Exploring Life & Business with Brian Sheldon Hayes of Brian Sheldon Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Sheldon Hayes.

Hi Brian Sheldon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Rochester, NY, and the majority of my childhood was spent outside in the Adirondack mountains or in the lakes and mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It was there that I developed a love and respect for the outdoors that has shaped who I am. After graduating college with a degree in Biology focusing on Wildlife Behavior in Ithaca, NY, I moved out west to explore the wilderness and wildlife that is so abundant out here. I worked with marine life in Washington, studied and monitored endangered owls and other animals in California, worked as a ski bum and outdoor educator in Colorado, and now find myself in Arizona.

I even tried out Flagstaff for a bit but decided that the community in Phoenix was exactly what I needed. I’m now building my practice and community so that I can continue to show my love for the outdoors, and how important it is for us to come together to respect the planet so that we can leave it a better place than we found it.

Although I had experienced yoga, meditation, and breathwork before, my Health and Wellness journey truly began when I discovered the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts (SWIHA). Before deciding to move to Arizona I felt extremely stuck and alone, not sure of the direction that my life was going. SWIHA has given me the ability to step out of the old stories I told myself for so long and step into my confidence, knowing that I love being of service to others and have gifts that I can use to help them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many ups and downs on my path, but I’ve found that by trusting my gut and pursuing the things that I love to do, I’m continuing to find my way. As someone who has had a lot of jobs and a lot of interests, it was difficult to find something I loved to do that didn’t put me in a place that made me unhappy. I struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time and realized that I was making unhealthy choices that continued to lead me to places where I couldn’t thrive because I continued to repeat old patterns that no longer served me.

Through my health and wellness journey, I’ve realized that by cultivating community, authentic connections, and staying true to who I am, I’ve put myself in a place where I can succeed and make the changes I need to be my happiest, healthiest, and most authentic self.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started Brian Sheldon Wellness in early 2020, to help those who struggle with their physical, mental, and emotional health to create new habits and comprehensive health plans that can help them take control of their health. In 2012 I was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Lupus, and have been on my own personal health and wellness journey since then. I have found that through a combination of different Integrative modalities, including Hypnotherapy, Therapeutic Shamanism, and Yoga, along with exercise, meditation, and an improved nutrition plan, I have been able to manage my health and feel more in tune with my body and connected to my health than ever before.

I am a Nature-Rooted Wellness Practitioner, and through the modalities of Therapeutic Shamanism, Hypnotherapy, Reiki, breath-work, and other Integrative methods, I help my clients to re-connect with Nature so that they can connect more deeply with themselves and get to the root of what is holding them back. I love creating a safe space for clients to be their authentic selves so that we can dive deep into their process.

I currently host events at Abundant Space in Scottsdale and will be expanding these offerings throughout the valley this Fall. I enjoy working with groups to teach meditation and breath-work, but I feel the most connected to Therapeutic Shamanism as Shamanism surrounds our connection with Mother Nature and how we have become disconnected from Nature as a society. During these events with the aid of Shamanic drumming, I guide groups through a meditative process where they are able to connect more deeply with Nature and work through struggles that they may be experiencing in their lives. It is also wonderful for aiding anxiety relief, stress relief, and removing fears so that we can live more fully in the present and show up for ourselves in the most beneficial way. I also work individually with clients to focus on specific goals and to create health and wellness plans that they can continue to build on to improve their physical, mental, and emotional health.

I also host men’s groups, something I opened up to through my work and leadership training with Sacred Sons, and am excited to continue to expand this work as I feel that there are so many men out there that don’t feel comfortable expressing their emotions and need a safe place to do so. Stress is a normal part of life, but when we hold on to these stressors our bodies are constantly in a state of fight or flight and we have a hard time regulating our immune systems. Too often it is the emotions that we decide to carry instead of processing and moving through that manifest into unhealthy habits and disease later in life.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I really enjoy the health and wellness community in Phoenix that is so far ahead of other cities I have visited. There are so many amazing healthy restaurants, wellness centers, endless events, and great music too!

I’m still getting used to the heat, but a little healthy sweat never hurts!

Pricing:

• Complimentary Initial Consultation – 15 mins
• Therapeutic Shamanism Session – $99 – 75 minutes
• Transpersonal Hypnotherapy Session – $88 – 60 minutes
• Transformational Wellness Coaching – $88 – 60 minutes

Contact Info:

• Email: briansheldonwellness@gmail.com
• Website: briansheldonwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathewithbrian
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianSheldonWellness

Image Credits
Nichole Town
Linda Dow Hayes