I was struck by a hit-and-run driver while out for a morning run in Philadelphia. Eight months later I crossed a marathon finish line. That gap — between devastation and forward motion — is where Grit Over Quit lives.
On March 2nd, I was out for a run in Philadelphia when a driver struck me and fled the scene. I was taken to the trauma unit at Jefferson Hospital with a facial laceration requiring over 60 stitches, third-degree burns on my knees, a torn ligament — and a kind of mental trauma that doesn't show up on any scan.
What followed was its own battle. I was told the case wouldn't be investigated. I chased attorneys who didn't know the details of my own injuries. Hearings were postponed. A serious plea deal evaporated into 3–6 months' probation. After six months of pushing up a hill that never ended, I made the hardest call: I walked away from the case to protect what was left of my peace.
But I didn't walk away from the fight. By November of that year — eight months after the accident — I crossed a marathon finish line. I also wrote a book, joined the advisory board of Running Mate (an app keeping runners safe), and took the TEDx stage at Villanova University to share what I'd learned. Grit Over Quit isn't just a motto. It's what I lived.
"Comfort and growth can never co-exist. Running transformed my view of putting myself in uncomfortable situations — because growth follows difficulty."
My experience as a crime victim taught me something I now carry into every coaching relationship: the system — whether it's the justice system, the corporate ladder, or the story you tell yourself — will not always show up for you. You have to show up for yourself.
I work with people who are navigating their own impossible hills. People who've been overlooked, underestimated, or beaten down — and who still have the fire to keep going. That's who I'm here for.
In this TEDx talk, Shannon explores the philosophy that guided her through six marathons, a life-altering accident, and a justice system that failed to show up. The same mental framework that gets a runner through mile 20 is the one that carries you through every hard thing life throws your way.
"You have to do really hard things to get rewards and see success."
Watch on YouTube →Every program is built on the same foundation: honesty, accountability, and doing the work. Pick the path that fits where you are right now.
1-on-1 · 30-Day Intensive
In a marathon, miles 20–26 are where most people quit. This intensive is for you if you're at your wall right now — in your career, your mindset, or your life — and need focused support to push through it.
1-on-1 · 90-Day Deep Dive
No one runs a marathon without a training plan. This 90-day program builds the mental systems, habits, and accountability structures to carry you through your biggest goals — and beyond the finish line.
Group Coaching · Monthly
Running alongside others makes you faster. Monthly live group sessions where you'll be challenged, held accountable, and reminded you're not doing this alone. Perfect for those who thrive in community.
These aren't hype. These are real people who decided to stop quitting.
"I came in thinking I needed motivation. What I actually needed was a system and someone who wouldn't let me make excuses. That's exactly what I got. My entire outlook shifted in 60 days."
"I was two steps away from giving up on my business. After just a month of coaching I had more clarity and confidence than I'd had in years. The work is real, and the results are real."
"The group intensives changed my life. I thought I needed 1-on-1 but the community accountability is unlike anything else. I've never stuck with something this consistently before."
From corporate boardrooms to running clubs to advocacy stages — Shannon brings her story, her research, and her no-fluff delivery to audiences who need to hear that grit is a practice, not a personality trait.
"Resilience as a Competitive Advantage"
Drawing on her background in finance transformation and organizational change, Shannon makes the case that the same mental toughness that carries a runner through mile 20 is what separates thriving teams from stalling ones. Built for leaders navigating ambiguity, change, and burnout.
"Grit Over Quit: Refusing to Be Voiceless"
A talk for women who've been overlooked, underestimated, or told their story doesn't matter. Shannon shares her journey from hit-and-run victim to TEDx speaker to published author — and the daily decisions that bridged that gap.
"The Marathon Mindset: What Miles 20–26 Teach You About Life"
Shannon has run six marathons — including one just eight months after her accident. This talk dives into the mental frameworks that get runners through their wall and how that same mindset applies to every challenge off the road.
"When the System Fails You: A Victim's Case for Change"
Shannon speaks on record about her experience navigating a justice system that failed at every turn — not to seek sympathy, but to illuminate the procedural gaps that leave victims voiceless. A call for accountability, reform, and representation.
Available for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and workshops. In-person and virtual.
Inquire About Speaking →Drop your email and get weekly insights on mindset, resilience, and doing the things most people won't. No fluff. Just fuel.
Zero spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.