Fundraiser for UrbanMonk

I am "ShayTheCoach" who is the Owner of UrbanMonk a company I founded as a result of my passion to help others become the best version of, “SELF.” I do this by offering Personal Fitness Training,  Nutritional Consultations,  Karate and Chi Movement classes.

I have a strong Psychology background and believe in the ability of people to reach their optimal state of health!  I enriched this background with training and certifications in personal fitness training, nutrition, and hold a black belt in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate.

In a nutshell I've spent a full career studying and working in the world of Psychology (almost 17 years)! In 2014, I resigned and really got serious with my health and fitness business.  2015 was a great start and I worked with 30 clients personally and many more in group settings and demonstrations. I want to keep the momentum going.  So I'm asking for help!  The money  raised will be used for a location and equipment.  The company will need the funds within the next 6 months (August 2016).

This means so much to me because of my own personal healing journey.  The situations in my personal life and while I was in my Psychology career led me to a place where I was unable to digest food and on multiple medications. I felt trapped.  Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE martial arts. The worst part of all these conditions was that I stopped teaching completely and practically stopped training.  This is probably not the first time you’ve read a story like this!  You might be wondering what makes my story so unique.  I think it’s the list of conditions and injuries that I've faced
Here’s the list:

The physical ailments included gastric and digestion problems, soft tissue damage from previously dislocating my right wrist, left shoulder, and my jaw, among other injuries. The emotional ailments included a handful of mental health and substance abuse diagnoses.  These ailments came with heavy stereotypes and stigma. Facing this stigma affected more areas of my life than martial arts.

By the time I started revamping my life and career, my confidence in my body’s ability to heal was pretty much gone and so was my karate program.  It was the positive attitude of the friends, family, supporters, clients, and my persistence with my keeping to my regimen that helped me get better. Through this process, I started a health and wellness company because so many people around me were inspired by my healing, they started to ask me to help them. So I did through the company. I’m so excited to say I’m both training and teaching martial arts again and then some!!  My experience has helped me not take doing what I love for granted.  Sometimes pictures speak louder than words, so I wanted to attach a couple before and after pictures.

Taken 9/2012:




Taken 5/2015:


The fact that I was able to make this transformation moves me and inspires my clients. I could not get to this level of education, condition, and inspiration without a community.  So, I'm giving back through this company- UrbanMonk by helping people reach their goals.  In order to keep doing this, I need your help through donations which will help house the company so I can provide services and also to purchase equipment.

Your donations are much appreciated!