Shannon's Origin Story - Chatting With Mom
If you're listening to this episode on the day it debuted, you're officially listening on my birthday, April 19th. For my final season of the show, I thought I would bring on the woman who was there from the beginning. Not only the woman who gave me life but also my hero, my mother, Jamie. She joins me to share family stories, especially how my grandparents built a church in Queens, NY, and relive some funny stories of my youth and what I was like growing up (spoiler alert, I've always been a type A overachiever). I hope you enjoy hearing more about the woman who raised me and the family that inspired my journey.
What are we drinking?
Jamie aka Mom – Champagne
Shannon – Champagne
Podcast Notes
Family History and Foundation
Shannon's family has a deep American heritage, with seven generations born in the United States.
Her grandparents moved to New York when Shannon's mom was young, as her father was called into ministry in the early 1950s.
They eventually settled in Queens after a pivotal incident in her grandmother's life shaped their family trajectory.
Racial justice was important to them, which led her father to reject judgmental church environments and advocate for and build inclusive worship spaces.
Jamie was rebellious, aiming to defy all stereotypes of being a preacher's daughter. She faced many challenges in life, including an early pregnancy and single motherhood, but she always had faith and made it work.
Shannon credits her mom with instilling in her the value of hard work. She has watched her mom's faith, dedication, and resilience her whole life.
Lessons and Values Passed Down
Her grandfather's example of building a church from humble beginnings resonates with Shannon's vision and story of the Financial Gym.
The Financial Gym aims to welcome and support all individuals on their financial journeys, echoing the values of Shannon's family.
Shannon finds strength and support in her faith through her challenges, particularly during dark times.
She emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith through life's trials and expresses gratitude for the signs and support she's received from God through humans here on earth.
For Shannon, financial wealth isn't just about money—it's about the richness of relationships and the fulfillment of purpose. This is reflected in the work done at the Financial Gym.
Shannon would not be the woman she is today without her mom. She is thankful for her mother's influence and support throughout her life, as she is a constant source of guidance and wisdom.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is to talk to your family and learn more about the ancestry that impacts you. There are so many questions I wish I could ask my grandparents, but I’m thankful every time I hear more stories about them from my mom.
Random Three Questions
What is one big trip you’d go on if you had an unlimited budget?
What are you currently binging?
If this was your last meal on earth, what would it be?
Resources Mentioned:
Highland Avenue Baptist Church
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at shannon@fingyms.com or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook Page, and let me know what you want to hear.
As many of you know, other than running this podcast, I’m the founder and CEO of The Financial Gym, and we are celebrating 10 years of this journey. Now more than ever, I see the importance of the work we do every single day. Rising inflation, the return on student loan debt, high-interest rates on loans and mortgages, and volatile stock markets make it a time where, now more than ever, you need a best financial friend to help you make the best choices along the way.
At Financial Gym, you get paired with a Certified Financial Trainer, who we call your BFF. Our team has coached clients through every financial season, whether they were living paycheck to paycheck or headed into Financial Independence and Retirement. As a reminder, we work with individuals, couples, or business owners.
The exciting news of 2024 is that Financial Gym now has a sister company, FG Advisory Services, available for people looking for more traditional financial advisory services like asset management delivered by a team that looks and behaves nothing like a traditional financial advisory services company. We literally have a solution for you, no matter where you’re starting from. So what are you waiting for? Head over to or send friends to financialgym.com to get started today. Our warm-up calls are free of cost and judgment, so you have nothing to lose.