the trapeze and don’t let go for the other side, you will miss out on so many great things. There is a peace when you know God is your safety net.
Life is a lot better, when you have faith. There is less fear and worry. Have faith like a child.
For 13 years, Shannon worked for other people. She didn’t plan to be an entrepreneur and didn’t have the idea of the Financial Gym until she was 35. She doesn’t have any regrets, because her experiences shaped her.
It’s only through the broken places that light can shine through.
Jill’s goals for her forties: pray more, listen more, seek God’s guidance, and embrace every season.
Shannon’s goals for her forties: keep being the steward she is supposed to be - the Gym is the mission. God is acting through Shannon and her team to change lives. Also, being who she needs to be for Will and to be present for him. To refine work-life integration.
Let go of the stupid things you tell yourself. Don’t listen to the lies. Believe in the abundance you are entitled to. Don’t just pray for rain, carry an umbrella and expect a storm.
TAKEAWAY: My biggest takeaway is the value of faithfulness whenever you have big goals ahead of you. Most life journeys are filled with ups and downs and for me, my faith is the constant in all of it. It’s what gets me through the lows and makes me grateful for the highs.If you need someone to help you in your financial life, and have faith in you, I hope you’ll reach out to my team at the Financial Gym. We have clients achieving their dreams every day that they never could have realized on their own. You can schedule a free call here to find out more. No matter where you are in your financial journey, my financial trainers can help you get where you want to go. So head over to or send friends to financialgym.com/friends to sign up today!